I have nothing but admiration for Jimmy Burns: the Financial Times correspondent, and his book on the Argentine legend. This book catalogs the journey of the Argentinian, who grew up in the slums around Buenos Aires and catapulted to the very pinnacle of the football world. But then he fell and is yet to rise from the ashes of shame and disrepute. What is certain is this: Maradona was one of the greatest. But his friends and the price of fame brought him down. One is left clutchng straws of disappointment and pain at the end of the book. But at heart he was a street urchin and did not have the grace of the great Brazilian: Pele. Apart from the story of Maradona, one gets a generous glimpse into the flagship of Catalan nationalism: Football Club Barcelona. Also the appeal of Boca Juniors to the economically poor Maradona. Boca es Gardel. Very good book, ranks on par with Crick's biography of George Orwell. footbarca@hotmail.com

I have been a Football fan since 1986 when Diego scored the two most famous goals in Football history. Maradona was elected the player of the century (something that slappped FIFA on its face) sure there is a lot of people that hate Diego but read this book, watch the DVDs and you decide. I just have to say "Diego is the Best".

People become attached to a player and don't want to admit that it is possible that someone greater must come along. When Pele played the game it was slower and there was nowhere near the sophistication in the defenses that you see today( look at France 98!). If you simply watch film of Pele and then watch film of Maradonna you will see who is the true God of soccer. This book captures the life of the Greatest soccer player the world has yet to see.

Jimmy Burns writes dispassionately about a football club that evokes the strongest of emotions, including the kind of tribal love that borders on the chauvenistic. Fans of the club interested in modern Spanish history will appreciate the author's intertwining of football and politics. At times, however, this well-researched book feels drained of the game's abundant color and spirit as club presidents receive far more attention than the boot room. Burns presents Barca's story chronologically, offering an absorbing account of the club's creation, but when Franco arrives on the scene, the pages become populated with conniving industrialists. While certainly part of Barca's story, the board room machinations of ambitious men, the suited grandees who routinely violate the club's dubious democratic ethos, drown out the passion of the cules.

Jimmy Burns is a very good writer. In this book he conveys the relationship between the Barcelona football club and the people of the Catalan region of Spain. It's a history of the Catalan people written through their love of their football team. He takes you through the Spanish Civil War (when the only place the Catalan's could display their regional pride was at the stadium) all the way to present day (the rivalry with the Castillon side Real Madrid is as touchy as ever). A great read for any football fan, sports fan or someone interested in history.