David Ginola: The Autobiography: Le Magnifique - The Autobiography Book

"David Ginola is the murderer of the team ... he sent an Exocet missile through the heart of French football ... David Ginola committed a crime against the team, I repeat, a crime against the team."(Gerard Houllier)Artistic, compelling, inspiring awe and derision in equal measure--and that's just the photo on the cover--Le Magnifique chronicles the life and times of David Ginola, who pirouetted into the Premiership in 1995, and has strutted around in the limelight ever since. As extravagantly vain as he is breathtakingly gifted--has any footballer's autobiography ever included quite so many magnificently smouldering photos?--Ginola is so shamelessly enamoured with himself that at times it's hard to take his version of events seriously, which will come as no surprise to the legions who dismiss him as a glory boy player more interested in split ends than tackling back. But the upside for readers of this wonderfully entertaining book, is that Ginola spills the beans, confronts his critics and has absolutely no qualms about sticking the boot into all the dullards, hypocrites and schemers who have frustrated him with their jealousy (of his talent and popularity), their stupidity (for not recognising his talent and popularity) and the petty, ugly way in which they conducted themselves (around someone so talented and popular). The hit-list runs to pretty much a who's who of European football, but fans of George Graham, Gerard Houllier, Alan Shearer and Kenny Dalglish should be warned that their favourites get a particularly good going over. Ginola's achievements have been significant, including cups and a championship in France, and a pile of "Player of the Year" awards, but there is no escaping the fact that his controversial exile from the French national team which went on to win World and European championships, has blighted his career. But for all the lingering sense of disappointment about a uniquely entertaining player being denied his place on the world stage, there is a flamboyance about Ginola that is irrepressible, and this book is as compelling as the man himself. A (hair)cut above the usual footballers' autobiographies. --Alex HankinRead More