LITMIR.BIZ

Mario Balotelli is already a footballing legend – and he's only 22. Incredibly talented, yet frequently controversial both on and off the pitch, Balotelli lit up the Premier League from the moment he signed for Manchester City in 2010. Born in Italy to Ghanaian parents, he suffered life-threatening health problems as a baby. By the age of three he had recovered, but his parents then entrusted him to a foster family and Mario grew up in the affluent village of Concesio. He began his footballing career with Lumezzane, earning promotion to the first team at the age of just 15. Balotelli's skill soon brought him to the attention of Inter Milan and he signed with them in 2006. Having made his first team debut in 2007, he became the youngest Inter player to score in the Champions League in November 2008. His second season at Inter was blighted by disciplinary problems, and a series of high-profile clashes with manager Jose Mourinho paved the way for a move to the Premier League. Reunited with former boss Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, Balotelli soon made his mark with a series of stunning goals – and yet more incidents – which led to him being the subject of increasingly implausible newspaper reports about his antics. But the 2010/11 season was to end in glory, with a man-of-the-match performance as City won the FA Cup. A stunning performance in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany sealed Balotelli's status as a legend. This was eclipsed in the final game of the 2011/12 Premier League season, when Balotelli provided the assist to Sergio Aguero, who scored in the 94th minute to give City their first league title since 1968. He is sure to provide entertainment, goals and controversy for years to come. Mercurial, troublesome and frequently brilliant, this is the incredible story of the most fascinating man in world football today.

Подробнее

This hilarious romp charts the dramatic ups and downs of Tottenham Hotspur, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely heroes: Roy Reyland, the loyal kit man who has served Spurs for thirty years. Outlasting no less than 18 managers, Roy has seen it all and worked with some of White Hart Lane's biggest stars – from Ardiles and Gazza to Klinsmann and Ginola. As the club's unofficial agony aunt, Roy has seen the tears and the triumphs, the dressing-room pranks, and has a unique insight into the inner-workings of the legendary Premiership side. He has visited Wembley more times that many top players have, and his story is one of total devotion to the club. A revelatory and heart-warming book, Shirts,Shorts and Spurs is a highly original, alternative account of the amazing history of Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Подробнее

Who are rip-off label jeans actually ripping off? Why does it cost less to install a lift than to move a piano? And why don't maintenance men ever call when they are meant to?The Secret Life of Money answers questions like these – questions that strike us about the businesses we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. The answers to these puzzles reveal the very different ways in which businesses around us actually make their money – it is often not in the ways that we might expect.A lighthearted and authoritative guide, The Secret Life of Money has practical merit, too. Why have the UK banks had mis-selling scandal after mis-selling scandal? When you know what's unusual about UK current accounts you can spot the pattern, and know how to avoid it in managing your own money. Everything you ever wanted to know about short-selling on the stock market but were too afraid to ask – when it's explained through the medium of Jimmy Choo shoes it makes a lot more sense.Have you ever wondered why there are so few brands of whisky and why new ones only ever appear in times of recession?Why is it that shops are so keen on offering cashback?If the APR of loan sharks is so excessively high then why don't they own the whole world?You'll find the answers inside.

Подробнее

On 1st July Raoul Moat was released from Durham prison after serving 18 weeks for assault on a minor. In the 10 days that followed, Moat brought terror and fear to the Northumberland countryside, seriously injuring his ex-girlfriend and killing her partner before vowing to harm any policemen who got in his way. Armed with a sawn-off shotgun, Moat went on the run and continued his violent rampage, shooting police constable David Rathband and fleeing to the remote moors of Northumberland. This is the full story behind Moat's ten days on the run. It traces his final steps in what became one of Britain's biggest police manhunt, from the initial murder in Birtley, through to the police standoff on the banks of the River Coquet in Rothby. Examining the various police, press and witness reports, and piecing together Moat's final movements across the Northumberland countryside, this is the retelling of one of the most deadly manhunts Britain has ever seen, and the first insight into what made Moat a killer.

Подробнее

Robin van Persie is one of the most talented players in world football today. An intelligent playmaker and deadly striker, he brings creativity and intelligence to Arsenal's forward line and is the first name on the Netherlands team sheet. Signed by Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2004 with a view to replace Dutch legend Dennis Bergkamp, Van Persie quickly established himself as an integral part of Wenger's talented side, initially plying his trade on the left side of midfield. Playing alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira, Van Persie was duly inducted into the 'Arsenal way' and developed into one of the most creative, competitive and intelligent players in the Premier League. Scoring what Wenger called the 'goal of a lifetime' against Charlton in 2006, Van Persie was asked to lead the Arsenal line following Henry's departure to Barcelona in the summer of 2007, and it wasn't long before the Dutchman inherited Bergkamp's number 10 jersey and became an integral part of the next generation of Arsenal greats. From early rifts with coach Bert van Marwijk as a young player at Feyenoord, through to establishing himself as a world class talent after Van Marwijk guided the great Oranje to the World Cup final in 2010, this is the fascinating story of a true sporting talent and one of the most naturally gifted football players of his generation.

Подробнее

Lenny 'The Guv'nor' McLean has become a legend. A bare-knuckle fighter turned actor, he is a street hero whose legions of fans, since his death, have catapulted him to superstar status. His autobiography, The Guv'nor, has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in hardback, was in the top-ten for well over a year, and was the number one bestselling autobiography of 1998. Amazingly, it looks set to repeat this accolade for 1999. The Guv'nor: A Tribute is a beautifully-produced picture book celebrating the life and achievements of everybody's favourite hard man. Packed with rare, never-before-seen photographs, it is compiled by Lenny's old friend and co-writer, tracing the course of his life from his early days in the East End, through his unparalleled fighting career with the likes of Roy 'Pretty Boy' Shaw. It focuses on his wife and children, whom he loved more than life itself, and for whom he would stop at nothing to ensure their well-being. In the wake of the phenomenal success of The Guv'nor, The Guv'nor: A Tribute promises to be the biggest-selling title of the new millennium.

Подробнее

The King of King's Road and a vital player in England's bid for victory at the 2010 World Cup, Frank Lampard is a footballer of genuine, dynamic majesty. The East End boy who's become a West End star, he's hailed by fans, critics, players and managers worldwide as a goal-scoring genius. His tireless achievements from West Ham, Chelsea and England have established him as a bona fide legend in the game and confirmed that 'Lamps' is the perfect, highly-tuned, magnificent midfield machine. This upbeat and authoritative book chronicles his inspiring journey from apprentice schoolboy to worldwide fame. His footballer father, the former West Ham and England player Frank Lampard Senior, believed in his son's talent from the off. He taught him the work ethic learned from Bobby Moore and other heroes of England's 1966 World Cup Squad. He was unstinting in his determination for young Frank to be a winner in the family business. In this fascinating biography, acclaimed author Douglas Thompson examines Lampard's inspiring, triumphant journey to the top, from his early days of enduring chants on the pitch at Upton Park to his current, glorious reign at Stamford Bridge. He also looks at the impact of how recent events have affected the midfielder: his joy at the birth of his second daughter, Isla; his pain at the separation from Elen Rives and his grief over the death of his beloved mum, Pat, to whom he pays tribute every time he scores one of his breathtaking goals.

Подробнее

Charlie has taken his 24 years of experience of prison dwelling and condensed it into one handy and comprehensive volume. Moved regularly around the prisons of the British Isles he has sampled all that prison life has to offer, taking in both the historic and pre-historic buildings that comprise Britain's infamous prison system. It's all in here from the correct way to brew vintage prison 'hooch' and how to keep the screws from finding it, to the indispensable culinary methods required to make prison food edible. Read about Charlie's special taming techniques for prison wildlife such as spiders, rats and cockroaches, creatures that may be your only friends on long stretches in solitary. Also Charlie shows how to plan and prepare for marriage inside what can be seen as a less than romantic setting. With over 70,000 people (and rising) currently residing at Her Majesty's pleasure, Charlie Bronson's «Good Prison Guide» is essential for young offenders and 'old lags' alike. Make sure you don't get nicked without it.

Подробнее

Eric Cantona's era at Manchester United was as thrilling and monumental as it was controversial and harrowing. Never was it dull, predictable or boring. Cantona carved a niche in the hearts of United fans everywhere and became the undisputed King of Old Trafford. The Frenchman made the number seven shirt his own and he certainly lived up to its magical billing as the shirt worn the club's legends – and, more often than not, its bad boys.In this authoritative and fascinating book, Frank Worrall takes a look behind the facts and the fiction of the five men who have worn the shirt with the most distinction. With the help of players, journalists and a psychologist, he analyses what made Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo tick and assesses their credentials for a permanent place in the Old Trafford hall of fame.For example, he looks at how Best finally ripped away the cobwebs of Munich by winning the European Cup almost single-handedly for United; how Cantona turned the club back into winners after a dismal spell in the wilderness and how Ronaldo has offered hope and glitter to a United in transition. It also explores the often darker side to the five men and how mischief so often goes hand in hand with their success and how it made them the entertainers they are.

Подробнее

Over the last two decades, Brian Cockerill has ruled his world with an iron fist. Using nothing but his hands as weapons, he has patrolled the streets, clubs and raves of Britain in order to keep order and to 'tax' those whose ill-gotten gains he sees fit to take a share of. Drug dealers and shady club promoters everywhere know that, if The Taxman is in town, it's time to pay up or get out. All know of the appalling violence this man can exert on his enemies, and of the incredible presence of body and mind that he possesses. Yet despite his appalling record of aggression, Brian is a man who lives by rules and respect – balanced yet unpredictable, he has never used weapons, and those who have used arms against him have barely lived to regret it. The facts of his life are as amazing and awe-inspiring as they are true.

Подробнее