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Doctor Socrates: Footballer, Philosopher, Legend
'Compelling from start to finish...Downie does full justice to an extraordinary life' Pete Davies, author of All Played Out. A stunning new biography of Socrates, the iconic captain of the greatest Brazil side never to win the World Cup. Socrates was always special. A hugely talented athlete who graduated in medicine yet drank and smoked to excess. The attacking midfielder stood out - and not just because of his 6'4" frame. Fans were enthralled by his inch-perfect passes, his coolness in front of goal and his back heel, the trademark move that singled him out as the most unique footballer of his generation. Off the pitch, he was just as original, with a dedication to politics and social causes that no player has ever emulated. His biggest impact came as leader of Corinthians Democracy - a movement that gave everyone from the kitman to the president an equal say in the running of the club. At a time when Brazil was ruled by a military dictatorship, it was truly revolutionary. Passionate and principled, entertaining and erudite, Socrates was as contradictory as he was complex. He was a socialist who voted for a return of Brazil's monarchy, a fiercely independent individual who was the ultimate team player, and a romantic who married four times and fathered six children. Armed with Socrates' unpublished memoir and hours of newly discovered interviews, Andrew Downie has put together the most comprehensive and compelling account of this iconic figure. Based on conversations with family members, close friends and former team-mates, this is a brilliant biography of a man who always stood up for what he believed in, whatever the cost. 'Brilliantly written and researched. Amazing life.' Alex Bellos, author of The Brazilian Way of Life
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 17, 2019
Socrates is the player that I remember making the biggest impression on me, an 11 year old watching from Glasgow, during the 1982 World Cup from Spain. His lanky, languid style and dour expression endeared him to me. Then you found out he was a doctor, and he smoked like a lum. Only after reading this new biography of his life do I now understand the impact he had on Brazil as well. Socrates' own unpublished memoir is the source of much of the detail in the book and the author's insights on Brazilian society are fascinating throughout the book.
As we follow Socrates life we discover his nascent political ideas, his experimental "Corinthians Democracy" in a country still run by military dictatorship, his carousing and womanising and, of course, his football. Again and again he sounds like a man who knew no other way to act than to be contrary and capricious. This is never more clear than in his later years, where he ignored all advice and drank himself to an early death. A complicated, philosophical, sincere man. But what I remember is the graceful footballer, unlike anybody else playing at the time. As an 11 year old I remember deciding that if he could become a doctor, then so could I, and I did. Well, I was never going to play football for Brazil, was I?
As we follow Socrates life we discover his nascent political ideas, his experimental "Corinthians Democracy" in a country still run by military dictatorship, his carousing and womanising and, of course, his football. Again and again he sounds like a man who knew no other way to act than to be contrary and capricious. This is never more clear than in his later years, where he ignored all advice and drank himself to an early death. A complicated, philosophical, sincere man. But what I remember is the graceful footballer, unlike anybody else playing at the time. As an 11 year old I remember deciding that if he could become a doctor, then so could I, and I did. Well, I was never going to play football for Brazil, was I?
April 8, 2024
Kapak illüstrasyonu, tasarımı ve ciltlenmesi dahil çok güzel bir kitap. Çevirmeniyle birlikte hepsine gönülden teşekkür ediyorum. Bilmeseler de:)
Brezilya’nın yeşil renginden, üzerinde Socrates resmi olan tişörtümü oğlumla birlikte uzun süre dönüşümlü giymiştim. Socrates’in hikayesine öyküm böyle başlamıştı.
Hakkında yazılan köşe yazılarıyla yetinirken bu kitapla Socrates’in meşhur topuk pasıyla merakıma bir gol atmış oldum. Meslektaşım Socrates için efsane diyebilecek futbol heyecanı ben de olmasa da 1982 dünya kupası maçının sonucunu bilmeme rağmen, o bölümü okurken çok heyecanlandım. Duygu ve düşüncelerim oldukça karışık. Tam nevi şahsına münhasır bir insanmış, tam.
Brezilya’nın yeşil renginden, üzerinde Socrates resmi olan tişörtümü oğlumla birlikte uzun süre dönüşümlü giymiştim. Socrates’in hikayesine öyküm böyle başlamıştı.
Hakkında yazılan köşe yazılarıyla yetinirken bu kitapla Socrates’in meşhur topuk pasıyla merakıma bir gol atmış oldum. Meslektaşım Socrates için efsane diyebilecek futbol heyecanı ben de olmasa da 1982 dünya kupası maçının sonucunu bilmeme rağmen, o bölümü okurken çok heyecanlandım. Duygu ve düşüncelerim oldukça karışık. Tam nevi şahsına münhasır bir insanmış, tam.
February 11, 2018
I loved that Brazil team in the 1982 World Cup and was pretty devastated when they lost 3-2 to Italy (they only needed a draw to get through as the teams going through to the semi-final were determined by groups in those days). This book reveals how devastated they were too.
Socrates himself was a fascinating character - he didn't even look like a typical footballer - he was tall and skinny and he was a non-stop smoker who most of the time was excused training as he was so good they just wanted him to play matches and he could do what he liked the rest of the time. He was also a qualified doctor and politically very active. You would have thought that gave him something to do after his career was over but like many famous players he just self destructed and died tragically early due to his alcohol addiction (plus attractive women addiction).
I almost gave this book 5 stars but in the end, it's more like 4.5 - wasn't enough about his life after football for me. Still a great book though and very thorough as it is part based on Socrates' own unpublished autobiography.
A really fascinating book especially for football fans of a certain era like me !
Socrates himself was a fascinating character - he didn't even look like a typical footballer - he was tall and skinny and he was a non-stop smoker who most of the time was excused training as he was so good they just wanted him to play matches and he could do what he liked the rest of the time. He was also a qualified doctor and politically very active. You would have thought that gave him something to do after his career was over but like many famous players he just self destructed and died tragically early due to his alcohol addiction (plus attractive women addiction).
I almost gave this book 5 stars but in the end, it's more like 4.5 - wasn't enough about his life after football for me. Still a great book though and very thorough as it is part based on Socrates' own unpublished autobiography.
A really fascinating book especially for football fans of a certain era like me !
July 24, 2020
Its a very good biography about one of the most decorated Brazilian footballer,who was named after a Greek philosopher ,i.e. Socrates.The author has covered his life in detail and has been unbiased as far as possible.To me,Socrates excelled because he had talent.Otherwise he was in-disciplined,drunkard and irresponsible to the core.I feel he only spoke about democracy ( his opinion mattered) as he wanted attention.This book is not what a young footballer should read.There was only one Socrates the footballer and there will be only one in history.
It is a very good book but sometimes the author tries to brush off Socrates' negative traits.
Hence,I rate it four stars.
It is a very good book but sometimes the author tries to brush off Socrates' negative traits.
Hence,I rate it four stars.
July 30, 2021
A passable biography of one of the more intriguing and enigmatic footballers of recent decades. As a footballer, Socrates was known for his almost uniquely languid playing style, which combined piercing intelligence with effortless flair. As an activist, Socrates was a trailblazer, leading a political movement - Corinthians Democracy – that claimed to have a radical plan to democratise Brazilian society through the medium of football. And as a man he was a catastrophe, whose alcoholism and solipsism torched practically every personal and professional relationship he ever had and most likely led to his early death.
Andrew Downie’s “Doctor Socrates” tries to parse the truth from the myths about Socrates the cult hero and footballing legend. Socrates was always something of an anomaly in the world of professional football, a perennial maverick and outsider from an atypically middle-class background, who came very close to choosing a career in medicine over playing soccer for a living. Downie attempts to work out the origins of this rebelliousness (“a man who questioned not just authority figures inside and outside the game but also the rules that have long governed issues such as sleep, nutrition and training”) and whether this recalcitrant streak ultimately proved self-destructive for Socrates.
If anything, Andrew Downie sets out to puncture the mythology surrounding Socrates. He claims that, in reality, the much-vaunted Corinthians Democracy movement tended to operate more like an aristocracy than a true democracy, with a small cabal of senior players led by Socrates calling most of the shots at S.C. Corinthians. Indeed, while he would often take a courageous stance against Brazil’s military dictators, the putative rebel Socrates often seemed motivated less by purely democratic ideals than by a libertarian notion of freedom ... specifically the freedom to throw-off the strictures of the club regime so he could go boozing whenever he wanted.
Although his playing days occurred long before contemporary athletic conditioning, even by the standards of his time Socrates always exhibited a cavalier attitude to physical fitness. Almost comically unprofessional throughout his career, Socrates’s self-professed (and rather self-serving philosophy) was “I smoke, I drink, and I think”. This meant that despite his undoubted skilfulness and vision as a footballer, he probably didn’t achieve his fullest potential at the highest level of the game. Throughout the last third of the book, Socrates cuts an increasingly sad figure, and while this comparison is unspoken by Andrew Downie, I couldn’t help seeing parallels between the Brazilian legend and George Best.
Seeing how Socrates’s most momentous years as a footballer were so entwined with political activism, I would have hoped that “Doctor Socrates” would have provided a much richer sociocultural overview of Brazil. I was perhaps hoping for a Brazilian equivalent of Jonathan Wilson’s “Angels with Dirty Faces” (his magisterial footballing history of Argentina), but other than a cursory paragraph or two Andrew Downie does not provide the context for Brazil’s military dictatorship – or explore Brazil’s troubled history with race and slavery – in the depth I would have expected. Even with the Corinthians Democracy movement, I was left scratching my head as to what their actual ideals were and whether they actually signified anything other than the desire of Socrates not to have club officials harshing his buzz when he was getting pissed-up. What is commendable about “Doctor Socrates” is that Andrew Downie is prepared to deconstruct fact from legend and to present a warts-and-all picture of a figure so many football fans would have revered as a cult hero.
Andrew Downie’s “Doctor Socrates” tries to parse the truth from the myths about Socrates the cult hero and footballing legend. Socrates was always something of an anomaly in the world of professional football, a perennial maverick and outsider from an atypically middle-class background, who came very close to choosing a career in medicine over playing soccer for a living. Downie attempts to work out the origins of this rebelliousness (“a man who questioned not just authority figures inside and outside the game but also the rules that have long governed issues such as sleep, nutrition and training”) and whether this recalcitrant streak ultimately proved self-destructive for Socrates.
If anything, Andrew Downie sets out to puncture the mythology surrounding Socrates. He claims that, in reality, the much-vaunted Corinthians Democracy movement tended to operate more like an aristocracy than a true democracy, with a small cabal of senior players led by Socrates calling most of the shots at S.C. Corinthians. Indeed, while he would often take a courageous stance against Brazil’s military dictators, the putative rebel Socrates often seemed motivated less by purely democratic ideals than by a libertarian notion of freedom ... specifically the freedom to throw-off the strictures of the club regime so he could go boozing whenever he wanted.
Although his playing days occurred long before contemporary athletic conditioning, even by the standards of his time Socrates always exhibited a cavalier attitude to physical fitness. Almost comically unprofessional throughout his career, Socrates’s self-professed (and rather self-serving philosophy) was “I smoke, I drink, and I think”. This meant that despite his undoubted skilfulness and vision as a footballer, he probably didn’t achieve his fullest potential at the highest level of the game. Throughout the last third of the book, Socrates cuts an increasingly sad figure, and while this comparison is unspoken by Andrew Downie, I couldn’t help seeing parallels between the Brazilian legend and George Best.
Seeing how Socrates’s most momentous years as a footballer were so entwined with political activism, I would have hoped that “Doctor Socrates” would have provided a much richer sociocultural overview of Brazil. I was perhaps hoping for a Brazilian equivalent of Jonathan Wilson’s “Angels with Dirty Faces” (his magisterial footballing history of Argentina), but other than a cursory paragraph or two Andrew Downie does not provide the context for Brazil’s military dictatorship – or explore Brazil’s troubled history with race and slavery – in the depth I would have expected. Even with the Corinthians Democracy movement, I was left scratching my head as to what their actual ideals were and whether they actually signified anything other than the desire of Socrates not to have club officials harshing his buzz when he was getting pissed-up. What is commendable about “Doctor Socrates” is that Andrew Downie is prepared to deconstruct fact from legend and to present a warts-and-all picture of a figure so many football fans would have revered as a cult hero.
July 1, 2017
A fascinating piece of Brazilian history (culture, politics, sports) is experienced through reading this well researched and documented book.
At times you shake your head in disbelief at some of the amazing luck and misfortune from the life of one of Brazil's leading sports celebrities. In a good way, the book often felt like a drama with sports and political activities as the backdrop.
Although there are quite a few books written about Socrates, this is probably the best researched and most up to date, and one of few written in native English.
At times you shake your head in disbelief at some of the amazing luck and misfortune from the life of one of Brazil's leading sports celebrities. In a good way, the book often felt like a drama with sports and political activities as the backdrop.
Although there are quite a few books written about Socrates, this is probably the best researched and most up to date, and one of few written in native English.
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June 1, 2023Andrew Downie's biography of Socrates gives us an account of his life that was worth telling - one of the greatest footballers of all time, a political activist who led by example and was never afraid to speak his mind, a failed husband and father, and an alcoholic who drank himself to his death. It makes us love and accept the flawed person that he was, and reminds us never to forget the revolutionary that he dared to be. In a day and age where commercialization has adultered football and aids fascism, a figure like Socrates is sorely missed. In another life, Doctor!
April 5, 2021
...Vieira lobide oturmuş onları bekliyordu. Sócrates, zilzurna sarhoştu ve teknik direktörünü görünce kollarını açıp ona doğru ilerledi:"Patrooonnn!"dedi."Patrooonnn!"
Vieira, Sebinho'ya bakıp sordu."Ne oldu?". Sebinho omuzlarını silkti."Ona baktım ve dedim ki 'Seu Jorge, gördüğün şey oldu işte.' Ertrsi gün Sócrates çıkıp iki gol attı. Bir daha da kimse bu konuyu açmadı."
Vieira, Sebinho'ya bakıp sordu."Ne oldu?". Sebinho omuzlarını silkti."Ona baktım ve dedim ki 'Seu Jorge, gördüğün şey oldu işte.' Ertrsi gün Sócrates çıkıp iki gol attı. Bir daha da kimse bu konuyu açmadı."
July 12, 2024
“The question of how such an intelligent man could so delude himself was both a contradiction and a mystery.”
What a man Socrates was. Growing up, I idolised the Brazil teams of old dating back to Garrincha, Pele, Zico and of course, Socrates. Brazilian culture, music, festivals, samba, society. All of these aspects of the true masters of football intrigued me and I can’t think of a single piece of media that could tie it all in one.
Andrew Downie, through no lack of effort, captured the greatness of this man in a way that would inspire even the most down-trodden individual. Dr Socrates: footballer, philosopher, legend. A man that transcended sport in so many ways that athletes to this day should take heed of his message.
He spoke up for his black compatriots and held his right fist high after scoring goals in solidarity with the global Black Power movement. He ensured the impoverished young stars to come out of the favelas were granted every right and share of the spoils as the nations darlings like Zico and Adilson were. He wanted the right medical aid for every small town and village across South America’s biggest country. So what couldn’t he do?
Well, he couldn’t put down the drink. The book takes us through an emotional rollercoaster with an unfortunate end that we could have predicted after reading the first third. He gave his all to becoming a doctor, completed his studies and worked across hospitals and surgeries all while being granted leave from training for being so talented. A playboy that loved love and adored adoration.
The captain of the greatest Brazil team to have never won the World Cup. An inspiration to enjoy life for what it is and don’t bother yourself with opinions of others. If there’s ever a book that needs to be made into a series of a film it would be this one.
What a man Socrates was. Growing up, I idolised the Brazil teams of old dating back to Garrincha, Pele, Zico and of course, Socrates. Brazilian culture, music, festivals, samba, society. All of these aspects of the true masters of football intrigued me and I can’t think of a single piece of media that could tie it all in one.
Andrew Downie, through no lack of effort, captured the greatness of this man in a way that would inspire even the most down-trodden individual. Dr Socrates: footballer, philosopher, legend. A man that transcended sport in so many ways that athletes to this day should take heed of his message.
He spoke up for his black compatriots and held his right fist high after scoring goals in solidarity with the global Black Power movement. He ensured the impoverished young stars to come out of the favelas were granted every right and share of the spoils as the nations darlings like Zico and Adilson were. He wanted the right medical aid for every small town and village across South America’s biggest country. So what couldn’t he do?
Well, he couldn’t put down the drink. The book takes us through an emotional rollercoaster with an unfortunate end that we could have predicted after reading the first third. He gave his all to becoming a doctor, completed his studies and worked across hospitals and surgeries all while being granted leave from training for being so talented. A playboy that loved love and adored adoration.
The captain of the greatest Brazil team to have never won the World Cup. An inspiration to enjoy life for what it is and don’t bother yourself with opinions of others. If there’s ever a book that needs to be made into a series of a film it would be this one.
January 5, 2019
Pirma metų knyga, senai norėta perskaityti Socrateso biografija. Įspūdingo žmogaus, įspūdingas gyvenimas. Brazilijos futbolo ikona, daktaras, filosofas, politinių idėjų virtuozas ir nepataisomas alkoholikas. Jei ne svaigalai, būtų gyvas ir dabar. Bet greičiausiai, ne toks laimingas. Rekomenduoju kiekvienam odinio kamuolio ir ypač Selecao gerbėjui.
July 17, 2019
Libro noioso, e con qualche imprecisione di troppo riguardo all'esperienza italiana. Probabilmente sono io che dovrei smettere di provarci con le biografie dei grandi campioni, però una stella se la becca lo stesso.
May 8, 2022
O livro apresenta alguns defeitos menores: repentinamente, Sócrates já é gigante, com pouco contexto de seu crescimento (principalmente profissional). Além disso, a parte pessoal de sua vida também é tratada focando nas mulheres com quem viveu. Se fala um pouco sobre sua relação com o pai, mas pouco da mãe e menos ainda dos seus irmãos (Raí, por exemplo). O ponto positivo é a boa contextualização do Brasil, vinda de um estrangeiro. Além disso, é bastante discutido seu problema com o álcool, e é feito um bom retrato de sua vida desregrada.
Um grande brasileiro. Mas que, como todo brasileiro, tinha seus problemas e contradições.
Apaixonado pela liberdade, era um democrata egoísta. Sua incapacidade de fazer concessões ou sacrifícios é uma antítese do que pregava como um pensamento coletivo. Parece nunca ter atingido seu auge, com uma queda brusca após a Democracia Corinthiana. Apesar desses problemas, foi um grande marco para o Brasil e uma grande lenda do esporte mundial. Polêmico, mas gigante. O capítulo final é especialmente emocionante.
Um grande brasileiro. Mas que, como todo brasileiro, tinha seus problemas e contradições.
Apaixonado pela liberdade, era um democrata egoísta. Sua incapacidade de fazer concessões ou sacrifícios é uma antítese do que pregava como um pensamento coletivo. Parece nunca ter atingido seu auge, com uma queda brusca após a Democracia Corinthiana. Apesar desses problemas, foi um grande marco para o Brasil e uma grande lenda do esporte mundial. Polêmico, mas gigante. O capítulo final é especialmente emocionante.
August 30, 2018
An amazing book about one of football's greatest players. It's everything I want in an autobiography. Humourous, thought provoking, very in-depth, balanced, and filled with stories about his life. It was a pleasure to read this and I was a little bit sad when the journey was over.
July 10, 2022
Enjoyable read. Socrates was a unique and flawed person who seemed to not fit properly in the world of football or medicine. As a hopeless romantic driven by passion, it's lucky in a way that he did not get to witness the game in its current soulless incarnation.
Well written and researched
Well written and researched
January 25, 2024
Nothing wrong with the book in terms of how it was researched and written etc but given Socrates' reputation, I just didn't feel the book and/or Socrates was as revolutionary as I thought it/he was going to be.
I also thought this when I read Johan Cruyff's book as well.
I also thought this when I read Johan Cruyff's book as well.
February 17, 2020
An interesting read about a talented but troubled man. There’s football, parties and politics, what more could you want ?
November 12, 2021
Fascinating guy, well written, easy to read book. As good a reason to watch the 1982 World Cup match between Brazil and Italy as I could ask for.
March 27, 2025
A mixed bag of a biography.
Downie does an adequate job of complicating the myth around Socrates. There's certainly no way you could/should leave this book viewing Socrates as a wholly admirable person.
That said, Downie's treatment of the aspects of the man are not equally thorough. In some cases not even adequate.
The personal struggles with substance abuse, serial infidelity, and selfish and manipulative behavior in personal/romantic/professional relationships are myriad and Downie lays them bare.
The complex relationship with soccer despite his sublime ability is also well explored.
The philosopher/activist part of the person though, that's woefully underdeveloped. There's not enough about the greater context of Brazilian politics. Which, yeah, complicated topic worthy of multiple volume treatment in and of itself, but for someone ostensible playing a major role in the political world of Brazil, the context is import.
There is also very little said about his actual political stances. The Corinthians Democracy section says little about the desires of the movement beyond, like, not wanting to stay in the team hotel the night before a match (which is a desire of Socrates that comes up a LOT)? Surely there were more tangible asks. The Corinthians Democracy movement is said to be a significant example for the whole country! Is it just that they team had like an advisory vote for the board? Even in that section Downie describes it functioning as an autocracy ruled by a handful of players, not the whole team. Maybe that was it. I was confused.
And Socrates is consistently called a leftist, but no actual leftist stances were shared beyond, like, *gestures broadly* "freedom." The most explicit political descriptions of Socrates are those showing him breaking with the leftist ideal of him; when he said the country wasn't ready for democracy, or was pro-monarchy at one point, or tried to get a job on a right-wing TV network. But without any sort of concrete picture of his leftism to compare all this too, I'm left with no real image of Socrates as anything other than a selfish man of little conviction other than reactionary stances against any person/institution that would dare to place even the slightly hurdle between him and the personal freedom to do absolute whatever the fuck he wants (which usually meant drinking). Maybe that was the extent of his politics. I don't think it was. But that's the best I can come up with from this.
Downie does an adequate job of complicating the myth around Socrates. There's certainly no way you could/should leave this book viewing Socrates as a wholly admirable person.
That said, Downie's treatment of the aspects of the man are not equally thorough. In some cases not even adequate.
The personal struggles with substance abuse, serial infidelity, and selfish and manipulative behavior in personal/romantic/professional relationships are myriad and Downie lays them bare.
The complex relationship with soccer despite his sublime ability is also well explored.
The philosopher/activist part of the person though, that's woefully underdeveloped. There's not enough about the greater context of Brazilian politics. Which, yeah, complicated topic worthy of multiple volume treatment in and of itself, but for someone ostensible playing a major role in the political world of Brazil, the context is import.
There is also very little said about his actual political stances. The Corinthians Democracy section says little about the desires of the movement beyond, like, not wanting to stay in the team hotel the night before a match (which is a desire of Socrates that comes up a LOT)? Surely there were more tangible asks. The Corinthians Democracy movement is said to be a significant example for the whole country! Is it just that they team had like an advisory vote for the board? Even in that section Downie describes it functioning as an autocracy ruled by a handful of players, not the whole team. Maybe that was it. I was confused.
And Socrates is consistently called a leftist, but no actual leftist stances were shared beyond, like, *gestures broadly* "freedom." The most explicit political descriptions of Socrates are those showing him breaking with the leftist ideal of him; when he said the country wasn't ready for democracy, or was pro-monarchy at one point, or tried to get a job on a right-wing TV network. But without any sort of concrete picture of his leftism to compare all this too, I'm left with no real image of Socrates as anything other than a selfish man of little conviction other than reactionary stances against any person/institution that would dare to place even the slightly hurdle between him and the personal freedom to do absolute whatever the fuck he wants (which usually meant drinking). Maybe that was the extent of his politics. I don't think it was. But that's the best I can come up with from this.
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May 23, 2025Always wanted to know more about Socrates, since I first heard about Corinthians Democracy. I enjoyed this book, and it told a great narrative, for the entirity of the footballers life. I'm not sure why, but I always assumed he won more, and it was great that the book explained how the state championships were more important than the national.
Socrates himself seemed like such a greaet player, but his lifestyle really held him back, particularly the drink (I write this review with one in hand...). It was a shame to hear how his life went, when it potentially could have been so much more, and it seemed he learnt to compromise a little to late, and if only he could have done that when he went to Europe, as opposed to learning to upon his return to Brazil. The book showcased how this was a highlight, when if you go by just the numbers of games he played, a failure, such as how he kept Santos up. Despite his lack of compromise, I still 100% agree with his political leanings. I wish we had more clubs like Corinthians, especially in that era.
It was also really good to learn about the lifestyle and his struggles, and it's interesting to compare to modern Brazilian players, particulary Neymar, who always heads back to his homeland for Carnivale. It's a shame so many modern Brazillian players are fans of the right.
It was an awesome read, and he really was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. If he trained harder, he just might not have been Socrates.
"I wish to die on a Sunday when Corinthians won a trophy" - Socrates.
Socrates himself seemed like such a greaet player, but his lifestyle really held him back, particularly the drink (I write this review with one in hand...). It was a shame to hear how his life went, when it potentially could have been so much more, and it seemed he learnt to compromise a little to late, and if only he could have done that when he went to Europe, as opposed to learning to upon his return to Brazil. The book showcased how this was a highlight, when if you go by just the numbers of games he played, a failure, such as how he kept Santos up. Despite his lack of compromise, I still 100% agree with his political leanings. I wish we had more clubs like Corinthians, especially in that era.
It was also really good to learn about the lifestyle and his struggles, and it's interesting to compare to modern Brazilian players, particulary Neymar, who always heads back to his homeland for Carnivale. It's a shame so many modern Brazillian players are fans of the right.
It was an awesome read, and he really was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. If he trained harder, he just might not have been Socrates.
"I wish to die on a Sunday when Corinthians won a trophy" - Socrates.
May 23, 2020
Sócrates was an athlete unlike any other. From actually graduating as a doctor and being a world-class player at the same time to being a factor in Brazil’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy. Bohemian, intelligent, honest, empathic, passionate, free, revolutionary and critical are adjectives that can be used to describe him as a man.
The part on Corinthian Democracy was specially riveting. I don’t think there has ever been another movement where players control everything in a football team from who to hire or of they want to concentrate before the game. What’s more amazing, is that they won the Paulista State Title twice, proved that players can succeed being responsible for themselves and not being treated like children or even slaves.
This book, in contrast to others about star athletes, doesn’t paint Sócrates as a hero, but rather as a human who had many problems: cheating on his wife, excessive drinking or failing to listen to others. That’s precisely what it makes it so great, one can appreciate his fascinating personality and revolutionary ideals while also acknowledging he isn’t some kind of mythical figure. He was human like every one of us.
The part on Corinthian Democracy was specially riveting. I don’t think there has ever been another movement where players control everything in a football team from who to hire or of they want to concentrate before the game. What’s more amazing, is that they won the Paulista State Title twice, proved that players can succeed being responsible for themselves and not being treated like children or even slaves.
This book, in contrast to others about star athletes, doesn’t paint Sócrates as a hero, but rather as a human who had many problems: cheating on his wife, excessive drinking or failing to listen to others. That’s precisely what it makes it so great, one can appreciate his fascinating personality and revolutionary ideals while also acknowledging he isn’t some kind of mythical figure. He was human like every one of us.
March 22, 2018
Really enjoyed this book and it was timed perfectly with our honeymoon to Brazil. I had no idea Socrates was from Ribeirao Preto, which is where my wife's family is from and where we spent a week. Just all came together while reading the book in Brazil.
In the beginning the book is a little bit all over the place chronologically but it paints a nice picture of what a dichotomy Socrates was. A man of the people, an effortless great athlete, an advocate for political change and making Brazil and the world a better place, yet he could not help himself. He comes across as extremely likeable and one of the good guys yet he seems to have affected/ruined the lives of people closest to him. Really good book and very easy to read
In the beginning the book is a little bit all over the place chronologically but it paints a nice picture of what a dichotomy Socrates was. A man of the people, an effortless great athlete, an advocate for political change and making Brazil and the world a better place, yet he could not help himself. He comes across as extremely likeable and one of the good guys yet he seems to have affected/ruined the lives of people closest to him. Really good book and very easy to read
March 19, 2019
A beautiful biography of one of the greatest football legends ever: Socrates, a genial attacking midfielder who laureated in Medicine before becoming a professional footballer. And as Brazilian tradition goes he lived a life of extremes, excesses, total disregard of rules, beer, women, failure of winning the World Cup as captain of the grearest Brazil team the world ever saw. Downie's purpose is not to create a false picture of the man. At times he is scathing in his portrayal of a person who many times was frustratingly egocentric. A genius who still didnt admit he had a huge drinking problem till death at age 57. On the other hand as Pele said: "Socrates was the most intelligent player in the history of Brazilian football."
Another book about football which I will always treasure.
Another book about football which I will always treasure.
July 28, 2024
Meh, was curious about the player because of his name and this biography made me somewhat dislike the drunken unhappy Socrates, I ended up feeling he was but a foolish waste of talent, hurting everyone around him. The writer is at times confusing as how he present events giving a date then going back to mention other threads from previous years. I felt numb reading it, it got quickly boring and dragging and the more I liked the less I liked Socrates as it became obvious how he'll end is career in a chaotic drunken mess. 2 stars would be way too harsh but 3 stars is too generous. It's read time to close that book and the book like Socrates will be quickly moved on.
Socrates the philosopher is still the best.
Socrates the philosopher is still the best.
January 4, 2021
This is a great book. It is a fascinating portrait of a footballing genius who was taken from us far too soon. It gives a great insight into one of the best and most iconic international teams there ever was and one of the most iconic players. This book is very well written and not afraid to document his flaws and wildly self destructive behaviour whilst also understanding his undoubted genius, both on and off the football pitch. A truly fascinating man and a brilliant read. Meticilously researched and brilliantly written.
February 2, 2023
A fascinating book. Going in, I knew very little of socrates and his story, but the book compelled me to keep turning the page. I was entranced by his story from his political growth to Corinthians democracy, to his formative dalliance with football to one of the great careers, a true legend. The way his life ended made me cry, it was such a horrible death, one that I was too young to understand at the time, but reading the book made it seem so tragic and unjust that such a figure was taken from this world. May he rest in peace.
February 15, 2025
The book is well enough written but I didn’t come away *liking* Socrates. Unfaithful to all his wives, arrogant in the face of his alcohol addiction, and unable to stick at anything that didn’t deliver quick gratification.
His achievements with Corinthians Democracy and the CFB are significant, and he was certainly a thinker, but the title of “philosopher” is absurd.
He achieved fame and greatness I never will, so who am I to knock him, but this book glances over his failings and the undoubted impact they had on the people around him.
His achievements with Corinthians Democracy and the CFB are significant, and he was certainly a thinker, but the title of “philosopher” is absurd.
He achieved fame and greatness I never will, so who am I to knock him, but this book glances over his failings and the undoubted impact they had on the people around him.
March 7, 2025
Подобно на брилянтната "Angels with Dirty Faces"*, разкриваща историята на футбола в Аржентина, "
Doctor Socrates
" от Андрю Дауни, е заглавие, което бих препоръчал и на хора, нехаещи за спорта. Ярка, жива и вълнуваща биография, подобаваща на славния бразилски футболист от 70-те и 80-те години на миналия век.
Отговорните за иначе чудесната корица, явно не са намерили място за думичката "хедонист", но тя е не по-малко важна от останалите, описващи Сократес. Това е и причината, "последната глава на един необикновен живот" да бъде завършена така преждевременно, но с обстоятелства около нея, които самият Сократес предсказва десетилетия по-рано: "...в неделя, в деня, в който Коринтианс спечелят титлата". Не съществуват доказателства, че някога е изричал тези думи, но те отдавна са част от футболния фолклор в Бразилия, а и има моменти, в които не трябва да се позволява на истината, да застава на пътя на добрата история.
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* книгата на спортния журналист Джонатан Уилсън, а не холивудската продукция от 1938г.
Отговорните за иначе чудесната корица, явно не са намерили място за думичката "хедонист", но тя е не по-малко важна от останалите, описващи Сократес. Това е и причината, "последната глава на един необикновен живот" да бъде завършена така преждевременно, но с обстоятелства около нея, които самият Сократес предсказва десетилетия по-рано: "...в неделя, в деня, в който Коринтианс спечелят титлата". Не съществуват доказателства, че някога е изричал тези думи, но те отдавна са част от футболния фолклор в Бразилия, а и има моменти, в които не трябва да се позволява на истината, да застава на пътя на добрата история.
__________________________
* книгата на спортния журналист Джонатан Уилсън, а не холивудската продукция от 1938г.
December 8, 2020
For the most part I very much enjoyed this book. I love reading about football and some of the behind the scenes stuff going on during world cups and other matches.
If I had one nitpick about the book it's that it often tries to excuse Socrates' behavior by saying he was free spirited or jovial. Regardless, it was still an interesting read.
If I had one nitpick about the book it's that it often tries to excuse Socrates' behavior by saying he was free spirited or jovial. Regardless, it was still an interesting read.
December 23, 2020
Socrates was an image to me before I actually read this book. Only in Brazil could the national team captain be a beer and cigarette loving social activist, as well as an interesting personal life. Much better than the average football biography and a fascinating snapshot of Brazilian life in the latter 20th century.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
Very readable biography of a little known figure in the US. Captain of the 1982 Brazil side considered to be one of the best to never win the World Cup, pro-democracy activist in the waning days of Brazil’s military dictatorship, legend at Lula’s favorite club Corinthians, and all time party animal.
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