Second Best: My Dad and Me

by Calum Best

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLERCalum Best should have had it all. As the only son of world-famous footballing legend George Best and his first wife Angie, a gorgeous English model, Calum was born into a world of privilege and opportunity.But his father’s fame came at a price, and George’s playing career was soon overshadowed by his playboy lifestyle and an increasing dependence on the comforting embrace of alcohol. Whilst his tumultuous later years could never diminish the memories of the peerless, often breathtaking, quality of his football, they had a profound effect on Calum.Growing up with his mother in California, Calum’s visits to see his father in England were all too rare, and he cherished every moment he could spend in the company of the man he adored. But as George’s alcoholism spiralled out of control, inebriation frequently led to violence and George’s self-destruction spilled over onto his son.Vivid, deeply moving, brave and honest, Second Best is the heart-breaking story of their relationship. It is a powerful tale of love and suffering, of an absent father and his wayward son, and of a family torn apart by addiction.

Genres: Memoir

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2015

Reviews

[Josephine A Thorne]

A great read.

This was a fantastic insight into the legend of George Best as a man, and a father. Honest and well written by Callum.

[Denise Cowling]

Interesting book.

[Gerry Mullins]

This book should be compulsory reading for anyone who has ever read a book or article about George Best.
During George's life, he galmorised his alcoholism, and indeed the media helped him with this. He was portrayed as a man who simply loved the good life so much that he just couldn't stop it.
Calum Best's book tells of a miserable life. He abandoned his pre-teenage son in a Manchester hotel, so he could go drinking, and eventually - it seems - see a prostitute.
He was violent to the teenage Calum and verbally abusive to his wife when he suspected them of having an affair together.
He only played football with his son three times, and one of those times he did it for a cash payment from a press photographer.
He gave his son almost nothing in life, and left him nothing in death. From the great wealth he generated in his life, his son inherited nothing.
It is interesting also to see how young Calum was shaping up like his father with an unhealthy relationship with booze and other drugs. I felt cheated, though, when I read elsewhere that Calum had fathered a child, but didn't tell us the readers. It seems that Calum might be a little too much like his father.

[Ally]

A different side

Prior to reading this book, like most people I only knew the side to Calum I saw in the media. I have also watched 'In Therapy' and now know the real Calum Best and what he had to deal with throughout his young life, he is a kind natured soul and a tribute to his Dad.

[sharonnelson]

A BRILLANT READ !!!

I really enjoyed this book , you can tell Calum loved his Dad very much .It wasn't easy for him feeling he was expected to live up to his Dads name .It has taken him until now in his life to realize he can be his own person and be know for his own achievements !!!

[samantha salter]

This gave a great insight into Calums life,fantastically written,moving,heartbreaking at times,but brutally honest,hard to read about how let down he was at times,but lovely to see his fantastic bond with Angie,great read,one of the best books I've read.

[Sian Evans]

I loved it, I did cry at times because some moments in the book is sad and upsetting.