Reviews
Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United by Alex Ferguson, Michael Moritz
thatonewhoreads's review against another edition
3.0
It’s an ok book. At times it borrows ideas from Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography, which got boring at times to read the same thing in two different books. The epilogue was very poor, no idea why it was so long and dry from Moritz. Overall the book was interesting and gave a new perspective on leadership.
guitourinho's review against another edition
5.0
Ótimo livro. Sir Alex passa por todos os tópicos importantes para uma gestão de um grande clube e faz reflexão de quanto coisa mudou e até mesmo ficou ultrapassado para ele. Sensacional
viveknshah's review against another edition
4.0
SAF trying to extract the generic attributes that he feels were part of his success and can be applied in leadership positions in any industry. Loved the anecdotes he shared leading Manchester United through arguably one of the most successful stints a manager in any club has seen. Fundamentally boils down to routine and work ethic, no miracles , no power corridors but sticking to the basics day in and day out for the entire duration of his career. Also being a Manchester United fan implies I have a soft spot for the stories and the legacy he shares.
steve_angelkov's review against another edition
3.0
not necessarily for the diehard united fan, worth a read, and gives some insight.
venkyloquist's review against another edition
2.0
If you harbour extraordinary anticipation and are effusively enthusiastic about buying this book, then be forewarned! This is a dampener. Distilling tried and tested wine, Sir Alex has tried, albeit in utter vain to package it in a new designer bottle. But unlike his pedigree in choosing wines, or for that matter football clubs to manage, this attempt at conveying (or trying to convey) his experience in the facet of leadership falls flat just as did the move in appointing poor David Moyes as a reluctant leader at Old Trafford!
At times the book reads as though it is an undisguised paean to the exploits of Christiano Ronaldo, the second best footballer on the Planet currently (although some would argue that he is the numero uno). Whether Sir Alex means it as a subtle overture to his former footballing hero for a homecoming or whether it is a genuine delight at enjoying the dazzling skills of the Portuguese wonder, is anybody's guess. Consider this startling passage for instance:
"That's why Beckham became a master of taking free kicks from between 25 and 30 yards from goal; and Giggs from between 18 and 23 yards.....As for Ronaldo, he'd be able to score from free kicks if he took them from behind the moon". Orbital and dizzying praise indeed!
But to be fair, the book has got its merits as well, although too few and far between. Insights on listening, experience and management provide a few glints of value and practical markers for any aspiring professional. The book, by the way is co-authored by Michael Moritz of Sequoia Capital and he also is responsible for providing its most ingratiating chapter. An extended epilogue which has Sir Alex being viewed from the 'lens' of Moritz is nothing but an unabashed exercise in pandering and pleasing. Sir Alex is compared to some of the leading icons in Silicon Valley and Manchester United, to the companies led by those stalwarts. By the time one trudges through till the end of the epilogue, the feeling is one of extreme relief!
Despite being a die hard fan of the Red Devils and an unashamed admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson, I have to admit that this book is a serious let down. There is a marked absence of sequence, flow and connect. It is more a collection of random interviews sans the inverted commas than a concerted and dedicated effort to disseminate some useful facets of leadership and management.
"Leading from My Life..." - Unfortunately leading nowhere!
At times the book reads as though it is an undisguised paean to the exploits of Christiano Ronaldo, the second best footballer on the Planet currently (although some would argue that he is the numero uno). Whether Sir Alex means it as a subtle overture to his former footballing hero for a homecoming or whether it is a genuine delight at enjoying the dazzling skills of the Portuguese wonder, is anybody's guess. Consider this startling passage for instance:
"That's why Beckham became a master of taking free kicks from between 25 and 30 yards from goal; and Giggs from between 18 and 23 yards.....As for Ronaldo, he'd be able to score from free kicks if he took them from behind the moon". Orbital and dizzying praise indeed!
But to be fair, the book has got its merits as well, although too few and far between. Insights on listening, experience and management provide a few glints of value and practical markers for any aspiring professional. The book, by the way is co-authored by Michael Moritz of Sequoia Capital and he also is responsible for providing its most ingratiating chapter. An extended epilogue which has Sir Alex being viewed from the 'lens' of Moritz is nothing but an unabashed exercise in pandering and pleasing. Sir Alex is compared to some of the leading icons in Silicon Valley and Manchester United, to the companies led by those stalwarts. By the time one trudges through till the end of the epilogue, the feeling is one of extreme relief!
Despite being a die hard fan of the Red Devils and an unashamed admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson, I have to admit that this book is a serious let down. There is a marked absence of sequence, flow and connect. It is more a collection of random interviews sans the inverted commas than a concerted and dedicated effort to disseminate some useful facets of leadership and management.
"Leading from My Life..." - Unfortunately leading nowhere!
thesubmariner's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A masterclass about football and life from Sir Alex Ferguson. The only problem is that I want more and the book already has over 400 pages. Looking forward to the amazon documentary.