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evanreads17's review against another edition
4.0
The storytelling is iffy at times and can often take tangents that seem out of place (the ending felt this way too). Regardless, Downie does a great job of letting you into the life of the most interesting footballer to ever live.
owenvagabond's review against another edition
3.75
I read this book on my holidays. A very thorough dive into Socrates's life, includes many details of his footballing career, his personal life and his political views. I think any person interested in football should read this book about one of the most technically gifted footballers of his time.
yossikhe's review against another edition
5.0
Sócrates was an athlete unlike any other. From actually graduating as a doctor and being a world-class player at the same time to being a factor in Brazil’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy. Bohemian, intelligent, honest, empathic, passionate, free, revolutionary and critical are adjectives that can be used to describe him as a man.
The part on Corinthian Democracy was specially riveting. I don’t think there has ever been another movement where players control everything in a football team from who to hire or of they want to concentrate before the game. What’s more amazing, is that they won the Paulista State Title twice, proved that players can succeed being responsible for themselves and not being treated like children or even slaves.
This book, in contrast to others about star athletes, doesn’t paint Sócrates as a hero, but rather as a human who had many problems: cheating on his wife, excessive drinking or failing to listen to others. That’s precisely what it makes it so great, one can appreciate his fascinating personality and revolutionary ideals while also acknowledging he isn’t some kind of mythical figure. He was human like every one of us.
The part on Corinthian Democracy was specially riveting. I don’t think there has ever been another movement where players control everything in a football team from who to hire or of they want to concentrate before the game. What’s more amazing, is that they won the Paulista State Title twice, proved that players can succeed being responsible for themselves and not being treated like children or even slaves.
This book, in contrast to others about star athletes, doesn’t paint Sócrates as a hero, but rather as a human who had many problems: cheating on his wife, excessive drinking or failing to listen to others. That’s precisely what it makes it so great, one can appreciate his fascinating personality and revolutionary ideals while also acknowledging he isn’t some kind of mythical figure. He was human like every one of us.
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