John Williams (18) (1954–)

An edited volume, which means it's a mixed bag.

Some of the chapters are great; John Williams chapter "Out of the Blue and into the Red: The Early Liverpool Years" is fantastic, gives a feel for the factors which shaped the club in the early days; Stephen Hopkins chapter "Passing Rhythms: The Modern Origins and Development of the 'Liverpool Way'" is a really interesting insight on how Liverpool's playing style has developed, and what makes it distinctive. These two chapters, in my opinion, are what make the book worth having. There's also some good stuff on Shankly.

I wasn't so sure about the chapters on religion and women fans (both a bit simplistic and rather dry). There's a chapter by then chief executive Rick Parry which is largely full of cliches and financial platitudes, although I suppose its instructive as a first hand account from one of the people involved in reinventing football for the Rupert Murdoch era.

Because the book was published in 2001, it largely sees Gerard Houllier's reign as the 'end of history', although I suppose it only reads like that because of the benefit of hindsight - in fairness, the chapter by Stephen Hopkins and John Williams is rather a good account of the positive things Houllier did for the club that are all too easily forgotten. But still, the book has a dated feel.

Interesting in parts and with some good insights on the club's history - although now a historical document itself.… (mais)