Beckham : Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

David Beckham is one of the most famous international athletes of our times. His hairstyles and tattoos are as well-known and emulated as his trademark bending free kicks. He sells more replica shirts than any other footballer, and is probably the most media covered player of his generation.

What impressed me about this book was the candor of the author. His diction and tone were not one of a media and marketing savvy "product" that we have witnessed in various mediums. He seemed like an ordinary guy, from modest beginnings, who honed his skills for hours upon hours to become a top player. He does not appear to have forgotten his roots, or his childhood passion for the sport. That he married a famous woman, or has become a global marketing vehicle, seems secondary. David Beckham, who was vilified after his red card sending off against Argentina in 1998, resurrected himself four years later against the same opponent. And then returned to icon status in his native England.

David Beckham was a product of the Manchester United youth system. With the exception of a short period on loan to Preston North End, he spent his entire British career playing for legendary coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, at Manchester United. The book discusses his childhood training, along with the fact that famous people in the sport recognized his prodigious talents at a young age.

He discusses his relationships with fellow teammates, some of whom he had known from his early years. For a world superstar, he understands the importance of being a team player. His love of England is demonstrated by his steadfast devotion to its captaincy. One senses that Beckham would tattoo the England captain's band on his arm if he could. For him, it is more than just a piece of cloth.