 
Captain for Life: And Other Temporary Assignments
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 23
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 On: 2002-03-07
A fresh look into the purposeful misleading and lies of Steve Sampson and his mishandling of the US Mens National Team at France 98. For me, the background was good, but the reading on the France 98 team is essential to anybody who cares about US Soccer. John Harkes is owed an apology by Steve Sampson and the powers that be at US Soccer for the way he was treated after giving it all up for the glory of the game in the USA. Sampson may dispute the facts put down by Harkes, but the book got published, Harkes never got sued, Harkes is still playing and Sampson is coaching kids soccer (right where he belongs.) Attitude? Dang right. Too many people, like John Harkes, Marcelo Balboa, Alexi Lalas et.al. poured their lives in elevating the game to an unheard of level in the states, only to be lied to, whispered about, and then ultimately begged by the boss, himself, Judas Sampson, to "take it easy on him, hes only a human being." Calling himself a human being is a slap in the face to the genus as a whole.
On: 2001-04-03
"Captain for Life" is the greatest book ever to be publisheds. It gives the most interesting, deep insight of one of the greatest Americans to ever play the game of soccer. Everywhere John Harkes goes, the most fanatics from the best soccer countries adores and loves the Harskey. "Captain for Life" is definitely the top autiobiography out right now. Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down. Take my advice. This is coming from a person that doesnt read often.
On: 2000-10-28
John Harkes - a great player, a great guy and now a great author. John made a great impact upon the british game, and is remembered with great affection among Sheffield Wednesday fans for he reminds us of the great times we had whilst John was with us. The book is a great insight into Johns career, from his teenage days in Kearny to his time in England and as a founder player of the relatively recent MLS league. I found it an enthralling read and was loathed to put it down!! I particularly enjoyed reading Johns explanation for his leaving the Owls, as we all felt John Had been unfairly treated. If you enjoy soccer, youll love this book. It highlights the highs and lows of Johns career, and provides personal insights into John Harkes the man. John youre gone (from England) but not forgotten.
On: 2000-10-27
John Harkes - a great player, a great guy and now a great author. John made a great impact upon the british game, and is remembered with great affection among Sheffield Wednesday fans for he reminds us of the great times we had whilst John was with us. The book is a great insight into Johns career, from his teenage days in Kearny to his time in England and as a founder player of the relatively recent MLS league. I found it an enthralling read and was loathed to put it down!! I particularly enjoyed reading Johns explanation for his leaving the Owls, as we all felt John Had been unfairly treated. If you enjoy soccer, youll love this book. It highlights the highs and lows of Johns career, and provides personal insights into John Harkes the man. John youre gone (from England) but not forgotten.
 On: 2000-09-20
This is a good book. Altough at times it is misleading when John is speaking of his trials and tribulations of his soccer career. Im not a person that reads a lot of books but this one I enjoyed. But this book is not for everyone. To really enjoy and understand this book you will have had to played soccer at a high level, not at the National Team level but for a club team or and ODP team. If you are the captain of your team you should read this book.This book is good for all ages of kids and i would reccomend this book to young players with dreams of making it in the MLS or for a club team in Europe. This is a good book.
On: 2000-09-19
This is a good book. Altough at times it is misleading when John is speaking of his trials and tribulations of his soccer career. Im not a person that reads a lot of books but this one I enjoyed. But this book is not for everyone. To really enjoy and understand this book you will have had to played soccer at a high level, not at the National Team level but for a club team or and ODP team. If you are the captain of your team you should read this book.This book is good for all ages of kids and i would reccomend this book to young players with dreams of making it in the MLS or for a club team in Europe. This is a good book.
On: 2000-07-20
John Harkes, who has had arguably the most successful international soccer career among Americans to this point, tells the engaging tale of his soccer career from his roots in Kearny, NJ, all the way through his removal from the US Mens National Team just before World Cup 98. Throughout the book, the style is entertaining and easy to understand, and unlike some other sports autobiographies, Harkes does not spend all of his time reminiscing about his accolades. He speaks well of individuals he meets along the way, and describes highlights of his career, such as playing at Wembley with Sheffield Wednesday, with an honest, child-like enthusiasm. This book is worth reading both for fans of soccer, and for individuals who are curious about the sport and one of its more famous American participants.
On: 2000-07-19
John Harkes, who has had arguably the most successful international soccer career among Americans to this point, tells the engaging tale of his soccer career from his roots in Kearny, NJ, all the way through his removal from the US Mens National Team just before World Cup 98. Throughout the book, the style is entertaining and easy to understand, and unlike some other sports autobiographies, Harkes does not spend all of his time reminiscing about his accolades. He speaks well of individuals he meets along the way, and describes highlights of his career, such as playing at Wembley with Sheffield Wednesday, with an honest, child-like enthusiasm. This book is worth reading both for fans of soccer, and for individuals who are curious about the sport and one of its more famous American participants.
On: 1999-12-28
I recently read this book, and enjoyed it emencely. I am glad to finally see a book about a soccer player. I enjoyed reading about all the setbacks John had and overcame to arrive at the staus he has today. I also enjoyed reading all about the games and the feeling that I also feel when scoring a goal and arriving at big matches. All in all, I believe this is an excellent book and recommend it to anyone that is interested in soccer or just a good book in general.
On: 1999-12-27
I recently read this book, and enjoyed it emencely. I am glad to finally see a book about a soccer player. I enjoyed reading about all the setbacks John had and overcame to arrive at the staus he has today. I also enjoyed reading all about the games and the feeling that I also feel when scoring a goal and arriving at big matches. All in all, I believe this is an excellent book and recommend it to anyone that is interested in soccer or just a good book in general.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-09-28
This book is a great book for anyone who enjoys the sport of soccer. As a soccer lover myself this book was great to read. It is almost like a motivational book making you strive to do better and compete at higher levels. Its a MUST READ
On: 1999-08-31
As much as I admire John Harkes, I expected to be disappointed by his biography. Instead, like many other readers, I enjoyed it thoroughly and read it through in just a few days. He narrates an interesting story of his achievements in soccer in this country and abroad. His work rate for biographies is as exemplary as his work rate on the pitch. He is also respectfully modest and gives a realistic description of the challenges a soccer player at the highest level faces. His description of the behavior of the fans of the English teams was enlightening. I found his discussion of his removal from the National Team before the World Cup in 1998 believable and understated. I would recommend this book to almost anyone - even someone who was not a regular soccer fan.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-08-20
having played soccer since i was 7 years old, both in england and the united states, i found the book to be compelling. it accurately described the passion of the game abroad while also describing the struggle of the american player trying to gain personal respect and respect for the game itself in the u.s. my only criticism of the book was that was written for a PG audience. i would like to read the same book all over again if mr. harkes was allowed to really tell us the behind the scene stories of the club house conversations, the real taunting he received from other players in england, and, of course, what he and his teamates throughout the years really got up to in the pubs, clubs and hotels throughout his global soccer travels!!
On: 1999-08-19
having played soccer since i was 7 years old, both in england and the united states, i found the book to be compelling. it accurately described the passion of the game abroad while also describing the struggle of the american player trying to gain personal respect and respect for the game itself in the u.s. my only criticism of the book was that was written for a PG audience. i would like to read the same book all over again if mr. harkes was allowed to really tell us the behind the scene stories of the club house conversations, the real taunting he received from other players in england, and, of course, what he and his teamates throughout the years really got up to in the pubs, clubs and hotels throughout his global soccer travels!!
On: 1999-08-12
This book was a revelation. Its difficult enough just being in the US to find soccer, but living in smallville usa makes it even harder, and this book helped show what things are like with the US national team...the good and the very, very bad. I love John Harkes, and fought for him when he was cut despite all the people applauding that had no clue....and cheered when Sampson got the ax. This book is a wonderful read, and a true bargain.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-08-05
Ive always admired John Harkes, but it wasnt completely clear to me why he was left out of the World Cup 98 squad. This book tells that story along with the rest of Johns career. This book was so fascinating I read it all in two days. It is now one of my favorite books, I reccomend this book to anyone, Harkes-fan or not!
by: Anonymous On: 1999-07-22
John Harkes has lived a charmed life in soccer. I am a huge fan of both the USA National Teams, and regularly attend MLS matches -- Ive been to games in 5 MLS cities! Once I began following soccer I immediately admired Johns hustle on the field, and his leadership. Captain for Life and Other Temporary Assignments follows our sport from its modern-day history -- beginning with the 1990 World Cup, through the 1998 disaster and MLS. Johns experiences, many of which were shared by all of us, are highly entertaining and offer a unique insiders view. Rarely do we get in-depth soccer coverage on TV, in the newspapers, and sometimes not even in our sports magazines, but Johns book is a wealth of unique and unheard stories. You will gobble this book up if you love soccer! The Womens World Cup helped me forget about Paris for a while, but Johns account of the Mens Team under Sampson made me ill, and has made me even more aware of how great a job Bruce Arena is doing. With Harkes back on the roster Im sure greatness is in store for Team USA! Go Harkesy! The coverage of Johns experiences in England are very compelling -- I didnt realize John made such a big impact in the home of football. Now I better understand what our guys go through when playing abroad. My son loved the book and I highly recommend it to teenagers. When John talks about the passion for soccer in Kearny, NJ, I think anyone who reads it will grab the ball and head to the pitch.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-07-21
I thought that John portrayed life in Kearny very well, and did an excellent job of stirring up the emotions involved with playing the beautiful game. The glorious ups and downs that he had through out his wonderful career were wonderfully and with full detail laid out for the reader to lap up. The last page-turner Ive read in a while. An All around good book. Go Revolution!!!!!
by: Anonymous On: 1999-06-18
I am such a huge fan of John Harkes, and I have been waiting excitedly for many months for this book to come out. I enjoyed many parts of the book, but I felt as if he wrote the book more to thank the individuals who he has known along the way. In many places in the book, he makes short, undeveloped references to people who really have no bearing on the stories he is telling. He mentions their name just to say how much he appreciated whatever help they gave him. I found this to be very distracting to me as a reader, and it disrupted the flow of the book. I dont think he needed to mention every person hes ever known. He should have concentrated more on his emotions, stories about incidents, and his insight on other players and the game itself.I do not regret buying or reading this book, and I still think Harkes is the greatest US soccer player of all time. However, I do question his motives for writing the book. I feel as if it was written more for the people he knows personally than for his fans.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-06-17
What can I say about this book? Well, I can tell you that it is an inspiring story about an American-born soccer player who with soccer in his blood, goes out and accomplishes his dream. He tells about how he grew up playing in the soccer crazed town of Kearny, New Jersey to honing his craft at the University of Virginia to taking his talents to the professional level in England and later back to his home country of the U.S.A. He tells about his triumphs and disappointments at all levels of his career. Its a great read for those who are soccer fans. When reading this book, I felt like I was actually there with Harkes as he tells the excitement of World Cup 94 and the disappointment when he was dropped from the U.S. National Team and did not make it to France in 98. I encourage fans of "the greatest sport in the world" to buy this book.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-06-13
This is definitely a must read for all soccer fans everywhere. Its full of great insight, humor and wonderful pictures. Now to see how Harkesy finishes the last few chapters. The fans of the national team, DC United and New England Revolution should be honored that Harkesy has played for them.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-06-10
The following is reprinted from a book review by Mike Woitalla in Soccer America: John Harkes is one of the few truly successful American-bred players. His career coincides with what has been, from an American players standpoint, the most important decade of the U.S. game. He was the focus of an extraordinary controversy in 1998. And he can describe in detail not one but two incidents of Bruce Arena fainting. That Harkes played for Arena, Lothar, Osiander, Bob Gansler, Bora Milutinovic and Steve Sampson enables him to take you on a trip through a significant era. His U.S. career came to a screeching halt, at Sampsons hands and the two chapters surrounding the ouster are captivating. Certainly, Sampson left too much open to speculation by citing issues that "will remain private" when he demoted Harkes from captain and 11-year U.S. veteran to spectator. More importantly, this is the story of a unique figure in the sparse history of exceptional American players. Harkes grew up in the working-class, immigrant-laden town of Kearny, NJ. The son of Scottish parents, he developed into a talent with an admirable will to succeed. He played college ball at Virginia, then did what no other American had ever done -- he found respect, success and a degree of wealth playing English soccer. The first insiders view of the last decade of American soccer is worth a soccer fans attention.
On: 1999-06-09
The following is reprinted from a book review by Mike Woitalla in Soccer America: John Harkes is one of the few truly successful American-bred players. His career coincides with what has been, from an American players standpoint, the most important decade of the U.S. game. He was the focus of an extraordinary controversy in 1998. And he can describe in detail not one but two incidents of Bruce Arena fainting. That Harkes played for Arena, Lothar, Osiander, Bob Gansler, Bora Milutinovic and Steve Sampson enables him to take you on a trip through a significant era. His U.S. career came to a screeching halt, at Sampsons hands and the two chapters surrounding the ouster are captivating. Certainly, Sampson left too much open to speculation by citing issues that "will remain private" when he demoted Harkes from captain and 11-year U.S. veteran to spectator. More importantly, this is the story of a unique figure in the sparse history of exceptional American players. Harkes grew up in the working-class, immigrant-laden town of Kearny, NJ. The son of Scottish parents, he developed into a talent with an admirable will to succeed. He played college ball at Virginia, then did what no other American had ever done -- he found respect, success and a degree of wealth playing English soccer. The first insiders view of the last decade of American soccer is worth a soccer fans attention.
On: 1999-06-09
A must read for fans and non-fans of both John and the game of soccer. Im a fan of both so that may be a biased opinion but I cant imagine that anyone would not enjoy this book. This is a story of a successful athlete from America in a not so traditional sport for our country playing at all levels here and abroad. I had no idea of what John went through during his career and it was very interesting finding out. Years from now while Major League Soccer continues to be a success and the game of soccer becomes more popular in the States, the author of this book will definitely go down in the history books as a player who helped make it happen. Thanks John for sharing your story and thanks for playing a great game!
On: 1999-06-08
It is about time! Now I can read about one of our greatest soccer players. No books about Jordan, Sanders, or Griffey. I am sick of Basketball, Football, and Baseball. I have sworn myself to soccer for the rest of my life, and this book has finally given me something to read. The history of a great player. The good times and bad. The only thing bad about this book is that it has me excited to read more about US Soccer. And there is nothing else to read.
On: 1999-06-08
I received the book and on that same day was half-way throught it. This is the book to read if youre an American Soccer fan. John takes you behind the scenes of his career in and out of the states. From his hometown of Kearny, NJ to the Premier League and now to the MLS. He talks in great detail of his early proffessional struggles and enormous successes. He tell you what kept him out of France 98 and what he plans for the future. I grew up looking up at John Harkes as a soccer player. This book showed me more than just a great soccer player but a great person. A must read if your a soccer fan or one who is curious about the game!
On: 1999-06-08
A must read for fans and non-fans of both John and the game of soccer. Im a fan of both so that may be a biased opinion but I cant imagine that anyone would not enjoy this book. This is a story of a successful athlete from America in a not so traditional sport for our country playing at all levels here and abroad. I had no idea of what John went through during his career and it was very interesting finding out. Years from now while Major League Soccer continues to be a success and the game of soccer becomes more popular in the States, the author of this book will definitely go down in the history books as a player who helped make it happen. Thanks John for sharing your story and thanks for playing a great game!
by: Anonymous On: 1999-06-07
John Harkes has his say in a somewhat typical but well written sports biography. There are some factual errors -- for example, Ernie Stewart was not only soccer player ever on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he leaves out 2 games from the 1995 Copa America. However, he traces his career from his early days in Kearny, NJ to UVa, The US National Team, England, and finally DC United.For US soccer fans, the most interesting section will be his discussion of Steve Sampson leaving him off the 98 World Cup team. Harkes answers most of the rumors, but comes off as still being somewhat confused by the whole situation himself.
On: 1999-06-07
I received the book and on that same day was half-way throught it. This is the book to read if youre an American Soccer fan. John takes you behind the scenes of his career in and out of the states. From his hometown of Kearny, NJ to the Premier League and now to the MLS. He talks in great detail of his early proffessional struggles and enormous successes. He tell you what kept him out of France 98 and what he plans for the future. I grew up looking up at John Harkes as a soccer player. This book showed me more than just a great soccer player but a great person. A must read if your a soccer fan or one who is curious about the game!
On: 1999-05-28
I lived this book. I couldnt put it down from the minute I opened the cover. I literally read it in one sitting. I saw the shot heard round the world. I was watching on tv when the US took on Italy (I almost missed my high school graduation that day). I followed Johns career from his days a UVA on up. I grew up in the next town as him Bayonne NJ. I heard the stories about him Meola and Ramos growing up. I watched every US game I could. I was upset when he didnt get to play Brasil in the second round. Then I watched as the US beat brasil that night not so long ago. I have followed this team and their dream from the first infant steps and I watched in horor as Steve Sampson tore them apart in 1998.Its not easy being an American soccer fan in this country when the sport doesnt get any credit. This book is to be treasured as our finest hour, this the foundation of modern day American soccer and anyone who loves the game should read it, not only for the nastalgia but the history of this great man. You wont regret it.
On: 1999-05-27
I lived this book. I couldnt put it down from the minute I opened the cover. I literally read it in one sitting. I saw the shot heard round the world. I was watching on tv when the US took on Italy (I almost missed my high school graduation that day). I followed Johns career from his days a UVA on up. I grew up in the next town as him Bayonne NJ. I heard the stories about him Meola and Ramos growing up. I watched every US game I could. I was upset when he didnt get to play Brasil in the second round. Then I watched as the US beat brasil that night not so long ago. I have followed this team and their dream from the first infant steps and I watched in horor as Steve Sampson tore them apart in 1998.Its not easy being an American soccer fan in this country when the sport doesnt get any credit. This book is to be treasured as our finest hour, this the foundation of modern day American soccer and anyone who loves the game should read it, not only for the nastalgia but the history of this great man. You wont regret it.
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