Second Best: My Dad and Me

(Paperback)

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Moving, engaging and unforgettable, Calum Best's astonishing memoir reveals the emotional story of his relationship with his father, footballing legend George Best. THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER Calum Best should have had it all. As the only son of world-famous footballing legend George Best and his first wife Angie, a gorgeous English model, Calum was born into a world of privilege and opportunity. But his father's fame came at a price, and George's playing career was soon overshadowed by his playboy lifestyle and an increasing dependence on the comforting embrace of alcohol. Whilst his tumultuous later years could never diminish the memories of the peerless, often breathtaking, quality of his football, they had a profound effect on Calum. Growing up with his mother in California, Calum's visits to see his father in England were all too rare, and he cherished every moment he could spend in the company of the man he adored. But as George's alcoholism spiralled out of control, inebriation frequently led to violence and George's self-destruction spilled over onto his son. Vivid, deeply moving, brave and honest, Second Best is the heart-breaking story of their relationship. It is a powerful tale of love and suffering, of an absent father and his wayward son, and of a family torn apart by addiction.

Reviews

Bitterly poignant... George Best's decline has never been more movingly chronicled than in his son Calum's memoirs * Daily Mail *
Heartbreaking... what shines through on every page is Calum's unconditional love for his dad -- Lorraine Kelly * The Sun *
A gut-wrenching account of what it is like to grow up with an alcoholic father. And not just any alcoholic father, either -- Kathryn Hughes * The Mail on Sunday *
A strongly worded memoir... a frank account of life as the only son of football legend George Best * Hello! *
Calum Best is painfully frank about the alcoholic shame of his football hero dad - so children like him never have to walk alone * Scotland on Sunday *

Author Bio

CALUM BEST was born in 1981, the son of the late British football legend George Best and his first wife, Angie Best, an English model. After a childhood lived in the spotlight and a successful spell as a model, Calum appeared in a number of reality television shows. After his father's death, he turned to drugs and alcohol - a period of his life which lasted several years and which he now speaks openly about in order to raise awareness and provide support for others. He is an actor, model and entrepreneur, and is involved in several charities including NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics), Action on Addiction and the Elton John Aids Foundation. He lives in London.