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Lucas
- GenresBiography
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 29, 2012
The first Leeds United match I remember well is the 1972 FA Cup (not sponsored by anyone) Final which I watched on TV at a mate's house. I was already a Leeds fan by then and knew all the names (thanks to football cards!) but footy was rarely on TV in those days. Within a few years I was attending matches, and still go now. The point of all this rambling is that I have seen a lot of players pull on the United shirt over the years. Some great players... plenty of the other kind too.
Lucas Radebe is up there with the best I have seen, not just for his ability but also for his attitude, honesty and commitment. Sadly the game (especially at the highest levels) is now filled with greedy, cheating mercenaries whose only loyalty is to the rivers of cash that have flowed into the once beautiful game and ruined it. Radebe was one of a dying breed.
Coomber's book tells of Radebe's difficult upbringing as part of a large family struggling to make ends meet in a South Africa ruled by apartheid. The reader learns of Radebe's education and his introduction to football. His elevation to the national team and transfer to Leeds United are well known to fans and Coomber weaves this story with that of South Africa's escape from racist rule and its subsequent struggle to democracy following Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
Radebe often had a tough time at Leeds, firstly struggling to settle in, then with a catalogue of injuries and also with regular club versus country rows. What comes through every time is how dedicated Radebe was and how much he never wanted to let anyone down. His time at Leeds is made even more interesting because it started during the Wilko years and took in the "living the dream" Risdale years before bowing out as Leeds entered the Dark Ages with Monaco Ken.
Coomber has produced a very readable account of Radebe's life so far which most fans would enjoy whether they are regular readers or not. The book also incudes a decent number of good photos to illustrate various points in Radebe's life. The short chapters and easy style encourage the reader to keep going and make it a quick read. However, I often got the feeling that the book was light on detail and parts of the story were skimmed over. Whether this was deliberate to keep it a light read or because of lack of input from Radebe it's hard to say.
What I can say is that Lucas Radebe is a legend among Leeds United fans that are aware of the contribution he made to our club and community. No doubt many South Africans have similar affection for him. Coomber's book does a reasonable job of telling his story but I was left with the feeling that a few stones had been left unturned.
Lucas Radebe is up there with the best I have seen, not just for his ability but also for his attitude, honesty and commitment. Sadly the game (especially at the highest levels) is now filled with greedy, cheating mercenaries whose only loyalty is to the rivers of cash that have flowed into the once beautiful game and ruined it. Radebe was one of a dying breed.
Coomber's book tells of Radebe's difficult upbringing as part of a large family struggling to make ends meet in a South Africa ruled by apartheid. The reader learns of Radebe's education and his introduction to football. His elevation to the national team and transfer to Leeds United are well known to fans and Coomber weaves this story with that of South Africa's escape from racist rule and its subsequent struggle to democracy following Nelson Mandela's release from prison.
Radebe often had a tough time at Leeds, firstly struggling to settle in, then with a catalogue of injuries and also with regular club versus country rows. What comes through every time is how dedicated Radebe was and how much he never wanted to let anyone down. His time at Leeds is made even more interesting because it started during the Wilko years and took in the "living the dream" Risdale years before bowing out as Leeds entered the Dark Ages with Monaco Ken.
Coomber has produced a very readable account of Radebe's life so far which most fans would enjoy whether they are regular readers or not. The book also incudes a decent number of good photos to illustrate various points in Radebe's life. The short chapters and easy style encourage the reader to keep going and make it a quick read. However, I often got the feeling that the book was light on detail and parts of the story were skimmed over. Whether this was deliberate to keep it a light read or because of lack of input from Radebe it's hard to say.
What I can say is that Lucas Radebe is a legend among Leeds United fans that are aware of the contribution he made to our club and community. No doubt many South Africans have similar affection for him. Coomber's book does a reasonable job of telling his story but I was left with the feeling that a few stones had been left unturned.
June 27, 2011
The book is an authorised biography on the man Nelson Mandela (the NM, not a NM!) says is his hero! That should say enough!
It really could have done with a bit more input from Lucas, you get the sense that Coomber hasn't spoken to him at all during the writing of this book because there are no new comments from Lucas. I feel that I could have written this book with access to the right material.
However it doesn't change the fact that is an excellent book that actually made me cry (on the train of all places!). A beautiful insight into The Chief. A must read for any Leeds United or South African football fan, but still highly recommended to any other football fan!
HAIL
THE
CHIEF!
It really could have done with a bit more input from Lucas, you get the sense that Coomber hasn't spoken to him at all during the writing of this book because there are no new comments from Lucas. I feel that I could have written this book with access to the right material.
However it doesn't change the fact that is an excellent book that actually made me cry (on the train of all places!). A beautiful insight into The Chief. A must read for any Leeds United or South African football fan, but still highly recommended to any other football fan!
HAIL
THE
CHIEF!
July 25, 2013
This is a good biography showing a true gentleman and footballing Legend. It chronicles The Chief's life from his humble upbringing in the apartheid oppressed South African all the way through his glorious career with Leeds United his battles with injury and the heartache of losing his wife to cancer.
If this had been an autobiography I would have scored it much higher but it didn't seem personal enough.
If this had been an autobiography I would have scored it much higher but it didn't seem personal enough.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews