Big Sam: My Autobiography Hardcover – 20 Oct. 2015

As.an avid Bolton supporter this book was brilliant, still say tho there's unfinished business at Bolton 😏 needless to say Sam brought Some epic memories for Bolton including my son who was born on the very day 28th may 2001 promotion day, brought that day back to me, love the book love Sam epic read

I thought that book was a good read, well written and not afraid to express an opinion. In a way, it charts Sam's journey to his holy grail - the England manager's job.I thought that he was a bit too defensive at times - and I doubt if Wenger will give the book 5 stars! But it is revealing about just how cut-throat professional football is!I wouldn't have read the book if Sam hadn't got the England job. He certainly talks the talk. He sounds as if he's well qualified... but it worries me that he over-rates some his former players Andy Carroll!) in my opinion.Good luck in your new job, Sam! And I hope your missus survives it!

Good book. Interesting and insightful. Learnt a lot about big sam and the game. His perspective is an interesting one. Top manager and good book.

Bought this book as a joke as the wooden spoon prize for a West Ham prediction league. Going to call it the "booby prize sponsored by Big Sam". The present is perfect. I am really happy with my purchase.The book itself is an inane and a direly boring read. As a "delusional" and "ungrateful" West ham fan I thought I would give him a go and listen to what he has to say about his tenure at our club. He is a good manager (having secured us promotion) and I thought I would try and understand his perspective and maybe gleam some nuggets from him about team management. Unfortunately I only got to chapter three before giving up. A typical passage in the school chapter is the best method for taking the cane?! (apparently you draw your arms down at the point of impact but even then it might not work). There are two whole chapters dedicated to his all time top eleven players. Funny, I guess, that Kevin Nolan does not appear. Funny but also tragic. I liked the "Casa Del Big Sam" story but sadly there are few other truly witty stories.He talks about the West Ham way in the first chapter. As a West Ham fan the first time I first heard this phrase was in the press in October 2014 when Alex Ferguson mentioned it in his autobiography. Big Sam has talked about it a lot since and it is no surprise he talks about it again in this book. Since the book is endorsed by Alex Ferguson maybe the West Ham way is a PR ploy to sell more books? Don't know.Big Sam also says that West Ham fans and the Board should forget about a top six position and that we will not get there anytime soon. At the time of writing this review (10 games into the subsequent season!) it is truly refreshing to hear press and pundits saying the exact opposite about West Ham. Not sure I believe them but it is telling that our ex manager (when he was in the job) definitely did not think this was achievable.Finally I wish Big Sam all the luck in the world. But he does not really need it with all the money he was paid at West Ham.

Think I probably bought this book largely due to Big Sam gettin the England gig and then before I'd read the first chapter he'd lost it. Gives it a different feel. Anyway I've got to agree with some fellow reviewers that a bit more about the lower leagues as a player and gaffer would have been really interesting. On the whole his views are forthright but I still expected a bit more controversy. Still very good book. Maybe it was to do with manner of losing England job that has clouded my judgement but he really does seem to mention money a lot.

Sam has been in football for as long as there's been a ball, or so it seems. He provides a cracking account of his experiences as both player and manager. It's clear that he feels like he's been shafted along the way. This book provides a fascinating insight into the mind set and character of a hugely under rated managerial talent. Once you've read this book you can understand some of the cynicism that Sam now clearly feels for the game. Clubs have done him short in the past and it's time to make amends. A great read for anyone old enough to remember most of Sam's career on the field and off it. One of the very best football books I've read in a long while. Very good.

Sam likes to give a good account of himself, and it makes for a very interesting read, even if he seems to be lacking a real sense of objectivity. His story is genuinely interesting, and he has an easy going confident style, but it lacks a wider sense of the world around him. Maybe these are the characteristics needed to be a football manager, but they're not necessarily ideal when it comes to penning your autobiography.

This is Big Sam's story up until he leaves West Ham - up to that point his is a very interesting story, especially his early playing career, the behind the scenes items he learnt whilst in the US and his successes in the lower leagues. I love the stories about how he ruffled the feathers of Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger.There is one ironic comment in that he would never accept backhand payments due to what eventually happened with England but definitely a worthwhile read.