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| Author: Duncan Hamilton
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £4.49
You Save: £4.50 (50%)
New (35) Used (4) from £3.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 349
Media: Paperback
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0007247117
EAN: 9780007247110
ASIN: 0007247117
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Honest and typical of a genius June 24, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having read a number of books on Clough there was was nothing to surprise me.I found the book an excellent and entertaining read - in keeping with my perception of the man - arrogant, brutish, money orientated and unpredictable. In his day he was unique, an enigma, a leader who commanded and received respect.A person who challenged authority, be it at his own peril.There are very few managers today who could wield such a comparable influence. He achieved,with Peter Taylor,remarkable success from the resources laid available.But his fallibility is evident in the book. I greatly enjoyed the book, although it jumped around on occasion as to his footballing career. Well recommended.
 Not Fair, Not all True & a new Spin Doctor that is Duncan Hamiltion June 10, 2008
5 out of 14 found this review helpful
I'm afraid I'm going to have to go against the grain on this one.
When I first picked this book up, & read John Motson's quote on the front cover "One of the best football books I've ever read", I thought I was onto something.
What I found was that Duncan Hamilton has 'pillaged' Brian Clough's character here. For example. Whenever something positive came up in a subject, Duncan Hamilton found it in himself to point to the negative & not dig deep into how Brian Clough reached his successes & share that with us. He spun things in such a way that reality was changed to suit Duncan Hamilton's small mindedness. Duncan Hamilton does not share with you that Brian Clough recognised Duncan Hamilton as an ambitious young journalist who Brian Clough helped out like no other journalist in his time. Not once does Duncan Hamilton thank Brian Clough for helping him out in his career & recognise the fact that without Brian Clough, Duncan Hamilton would never have been heard of. Duncan Hamilton's 'other work' will never be recognised because it isn't any good. All the time through this book I was waiting for something riveting to spring from the pages. All that sprung from the pages was a journalist that got lucky, by being so close to a legend, that is Brian Clough, who took a couple of 'ordinary' Football clubs to the top of the old 1st division & for one of the them, to 2 European Cup successes, Duncan Hamilton picked up the controversial moments & spun them in such a way that he felt he could gain his own lime light rather than share the truth. I can't help but feel that this book was written by Duncan Hamilton for his own financial gain rather than to share his knowledge on Brian Clough. I think neither Brian Clough's family, nor what were his close confidents, will take any pleasure out of what has been written in this book. Justice has not been done in this book & to continue to be honest, this book read quite flat.
 Powerful and moving insight May 21, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The author was a reporter with a Nottingham newspaper and had a unique and regular access to Brian Clough and Nottingham Forrest. This is a well written and thoughtful book that gives a great look into what made Cloughie so unique and how arrogance and drink eventually forced his downfall.
It also captures an era and the difference that Clough (and one should never forget Peter Taylor) made to Forrest. His achievements were spectacular and you do get a sense of closeness and understanding of the man himself. You share his joy, smile at the stories and shake your head as he occasionally veered towards madness.
It is tragic that Clough did not retire earlier then he was forced to do so because many of us will remember the end more then what he did with an unfashionable Midlands club.
This book is gripping from the first to the large page and it is probably true that the author's access and objective writing made him a natural for this, one of the better football books I have ever read.
Fantastic May 17, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Wonderful book; along with "The Damned United" the two best books about football I have read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Fascinating, uplifting and ultimately very poignant May 12, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A beautifully put together biography of an extraordinary and genuine one off. Does justice to his - and Peter Taylor's - phenomenal achievements while not shying away from the darker side of Clough's nature. Thanks you Duncan Hamilton for the best book yet on Clough's time at Forest.
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