| Having read this book I can only say ... WOW! This is no series of "we done 'em and we run 'em" tales like a lot of them, but a coherant and compelling story that is a MUST READ! I bought a signed copy from Jason Marriner's website and once I picked it up I couldn't put it down until the very last page. This is a book which everyone with an interest in Terrace Culture should read. |
For those of you who have never heard the name Jason Marriner,he was the subject of a highly expensive bbc documentary called "Macintyre Undercover" in which the bbc team of reporters claimed to infiltrate the notorious "Chelsea Headhunters" and expose examples of organised football hooliganism.
This first in a series of four documentries had viewers tuning in,in their millions, catapulting the lead reporter Donal Macintyre to instant stardom,and prompting the director of the bbc in his annual report to dub the series as "The future of broadcast television"
"It's Only A Game" is an in his own words candid account of how the bbc team set out to get their man at all costs.
From the outset "It's Only A Game" grabs you by the arm and leads you on a breathtaking journey through a tangled web of deceit and dishonesty that will make you gasp out loud in amazement.
Intelligently written, with a humourous undercurrent running throughout "It's Only A Game" gives you a rare insight into aspects of television editing and indeed aspects of the legal system that you would never have given a second thought about,let alone believed could happen.
But happen it did,and once your head has stopped spinning from the rollercoaster ride of a story,at the end of the book are actual court transcripts that seem to bear out the book's claims.
"It's Only A Game" is by far the best book i have read this year and i have no hesitation in giving it the full five star rating. |
| This is a great read and a real insight into what life is/was really like on the terraces. Really really well written. Should be more widely available as it's a treat for anyone lucky enought to pick it up |
| Compelling viewing as it was, the Donal McIntyre TV documentary about Jason didn't quite ring true. For one thing, he didn't come across as someone who could write as well as this. A fascinating slice of real life. |
| this is not your normal hooligan book bragging at who they run who they done its a book about entrapment by the bbc and a certain presenter.a very well writen book showing how for 5 mins of fame people are willing to send others to prison for a long time.read this book because next time it could be you |
| If you're looking for a book about organised football violence then this isn't the book for you. This book is not about football hooliganism as such. Rather it is more a revelation as to the underhanded techniques of television documentary producers and the worrying failure of the British justice system. It begins by revealing how the footage filmed by an undercover bbc team was cut and edited to give an entirely false impression of what was going on. The same days filming was cut to appear to be different days for example. And if you say that
"Yeh. What a suprise, all tv documentaries are edited!" then just remember that two men went to prison because of it. But the reason I would recommend this book to anyone is the final section which is the complete court transcript of the trial. You have to read it to believe it. If you had no sympathy for the author when you picked the book up, after all he was sent to prison, you'll have concerns for yourself when you finish it. It could be you next! |
16.99 
