#249 Alex Ferguson - My Autobiography (2013)

Author: Sir Alex Ferguson
Title: My Autobiography
Genre: Autobiography
Year: 2013
Pages: 390
Origin: bought in Waterstone’s
Nod Rating: 2 nods out of 5

 

‘Football, bloody hell!’ – Alex Ferguson

The man, the myth, the legend. This is true to the many millions who support Manchester United. The agitator, the crook, and the villain to countless others. There is no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson is a divisive person; for three decades he has watched over and commented on football and been a looming figure. His retirement in 2013 marked the end of an era, whilst his autobiography was released a handful of months later to loud noises within the book publishing community.

It is rare for the Worm to part with his coins of gold and silver for a newly printed hardback book. For a long time the Worm has preferred the cheaper paperbacks, due to their lighter weight for transportability issues. Therefore it is a testament to the legend of Ferguson that seventeen gold coins was exchanged in the counter of Waterstone’s, just so the Worm could get his mitts on what promised to be the definitive autobiography.

Yes, definitive. This is because due to the longevity of his career Sir Fergie has released several books at various points of success in his career (notably in the early nineties and then after the 1999 historic treble). Because of these earlier incarnations the earlier years of Ferguson’s life is given short regard (with a brief chapter on his Glasgow roots). The real story begins in the 2001-02 season when Ferguson first made the announcement that he was to retire, something deemed a great mistake by the manager. So, rather than autobiography of his entire life, it is in fact the final decade – or so – of his managerial career.

Treated with chapter headings of their own are the likes of Beckham, Ronaldo, Keane, Van Nistelrooy, and Rooney. Space is also dedicated to his managerial rivals, such as Mourinho, Wenger, and Benitez (although the latter does not warrant a chapter title… a final dig?). The main momentum of the book is about Ferguson’s building of a final great team at the Theatre of Dreams, a team that was take in a further five Premier League titles, a Champions League (in 2008, as well as a further two finals), as well as an assortment of other cups (such as the badly-treated League Cup and the odd sounding and perceived Club World Cup).

Although newspapers and websites were eager to report on the “truth revealed” between the bust-ups behind the scenes, the reality is a little different. There is no in-depth assessment of his relationship with his key players, rather reminiscing that appears slightly disjointed. Unfortunately, then, for United fans, there is no engaging reveal of the end of Roy Keane’s time at Old Trafford, of the boot that cut Beckham’s face, nor of the building resentment between himself and Wayne Rooney.

Like him, love him, or (as is more probable) loathe him – none can deny Ferguson’s place in the history of football and indeed all of British sport. The game (and clearly United themselves) are all the poorer without him. Unfortunately, this autobiography did not live up to such lofty expectations. Perhaps it was unrealistic of the Worm to expect otherwise when one considers the speed that it was released after his retirement from the sport: a mere matter of months. Will there be a later, fully detailed autobiography from the great man yet? The Worm, of course, will be there ready to part with his gold coins again.

Buy it here

#232 Confessions of a Transsexual Porn Star (2007)

Author: Meghan Chavalier
Title: Confessions of a Transsexual Porn Star
Genre: Autobiography
Year: 2007
Pages: 220
Origin: read on the good old Kindle
Nod Rating: 1 nod out of 5
 

 

Undoubtedly, this book has the most bizarre title that the Worm has yet to read. Yes, dear readers, it beats – hands down – other winners of the Odd Book Title Award, including the toilet history Flushed With Pride and even the poetry volume Once I Was A Washing Machine.

As it says on the tin, Confessions of a Transsexual Porn Star follows the life of a transsexual within the porn industry. Meghan Chavalier is an interesting character: originally born a male, who later found adventure in various locations around the United States, before eventually entering the porn industry. Today, as her intriguing website demonstrates, she has attempted to forge together the role of author of transgendered books and singer of low-budget music videos.

The book is a refreshingly honest look at one of the planet’s biggest industries. Chavalier attempts to tell the nitty-gritty of the porn industry behind the scenes, including some revelations of the rich and famous:

‘A guy called and said he wanted to party. My friend told him that there were three of us there and he was interested in all of us. He didn’t take long to show up and when he did my friend asked him to show her his dick so that we could make sure he wasn’t a cop. I wasn’t really looking at him at this point and honestly didn’t care who he was until I realised it was C.S. I told my friend she didn’t need to worry about him because he was a movie star. He came in and he was obviously drunk and high on something. I think this was around the time that he was going through all of his drug problems. C.S. is definitely a sex freak.’

C.S. Hmm… Charlie Sheen, anyone?

Her book, thankfully, is not centred fully on the porn industry. Rather, it is a tale of her early years and eventual transformation. It expresses more of her doubts, confusion and uncertainty of her youthful years. All of which could have been very engrossing, if only the book was not written in a sloppy manner, thereby aggravating the Worm on many pages. Undoubtedly, it would have benefited from proof-reading and some structural editing to avoid repetition.

Chavalier writes of the experience of putting together the book: ‘Most people thought that it must’ve taken me a long time to write my first book, honestly, it only took me two weeks.’ And here, folks, is the problem.

 
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