Pele: The Autobiography

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From shining shoes for extra pennies at the Baru Athletic Club to triumph in several World Cups, the glory of being on top of the world -- and staying there -- is shared in what is undoubtedly one of the must-read autobiographies of the year. On top of his athletic achievements, Pele has also been a staunch campaigner for human rights and in particular the plight of street children in his home country, leading to an appointment as a UN Ambassador and an honorary knighthood from the British monarchy. Pele’s performance in the World Cup was nothing short of remarkable. He helped Brazil win their first-ever World Cup title in 1958, and then went on to win the tournament twice more, in 1962 and 1970. Pele was one of Brazil’s most famous footballers and is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in October 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. At 16, he made his professional debut with the legendary Santos Football Club.

In 1962, Pele led Santos to the Copa Libertadores title, South America’s most prestigious club competition. After that, the team went on to win the Intercontinental Cup against European champions Benfica. In 1965, they won their second Copa Libertadores, and they repeated as Intercontinental Cup winners the following year. By this time, Pele was becoming a global phenomenon, and he had become a symbol of hope for many people around the world. Pele signed with Brazilian club Santos FC in 1956, and it was there that he truly began to shine. During his time at the club, Pele won two Campeonato Paulista titles, two Taça Brasil titles, one Copa Libertadores title, and an Intercontinental Cup title. Pele became known as a “soccer god” during his Santos years, and it was during this time that his reputation as one of the greatest soccer players ever was born. In 1999 Pelé was named FIFA's "Co-Player of the Century", a title he shared with the Argentinian Diego Maradona. He was also named "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee. It was a fitting recognition for this outstanding football player and inspirational man.Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." A Short Biography of Pelé Pele was also instrumental in helping Santos become one of the most popular clubs in Brazil and Latin America. He was a crowd favorite, and his charisma and energy on the field were unmatched. On top of that, he was incredibly efficient in front of goal; in 1966, he scored 66 goals in 60 games. It was a record that stood for many years until it was broken by former Santos player Neymar Jr. What sets this book apart from the other biography and autobiography is the use of graphics. The author has designed this book to be more visually appealing, rather than simply telling the story with words. He is a figure who transcends both football and sport, and is a wonderful ambassador for the charities he represents”

It is said that, during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s, the two sides agreed a 48-hour ceasefire so that they could watch Pelé play an exhibition match in the capital, Lagos! He also has the distinction of being the only player in the history of the game to win three World Cup winners medals. Ranking the lowest on the list of our favourite books to cover Pelé, “The King of Soccer” is another biography to provide insight into the youth and senior career of the footballing icon.Forgotten the title or the author of a book? Our BookSleuth is specially designed for you. Visit BookSleuth

Pelé's eventual retirement in 1977 didn't slow him down! He was a Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF, a United Nations ambassador for ecology and the environment, and Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport. Throughout the book there is analysis of the distinctive and defining traits that made Pelé into the player he was, allowing him to go on and score over 1,200 goals. You also get the insight into his childhood, one that would provide a humble experience and shape him into the character that we became familair with.To get an autobiography from one of the world’s best players is a true gift to cherish. This is a man that was known worldwide, even by individuals that aren’t too familiar with the sport of football. It was during this time that Pele began to demonstrate the leadership qualities which would make him one of the greatest players of all time. He proved to be a natural leader and was always willing to take responsibility for his team’s performance. This proved to be a key factor in his and Santos’ success throughout his career. Extensive and lavishly illustrated two-volume work telling the full story of the great Brazilian footballer's life and career, featuring commentaries from Pele himself throughout, extracts from the press and rare archival images. 4to. 800pp. Cloth-covered boards in presentation sleeve. Minor wear to protective sleeve otherwise both volumes in very good condition. A very heavy item that may incur extra delivery costs (particularly overseas).

Pelé was average-sized but had speed, balance and vision. He had extraordinary control of the ball and was able to shoot powerfully with either foot. And his headers were legendary! Pelé became hot property! Eventually the President of Brazil declared him a " national treasure" so that it would be harder for European clubs to entice him away! For any fan of Pelé, this is a must read. These are the words directly from the man himself, told the way he would as if speaking to him face-to-face. Pelé: His Life and TimesPele: The Autobiography is a remarkable book that chronicles the life of one of the greatest soccer players in history, Pele. Written by Pele himself, this book provides an intimate look into his career and personal life as he recounts his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most iconic athletes ever. With such a great story to be told, there is no surprise that authors have raced to capture his life in books for us to cherish and learn from. This includes an autobiography, with the story coming directly from the footballing legend. Pelé: The Autobiography Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, during a playing career which stretched from 7 Sep 1956 to 1 Oct 1977, Pelé scored 1,283 goals. For more of a third-person perspective on the life of Pelé, this biography offers a detailed account on the footballing career of the Brazilian legend.