My Side - David Beckham

If there was a seven wonders of football, he’ll most undeniably be in it. Ask any fashion label from Paris to Milan they would grab him without question. Yes, bloggers you thought right, its David Beckham. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid flank has sparked the world yet again, but not the way he always does it on the green but on paper.

If it was not for his incredible ball playing ability and his good looks, the dead ball specialist would have probably became a good novelist. The polish that actor and journalist Tom Watts applies, does lend this first-person narrative an air of unreality that some readers will find hard to ignore. Not trying to give the game away but his story telling ability was very attention-grabbing. It was like sinking your teeth into a chocolate brownie and an avalanche of ice cream, you just want another spoonful after every swallow. 

Titled “My side”, the autobiography brings about the truths of everything that Beckham encounters with as a growing superstar. This is his own in detail account of his career to date, for Manchester United and England, and of his childhood, family and personal life.

Beckham reveals how as a child the influence of his parents, especially his father monitoring him into the footballer that he became. He also describes growing up in his family home, and how the subsequent split affected him. He speaks about the many teams he played for as a youngster and then finally the break he got at the Red Devils.

With the many relationships he expresses such with his mother, his two sisters and past girlfriends and the many coaches he had, all comes in true effect of the book. He talks about growing up with fellow stars such as his best-friend, Gary Neville. He mentions the complex relationship with Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, and how he handles the pressure of playing alongside some of the most volatile footballers of his generation including Eric Cantona and Roy Keane. He explains how he first met and then married ex-Spice girl Victoria Adams and the upbringing of their two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo.

He tells the England story, from being belittled by the nation before returning as the prodigal son and almost single-handedly guiding his country as captain to the 2002 World Cup Finals. Beckham tries to put the picture in your head and even explains some of his favourite goals and cup moments.

The title speaks for itself. The book came across as if I and this legend were having a closed one-on-one on a pitch where we having a kick about and him just explaining everything in detail. Aspiring footballers, wives, daughters, sons would enjoy this book. My Side is so much fun and a good read.