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David Beckham: My Side - The Autobiography

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 1,472 ratings · 87 reviews
With endless newspaper column inches devoted to one of the most talked about men in the world, it seems that we know everything there is to know about David Beckham. Or do we? This is Beckham's life story in his own words. The book deals with his complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson and looks at how he handles the pressure of playing alongside some of the mo ...more
Hardcover , 416 pages
Published September 12th 2003 by HarperCollinsWillow (first published May 7th 1998)
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Marita Hansen
Yeah, I might be a bit biased here. I'm a fan of Manchester United and like the way David Beckham plays "the beautiful game." Although I read this a while back I do remember devouring the pages with great interest, not finding a dull moment in it. From his 1998 World Cup disgrace to the fighting with Fergie this was a very interesting read, and to hear it from David Beckham's point of view even more so. I must admit I was annoyed with Fergie quite a bit, the nerve of him telling Becks to put soc ...more
Pete daPixie
The book was picked up for me at a car boot sale, almost six months ago. I put off reading this one all that time. Not sure I really wanted to read it at all. After finally completing this book, I am surprised how good it is. 'My Side' I'm sure are all D.B.'s own words, probably spoken into a tape machine for collaborator Tom Watt to bring together. Published in 2003, this autobiography tells Beckham's 'side' of the story regarding his exit from Old Trafford, after 12 years at the club. It begin ...more
Mark Muckerman
First - I'm a fan. Of football, ManU (second only to my Liverpool club), and of Becks.

Talented player? Epic. Leader of his team(s) and ambassador for the beautiful game? Absolutely. Interesting? To a point, in the way that anyone (or couple) who is talented, rich and famous is - if you're outside the fishbowl looking in, you can't help but look.

The anecdotes from a successful career are entertaining, but eventually repetitive, and ultimately, when it's all said and done, he's really not THAT int
...more
Majd
David Beckham, one of the worlds most famous football players, is a man who had dreams of being a professional footballer at a young age and who has worked his way up through the rankings to become one of the most known names across the globe. In this autobiography, written by David Beckham himself, comes to explain about every aspect of every moment in his life that have brought him to where he is today. Growing up through the years, David was only a school-boy footballer with ambition and pass ...more
Josemontoyamora
Beckham Both Feet On The Ground genre is sports none fiction . In the book Beckham talks about his view on things growing up . Beckham talk about his life growing up and going into Manchester United's team . Then Beckham talks about how he fells about being in Manchester's team and being in TV shows. He also talk about his two sons and getting married .
I like the book for many reasons that he tells you a lot of things that he did growing up. He gives his honest opinion on how he felt about the
...more
Hikachi
I'm not a fan of Becks. I love his wife though. Vic is awesome. Back in Spice Girls day, she's mostly known as "the one who date David Beckham" but in this book, Beck told the actual story, of how he wanted her so bad. Funny how he said "I like her, you know, the one with the legs." and end up marrying that same girl he watched on TV.

Still, I don't like Becks. LOL. He's not my favorite player, by far. Well, I don't have animosity toward him whatsoever. I just... don't understand the hysteria sur
...more
Taouba Ismail
Ismail Taouba
March 15, 15
English 7-3

Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography

Before starting this book one must keep in mind that this is an autobiography. This means the information might be adjusted a bit. This is the introduction to a book about a great player. Here starts the story of one of histories best freekick takers, David Bakham. Anyways Beckham, a world renown football legend first stated at Manchester United but "My Manchester United contract had expired on the last day of
...more
Camille
Unlike Keane's or Gerrard's, this autobiography has an agenda, reflected in the subtitle, to show that Beckham isn't some jumped-up egotistical superstar, he's a regular guy. He gets starstruck, had an awkward first date with his wife, likes to brag about his kids, works hard, deplores racism, etc. It's an understandable agenda, given the unpleasantness surrounding his exit from Man Utd. Alex Ferguson really starts to look like a jerk when you take Becks's (naturally biased) account of his depar ...more
Lauren
I love autobiographies and David Beckham was pretty much my first ever favourite athlete (although even as a kid I had the good sense not to like United, he somehow escaped the dislike I've harboured for most of their players—I've only recently warmed up to Cristiano Ronaldo despite supporting Real Madrid for quite some time) so I'm a little surprised I haven't read this before. But anyway, it was pretty good, and about what I was expecting; Beckham comes off pretty much as egotistical as you'd ...more
Naveed Qazi
Im not a David Beckham buff, and I took this book at a bookstore in Connaught Place, Delhi, in the summer of 2007, just because I didn't find anything interesting in that bookshop, perhaps the book synopsis attracted me and I wanted to read something different, for a healthy past time.

His life has been a roller coaster, the initial part of the book, which speaks about his football fervor, as a young boy, attracts attention. You begin to sense that youre reading something very fresh, but soon aft
...more
Shannon
Since I've been in quite the biography mood, I thought I might learn a bit of background about MLS sensation, David Beckham. I really enjoyed the book, which chronicles his middle-class upbringing, with a soccer dad whose life dreams were fulfilled when his son was signed with Manchester United as a teen on their youth team. In this book he candidly talks about the pressures of being an elite athlete, playing not just for Man U, but also for the English World Cup team (and his biggest profession ...more
Jordan M
Summary: After spending his early life at his local club the Ridgeway Rovers where he was thought to be too small people would say things such as “he could never make a tackle” or “he’s too small to even beat a man, how could he ever be considered a player.” But what did he do, he proved them all wrong he trained with his father day in and day out. The more times he scored the more pennies he received. It was a never ending cycle of soccer, school, and then soccer. Beckham never stopped playing ...more
Albert
Beckham
David Beckham; Harper Collins, 386 pages


Beckhams’ transformation from a poor boy to a soccer star worth millions to a model to a father. David Beckham “Both Feet On The Ground” lets you in on his exciting life.

As Beckham starts to catch the soccer world’s eye with Manchester every one wants him on their team who can afford him, better yet who does he want to play for what are his feeling and thoughts on a move to a new club. Does he want to be a model, how will him being a model affec
...more
Francisco
i liked this book because david beckham inspired me to play soccer, he is from england and a all time star player his team mates would pass it to him and would score a goal he played for manchester united and LA GALAXY he played for other teams, when the world cup happend on 1998 he was playing vs agentina an opponent was approaching towards hims to flick his head and beckahm was mad he kicked him and the referee gave beckham a red card
Sambasivan
Surprisingly racy read. Beckham apportions the right amount of football life in his overall journey of moving from a small town boy to one of the legends in his chosen field. He is honest in the narrative and also speaks openly of his rather stormy end to a long relationship with his manager Alex Ferguson. Comes across as a complete human being who balances his strong and loving personal life with demands as a professional footballer.
Brayan Cornejo
I reccomend this book that I enjoy most soccer books, as well as books that provide insight into what it is to be a professional athlete. I'm not sure that we in the US understand the scrutiny and pressure that a professional soccer player is under in Europe - aside from royalty, they don't have Hollywood stars or other professional sports stars to divert the media and public's attention. Beckham comes across as a guy who loves what he does and has worked at it to become as good as he can be. H ...more
Saleena Davidson
I am not a sports fan, but I was interested in hearing about who David Beckham is because I know him from the tabloids and ads and such. I found it quite interesting, though heavy on sports info (which I kind of skimmed because I know nothing of soccer). But even with the sports, Mr. Beckham made it fun to read. Glad I grabbed the book.
Mitchell - ISB
I remember when I was just a kid. I was deeply a Manchester United fan and at that time I remember that I just wanted to be like David Beckham. Today, I just wanted to refresh my memories about him and wanted to know his background. That is the main reason why I chose him as my Autobiography book to read for the independent reading. So far, I have learned so much about him through reading his Autobiography. From David's first soccer match with boys who are really older than him, to his first day ...more
Maxwell
The book David Beckham, My Side by David Beckham and Tom Watt is a great autobiography for all soccer fans and players. It was really interesting to see the road that one of the most well known soccer players and idols on the planet has taken. What was most intriguing was where he was at my age, compared to me. Just the idea of being in Barcelona, doing a professional camp with all sorts of future stars at 13 is insane. The book is quite long, and has it’s slow, sort of tiresome parts, but the t ...more
Greg
I enjoy most soccer books, as well as books that provide insight into what it is to be a professional athlete. I'm not sure that we in the US understand the scrutiny and pressure that a professional soccer player is under in Europe - aside from royalty, they don't have Hollywood stars or other professional sports stars to divert the media and public's attention. Beckham comes across as a guy who loves what he does and has worked at it to become as good as he can be. He would be a great teammate, ...more
Mandi Friedman
This book was an incredible read. I was taken on the adventure that is David Beckham's life. His personality and lifestyle is so much more personal and respectable than I had expected. I loved reading his perspective on all the games he was in and all the events. Things were constantly happening with him. His love for soccer has truly inspired me. My favorite part I suppose was seeing just how loved soccer is outside of the United States. People live for it, and I just can't find supporters in A ...more
Juan Casas
The book of David Beckham, My Side is simply amazing. This book is accurate because it has new information. David Beckham is an extraordinary soccer player. He is the master of free kicks. This book is an autobiography. Also it talks about his childhood, it also explains why he is such a great person and has amazing personality. It also says in very good details about his career in Real Madrid and the Euro Cup 2004. My opinions about this book is that I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed so muc ...more
Carluch
Loved this book, it was full of real life experiences and his journey. Loved it, so realistic and really shows the life of a footballer and such a popular footballer - all of the problems that they face: paparazzi, team mate problems, girls and maybe even your own coach!!!
Raul
I really enjoyed reading David Beckham's autobiography, and it's not just because I'm a big football fan. What I like about his life is that no matter what happens, for him, family ALWAYS comes first. I remember the chapter when Real Madrid was very keen on acquiring him from Manchester United, he said that the condition was that his kids and wife will be with him. If not, the deal is off! And, he also said that beyond all the glitz and glamor, nothing can top him going home to his family after ...more
Mehernosh Sanjana
Great book, great insight on one of the best players to have played for England. It might have been very tough for him when he got that Red card against ArgentinaN at Saint-Etienne. The media made it worse for him. Also when he had to leave Manchester United. After reading both autobiographies of Sir Alex and David I think the transfer to Madrid was because of a misunderstanding.

David Beckham has not been very straightforward like Sir Alex has in his book. Maybe he did this to stay out of contro
...more
Angus McKeogh
Gotta say I finished most of this book. The beginning following his early years at Man U was very interesting and captivating. Then the last 100 pages became a slog fest and I put it aside and never came back.
Saad Ali
Jan 15, 2014 Saad Ali is currently reading it
This book was very interesting because it is one of the worlds best footballers talking about how he had grown from a normal young child to a global superstar. I liked how he came out as such a modest and honest guy in the book as in real life he is one of he living legends of the game. I would recommend the book to others because He is very honest and provides many tips not just about his career but how to reach your dream and goal.
Laura
I am a massive David Beckham fan, have been since I was a kid, but not really for the football. It pains me to not give this book five stars and if I let my bias fangirl get in the way I would. Personally though for a person who understands very little about football, there was just SO much football(yes I do realise he's a footballer, I don't know why this surprised). The personal stuff was really lovely and the way he describes his love for Victoria is like something from a Disney movie, the wa ...more
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David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English professional footballer, who plays in midfield. He currently plays for and captains Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and is also a member of the England national team. He earned his 100th cap for England against France in March 2008.

He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid football
...more
More about David Beckham...
David Beckham Beckham: My World David Beckham's Soccer Skills Beckham: Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography Beckham

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