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 Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
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Rush: The Autobiography
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
Legendary goalscorer, mediocre book, 04 Oct 2008
This book suffers from being badly written, which is a shame because Ian Rush was a hero to me when I was growing up. I was looking forward to this book and to be fair the first few chapters were reasonably entertaining, but before long it became the cliched football autobiography and there are long sections explaining the fine details of certain games. As a Liverpool fan, I am aware of these games and I can watch them on DVD if need be; there is nothing more boring than a running commentary of runs, dribbles and passes. Maybe it's because Rushy was naturally a quiet person that there doesn't seem to be too many really interesting anecdotes in this book, however his revelations about not originally warming to Kenny Dalglish and his opinions of his team mates at Juventus are quite interesting. One more thing, the chronology of some of the events are a bit perplexing at times (obviously the proof reading was a bit lax), one passage that springs to mind has Rushy being in Australia playing for Sydney Olympic and getting a call from Rick Parry asking if he'd like to help Rafa with the coaching. Given that Rushy was in Australia until 2000 and Rafa didn't come to Liverpool until 2004....
Bad editing aside, it's still an average read I'm afraid, but thanks Rushy for your 346 goals and lots more besides, you're still and always will be a Legend!
Disappointing, 16 Sep 2008
This should have been good, actually it should have been better than good, when you think of the games and times that Ian Rush played in for Liverpool. Lets not beat around the bush Ian Rush is the greatest striker Liverpool have ever known who played in some of the great teams and great games of his time. Unfortunately this book does not measure up to the career of the player
More than anything I think he has been let down by the people who worked on the book with him. I lost count of the number of grammatical errors, misspelt words and in some cases names of players (Stevie NicHol????, Neil Macdonald in the 86 Cup Final Liverpool team (didn't he play for Everton, as opposed to Kevin Macdonald). Also according to this book Robbie Fowler made his name by scoring 5 against Ipswich rather than Fulham in the League cup.
Now spelling and historical facts aren't everything, but the other main disappointment was the lack of detail (Hillsborough, relationships with other players/managers etc.). Perhaps Hillsborough is too painful and has been covered by others but I thought he may have gone a little deeper with regards to how it affected him personally
Overall Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, very level headed and perhaps too nice to write a book which reveals anything much that isn't already known.
The Player, The Legend, The man, all in one gripping story, 24 Aug 2008
This is one of the best bio`s that you will ever read, not only because it is written by a true football legend, but also because of the honesty within. Some of the recent bios (Rooney for example) are rubbish and skate around issues, never really telling the honest truth. Rush bares all in this bio, the fun, the laughter and the tears. The only surprise is why it has taken him so long to write his memoirs.In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen, which speaks volumes of the passion for the man, and the high esteem that Liverpool fans, and football fans alike hold him in.
Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. We can only hope that Keene and Kuyt, Babel and Torres can stand in his very substancial shadow!!
Thee story tells of the rough-edged Welsh teenager who was thrust into the ranks of an already great side, but who didn't feel he belonged in their company. It tells how he learned to keep his head down and grow as a player, turning into the man that became the most devastating finisher in English football.Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
Such stories are the stuff of dreams and nightmares for every football fan, the drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of the game today. There have been some good reads from Liverpool authors recently, `We go gathering cups in may`, `43 Years with the same Bird` by Brian Reede is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones (set at Anfield), `Gangs of Liverpool` parts one and two are all well worth a read.
Rush is a ten out of ten.
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
Legendary goalscorer, mediocre book, 04 Oct 2008
This book suffers from being badly written, which is a shame because Ian Rush was a hero to me when I was growing up. I was looking forward to this book and to be fair the first few chapters were reasonably entertaining, but before long it became the cliched football autobiography and there are long sections explaining the fine details of certain games. As a Liverpool fan, I am aware of these games and I can watch them on DVD if need be; there is nothing more boring than a running commentary of runs, dribbles and passes. Maybe it's because Rushy was naturally a quiet person that there doesn't seem to be too many really interesting anecdotes in this book, however his revelations about not originally warming to Kenny Dalglish and his opinions of his team mates at Juventus are quite interesting. One more thing, the chronology of some of the events are a bit perplexing at times (obviously the proof reading was a bit lax), one passage that springs to mind has Rushy being in Australia playing for Sydney Olympic and getting a call from Rick Parry asking if he'd like to help Rafa with the coaching. Given that Rushy was in Australia until 2000 and Rafa didn't come to Liverpool until 2004....
Bad editing aside, it's still an average read I'm afraid, but thanks Rushy for your 346 goals and lots more besides, you're still and always will be a Legend!
Disappointing, 16 Sep 2008
This should have been good, actually it should have been better than good, when you think of the games and times that Ian Rush played in for Liverpool. Lets not beat around the bush Ian Rush is the greatest striker Liverpool have ever known who played in some of the great teams and great games of his time. Unfortunately this book does not measure up to the career of the player
More than anything I think he has been let down by the people who worked on the book with him. I lost count of the number of grammatical errors, misspelt words and in some cases names of players (Stevie NicHol????, Neil Macdonald in the 86 Cup Final Liverpool team (didn't he play for Everton, as opposed to Kevin Macdonald). Also according to this book Robbie Fowler made his name by scoring 5 against Ipswich rather than Fulham in the League cup.
Now spelling and historical facts aren't everything, but the other main disappointment was the lack of detail (Hillsborough, relationships with other players/managers etc.). Perhaps Hillsborough is too painful and has been covered by others but I thought he may have gone a little deeper with regards to how it affected him personally
Overall Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, very level headed and perhaps too nice to write a book which reveals anything much that isn't already known.
The Player, The Legend, The man, all in one gripping story, 24 Aug 2008
This is one of the best bio`s that you will ever read, not only because it is written by a true football legend, but also because of the honesty within. Some of the recent bios (Rooney for example) are rubbish and skate around issues, never really telling the honest truth. Rush bares all in this bio, the fun, the laughter and the tears. The only surprise is why it has taken him so long to write his memoirs.In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen, which speaks volumes of the passion for the man, and the high esteem that Liverpool fans, and football fans alike hold him in.
Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. We can only hope that Keene and Kuyt, Babel and Torres can stand in his very substancial shadow!!
Thee story tells of the rough-edged Welsh teenager who was thrust into the ranks of an already great side, but who didn't feel he belonged in their company. It tells how he learned to keep his head down and grow as a player, turning into the man that became the most devastating finisher in English football.Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
Such stories are the stuff of dreams and nightmares for every football fan, the drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of the game today. There have been some good reads from Liverpool authors recently, `We go gathering cups in may`, `43 Years with the same Bird` by Brian Reede is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones (set at Anfield), `Gangs of Liverpool` parts one and two are all well worth a read.
Rush is a ten out of ten.
One Ginger Review! Five Stars!, 11 Oct 2008
What a brilliant idea! This book brings together the best football chants from around the country. In a day and age where going to football has become an increasingly manufactured experience this book showcases the wit and invention of the fans on the terraces. I guarantee you'll have some of the chants going round in your head for days afterwards.
This book along with the equally hilarious 'Modern Football is Rubbish' guarantee a laugh and are excellent stocking fillers that any football fan would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Buy it!
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
Legendary goalscorer, mediocre book, 04 Oct 2008
This book suffers from being badly written, which is a shame because Ian Rush was a hero to me when I was growing up. I was looking forward to this book and to be fair the first few chapters were reasonably entertaining, but before long it became the cliched football autobiography and there are long sections explaining the fine details of certain games. As a Liverpool fan, I am aware of these games and I can watch them on DVD if need be; there is nothing more boring than a running commentary of runs, dribbles and passes. Maybe it's because Rushy was naturally a quiet person that there doesn't seem to be too many really interesting anecdotes in this book, however his revelations about not originally warming to Kenny Dalglish and his opinions of his team mates at Juventus are quite interesting. One more thing, the chronology of some of the events are a bit perplexing at times (obviously the proof reading was a bit lax), one passage that springs to mind has Rushy being in Australia playing for Sydney Olympic and getting a call from Rick Parry asking if he'd like to help Rafa with the coaching. Given that Rushy was in Australia until 2000 and Rafa didn't come to Liverpool until 2004....
Bad editing aside, it's still an average read I'm afraid, but thanks Rushy for your 346 goals and lots more besides, you're still and always will be a Legend!
Disappointing, 16 Sep 2008
This should have been good, actually it should have been better than good, when you think of the games and times that Ian Rush played in for Liverpool. Lets not beat around the bush Ian Rush is the greatest striker Liverpool have ever known who played in some of the great teams and great games of his time. Unfortunately this book does not measure up to the career of the player
More than anything I think he has been let down by the people who worked on the book with him. I lost count of the number of grammatical errors, misspelt words and in some cases names of players (Stevie NicHol????, Neil Macdonald in the 86 Cup Final Liverpool team (didn't he play for Everton, as opposed to Kevin Macdonald). Also according to this book Robbie Fowler made his name by scoring 5 against Ipswich rather than Fulham in the League cup.
Now spelling and historical facts aren't everything, but the other main disappointment was the lack of detail (Hillsborough, relationships with other players/managers etc.). Perhaps Hillsborough is too painful and has been covered by others but I thought he may have gone a little deeper with regards to how it affected him personally
Overall Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, very level headed and perhaps too nice to write a book which reveals anything much that isn't already known.
The Player, The Legend, The man, all in one gripping story, 24 Aug 2008
This is one of the best bio`s that you will ever read, not only because it is written by a true football legend, but also because of the honesty within. Some of the recent bios (Rooney for example) are rubbish and skate around issues, never really telling the honest truth. Rush bares all in this bio, the fun, the laughter and the tears. The only surprise is why it has taken him so long to write his memoirs.In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen, which speaks volumes of the passion for the man, and the high esteem that Liverpool fans, and football fans alike hold him in.
Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. We can only hope that Keene and Kuyt, Babel and Torres can stand in his very substancial shadow!!
Thee story tells of the rough-edged Welsh teenager who was thrust into the ranks of an already great side, but who didn't feel he belonged in their company. It tells how he learned to keep his head down and grow as a player, turning into the man that became the most devastating finisher in English football.Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
Such stories are the stuff of dreams and nightmares for every football fan, the drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of the game today. There have been some good reads from Liverpool authors recently, `We go gathering cups in may`, `43 Years with the same Bird` by Brian Reede is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones (set at Anfield), `Gangs of Liverpool` parts one and two are all well worth a read.
Rush is a ten out of ten.
One Ginger Review! Five Stars!, 11 Oct 2008
What a brilliant idea! This book brings together the best football chants from around the country. In a day and age where going to football has become an increasingly manufactured experience this book showcases the wit and invention of the fans on the terraces. I guarantee you'll have some of the chants going round in your head for days afterwards.
This book along with the equally hilarious 'Modern Football is Rubbish' guarantee a laugh and are excellent stocking fillers that any football fan would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Buy it!
There is more to supporting a football team than football, 13 Aug 2008
Starting from the day in 1965 when his father took him to see Liverpool play at Bolton, Brian Reade has been a Liverpool supporter. In the 43 years since then although he as witnessed many highs - 47 trophies, which supporters of most other clubs can only dream about - but also extreme lows in the 80's with the tragedies at Heysel and Hillsborough.
The books strongest chapters are regarding these two events and their aftermath. Reade passionately describes the guilt and shame felt by Liverpool supporters after Heysel in 1985 and also the anger felt by these same people after the authorities attempted to make them the scapegoats for the disaster at Hillsborough four years later.
When it comes to football, Brian Reade writes as a Liverpool fan and his views are therefore very biased and unobjective. Whilst this makes some of his recollections entertaining, there were too many times when I, as a Bradford City fan, found it a bit annoying when he moans about 'a bad season' after Liverpool had only finished third or fourth in the league! We should be so lucky.
Making up for this though are the excellent chapters about Reades meeting the charismatic Bill Shankly and a very poignant one where he interviews Bob Paisley just as Alzheimers was starting to take a hold. Also worth reading are the bile filled chapters about ex-Chairman Noel White and Graeme Souness, who Reade concedes was a brilliant player for Liverpool but a lousy manager.
Although I suspect that to obtain maximum enjoyment from this book the reader would have to be a Liverpool supporter but anybody that has followed a football team through good times and bad will be able to empathise with much of it and therefore enjoy it. All except Everton and Manchester United fans, that is.
Great title, Great book !!, 15 Jul 2008
The book is written by journalist and football fan, not in any particular order, with a history of working with the Liverpool Post, and sometimes upsetting people with a biast view!!
True Liverpool fans will remember the inspirational words that often came from Shankly`s lips (god rest his soul),` how if he were a bin man he would be the best bin man ever, and the streets of Liverpool would be the cleanest in the world`. This book talks from the same page as that. Its both a cronicle of the rollercoaster that is football and an inspiational read at the same time, some of the memories will lift you, and some will break your heart, but one thing is for sure, you will be touched by the Authors writing.
Some of the strongest chapters follow the darker moments in our glorious history and the are truly heart wrenching. He writes with bitterness about the years of Souness as manager, and who can blame him for that!!
As a long term Kopite I eat and sleep football, and read it when I`m not doing one of the other. There have been some great books about Liverpool over the years and this is among them. I read this on holiday with another book set at Anfield. Soft Target by Conrad Jones, is a fictional thriller set in Liverpool, terrorism and football combined it was shocking....but great reading. The new bio by the great god `Rush` is another excellent read, as is `Gangs of Liverpool ` by Maca.
Give this `43 years with the same bird.Liverpudlian Love Affair a read...you wont be dissapointed
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
Legendary goalscorer, mediocre book, 04 Oct 2008
This book suffers from being badly written, which is a shame because Ian Rush was a hero to me when I was growing up. I was looking forward to this book and to be fair the first few chapters were reasonably entertaining, but before long it became the cliched football autobiography and there are long sections explaining the fine details of certain games. As a Liverpool fan, I am aware of these games and I can watch them on DVD if need be; there is nothing more boring than a running commentary of runs, dribbles and passes. Maybe it's because Rushy was naturally a quiet person that there doesn't seem to be too many really interesting anecdotes in this book, however his revelations about not originally warming to Kenny Dalglish and his opinions of his team mates at Juventus are quite interesting. One more thing, the chronology of some of the events are a bit perplexing at times (obviously the proof reading was a bit lax), one passage that springs to mind has Rushy being in Australia playing for Sydney Olympic and getting a call from Rick Parry asking if he'd like to help Rafa with the coaching. Given that Rushy was in Australia until 2000 and Rafa didn't come to Liverpool until 2004....
Bad editing aside, it's still an average read I'm afraid, but thanks Rushy for your 346 goals and lots more besides, you're still and always will be a Legend!
Disappointing, 16 Sep 2008
This should have been good, actually it should have been better than good, when you think of the games and times that Ian Rush played in for Liverpool. Lets not beat around the bush Ian Rush is the greatest striker Liverpool have ever known who played in some of the great teams and great games of his time. Unfortunately this book does not measure up to the career of the player
More than anything I think he has been let down by the people who worked on the book with him. I lost count of the number of grammatical errors, misspelt words and in some cases names of players (Stevie NicHol????, Neil Macdonald in the 86 Cup Final Liverpool team (didn't he play for Everton, as opposed to Kevin Macdonald). Also according to this book Robbie Fowler made his name by scoring 5 against Ipswich rather than Fulham in the League cup.
Now spelling and historical facts aren't everything, but the other main disappointment was the lack of detail (Hillsborough, relationships with other players/managers etc.). Perhaps Hillsborough is too painful and has been covered by others but I thought he may have gone a little deeper with regards to how it affected him personally
Overall Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, very level headed and perhaps too nice to write a book which reveals anything much that isn't already known.
The Player, The Legend, The man, all in one gripping story, 24 Aug 2008
This is one of the best bio`s that you will ever read, not only because it is written by a true football legend, but also because of the honesty within. Some of the recent bios (Rooney for example) are rubbish and skate around issues, never really telling the honest truth. Rush bares all in this bio, the fun, the laughter and the tears. The only surprise is why it has taken him so long to write his memoirs.In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen, which speaks volumes of the passion for the man, and the high esteem that Liverpool fans, and football fans alike hold him in.
Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. We can only hope that Keene and Kuyt, Babel and Torres can stand in his very substancial shadow!!
Thee story tells of the rough-edged Welsh teenager who was thrust into the ranks of an already great side, but who didn't feel he belonged in their company. It tells how he learned to keep his head down and grow as a player, turning into the man that became the most devastating finisher in English football.Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
Such stories are the stuff of dreams and nightmares for every football fan, the drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of the game today. There have been some good reads from Liverpool authors recently, `We go gathering cups in may`, `43 Years with the same Bird` by Brian Reede is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones (set at Anfield), `Gangs of Liverpool` parts one and two are all well worth a read.
Rush is a ten out of ten.
One Ginger Review! Five Stars!, 11 Oct 2008
What a brilliant idea! This book brings together the best football chants from around the country. In a day and age where going to football has become an increasingly manufactured experience this book showcases the wit and invention of the fans on the terraces. I guarantee you'll have some of the chants going round in your head for days afterwards.
This book along with the equally hilarious 'Modern Football is Rubbish' guarantee a laugh and are excellent stocking fillers that any football fan would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Buy it!
There is more to supporting a football team than football, 13 Aug 2008
Starting from the day in 1965 when his father took him to see Liverpool play at Bolton, Brian Reade has been a Liverpool supporter. In the 43 years since then although he as witnessed many highs - 47 trophies, which supporters of most other clubs can only dream about - but also extreme lows in the 80's with the tragedies at Heysel and Hillsborough.
The books strongest chapters are regarding these two events and their aftermath. Reade passionately describes the guilt and shame felt by Liverpool supporters after Heysel in 1985 and also the anger felt by these same people after the authorities attempted to make them the scapegoats for the disaster at Hillsborough four years later.
When it comes to football, Brian Reade writes as a Liverpool fan and his views are therefore very biased and unobjective. Whilst this makes some of his recollections entertaining, there were too many times when I, as a Bradford City fan, found it a bit annoying when he moans about 'a bad season' after Liverpool had only finished third or fourth in the league! We should be so lucky.
Making up for this though are the excellent chapters about Reades meeting the charismatic Bill Shankly and a very poignant one where he interviews Bob Paisley just as Alzheimers was starting to take a hold. Also worth reading are the bile filled chapters about ex-Chairman Noel White and Graeme Souness, who Reade concedes was a brilliant player for Liverpool but a lousy manager.
Although I suspect that to obtain maximum enjoyment from this book the reader would have to be a Liverpool supporter but anybody that has followed a football team through good times and bad will be able to empathise with much of it and therefore enjoy it. All except Everton and Manchester United fans, that is.
Great title, Great book !!, 15 Jul 2008
The book is written by journalist and football fan, not in any particular order, with a history of working with the Liverpool Post, and sometimes upsetting people with a biast view!!
True Liverpool fans will remember the inspirational words that often came from Shankly`s lips (god rest his soul),` how if he were a bin man he would be the best bin man ever, and the streets of Liverpool would be the cleanest in the world`. This book talks from the same page as that. Its both a cronicle of the rollercoaster that is football and an inspiational read at the same time, some of the memories will lift you, and some will break your heart, but one thing is for sure, you will be touched by the Authors writing.
Some of the strongest chapters follow the darker moments in our glorious history and the are truly heart wrenching. He writes with bitterness about the years of Souness as manager, and who can blame him for that!!
As a long term Kopite I eat and sleep football, and read it when I`m not doing one of the other. There have been some great books about Liverpool over the years and this is among them. I read this on holiday with another book set at Anfield. Soft Target by Conrad Jones, is a fictional thriller set in Liverpool, terrorism and football combined it was shocking....but great reading. The new bio by the great god `Rush` is another excellent read, as is `Gangs of Liverpool ` by Maca.
Give this `43 years with the same bird.Liverpudlian Love Affair a read...you wont be dissapointed
Superb Stuff for LFC die hard fans, 06 Oct 2008
I am one of the fans of Paul Tomkins books and one of the lucky receiver of the pre-released signed copy.
I just couldnt put it down, and for the LFC fan out there, this book really can give us knowledge of what have been done from scratch before by Shankly and Paisley to bring LFC to the golden era in footballing sense, and what is being done by the latest manager, Rafa, to bring us back to the place we, LFC all around the world belong.
I just hope this book is thicker than it is!
A must read for all LFC fans. Simple as that. , 03 Oct 2008
I had a pre-release copy of this and couldn't put it down. Great detail and analysis from Paul as ever and some very surprising details of signings that LFC missed out on or just crazy of turn down!
A great detailed breakdown of the past great (and not so great) managers since Shankley was installed and started the process of making this club the world recognised great that it is.
Looking forward to Compendium coming out in December.
Essential Reading For All Kopites!, 01 Oct 2008
For those people who regularly visit the official Liverpool website, you will no doubt be aware of Paul Tomkins' excellent contributions to this site. He can make the most painful loss seem like a blessing and provides much-needed perspective when emotions are a little raw. His 'half-full glass' attitude has numbed a lot of the hurt that occasionally comes from supporting Liverpool.
Being a Liverpool fan of over 20 years, I really had no idea of the history of the club and it's early success. I knew they were one of the biggest and most popular clubs in the world, but I was pathetically ignorant of Liverpool's history. I knew of their status as the most successful British club of all time with more European Cups and League titles than any other. Unfortunately, the start of my support for the club seemed to coincide with their gradual decline (relatively speaking of course!) and the rise and rise of Manchester United and to a lesser degree Arsenal and Chelsea.
Which brings me to Paul Tomkins' book Dynasty and it's focus on the last 50 years of LFC. It truly is an education - and an entertaining one at that! Tomkins has a gift for providing a perspective and analysis that few football commentators can manage. The book attempts to judge the success and/or failings of each Liverpool manager by comparing the football and financial landscape that they operated under. By taking this approach, it gives Tomkins an objective platform from which to stake his claims.
As a Liverpool fan, I literally could not put the book down. It is simply that good. It is without doubt the best book that I have read on the Reds, and I would highly recommend that any person who follows LFC get their hands on it. It is worth every penny and/or cent.
The best of a very impressive collection, 30 Sep 2008
Im a huge fan of Paul Tomkins' books and columns anyway, but can honestly say that this is his best work so far.
The book manages to look at the history of the club in an entirely new way, judging players and managers in a whole new light that is both interesting and refreshing.
As with all of Tomkins' work it is excellently written, painstakingly researched and shows a sound knowledge of the game. Tomkins is a fan who is not blinded by his love for the club, but instead manages to channel that passion into giving an honest assesment of everything surrounding this great institution.
Long may his work continue.
Top notch, 18 Sep 2008
I also got one on pre-release and if you like Tomkins' style - as I obviously do - you'll love this, its his best yet.
He is personally my favorite writer in relation to Liverpool and he has excelled himself taking an analytical - if not quite scientific - approach to review the managers over the last 50 years.
Fascinating stuff I couldn't put it down.
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be best pleased!
`And number one, is Carragher, and number two was Carragher, and number..., 06 Sep 2008
Jamie Carragher is one of the most popular footballers in Liverpool`s history. He is worshiped by the LFC fans, and the envy of rival back fours. His popularity was proven when he was recently voted the most popular player in the entire Liverpool squad.
The story tells how a teenage Carra came to Liverpool even though he had been brought up as an Everton fan, from an Everton family and with Everton friends. The book is well written packed with great anecdotes and stories, and he doesnt pull any punches with some controversial opinions and large helpings of his trademark humour, you cannot help but enjoy it. There has been a growing list of good books from Liverpool authors lately, `43 years with the same bird, by Brian Reade` is great, `Here we go gathering cups in may` by Nicky Alt is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones(SET at Anfield) are terrifiyingly good!! There is another Carragher book due out next year, obviously written by someone else. This is the real mcoy from the horses mouth. The only thing missing is the story of how he picked up a bag full of premiership medals....but there is plenty of time yet.
So popular now he is now vice-captain. In fact he is so integral to the Liverpool squad, the Kop chants 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers' to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'. Raw, funny and down-to-earth, his book is an antidote to the anodyne sports autobiography. It takes you behind the scenes of all of Liverpool and England's greatest triumphs and disasters in the company of a player who never fails to be intelligent, controversial or just downright hilarious.
A decent read, 04 Sep 2008
I enjoyed the stories from Liverpool's end of season parties each January, and the valiant battles with Spurs and Everton to secure 4th place each year.
The only disappointment is the lack of a chapter on JT's mum, maybe there could be an update in the paperback edition?
Overall, not bad at all.
Legendary goalscorer, mediocre book, 04 Oct 2008
This book suffers from being badly written, which is a shame because Ian Rush was a hero to me when I was growing up. I was looking forward to this book and to be fair the first few chapters were reasonably entertaining, but before long it became the cliched football autobiography and there are long sections explaining the fine details of certain games. As a Liverpool fan, I am aware of these games and I can watch them on DVD if need be; there is nothing more boring than a running commentary of runs, dribbles and passes. Maybe it's because Rushy was naturally a quiet person that there doesn't seem to be too many really interesting anecdotes in this book, however his revelations about not originally warming to Kenny Dalglish and his opinions of his team mates at Juventus are quite interesting. One more thing, the chronology of some of the events are a bit perplexing at times (obviously the proof reading was a bit lax), one passage that springs to mind has Rushy being in Australia playing for Sydney Olympic and getting a call from Rick Parry asking if he'd like to help Rafa with the coaching. Given that Rushy was in Australia until 2000 and Rafa didn't come to Liverpool until 2004....
Bad editing aside, it's still an average read I'm afraid, but thanks Rushy for your 346 goals and lots more besides, you're still and always will be a Legend!
Disappointing, 16 Sep 2008
This should have been good, actually it should have been better than good, when you think of the games and times that Ian Rush played in for Liverpool. Lets not beat around the bush Ian Rush is the greatest striker Liverpool have ever known who played in some of the great teams and great games of his time. Unfortunately this book does not measure up to the career of the player
More than anything I think he has been let down by the people who worked on the book with him. I lost count of the number of grammatical errors, misspelt words and in some cases names of players (Stevie NicHol????, Neil Macdonald in the 86 Cup Final Liverpool team (didn't he play for Everton, as opposed to Kevin Macdonald). Also according to this book Robbie Fowler made his name by scoring 5 against Ipswich rather than Fulham in the League cup.
Now spelling and historical facts aren't everything, but the other main disappointment was the lack of detail (Hillsborough, relationships with other players/managers etc.). Perhaps Hillsborough is too painful and has been covered by others but I thought he may have gone a little deeper with regards to how it affected him personally
Overall Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice guy, very level headed and perhaps too nice to write a book which reveals anything much that isn't already known.
The Player, The Legend, The man, all in one gripping story, 24 Aug 2008
This is one of the best bio`s that you will ever read, not only because it is written by a true football legend, but also because of the honesty within. Some of the recent bios (Rooney for example) are rubbish and skate around issues, never really telling the honest truth. Rush bares all in this bio, the fun, the laughter and the tears. The only surprise is why it has taken him so long to write his memoirs.In 2006, Liverpool fans voted Ian Rush among the top three all-time greatest players in the history of the club. Taking his place alongside Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, he surpassed legends such as Fowler, Keegan, Owen, Smith, Carragher and Hansen, which speaks volumes of the passion for the man, and the high esteem that Liverpool fans, and football fans alike hold him in.
Ian Rush is quite simply Liverpool's greatest goalscorer and, along with Jimmy Greaves and Denis Law, one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. We can only hope that Keene and Kuyt, Babel and Torres can stand in his very substancial shadow!!
Thee story tells of the rough-edged Welsh teenager who was thrust into the ranks of an already great side, but who didn't feel he belonged in their company. It tells how he learned to keep his head down and grow as a player, turning into the man that became the most devastating finisher in English football.Rush's story is bursting with honesty and insight, emotional turmoil and tragedy, and hilarious tales and asides. It is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Of an era when Liverpool became nigh on invincible, made the League title their own, and rode the highs of European and FA Cup Finals alongside the devastating tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
Such stories are the stuff of dreams and nightmares for every football fan, the drama of Rush's time at Liverpool during the 80s - the decade that defined the club more than any other - is thrillingly captured in this autobiography, which takes you into the thick of the action, as well as offering a frank and insightful analysis of the game today. There have been some good reads from Liverpool authors recently, `We go gathering cups in may`, `43 Years with the same Bird` by Brian Reede is excellent, the `Soft Target` thrillers by Conrad Jones (set at Anfield), `Gangs of Liverpool` parts one and two are all well worth a read.
Rush is a ten out of ten.
One Ginger Review! Five Stars!, 11 Oct 2008
What a brilliant idea! This book brings together the best football chants from around the country. In a day and age where going to football has become an increasingly manufactured experience this book showcases the wit and invention of the fans on the terraces. I guarantee you'll have some of the chants going round in your head for days afterwards.
This book along with the equally hilarious 'Modern Football is Rubbish' guarantee a laugh and are excellent stocking fillers that any football fan would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Buy it!
There is more to supporting a football team than football, 13 Aug 2008
Starting from the day in 1965 when his father took him to see Liverpool play at Bolton, Brian Reade has been a Liverpool supporter. In the 43 years since then although he as witnessed many highs - 47 trophies, which supporters of most other clubs can only dream about - but also extreme lows in the 80's with the tragedies at Heysel and Hillsborough.
The books strongest chapters are regarding these two events and their aftermath. Reade passionately describes the guilt and shame felt by Liverpool supporters after Heysel in 1985 and also the anger felt by these same people after the authorities attempted to make them the scapegoats for the disaster at Hillsborough four years later.
When it comes to football, Brian Reade writes as a Liverpool fan and his views are therefore very biased and unobjective. Whilst this makes some of his recollections entertaining, there were too many times when I, as a Bradford City fan, found it a bit annoying when he moans about 'a bad season' after Liverpool had only finished third or fourth in the league! We should be so lucky.
Making up for this though are the excellent chapters about Reades meeting the charismatic Bill Shankly and a very poignant one where he interviews Bob Paisley just as Alzheimers was starting to take a hold. Also worth reading are the bile filled chapters about ex-Chairman Noel White and Graeme Souness, who Reade concedes was a brilliant player for Liverpool but a lousy manager.
Although I suspect that to obtain maximum enjoyment from this book the reader would have to be a Liverpool supporter but anybody that has followed a football team through good times and bad will be able to empathise with much of it and therefore enjoy it. All except Everton and Manchester United fans, that is.
Great title, Great book !!, 15 Jul 2008
The book is written by journalist and football fan, not in any particular order, with a history of working with the Liverpool Post, and sometimes upsetting people with a biast view!!
True Liverpool fans will remember the inspirational words that often came from Shankly`s lips (god rest his soul),` how if he were a bin man he would be the best bin man ever, and the streets of Liverpool would be the cleanest in the world`. This book talks from the same page as that. Its both a cronicle of the rollercoaster that is football and an inspiational read at the same time, some of the memories will lift you, and some will break your heart, but one thing is for sure, you will be touched by the Authors writing.
Some of the strongest chapters follow the darker moments in our glorious history and the are truly heart wrenching. He writes with bitterness about the years of Souness as manager, and who can blame him for that!!
As a long term Kopite I eat and sleep football, and read it when I`m not doing one of the other. There have been some great books about Liverpool over the years and this is among them. I read this on holiday with another book set at Anfield. Soft Target by Conrad Jones, is a fictional thriller set in Liverpool, terrorism and football combined it was shocking....but great reading. The new bio by the great god `Rush` is another excellent read, as is `Gangs of Liverpool ` by Maca.
Give this `43 years with the same bird.Liverpudlian Love Affair a read...you wont be dissapointed
Superb Stuff for LFC die hard fans, 06 Oct 2008
I am one of the fans of Paul Tomkins books and one of the lucky receiver of the pre-released signed copy.
I just couldnt put it down, and for the LFC fan out there, this book really can give us knowledge of what have been done from scratch before by Shankly and Paisley to bring LFC to the golden era in footballing sense, and what is being done by the latest manager, Rafa, to bring us back to the place we, LFC all around the world belong.
I just hope this book is thicker than it is!
A must read for all LFC fans. Simple as that. , 03 Oct 2008
I had a pre-release copy of this and couldn't put it down. Great detail and analysis from Paul as ever and some very surprising details of signings that LFC missed out on or just crazy of turn down!
A great detailed breakdown of the past great (and not so great) managers since Shankley was installed and started the process of making this club the world recognised great that it is.
Looking forward to Compendium coming out in December.
Essential Reading For All Kopites!, 01 Oct 2008
For those people who regularly visit the official Liverpool website, you will no doubt be aware of Paul Tomkins' excellent contributions to this site. He can make the most painful loss seem like a blessing and provides much-needed perspective when emotions are a little raw. His 'half-full glass' attitude has numbed a lot of the hurt that occasionally comes from supporting Liverpool.
Being a Liverpool fan of over 20 years, I really had no idea of the history of the club and it's early success. I knew they were one of the biggest and most popular clubs in the world, but I was pathetically ignorant of Liverpool's history. I knew of their status as the most successful British club of all time with more European Cups and League titles than any other. Unfortunately, the start of my support for the club seemed to coincide with their gradual decline (relatively speaking of course!) and the rise and rise of Manchester United and to a lesser degree Arsenal and Chelsea.
Which brings me to Paul Tomkins' book Dynasty and it's focus on the last 50 years of LFC. It truly is an education - and an entertaining one at that! Tomkins has a gift for providing a perspective and analysis that few football commentators can manage. The book attempts to judge the success and/or failings of each Liverpool manager by comparing the football and financial landscape that they operated under. By taking this approach, it gives Tomkins an objective platform from which to stake his claims.
As a Liverpool fan, I literally could not put the book down. It is simply that good. It is without doubt the best book that I have read on the Reds, and I would highly recommend that any person who follows LFC get their hands on it. It is worth every penny and/or cent.
The best of a very impressive collection, 30 Sep 2008
Im a huge fan of Paul Tomkins' books and columns anyway, but can honestly say that this is his best work so far.
The book manages to look at the history of the club in an entirely new way, judging players and managers in a whole new light that is both interesting and refreshing.
As with all of Tomkins' work it is excellently written, painstakingly researched and shows a sound knowledge of the game. Tomkins is a fan who is not blinded by his love for the club, but instead manages to channel that passion into giving an honest assesment of everything surrounding this great institution.
Long may his work continue.
Top notch, 18 Sep 2008
I also got one on pre-release and if you like Tomkins' style - as I obviously do - you'll love this, its his best yet.
He is personally my favorite writer in relation to Liverpool and he has excelled himself taking an analytical - if not quite scientific - approach to review the managers over the last 50 years.
Fascinating stuff I couldn't put it down.
Who can forget 4/1/1992?, 22 Sep 2008
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end, detailing Noddy's exploits - so far!
From his humble beginnings in Mochdre to the breakthrough at Wrexham in January 1972 and the first of his 51 international caps for Wales against West Germany in October 1976, through his spells at Old Trafford, Goodison Park, the Goldstone Ground, the Victoria Ground, Stamford Bridge, The Hawthorns, the Baseball Ground, the Kansas Coliseum, Gay Meadow, Elland Road, the Victoria Ground (again) and back full circle to the Racecourse.
He achieved the height of his fame after his wonder goal for Wrexham against Arsenal on the 4th of January 1992 and then, a mere seven days later, he was arrested at his mum's house in Colwyn Bay and faced incarceration at Her Majesty's Pleasure for distributing forged tenners to trainees at Wrexham football club.
And as if that wasn't enough, there's also the tale of a secluded country lane, his sister-in-law, her husband, some screwdrivers and some hammers. Oh, and there are a few chefs dotted around as well.
Also comes with forewords by Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs.
With a paperback version due out in May 2009, I can only hope that the obvious mistakes - Amlwch not Amlych, Clwyd not Clywd, Brian Flynn not Brian Fian, and Ian Rush was brought up in Flint not Ruabon - are corrected.
Nice one Mickey, and good luck for the future.
kickups,hickups ,lockups, mickey Thomas, 11 Sep 2008
What a fantastic book to read, once you start you will not put it down,this guy is the most lucky & unluckiest bloke you could ever meet, who has & never will forget his roots, played for most of all football teams, will share or ever give his last penny, wears his heart on his sleeve at all times, read this book & you will agree with me,,,,,,, best of luck for the future mickey, love yer,,,,x
s walsh
There's only one Mickey Thomas!!!, 10 Sep 2008
A great book, by a great guy! On the book launch we had a great weekend! I hope Mickey does really well out of the new book!!!
Daniel Walsh.
North Wales.
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Customer Reviews
Sour and sad, 18 Sep 2008
I'm not a Manchester United supporter, but I read Alex Ferguson's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I'm not a Liverpool supporter, but I read Robbie Fowler's autobiography, and enjoyed it. I read Shane Warne's autobiography, but I'm certainly not an Australian. In short, I read a lot of autobiographies about sportsmen whose teams I have no allegiance to, and I read them without prejudice.
I suppose if you are a Liverpool supporter you might enjoy this book, but if you're not then don't bother, it wasn't written for your benefit anyway. Basically, Carragher does not have a good word to say about any one or anything outside the boundaries of Liverpool. Apparently he hated playing for England, hated even travelling to London, and doesn't feel even a passing allegiance to England. Well no wonder he never made the grade playing for England, although, I do wonder if he would have been quite so sour if he was still being selected for England.
I genuinely regret ever having read this book, for it has tainted my opinion of the people and the city and the club of Liverpool. I just hope most of the inhabitants of Liverpool are not as bitter and resentful as this book suggests they might be.
A Decent Effort, 07 Sep 2008
This book was written by Jamie "Jimmy" Carragher and features his life story even though he's still playing football. I'm sure he will bring out an exciting second book when he's older. It's a good read about him growing up in Liverpool as an Everton fan waving blue flags out of his window and then going on to play for the Reds. Charting his fall-outs with other players and his refusal to play for England under Steve McClaren whom he labels a "wally with a brolly", this is an excellent purchase - also available in English.
Has Jamie's page been hacked?, 06 Sep 2008
Read my discussion at the bottom of the page. Somebody at Amazon has added "18 Years of Failure" to the book title. I don't think Jamie or the publishers will be b | | |