 
Gazza Agonistes
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 1
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 On: 2007-11-13
This is a key question for those of us in the US. He made such an impression during the 1990 World Cup but then faded away at least in the minds of the majority of us on the other end of the pond. Ian Hamiltons superb, but regrettably short, account provides us with a partial solution to the mystery. We discover that his career was afflicted both by a need to self-destruct and some very bad luck. We come away from the book with a negative impression of Gazza, but that, alas, is probably how it should be. Its not the fault of Mr. Hamilton as no one would dare question his "fanhood." He is devoted to his subject and was as in love with Gascoignes skill seemingly as much as he was with his favorite club, Tottenham. I wish the author would have written an addendum in 2006, but he still is able to cover the fall by wrapping up his narrative with the 1998 World Cup...a tournament final team in which Gazza, due to a lack of fitness and dreadful behavior, was cut. Did this bright young thing bring about his own demise? Generally yes, but for those of us who didnt live through live coverage of the era, Gazza Agonistes is a stunning ride. One that youll want to finish shortly after you open it.
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