Managing My Life by Alex Ferguson, 1840321822, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

Takes tedium to a whole new level

Even by the standards of football autobiography this is very dull. There is nothing juicy or interesting here. I expected Ferguson to be a bit more of a feisty character: instead of which he's just dull. You won't get any insights into management technique or any behind the scenes stories here.

Great Book About a Great Manager

Despite not being an avid supporter of Manchester United I have always been very keen to have an insight into the life and times of club's greatest ever manager.

The book clearly portrays the great mans early days and his tough upbringing in Govan, Glasgow. Uniquely, in a city which had major religous differences Alex's parents were from a mixed marriage. We get a great insight into Alex's early footballing life and the tough times that his family endured in surviving.
A fascinating discussion about Alex Ferguson's time as a player were amongst other clubs represented Glasgow Rangers. Even as a player we could to realize that he had a volatile temperament which would continue to serve him as a natural football leader.

From success at the unfashionable Aberdeen football Club to the pressures of managing one of the biggest sports clubs in the world Alex remains how much his childhood upbringing continues to be a major backbone of his life.

A truly great read into the one of soccers most respected characters.

Read Between The Lines

There is a genre of British autobiographies you could call "man from tough working class background makes good". To begin with I was frightened that Alex Ferguson had placed his own autobiography so firmly in this genre that it would contain little of any value.

However, as you get into it, and as long as you have your 'between the lines' head on, it has quite a lot to offer.

From a footballing point of view I became more into it once it reached an era I could remember (late sixties).

Particularly fascinating is the effect senior school had on Alex, due to his being older than his peers. I find myself wondering if this was a major influence in forming the aggression, expectation of extreme loyalty, and paternalism that are clearly major parts of his make-up, and so common in successful leaders.

I am now thinking of reading Michael Crick's book, although, despite Alex's obvious attempts to hide much about himself, I think most comes through if you look for it.

What Makes Him Tick

A lot of people myself included do not know of Alex Fergusons early beginnings. It was interesting to read how he started at the bottom and worked his way up through sheer grit, determination and being able to nurture his players.

Comprehensive , triumphant autobiography

This book is not exactly a "page turner" , but it is well worth reading. Sir Alex Ferguson emerges from it not only as a phenomenally successful football manager , but as a genuinely impressive human being. I enjoyed his early life story in particular , probably because his later life is now so familiar. My first recollections of Ferguson were when he managed St Mirren to some successes in the 70's and was largely unaware of his relatively successful playing career with St Johnstone , Dunfermline, Rangers et al.The novel traces his playing career and skilfully interweaves it with details of his personal life and comments and opinions on the people he encounted along the way.His full life included stints as a toolmaker and pub manager in Glasgow. A picture develops of an energetic ,determined,competitive, tactically skilful and honest man who commands and displays loyalty and is a master motivator. Ferguson watched and learned from people like Jock Stein over the years and acknowledges such influences throughout the book.
"The Treble" Man.Utd. achieved in 1999 begins and ends the story and will always be the highpoint of Ferguson's career and the Man Utd success story of the past decade is covered in detail with interesting insights into his dealings with Ince , Kanchelskis , Cantona etc.

Sir Alex Ferguson emerges from this book as an impressive figure. There is no trace of arrogance in the story, from a man who came up through the lowliest ranks of Scottish clubs in his playing and management career. As his management career draws to an end this well-written book is a worthy tribute.

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