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Books : My Manchester United Years: The Autobiography
Rating: 
- Duller than the Major Years
God this is a really, really boring book. Let's put aside the fact that he was a brilliant, fabulous player (and aside from Scholes, my favourite United star) and examine the book.
The narrative is very straight, serious, there is no joking or messing around. You get the feeling that life as Bobby Charlton is lacking a sense of humour... which really explains why he and his brother grate each other up the wrong way, whatever he claims to the contrary here.
Secondly, the Munich crash. Now, obviously the publishers thought they were on to a winner here, which is why they splashed out over £2 million for three books. Big serial, obviously, and then a real tragedy around which to frame the book.
But I think it actually harms Charlton's image more than anything else. Because he goes on about it again and again and again. 'It was just so sad...' Yes. Obviously it was a crying shame. But it was fifty years ago. You'd think he could have afforded a few sessions with a decent shrink now.
Basically you realize Munich is so central to the book because (a) Bobby is a dull man, decent yes, brilliant fotballer yes, one of the best ever, quite probably, but exciting, interesting, charismatic, no way. And (b) Bobby has done absolutely nothing worth writing about since retiring, a short-lived and disastrous management stint apart, he's simply lounged around Old Trafford smiling at cameras and travelling around the world to give footballs to children with AIDS.
I read the Leo McKinstry biography, JACK & BOBBY, a few years ago, and that is a well-crafted read that brings you close to understanding the real personalities of the brothers than this sterile, diluted effort ever will.
If you want a good football tragedy read, I suggest you check out Paul McGrath's stunning BACK FROM THE BRINK instead.
- Duller than the Major YearsGod this is a really, really boring book. Let's put aside the fact that he was a brilliant, fabulous player (and aside from Scholes, my favourite United star) and examine the book.
The narrative is very straight, serious, there is no joking or messing around. You get the feeling that life as Bobby Charlton is lacking a sense of humour... which really explains why he and his brother grate each other up the wrong way, whatever he claims to the contrary here.
Secondly, the Munich crash. Now, obviously the publishers thought they were on to a winner here, which is why they splashed out over £2 million for three books. Big serial, obviously, and then a real tragedy around which to frame the book.
But I think it actually harms Charlton's image more than anything else. Because he goes on about it again and again and again. 'It was just so sad...' Yes. Obviously it was a crying shame. But it was fifty years ago. You'd think he could have afforded a few sessions with a decent shrink now.
Basically you realize Munich is so central to the book because (a) Bobby is a dull man, decent yes, brilliant fotballer yes, one of the best ever, quite probably, but exciting, interesting, charismatic, no way. And (b) Bobby has done absolutely nothing worth writing about since retiring, a short-lived and disastrous management stint apart, he's simply lounged around Old Trafford smiling at cameras and travelling around the world to give footballs to children with AIDS.
I read the Leo McKinstry biography, JACK & BOBBY, a few years ago, and that is a well-crafted read that brings you close to understanding the real personalities of the brothers than this sterile, diluted effort ever will.
If you want a good football tragedy read, I suggest you check out Paul McGrath's stunning BACK FROM THE BRINK instead.