The Three Lives of the Kaiser

by Uli Hesse

Franz Beckenbauer is Germany's greatest-ever football player and one of the game's biggest icons of all time, a World Cup winner as player and manager. The Three Lives of The Kaiser is the first English-language account of a truly remarkable existence.

Known everywhere as 'the Kaiser', Beckenbauer's compatriots even referred to him as 'the Shining Light'. Not anymore, though. Because what is often described as a blessed life has really been an emotional roller-coaster ride with stunning highs and bitter lows. He rose to fame at the 1966 World Cup in England, where after the final defeat the British press marvelled at the grace of a 'beaten but proud Prussian officer'.

However, there was nothing Prussian about the Bavarian boy who flouted authority, disregarded rules and viewed the traditional German work ethic with the disdain of someone to whom everything comes naturally. Beckenbauer grew into one of the game's first truly global stars and transcended sport. He was painted by Andy Warhol and discussed the merits of Wagner with Aga Khan's wife at the Bayreuth Festival. He gently warded off overtures from Rudolf Nureyev and danced with Mick Jagger at Studio 54 in New York.

Back home, though, people often wondered what to make of this most famous German athlete who was so un-German. It took his country three decades to learn to love Franz Beckenbauer – but shenanigans surrounding his greatest off-the-field triumph, bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany, have made him a controversial figure all over again. Uli Hesse assesses his achievements and his legacy in this definitive insight into the life of a sporting icon.

Genres: Football, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

314 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Anurag Shukla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very entertaining read, covering so many neat details about his playing, coaching & administrative career.
Since Ive already read “Das Reboot” by Rafa Honigstein, I feel “The Three Lives of the Kaiser” acts as a beautiful precursor to “Das Reboot”. In the grandest scheme of things, it made me appreciate how tricky & important 06 World Cup was for Germany.

My only concern is that the author Uli Hesse didn’t really answer the question that was in front of us in the beginning of the book.

What is Franz Beckenbauer’s Legacy in Germany?

I mean he did, but it is not as direct as you would expect, specially considering that it could have been a great way to wind up the book.

Overall, it is a very solid book. Definitely worth your time if you are sports nerd who wants to explore beyond the world that existed before 90s.

[Sudhagar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author certainly has a unique writing style and provides a nuanced and balanced overview of the Kaiser's personal and sporting lives.

However, he doesn't offer any original material or even spoken to Franz himself. Most of this book comes from other biographies or press reports. I did follow Franz's managerial career (too young to see him actually playing) and Uli doesn't provide any new insights or depth for that important period. Also I felt very little was covered on his playing and sporting careers.

[Darren H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate leaving negative reviews but this book was very disappointing. I was genuinely looking forward to reading this book because I really loved Uli Hesse's previous book on the history of German football Tor and his book on Dortmund. I just felt like the book was all over the place and very badly put together. The narrative kept jumping back and forth so much so that I went back over pages because I was convinced I had skipped something in error. I returned to this book on three separate occasions but I gave up through sheer frustration after 100 pages.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesse does justice to his subject: Germany's most beloved player (in spite of his Bayern connections), much-married 'bad father' and ambassador for the country in FIFAland. He also dispels myths which arose from several ghosted memoirs and talks to friends, family and former players. Does he deserve to be up there with Maradona, Pele and Cruyff as the best in his own position? The case is convincing.

[James Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*
A fairly solid and authoritative account of Der Kaiser, painting him as a complex and contradictory figure. The most fascinating sections are after his playing career has ended and he adapts to football management and eventually becomes entangled in football corruption.

“Go out and play football’ was the Kaiser’s legendary parting remark before his team left the dressing room to meet Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final”

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted tales of superman but they seemed to be clouded by issues. His managerial years came over as the most interesting which was a surprise. Late in the book and his life he demonstrated his awesome natural abilities to uncritical acclaim which is what I wanted at the beginning. Overall it was a bit of a slow read needing self determination.

[Desmond Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kaiser was imperious on the pitch but wow his personal life was messy! The man behind the image is a complex one. Arrogant or insecure, lucky or genius? No matter how many times that he puts his foot in it, he managed to come up smelling of roses. Tinged with sadness in regards to family but a fascinating portrait of one of the best to ever play the game.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography, The Kaiser was one of the biggest names in global football for a very long time, this book provides a really interesting and fascinating account of his life. I really enjoyed the interesting facts and stories including how the author broke it all down in an entertaining manner. Highly recommended for football fans.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niche (of course, it's focus is a German football player from the 70s) but still interesting and an examination of the whole person, not just his football career and style of play.

[Davinder Sangha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good telling of Beckenbauer's life.

[Wan Katzlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of the sport itself, this book carries the insight of Der Kaiser, his character, on the field, his charm of the field.

[Stephen Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in terms of its content, but often reads as though it were run through Google Translate.

[Robbie Tyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good footballer. Slightly boring book.