Jimmy Burns is a narrative historian whose work delves into the intricate connections between cultures and nations, often focusing on periods of significant political and social transformation. Drawing from extensive experience as a foreign correspondent, his prose offers profound insights into human experiences during pivotal historical moments. Burns excels at weaving personal narratives with broader historical contexts, creating compelling and perceptive literary accounts. His writing frequently explores themes of identity, displacement, and the search for meaning within an interconnected world.
The narrative unveils a remarkable and previously undisclosed story, offering deep insights into the lives of its characters and the historical context they navigate. Through compelling storytelling, it explores themes of secrecy, revelation, and the impact of hidden truths on personal and collective histories. Peter Hennessy’s unique perspective invites readers to engage with a nuanced understanding of events that have shaped the past.
The story of FC Barcelona, written by the author of the internationally acclaimed Hand of God: The Life of Diego Maradona and updated with a new preface
The story of FC Barcelona, or Barca, the world's biggest football club. Jimmy Burns has unearthed police files and newspaper reports. He travelled with supporters and talked to managers, players, groundsmen and doctors, as well as those who have conspired to gain political and financial control.
The definitive biography of Maradona, fully updated with new material following his death in 2020.Anyone doubting that Diego Maradona was more than just a soccer player had only to witness the outpourings after his death on November 25th 2020. During his tempestuous life and career, he played for top clubs in South America and Europe, notably Napoli where he became an adored hero and adopted son, and grew to be a legend in his homeland of Argentina after leading them to victory in the 1986 World Cup.Having gained access to his inner circle, Jimmy Burns traces Maradona's life from the slums of Buenos Aires, where he was born, through his great years of triumph, to the United States from where, in 1994, he was ignobly expelled after undergoing a positive drugs test. He also tells of his failed attempt to bring further glory to Argentina as coach in the 2010 World Cup, and ultimately, his tragic decline and recent death.Never before published in the U.S., this biography is widely regarded as the best and most revealing account of the highs, lows, genius and flaws of arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, and was the inspiration for Asif Kapadia's award-winning 2019 film Diego Maradona .
Completely up-to-date biography of the world's most famous footballer of all time, Diego Maradona.
Focusing on the history and evolution of the world's most popular football league, this book delves into its standout moments and intriguing stories. It highlights the contributions of owners, managers, players, fans, and chroniclers who have shaped England's top-flight league, offering a comprehensive look at the interplay between big business and football.
David Beckham made transfer history by moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid. For Beckham, the boy who had devoted his professional life to Manchester United, where he became a global celebrity, the move to Spain represented the biggest challenge of his career. Real Madrid was proud of its tradition as the most successful football club ever-an institution whose influence in Spain was huge and whose trophy record was unrivaled around the world. Beckham had to prove that he was more than just a brand to Real Madrid's supporters, that he was a player worthy of a team that had gathered the leading stars from across the globe, that he understood what it meant to play football in Spain.A must-read not just for Beckham fans, but for those with a broader interest in Spain and its people, this book is an original and illuminating account of one of the most fascinating cultural and social encounters of our time.
