Sep 02, 2001 03:01 AM
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This is all about Beckham's book.
It's difficult to categorise Beckham's self-portrait, with the wealth of photographic material making the collection of thoughts more of a photo-album than an autobiography - but the 75 pages of writing are easy to read and go some way to conquering the pervasive thought that the book is merely a ‘Hello Magazine’ special about the country’s most recognisable couple.
It seems that Beckham has chosen a rare route in the footballing autobiography world, and written the material himself.
Inevitably this makes the style of writing more akin to a children’s book, with compact simple sentences that, although irritating, do give the narrative a sense of urgency.
But like all autobiographies, the thing that the book hangs itself on is the quality of the anecdotes, and the sense of being given a rare perspective into the mind of one of England’ most gifted footballers.
Great passages about Beckham’s relationship with the other Spice Girls, and his desires in football are well worth reading, and, in the light of the recent England friendly against Italy - which saw Beckham take the captaincy of his nation - his prescient assertion that to take on such a role would be the ultimate honour is heart-warming.
However, it's Beckham’s relationship with Posh Spice’ Victoria - and son Brooklyn that are given the most attention throughout the book - with the Man U star’s insistence that they both wear the trousers in the relationship not aided by much of his narrative.
There can be little doubt that Beckham is a doting father, who is struggling to avoid spoiling his child, and determined to be a real father in a world that occasionally seems extraordinary, and he is infatuated with Victoria (to the extent of being a little sickly in his praise).
One of the most interesting passages in the book is about his thought on the future - where Beckham insists that he could not see himself playing for another English club, and pours scorn on rumours that his purchase of a house near London means that a move to Arsenal is on the cards.
But such revelations are few and far between, and those that are looking for abject criticism of managers and players will be disappointed that Beckham has bucked the trend of stirring up controversy to sell his book - and limits his criticism to a brief questioning of Glenn Hoddle’s man-management skills, and a slightly threatening passage, that has been much publicised in the tabloids, about a black book of the people who criticised him in the wake of the Argentina incident.
The chapter devoted to the moment he became hassled by the press and public - following his sending off in the World Cup match against Argentina, which ultimately saw England go out of the tournament - does not delve too deeply, and one is left with the sense that it remains too painful for Beckham to contemplate.
It is, interesting to note the unwritten parallels with the blame that fell on the head of England and United team-mate Phil Neville, following his ill-timed tackle in Euro 2000.
Beckham, quite rightly, points out that “One tackle didn’t get us knocked out,” and you are left feeling that he, himself, thinks that he has been treated a little harshly.
All in all, if you are looking for an in depth philosophical discussion about the role of a footballer, this book is for you.
