ABs that I have read and enjoyed: Stan's is very funny in places, and paints a very stark picture of life as a footballer back then, and doesn't shy away from his issues. Eric Sykes' AB was brilliant - very funny and very moving. Richard Hammond's AB was also very interesting - covering his childhood and early days as a broadcaster, lots of Top Gear stuff, but obviously focussing on the crash, much of which is told from his wife's point of view, making it even more engrossing. Jimmy Croft, who wrote Dad's Army and Aint Half Hot Mum - lots of National Service stuff in there.
When does an autobiography become simply a biography? The reason I ask is that a number seem to have been written by a third party, often some journalist turning a series of interviews and informal conversations with the subject into something more resembling a coherent account of that individual's life. It goes way beyond simple editing these days, and this seems to be down to the fact that the subject of the tome has led (and continues to lead) such an interesting and busy life that he/she has neither the time nor the basic command of written English to waste on telling their story in their own words. Kerching, kerching, kerching! How the hell twenty-somethings can "write" autobiographies, and why the hell anybody would want to read them, is beyond me.
Mate, I'm not asking you to agree with me & I'm not trying to stir anything up Flyer, Judo, Ric & others will confirm that when COLIN was appointed I said exactly the same and posted (on another site) So yes, thanks for the achievements but has always been a COLIN for me going back to his whinging about West Ham, Palace etc. Its all opinions mate. You are entitled to yours as am I, I believe.? I wont bother with the stupid personal comments...
Neville Staples autobiography was a good read for me 'cos it brought back some great memories of being a kid growing up in Britain in the 80's (Riots were exciting back then) Not an autobiography as such but still got to read 'Robin Friday- The greatest footballer you never saw', which tells a sad story of wasted talent.
He is the mad black guy who jumps about and sings with the greatest Ska band ever....... The Specials !!!!!
SAF is ****ting all over some of the players who sweated blood for him and helped win many, many trophies. The man's a twat!
I thought it was only me that thought he was a complete to**er.. Produced some great players but seems a complete ar**h*le to me !
I've always disliked him. You have to respect his achievements, but he strikes me as a vindictive, bullying, jealous, English hating pillock!!
And he is no longer sacrosanct, Keane, Rodgers, Laudrup lining up to have a pop. Soon Urinals fans will understand his last, great legacy - Moyes. A good manager certainly, but not for a club of Uniteds stature and history in terms of style - Martinez would have been a much better pick. Or Guardiola.
....now that's an arresting concept. The last great act of great managers (in all walks of life) is good seamless succession planning. Interesting to see what happens to Arsenal when Wenger goes to manage France. Liverpool in the 70s and 80s got this right.
Basically, an autobiography is where the subject tells their account of their life - not necessarily as the writer themselves, as most people would struggle to be articulate enough in print. That's what ghost writers are for. But it's the subject telling the story. A biography is where the subject hasn't had input into the book whatsoever. So if you see a new autobiography of Churchill, you know it's dodgy...
Stan hit right on the button in his OP. He's already finding it very difficult being out of the limelight so has thrust himself back in with gusto. This could just be the beginning of Ferguson making a total arse of himself in the coming months and years. Only a few weeks ago he was telling journalists that he wouldn't go back in and take the job from Moyes, implicitly implying with such a feeble answer that it was a serious suggestion in the first place and further implying that Moyes had already destroyed something great that his highness had created. It also raises the uncomfortable prospect of one having to be such a person (bullying, vindictive etc as COL said above) in order to get to the top of our Sport as a Manager. I mean, would Ferguson have been as unbelievably successful if he didn't have those traits in his character? I'd like to think he would but part of me realizes that his success was, at least in part, down to having those characteristics. It is a cut throat game these days and it requires cut throat people to work the system. What happens in a couple of months when the furore over his book dies down and perhaps United start doing okay? What if the journalists no longer come a-knocking? What little soundbite will he come up with next? It wouldn't be the first time that a genius reveals a kink in their armour and makes a number of bad judgement calls making them look quite foolish. Beware the power of the ego. Its hunger knows no bounds.
I expect to see him start appearing on "Celebrety Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" and maybe even the odd cameo in Eastenders. He could become the new "aged Villain" and take down Alfie & the Mitchels. Could bring Danny Dyer in as his hitman and Becks likes a bit of TV. Serious question. How long before Vinnie jones appears on Eastenders then? Shame we dont have Saturday Swap Shop, Tiswas or OTT anymore as I'm sure he'd probable fit in well there too. Now that I would pay money to see
It's a bit niche, but Mick Foley's autobiography is a great read if you've got any interest in pro-wrestling. And he wrote it himself - well enough for it to get tithe top of the New York Times best selling list.
