Michael Owen: Off the Record

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Michael Owen

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Pages: 352 (Mass Market Paperback)

ISBN: 0002189402

Pub: HarperSport

Pub date: 2006-05-15

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 247228

Editorial Review:

Boy wonders come and boy wonders go, but Michael Owen has made the giant leap from sensational teenage star into one of the most consistent and respected strikers in world football - and he's still only 24 at the time of writing his new autobiography, Off The Record. A child goal-machine in North Wales who went on to acheive at all levels of the game - defying expectations at the ease with which he took each step upwards - Owen has seemingly been the star turn since he was in diapers. The decision to move from Liverpool to Real Madrid this season, and the fleeting shadow this has cast over his sun, is for now, the last chapter in the Owen legend. Owen first scaled the peak of public and professional esteem at the 1998 World Cup. His breathtaking solo strike against Argentina was an exposition of youthful audacity, skill and self-belief beamed repeatedly around the world - but as Off The Record reveals, the TV pictures only tell half the story. Did you know that at the crucial moment, after Owen had waltzed through the Argentine defence into the area, an inrushing Paul Scholes optimistically demanded the ball with a shout of "Scholesy's!"? Or that, afterwards, with England knocked out on penalties and his team-mates crushed by the loss, Owen confesses to greeting his family with a broad smile of self-satisfaction, having succeeded in his own performance? The fundamental selfishness of the top striker is a recurring theme for Owen, and makes for fascinating reading - but will win him few friends. Warts and all autobiography is the modern standard of course, and while chapters in Off The Record are primarily concerned with simply correcting public stories about England abroad, Owen's gambling, his problems with one-time Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, and the suicide of Owen's interior designer Mike Flynn, it is the frankness of acknowledging the underlying 'me first, team second' reality which makes the usual procession of achievements and frustrations really come alive. Not for nothing, one suspects, does the book end with an exhaustive statistical account of Owen's career. Every England appearance is there. But only the Liverpool games he actually scored in. --Alex Hankin

Reader Reviews:

A rather dull autobiography. (2/4 people found this helpful)

Michael Owen, a fantastic footballer who is on course to be one of the highest achievers in English football, which is why a book of his achievements so far should be a great read. Sadley it's not. His background and his jouney into the professional game is intresting, as it gives an insight into his born ability with a football as well as his focused personality helping to keep his feet on the ground. However, from the moment he makes his Liverpool debut, the book just becomes details of fact about his achivements, and insignificant fact at that. Who wants to read about goals he's scored or set-up in fairly unimportant games? He also tries to justify and compare himself to other players, such as Robbie Fowler, too often. That said, his views on Kevin Keegan, Glenn Hoddle and Sven Goran Errikson provide an intresting comparison on the England manager's he's worked with. The chapter on his gambling 'problem' also sets the record straight. All in all this book crambs in too much insignicant topics, probably because he's only half way through his career meaning he is unable to fully express his opinions on certain people. Another classic example of why sports personalities should wait until the end of their career's to publish their life story.

Getting to know Michael Owen (4/5 people found this helpful)

It's really difficult to write a review on a book written by your Idol. Anything in the book is interesting and pleasant to read if you are his fan. I don't think any Owen fan will miss it - the more I know about Owen, the more I like him both as a person and as a footballer. It's hard to find somebody like him in this modern world of football.

I wish Owen all the luck and great success in his years in Spain. Despite all the problems, large and small, I firmly believe that he will not return to any English Club in the near future (say not until he reaches 30!)

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (7/11 people found this helpful)

want to learn more about Michael owen the read this book. it tells you every thing you will ever want to and need to know about his life on and off the pitch. the book begins with his childhood and develops into the present and what he wants to do in the future. this is a must read for any big michael owen fan like myself.

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