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Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography
Perfect for fans of the hit Netflix docuseries, Beckham . The autobiography of arguably the world’s most celebrated sports icon, David Beckham—a classic rags to riches saga of a boy, born into a poor East End London family, with prodigious talent and a father who believed in him and supported him until he became the most gifted athlete of his generation and his nation’s captain. In his own words, Beckham talks about the pressures of celebrity, his controversial and celebrated career, his marriage to Victoria Beckham and family, and, of course, life as the world’s best-known soccer player. In Beckham , the ordinary guy who fate decided would be lifted to glory tells the story of how it all happened.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 1998
210 people are currently reading
1938 people want to read
About the author
David Beckham
31 books71 followersDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English professional footballer, who plays in midfield. He currently plays for and captains Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and is also a member of the England national team. He earned his 100th cap for England against France in March 2008.
He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid footballer. He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon. Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. He continued to make contributions for the England national team in 2007 competitions. Beckham captained Manchester United for the first time on October 21st 2000 in a Premiership match against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute for injured team captain Roy Keane. Beckham went on to score a free-kick in this match, which finished 3-0.
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons. While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches. In his final season, Real clinched the 2006-07 La Liga championship title (Beckham's only major trophy with the club) in the final game of the season on 17 June. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham's new contract with the Galaxy, effective 1 July 2007, gave him the highest salary of any MLS player in history. He debuted for the team on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea at the Home Depot Center, and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final. His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.
He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid footballer. He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon. Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. He continued to make contributions for the England national team in 2007 competitions. Beckham captained Manchester United for the first time on October 21st 2000 in a Premiership match against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute for injured team captain Roy Keane. Beckham went on to score a free-kick in this match, which finished 3-0.
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons. While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches. In his final season, Real clinched the 2006-07 La Liga championship title (Beckham's only major trophy with the club) in the final game of the season on 17 June. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham's new contract with the Galaxy, effective 1 July 2007, gave him the highest salary of any MLS player in history. He debuted for the team on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea at the Home Depot Center, and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final. His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
March 28, 2019
It's not just your story buddy. It has given us so many memories to keep. wherever you played I just follewed you. Your passion for football is really marvellous.
The book is pretty good and illustrates the life of the legendary football player David Beckham. We know David on the field but we don't know David outside the field. It will help you to understand the life of David Beckham.
The book is pretty good and illustrates the life of the legendary football player David Beckham. We know David on the field but we don't know David outside the field. It will help you to understand the life of David Beckham.
April 7, 2012
Yeah, I might be a bit biased here. I'm a fan of Manchester United and like the way David Beckham plays "the beautiful game." Although I read this a while back I do remember devouring the pages with great interest, not finding a dull moment in it. From his 1998 World Cup disgrace to the fighting with Fergie this was a very interesting read, and to hear it from David Beckham's point of view even more so. I must admit I was annoyed with Fergie quite a bit, the nerve of him telling Becks to put soccer before his family as well as basically causing Becks to leave the team. Also, I felt sorry for Beckham in regards to what happened in 1998 when he got sent off from the World Cup after he reacted to what that Argentinian player did. I suppose others may still blame him, and that I may be more forgiving as I'm not English, but I understood why he reacted and the only annoyance I felt was to the Argentinian soccer player's unsportsmanship. It just shows how dirty the game can get, which also reminded me of the incident between Zinedine Zidane and the Italian player years later.
Anyway, if you're a fan of David Beckham or Manchester United read this, you should like it.
Anyway, if you're a fan of David Beckham or Manchester United read this, you should like it.
March 18, 2012
The book was picked up for me at a car boot sale, almost six months ago. I put off reading this one all that time. Not sure I really wanted to read it at all. After finally completing this book, I am surprised how good it is. 'My Side' I'm sure are all D.B.'s own words, probably spoken into a tape machine for collaborator Tom Watt to bring together. Published in 2003, this autobiography tells Beckham's 'side' of the story regarding his exit from Old Trafford, after 12 years at the club. It begins at the beginning with his family life and journey through junior football to the professional game. Also including his England career under Hoddle, Keegan and Eriksson. Disclosure of behind the scenes M.U.F.C. incidents that are left out of both Scholes and Keane's books will be interesting to United fans.
A book that gets rid of much of the press hype that surrounds Posh and Becks and one of the better biogs from the modern game.
A book that gets rid of much of the press hype that surrounds Posh and Becks and one of the better biogs from the modern game.
December 4, 2020
Loved the book! The whole time I felt like I am sitting on a football field with David Beckham in a lazy afternoon and he himself is telling me stories casually - how a young boy ended up being one of the most celebrated superstars of the game. The book illustrates the inner struggles as a footballer Beckham faced during his career as well as his personal and family life. There are some beautiful photos of him and his family in the book. Perhaps my favorite line from the book is - Nobody was ever supposed to win in Turin.
September 30, 2017
Great autobiography by David Beckham. I'm so happy that I randomly decided to pick this book up! It was great. David is good writer.
July 4, 2012
Since I've been in quite the biography mood, I thought I might learn a bit of background about MLS sensation, David Beckham. I really enjoyed the book, which chronicles his middle-class upbringing, with a soccer dad whose life dreams were fulfilled when his son was signed with Manchester United as a teen on their youth team. In this book he candidly talks about the pressures of being an elite athlete, playing not just for Man U, but also for the English World Cup team (and his biggest professional disappointment- being sent of in the 1998 World Cup in France, which earned him death threats at home), and his move to Real Madrid (the book was written just as he was moving to Spain).
Being married to another celebrity has made his personal life pretty scary- his sons and wife being targets of kidnapping plots. But what made this book enjoyable to me was how he wrote about his family in the most lovingly ways. When he talks about his own father, or the father figures he's had in soccer, as coaches and managers, he usually brings it back to how he wants to be a father to his 3 sons. He strikes me as a very down to earth celebrity when you strip away all the glitz and glamour.
One thing that impressed me was the level of detail with which he can recall every, single soccer match he's ever played in. I guess when that's your life, you have an easy time recalling details, and the games don't really blend into one another, but it was still impressive to me. And ladies, there are 3 sections of photos of Becks as well!
Being married to another celebrity has made his personal life pretty scary- his sons and wife being targets of kidnapping plots. But what made this book enjoyable to me was how he wrote about his family in the most lovingly ways. When he talks about his own father, or the father figures he's had in soccer, as coaches and managers, he usually brings it back to how he wants to be a father to his 3 sons. He strikes me as a very down to earth celebrity when you strip away all the glitz and glamour.
One thing that impressed me was the level of detail with which he can recall every, single soccer match he's ever played in. I guess when that's your life, you have an easy time recalling details, and the games don't really blend into one another, but it was still impressive to me. And ladies, there are 3 sections of photos of Becks as well!
April 5, 2019
An Amazing work... David will always be one of my favourite players of all time. His book is good for the readers who want to know the story from 'his side'.
October 30, 2013
Summary: After spending his early life at his local club the Ridgeway Rovers where he was thought to be too small people would say things such as “he could never make a tackle” or “he’s too small to even beat a man, how could he ever be considered a player.” But what did he do, he proved them all wrong he trained with his father day in and day out. The more times he scored the more pennies he received. It was a never ending cycle of soccer, school, and then soccer. Beckham never stopped playing the beautiful game, well that is until he got on a plane to Barcelona and trained with the Spaniards for a year, then he came back and signed with sir Alex Ferguson the manager of the Manchester united soccer team. He spent his career there then moved on to play for real Madrid the best team in the Spanish league. He was a global, fashion, and sports icon that everyone wanted to be or strived to be through the beautiful game of soccer. Review: I really enjoyed this book, for someone who played soccer they’re a very good author and have a very good way with words. I thought that this book is for all audiences’ even people who don’t really like soccer because it’s not all about that. It’s about his life, his struggles, his celebration, his family and all the obstacles he overcame to be the soccer player he is today “And what kept me going was the idea that, eventually, I’d get the call I’d been waiting for ever since I kicked a ball.” This book deserves 5 stars and was an extremely good book to read I would recommend it to anyone even if you don’t like soccer.
December 28, 2012
This book was an incredible read. I was taken on the adventure that is David Beckham's life. His personality and lifestyle is so much more personal and respectable than I had expected. I loved reading his perspective on all the games he was in and all the events. Things were constantly happening with him. His love for soccer has truly inspired me. My favorite part I suppose was seeing just how loved soccer is outside of the United States. People live for it, and I just can't find supporters in America like I could find in England or other countries. Although the stories themselves were fascinating, I would have liked Beckham to work on his descriptiveness and embellishment to add a special flare. That would have made his story all the more inspiring. Overall it was a fascinating read.
Read
October 5, 2007Unshih
November 28, 2024
David Beckham's life is an interesting one. I loved all of the soccer in it. It was also pretty interesting hearing about Posh Spice and his kids.
February 17, 2024
Muy buena historia de un futbolista que se convirtió en marca y que ahora aplicando lo aprendido en construir el fútbol en USA.
April 1, 2024
Good read with a intimate insight into the life of one of the game’s greatest players.
May 12, 2015
Ismail Taouba
March 15, 15
English 7-3
Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography
Before starting this book one must keep in mind that this is an autobiography. This means the information might be adjusted a bit. This is the introduction to a book about a great player. Here starts the story of one of histories best freekick takers, David Bakham. Anyways Beckham, a world renown football legend first stated at Manchester United but "My Manchester United contract had expired on the last day of June..." (Beckham 4). That was when the legend moved to Madrid.
Beckham describes the driving in Madrid as if "...everybody in Madrid drives like they’re chasing pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix" (Beckham 5). Not very far from Morocco then. Yet he is in the car REal Madrid sent for him and the press is all around him.Then the legend signs for Real Madrid. This is a great step in history. THis is not only for Real Madrid but for the world
While is the Real Madrid president's office Beckham met other legends. "Raul, Figo, Ronaldo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos and their team-mates"(Beckham 7). He felt like an opponent to them as it was unusual to see that many different people. Still, he got to know them and know his manager. He had started this great friendship betwwen them. This was the start of a long period of history for Real Madrid.
Inspiration, Beckham is an inspiration to all footballers out there. He was inspired himself by great people. "Michael Jordan. He wasn’t just a hero for me..."(Beckham 13). Jordan had shown him persistence and determination. This is why Beckham chose the number 23 for his shirt. A legend inspires a legend who inspires a legend, legend-ception. This was an amazing fact to know.
Ismail Taouba
March 17, 2015
English 7-3
Where it all started. Beckham as a boy was taught to play soccer.In fact, "As soon as I could walk my dad made sure I could kick a ball" (Backham 17). This was passed down to his children especially Brooklyn. By the age of three he could balance himself of a ball. He also knew basic techniques of football. This is an amazing feture to have at three.
His first expieriences with football was playing in Chase Lane Park. Everyday the neighbors would ask "‘Mrs Beckham? Can David come and have a game in the park?’" Most times she agreed (Beckham 19).He also practiced there with his dad since he kept destroying flower in there backyard. They started by control then striking sometimes it drove Beckham nuts. This proves that hard work pays off.
His dad had decided to stop playing soccer to coach him. "Even though i was seven then, i knew what the sacrifice meant" (Beckham 21). His dad loved football as did he. Sometimes they would go to his dads old club and practice there. There was a small field with a lounge near it. It was an ideal place. It was where Beckham started.
He came upon his best friend. His name was John Brown (not the guy from the Civil War). John, though not interested in football encouraged David. He would always hang out with him. He would support the team he played for. Yet as they say all good things have an end, David went to become a soccer player and John, abaker. "Ihad to go to a new school. I was heartbroken" (Beckham 22).
Ismail Taouba
March 26 2015
English 7-3
David's parents knew how much he loved football. They would put him in football schools and bought him football jerseys. "If it was soccer – or anything to do with soccer – I was there" (Beckham 23). His grandfather was awesome as well. He would watch all the games and play a lot. Once David had hit him so hard in the face that he broke his glasses. He did not care it was soccer.
His first team was the Ridgeway Rovers. The owner or CEO or leader of this was Stuart Underwood. "About 76 inches, with a big
booming voice and this fantastic presence about him...I was a little scared of him at first" (Beckham 25). In this team they got the chance to play with professional teams. They also had the chance to play in Germany and Holland. This gave them a big boost in football. They also learned about team spirit.
They had three main coaches, Stuart, Steve and Beckham's dad.Each of them focused on a certain skill. Steve was the tactics coach, Stuart the defender coach and Mr. Beckham dribbling. "They were honest people wanting to make the
team as good as they could" (Beckham 25). I had apperantly worked. They had a great team of players in professional football today. In the little leagues the won most matches until one day something happened. This changed Beckham forever.
At the end of a game Beckham went to his mom's car. There he noticed she was disturbed. He wondered and asked why she was troubled. "‘Lucky you had a good game today.’‘Why?’...‘That man over there: he’s a Man United scout’" (Beckham 35). This was a dream come true for DAvid. His name was Malcolm, and David owed him a ton. This man had started his proffensional soocer player. He was recruited for Man United and started his career and his life.
Ismail Taouba
April 12, 2015
English 7-3
At Ridgeway the players got the right ideas. "One important rule was that if you didn’t turn up for training in the week, then you didn’t play at the weekend" (Beckham 26). This was a good notion to have so that the players wouldn't ever skip practice. Another notion was that showing off was no good. If the coaches were watching someone try to show off he would have had to do phisical work (ex. pushups, suicides etc.). This helped them focus on teamwork and made them better.
After a long period of time a United scout found him. "This was one of the best moments of my life" (Beckham 36). He had played a great game and was amazed to find out that there was a United scout. This was one of the best things of his life because he had always been a United fan. His father had always been a United fan. This meant that this was a dream come true for them.
"I may not have been United born, but i was defintely United bred" (Beckham 37). There was a great ordal to get in though. To pass Beckham had to go in a tournament far from home. This made him very home sick and he had a toothache. The next year things went better his parents were closer and he had won an epic prize. He got to play with Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
They went to Spain and then to the beautiful Nou Camp. This was a place where legends had been born" (Beckham 38). He was very thankful for opportunity. Though many problems had eccured then it was all worth it. The youth team got to play in the Camp Nou. David didn't care that he had lost he was having to much of a good time then he knew one thing he wanted to join the proffessional United team.
Ismail Taouba
May 10, 2015
English 7-3
After a months of joining United David was able to afford his own place. That helped him settle and be comfortable. There is another thing or person that helped him be comfortabel with his life. She was "...a girl named Deana who I went out with for the best part of three years" (Beckham 52). Going out with Deana made him understand that thngs were trickier in life. This helped him make decision later in his carreer.
David met a lot of new people. Some of them thought he was a show off but later they became friends. "We were all about sixteen, on a tour together
and getting to know each other, as players and as people" (Beckham 54). With this team Beckham won his very first cup, The Milk Cup. This inspired him and pushed him to do better. That's what he did in his career.
David's father told him that even though he was in United he'd have to work hard. David practiced with the seniors and realized that he would have to work hard to stay in Machester. Their new coach was Eric, "Even now, a dozen
years on from first meeting him, I look to him for guidance and advice" (Beckham 55). When Eric complimented someone they would remember it the whole day. If he criticized someone for making a mistake, they would not repeat it. This helped his team win many titles and cups.
Eric was annoying sometimes. He would make David suffer by making him do headers. Since Beckham was small he wasn't really good at headers. "The ball was chipped up and you could only score with your head" (Beckham 58). That was fine until the defenders came crashing in to stop him. beckham understood though that Eric was exposing and fighting his weaknesses and that was the only way to become a better player.
March 15, 15
English 7-3
Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography
Before starting this book one must keep in mind that this is an autobiography. This means the information might be adjusted a bit. This is the introduction to a book about a great player. Here starts the story of one of histories best freekick takers, David Bakham. Anyways Beckham, a world renown football legend first stated at Manchester United but "My Manchester United contract had expired on the last day of June..." (Beckham 4). That was when the legend moved to Madrid.
Beckham describes the driving in Madrid as if "...everybody in Madrid drives like they’re chasing pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix" (Beckham 5). Not very far from Morocco then. Yet he is in the car REal Madrid sent for him and the press is all around him.Then the legend signs for Real Madrid. This is a great step in history. THis is not only for Real Madrid but for the world
While is the Real Madrid president's office Beckham met other legends. "Raul, Figo, Ronaldo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos and their team-mates"(Beckham 7). He felt like an opponent to them as it was unusual to see that many different people. Still, he got to know them and know his manager. He had started this great friendship betwwen them. This was the start of a long period of history for Real Madrid.
Inspiration, Beckham is an inspiration to all footballers out there. He was inspired himself by great people. "Michael Jordan. He wasn’t just a hero for me..."(Beckham 13). Jordan had shown him persistence and determination. This is why Beckham chose the number 23 for his shirt. A legend inspires a legend who inspires a legend, legend-ception. This was an amazing fact to know.
Ismail Taouba
March 17, 2015
English 7-3
Where it all started. Beckham as a boy was taught to play soccer.In fact, "As soon as I could walk my dad made sure I could kick a ball" (Backham 17). This was passed down to his children especially Brooklyn. By the age of three he could balance himself of a ball. He also knew basic techniques of football. This is an amazing feture to have at three.
His first expieriences with football was playing in Chase Lane Park. Everyday the neighbors would ask "‘Mrs Beckham? Can David come and have a game in the park?’" Most times she agreed (Beckham 19).He also practiced there with his dad since he kept destroying flower in there backyard. They started by control then striking sometimes it drove Beckham nuts. This proves that hard work pays off.
His dad had decided to stop playing soccer to coach him. "Even though i was seven then, i knew what the sacrifice meant" (Beckham 21). His dad loved football as did he. Sometimes they would go to his dads old club and practice there. There was a small field with a lounge near it. It was an ideal place. It was where Beckham started.
He came upon his best friend. His name was John Brown (not the guy from the Civil War). John, though not interested in football encouraged David. He would always hang out with him. He would support the team he played for. Yet as they say all good things have an end, David went to become a soccer player and John, abaker. "Ihad to go to a new school. I was heartbroken" (Beckham 22).
Ismail Taouba
March 26 2015
English 7-3
David's parents knew how much he loved football. They would put him in football schools and bought him football jerseys. "If it was soccer – or anything to do with soccer – I was there" (Beckham 23). His grandfather was awesome as well. He would watch all the games and play a lot. Once David had hit him so hard in the face that he broke his glasses. He did not care it was soccer.
His first team was the Ridgeway Rovers. The owner or CEO or leader of this was Stuart Underwood. "About 76 inches, with a big
booming voice and this fantastic presence about him...I was a little scared of him at first" (Beckham 25). In this team they got the chance to play with professional teams. They also had the chance to play in Germany and Holland. This gave them a big boost in football. They also learned about team spirit.
They had three main coaches, Stuart, Steve and Beckham's dad.Each of them focused on a certain skill. Steve was the tactics coach, Stuart the defender coach and Mr. Beckham dribbling. "They were honest people wanting to make the
team as good as they could" (Beckham 25). I had apperantly worked. They had a great team of players in professional football today. In the little leagues the won most matches until one day something happened. This changed Beckham forever.
At the end of a game Beckham went to his mom's car. There he noticed she was disturbed. He wondered and asked why she was troubled. "‘Lucky you had a good game today.’‘Why?’...‘That man over there: he’s a Man United scout’" (Beckham 35). This was a dream come true for DAvid. His name was Malcolm, and David owed him a ton. This man had started his proffensional soocer player. He was recruited for Man United and started his career and his life.
Ismail Taouba
April 12, 2015
English 7-3
At Ridgeway the players got the right ideas. "One important rule was that if you didn’t turn up for training in the week, then you didn’t play at the weekend" (Beckham 26). This was a good notion to have so that the players wouldn't ever skip practice. Another notion was that showing off was no good. If the coaches were watching someone try to show off he would have had to do phisical work (ex. pushups, suicides etc.). This helped them focus on teamwork and made them better.
After a long period of time a United scout found him. "This was one of the best moments of my life" (Beckham 36). He had played a great game and was amazed to find out that there was a United scout. This was one of the best things of his life because he had always been a United fan. His father had always been a United fan. This meant that this was a dream come true for them.
"I may not have been United born, but i was defintely United bred" (Beckham 37). There was a great ordal to get in though. To pass Beckham had to go in a tournament far from home. This made him very home sick and he had a toothache. The next year things went better his parents were closer and he had won an epic prize. He got to play with Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
They went to Spain and then to the beautiful Nou Camp. This was a place where legends had been born" (Beckham 38). He was very thankful for opportunity. Though many problems had eccured then it was all worth it. The youth team got to play in the Camp Nou. David didn't care that he had lost he was having to much of a good time then he knew one thing he wanted to join the proffessional United team.
Ismail Taouba
May 10, 2015
English 7-3
After a months of joining United David was able to afford his own place. That helped him settle and be comfortable. There is another thing or person that helped him be comfortabel with his life. She was "...a girl named Deana who I went out with for the best part of three years" (Beckham 52). Going out with Deana made him understand that thngs were trickier in life. This helped him make decision later in his carreer.
David met a lot of new people. Some of them thought he was a show off but later they became friends. "We were all about sixteen, on a tour together
and getting to know each other, as players and as people" (Beckham 54). With this team Beckham won his very first cup, The Milk Cup. This inspired him and pushed him to do better. That's what he did in his career.
David's father told him that even though he was in United he'd have to work hard. David practiced with the seniors and realized that he would have to work hard to stay in Machester. Their new coach was Eric, "Even now, a dozen
years on from first meeting him, I look to him for guidance and advice" (Beckham 55). When Eric complimented someone they would remember it the whole day. If he criticized someone for making a mistake, they would not repeat it. This helped his team win many titles and cups.
Eric was annoying sometimes. He would make David suffer by making him do headers. Since Beckham was small he wasn't really good at headers. "The ball was chipped up and you could only score with your head" (Beckham 58). That was fine until the defenders came crashing in to stop him. beckham understood though that Eric was exposing and fighting his weaknesses and that was the only way to become a better player.
May 3, 2022
David Beckham is one of the biggest footballers from my generation. Not only was he well known in football due to his overall ability and his specialisation of free-kicks and crossing, eventually becoming England captain - but he also transcended football due to his modelling, sponsorships and his marriage to Spice Girl Victoria.
After being signed by Alex Ferguson as a youth team player, moving from London to Manchester, he came through the youth ranks alongside "The Golden Generation" with the likes of: Giggs, Butt, Scholes and the Neville brothers.
You would think he would have great stories to tell, but I was left a little disappointed overall. I read Lee Sharpe's autobiography recently and he gave good insight to Youth football (accommodation and youth shenanigans), the temptations of fame (party culture), the arguments with Alex Ferguson (football and non-football related), and the mental struggle with injuries. Beckham should have all this and more, but I felt a lot of aspects were lacking insight, and he plays it safe, often writing about family; how he confides in Victoria, or wants to rush home to spend time with her and his children.
Beckham seems to speak of Alex Ferguson just like Lee Sharpe does. They both seem to have a lot of respect despite Ferguson's stubbornness, angry outbursts and unfair criticism.
There's good stories about how he (awkwardly) began dating Victoria, the sending off in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina, then some death threats and kidnapping plots.
The book opens with him signing for Real Madrid, then is told chronological starting with his childhood football teams until you get back to that event. Beckham's career isn't over at that point though, as he had successes for Real Madrid, then went to the MLS with LA Galaxy, on loan to AC Milan and then to PSG. Surely he has some good stories to tell in these final years, then stories from his post-football career, but I suppose that will be another book.
After being signed by Alex Ferguson as a youth team player, moving from London to Manchester, he came through the youth ranks alongside "The Golden Generation" with the likes of: Giggs, Butt, Scholes and the Neville brothers.
You would think he would have great stories to tell, but I was left a little disappointed overall. I read Lee Sharpe's autobiography recently and he gave good insight to Youth football (accommodation and youth shenanigans), the temptations of fame (party culture), the arguments with Alex Ferguson (football and non-football related), and the mental struggle with injuries. Beckham should have all this and more, but I felt a lot of aspects were lacking insight, and he plays it safe, often writing about family; how he confides in Victoria, or wants to rush home to spend time with her and his children.
Beckham seems to speak of Alex Ferguson just like Lee Sharpe does. They both seem to have a lot of respect despite Ferguson's stubbornness, angry outbursts and unfair criticism.
There's good stories about how he (awkwardly) began dating Victoria, the sending off in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina, then some death threats and kidnapping plots.
The book opens with him signing for Real Madrid, then is told chronological starting with his childhood football teams until you get back to that event. Beckham's career isn't over at that point though, as he had successes for Real Madrid, then went to the MLS with LA Galaxy, on loan to AC Milan and then to PSG. Surely he has some good stories to tell in these final years, then stories from his post-football career, but I suppose that will be another book.
September 23, 2024
As a diehard football fan, I always knew about David Beckham's rise to fame and to legendary status. Grabbing this book in my hands made me feel captivated to learn and know just how David Beckham carried himself all throughout his young life. From the ideas he held true to himself, to the environment he grew up in.
Football has always been my favorite sport, and seeing David Beckham come to the spotlight as an ambitious young boy, eager to be scouted by top football clubs in hopes of securing a football career, makes me eager to know more. Raised in London, his parents always supported his football ventures, even going to Tottenham & Manchester United games just to see the beautiful game! He met very supportive people along the way, from his peers to none other than the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. The very man who made David feel at home over at Manchester United.
While the beginning of the book was relatively longer than I would've liked, it was made up with the fascinating pictures in the middle displaying David's history as a boy and in football matches. On top of this, David Beckham's journey in football only grows as he becomes cemented into Manchester United. As well as being a key player in representing his country, England, in the world cup.
Definitely an amazing and inspiring read despite all that I have said!
Football has always been my favorite sport, and seeing David Beckham come to the spotlight as an ambitious young boy, eager to be scouted by top football clubs in hopes of securing a football career, makes me eager to know more. Raised in London, his parents always supported his football ventures, even going to Tottenham & Manchester United games just to see the beautiful game! He met very supportive people along the way, from his peers to none other than the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. The very man who made David feel at home over at Manchester United.
While the beginning of the book was relatively longer than I would've liked, it was made up with the fascinating pictures in the middle displaying David's history as a boy and in football matches. On top of this, David Beckham's journey in football only grows as he becomes cemented into Manchester United. As well as being a key player in representing his country, England, in the world cup.
Definitely an amazing and inspiring read despite all that I have said!
May 7, 2022
This was gifted to me as a child, on my birthday in 2003! Been sitting on the bookshelf since and the pages have even oranged around the sides haha. Hadn’t ever got around to reading it, so 19 (!!!) years later… transported back to school days when I loved football, Man Untd, and crushed on Beckham (even had a life-size cutout of him in my bedroom). Ahh, those were the days. Feels like many lifetimes ago. I guess I read this at the perfect time though. As a child, it felt too big a book for me to get into, but now it was like a magical journey with nostalgic memories all flooding back, and didn’t even take a day to read. Reading about iconic moments like the ‘98 & ‘02 WC matches against Argentina, the Spice Girls, the big wedding coverage in OK, Brooklyn’s birth… brought back so many memories. Lovely read for those who grew up in the 90s obsessed with football and/or Beckham!
June 23, 2023
Choć opisywana biografia liczy już sobie dwie dekady i urywa się w 2003 roku, kiedy David Beckham miał jeszcze sporo życiowych i zawodowych wydarzeń przed sobą, nadal broni się jako publikacja warta uwagi. Sam jestem tym zaskoczony, bo przykład Xaviego zdawałby się sugerować, że autobiografie tworzone na tak wczesnym etapie życia nie mają prawa się udać. Beckham zabiera jednak czytelnika do swojego świata i dzieli się wieloma intymnymi przemyśleniami dotyczącymi życia, rodziny i piłkarskich wydarzeń. Stara się przeanalizować przyczyny porażek i okoliczności sukcesów, co też nie jest znowu wcale tak oczywiste w publikacjach sygnowanych przez piłkarzy. To wszystko sprawia, że książka pod względem zawartości ma wiele do zaoferowania. Napisana przyjemnym językiem stanowi pozycję, po którą warto sięgnąć – zwłaszcza, jeśli jest się fanem Manchesteru United i reprezentacji Anglii.
March 25, 2024
Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground is a book I would only recommend for football lovers. Yes this book goes deep into this footballer's personal life but it is mostly boring compared to his football career. His married and family life is a beautiful part of the autobiography but it felt like it dragged especially toward the end of the book. The reason I placed the rating high is because the times he wrote of his football career made the book exciting especially when he speaks of the time he was in Manchester United. Beckham is not afraid to speak highly of others who guided him along the way. I think that is also what makes this book such a "feel good" story. I don't need any plot twist or significant threats when it comes to learning about someone's football career. All I need is an optimistic view of life that motivates me to become great at something I love.
July 7, 2020
I am surprised at the ratings of this book. I devoured this book. I put it down and recognized that David Beckham regardless of his success still loves the game as much as he did as a young man. It clearly tells the story about how Beckham began to play for Manchester United and was brought into the organization at a young age. He tells his story and one every page you recognize how much he loves the game and embraces every experience he has had. I really liked Beckham more than I did before picking up the book. A fun read for any soccer fan! I also learned a lot about the European system of soccer.
March 22, 2018
This book is about David Beckham's journey from a young kid playing soccer to Manchester United star. The book starts of as David as a kid going to camps and trying to get noticed by pro teams' scouts. All of the scouts would say David had the skill but he was too small. He continues working out and tries out for a Manchester United camp and gets noticed. Man U invites David to play for the under 17 team and has to move away from his family to try to become a young man and a soccer star. This book is well written and easy to get through because it is told as a good story with true events.
August 21, 2018
I remember getting this book years ago, when I was a snotty nosed avid soccer nerd, only to be mostly disappointed and bored by this look at his life. This text does not bring much in the way of honesty and “in-depthness” with David only merely glossing over some of the more interesting events which occurred during the main stages of his professional career. That said, the photos of a young Beckham in the middle of the book and the other special personal photos of him in the middle of the book, did at least make the book worth while in some sense.
November 3, 2019
Südamlik ja avameelne jutustus ühest suuremast 90ndate parimast jalgpallurist. Erinevalt paljudest teistest jalgpallurite biograafiatest (näiteks Poom, Litmanen ...) pühendab Beckham palju aega oma jalgpallivälise elu kirjeldamisele. Võiks ju arvata, et temasugusel pole eriti raske Posh Spice taolist tüdrukut endale saada, aga lõppkokkuvõttes on tegu ikkagi tavalise Londoni poisiga ja inimesega. Inimlikud emotsioonid ei kao isegi sellise mastaabiga staari puhul kuhugi ... ja see kõik tegigi raamatu väga heaks.
September 26, 2022
Cuộc đời và sự nghiệp của David Beckham tính đến năm 2003 được chính anh cùng cây viết Tom Watt tường thuật một cách thú vị qua hơn 400 trang sách. Những chi tiết về một chú bé David đam mê bóng đá, một thiếu niên London lặn lội lên miền Bắc thi đấu cho Man United, hay một chàng trai yêu nàng Posh của Spice Girls (lúc ấy đang có người yêu) đều rất chân thực. Cách hành văn của cuốn sách biến những câu chuyện tưởng chừng bình thường trở nên hấp dẫn, khiến người đọc muốn lật giở trang tiếp.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2023
As a Real Madrid fan and Beckham fan, I must say his autobiography is nothing short of extraordinary. Beckham's captivating storytelling effortlessly transports you through his legendary football journey, filled with triumphs, challenges, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. With a heartfelt blend of nostalgia and inspiration, this memoir truly honors his time at Manchester United, Real Madrid and his impact on the beautiful game.
June 19, 2022
Not much to learn but written nicely.
There are not dull moments while reading it. People who likes football and Manchester United fans should go ahead and invest in this book.
He talks about his personal life too, till the point his two sons are born.
Victoria is a rally interesting character irl.
There are not dull moments while reading it. People who likes football and Manchester United fans should go ahead and invest in this book.
He talks about his personal life too, till the point his two sons are born.
Victoria is a rally interesting character irl.
January 20, 2019
Read only the first half of it, unfortunately, I borrowed it from a friend and had to return it. Not so much entertaining, but it was interesting. Learned what ''metatarsal bone'' is thanks to the book. :)
May 28, 2019
So beautifully written. For anyone interested in football this book provided details of a player’s life, from the formative years and further on, through his career, building family, friendships, attitudes. Beautiful.
June 21, 2019
I never liked Beckham, even thought I always thought that he was a great player and I never ever liked ManU. Having said this I must confess it changed my views about Beckham. This book I read pretty quick, because it was well written and about a thematic I really like.
June 27, 2019
A legend sportsman in the ground and a gentleman outside the ground. This man has given us a lot of moments of joy and pleasure. I was a little kid when I start watching him in a red jersey. What a talented midfielder he was.
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