Rush: The Autobiography

by Ian Rush

In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed football legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen. Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen.This is the story of a rough-edged Welsh teenager thrust into the ranks of an already great side, who didn't feel up to it, but who learned how to grow as a player and a man until he became the most devastating finisher in English football. Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool FC became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough. The drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of football today.

Genres: Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2008

Reviews

[Cathal Kenneally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to read the more up to date version of this book. This book, unfortunately does not include his career when he moved to Italy to play for Juventus. Saying that it still gives me the impression that he was always a shy, humble person on and off the field. Players and staff would never let you get above yourself and if you tried to you were brought back down to earth with a bang.
I liked the last few pages where people give individual tributes. Ron Atkinson,( a great manager who was unlucky not to win the title with Manchester United for which it cost him his job, ironically it heralded the beginning of the Ferguson era )pays a nice tribute to Ian Rush. United were to finish second in the 1985-86 season before Atkinson was sacked.
Still a great read.

[Tommo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hero my legend!Brilliant!❤️👍📖

[E Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Rush is a Liverpool and Wales legend but I am only barely able to recall the twilight of Rush's career at the Kop. I therefore found it interesting to read more about his part in Liverpool's dominance in the 1980's which saw him in the team that won the European Cup, the FA cup twice (against Everton each time) and both the League Cup and the old First Division a staggering four times. It gives a good impression of the man as a self-effacing, diligent player from Flint who was content with speaking modestly about his talent. It was also interesting to read about his experiences with other legendary players (such as Barnes, Dalglish, Hansen, Lawrenson, Grobbelaar, Souness) as well as legendary managers Joe Fagan and Bob Paisley.

His story is also an interesting snapshot of the socio-economic trajectory of English football. When Rush joined Liverpool from Chester, the then First Division was a collection of teams with muddy pitches facing chronically low attendance and financial collapse but nourishing young domestic talent. When Rush left, the Premier League was moving into the direction we see today: a multi-billion pound business conglomerate divorced from its original working-class fans and trading international players for eye-watering fees. A lot of the love and respect many of the players and clubs gave the game has gone, and I felt like a young fogey agreeing with him that the FA Cup is no longer given the reverence it deserves.

I can’t pretend that this is a great read, it isn't my favourite autobiography by a footballer. Rush feels very withholding and a lot of what is provided feels listed and methodically chronological rather than anecdotal but I can’t condemn him because he is such a legend. What is tangibly conveyed is his love for the club and he in turn is irrevocably revered for what he achieved. It is light in detailing his time as an international for Wales but he makes clear his coaching qualifications, experiences of managing and determination to stay involved in the sport. It would be great to see him as a manager of the national side after Coleman. I would definitely buy the follow-up book of that!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as boring as you'd think it might be! Definitely worth a read for Liverpool fans.

[Jo Cleobury · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid growing up,Ian Rush was my hero. Everytime I played footie, I pretended to be him. Now I am nearly 47 and reading about him. He is still my favourite footbller, my hero , my Rushy xx

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I would give it 4.5 rounded to 5. I am a Liverpool fan and grew up watching Ian rush so it was very relatable to my growing up! I can see why it’s not as high as I’ve given it. There not intrigue, it’s i played football all and scored loads of goals! I am biased so I loved it. Love you rushy xxx

[Jamie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Liverpool legend without a doubt. This is one of the better players autobiographical accounts I’ve read. Straight to the point about his playing stats and achievements Reveals enough about other players not to be controversial and very respectful to the tragedies witnessed within LFC.

[K_Are_N · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. There will be others who like this book more. I am a Liverpool fan and have great admiration for his ability and what he’s done on the pitch but I didn’t really need to read about him reliving all the amazing goals. So I confess to skimming over chunks.
What I liked about this was the insight into his thought process and reaction to career changes and decision. What moved me the most was the memories of the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall not that great a book it really just consist of Ian Rush recounting goals he score in matches.

I hope he enjoyed scoring more than I enjoyed reading about them. For someone who was a legend at Liverpool I was expecting a bit more. It didn't really give you much insight in to the man he is.

Read Robbie Fowler's book instead.

[Martin Vymyslický · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in his spell in Italy, unfortunately there is all but one chapter about it. Still worth reading because of funny stories from Liverpool dressing room.