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Lionel Messi and the Art of Living
Lionel Messi and the Art of Living is a bold and insightful examination of a world-famous sporting hero's career from an entirely new perspective, providing a context extending far beyond the soccer field. The idea that sports stars are role models is a cliché, but it is also true in a way that is rarely appreciated. Although the details of Messi's story are already well known, The Art of Living examines afresh and anew his highs and lows, his successes and failures, his ongoing evolution and his endless struggle to succeed. It encourages us to consider, to analyze, and—above all—to think about Messi's career from a different viewpoint, understanding how his journey can be related to our own lives on a meaningful and impactful level. Containing exclusive, illuminating interviews with deep thinkers and high achievers from a number of different fields, this book delivers a fresh and inspiring approach to a global icon, ensuring that you will never look at Lionel Messi—or life—in the same way again.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2019
20 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 4, 2019
Lionel Messi And The Art Of Living is a book where the author has dissected the life of a famous footballer - Messi - majorly his on field life, to give us lessons to embrace the art of living. It can be called as a biography because of the narration of Messi’s life, or a self-help due to the life lessons derived.
The title is relevant, completely open to the topics picked up and there is no guessing of the content due to the expressive title. The cover is powerful, stony and strong, giving of the vibe of what you’re about to get into.
The language is simple, a few new words here and there that can be taken care of by Google, and well structured. The writing style gives you the exact feel of watching the match in your imagination while reading. Using the imagination to watch the match gives a thrill that a football lover will never forget after reading it. The only problem is with the layout - small font, big chapters - that make you feel like it’s a slow read, but it definitely be taken care of if you read 1 chapter a day or maybe a few lessons each day. The structure is friendly that way.
The content is full of description of matches, that further lead to lessons that you can apply in your own life to become the Messi you already are. There is no other better self-help better than this for a sport - football - MESSI lover.
I felt blood-rush while reading the matches I have already watched, either live or on YouTube, and the author has done justice to the footballer. My respect for all sports, sportsmen, footballers, and Messi have increased to another level and I have different perspective for all of them now. I can relate to them even more. Therefore, I am definitely recommending this book to all Messi, football and sports lovers. Also, to the Ronaldo Fans.
The title is relevant, completely open to the topics picked up and there is no guessing of the content due to the expressive title. The cover is powerful, stony and strong, giving of the vibe of what you’re about to get into.
The language is simple, a few new words here and there that can be taken care of by Google, and well structured. The writing style gives you the exact feel of watching the match in your imagination while reading. Using the imagination to watch the match gives a thrill that a football lover will never forget after reading it. The only problem is with the layout - small font, big chapters - that make you feel like it’s a slow read, but it definitely be taken care of if you read 1 chapter a day or maybe a few lessons each day. The structure is friendly that way.
The content is full of description of matches, that further lead to lessons that you can apply in your own life to become the Messi you already are. There is no other better self-help better than this for a sport - football - MESSI lover.
I felt blood-rush while reading the matches I have already watched, either live or on YouTube, and the author has done justice to the footballer. My respect for all sports, sportsmen, footballers, and Messi have increased to another level and I have different perspective for all of them now. I can relate to them even more. Therefore, I am definitely recommending this book to all Messi, football and sports lovers. Also, to the Ronaldo Fans.
November 30, 2018
Every book has a target audience. For sports books, it’s always a question as to what ‘fandoms’ the book will appeal to, what’s the Venn diagram of people who would like this. Do you have to follow the sport? Do you have to be a fan of that team? Would a non-sports fan enjoy it?
About half-way through reading Lionel Messi and the Art of Living, I realised that, for this book, the target audience is me. I love Messi, I’ve read plenty of philosophy, and plenty of pop social-science books. I read the book during my commutes to and from the office during the toughest week in work I’ve ever had. I read it while also in a very reflective mood having spent the weekend buying baby clothes for the first time (my wife is heavily pregnant with our first child). I’ll never be in a more receptive place for some insights into how to live and never more willing to learn than from the greatest footballer of all time.
Did I mention that I love Messi? I’ve loved him from the first time I saw him play. I sound like one of the 5 million Liverpool fans who claim to have been in Istanbul but I was boring enough to have watched almost all of the U20 World Cup in 2005 when he first emerged. My brother’s childhood sweetheart had just broken his heart the day we both finished undergrad and, being freshly graduated and jobless, I spent 6 weeks trying to cheer him up with a diet of rented movies and sport on TV. I probably don’t love Messi as much as my friend who has ‘Messi 10’ tattooed on his arse, but for me, he is the footballer that defines the last 10 plus years of my enjoyment of the game.
Returning to the book, it is very hard to categorise. It’s part biography, part philosophy, part self-help book, part Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In some ways it could be read as the foundational book for the Church of Messi – a New Testament built around our one true saviour (from the evils of CR7). But that may just be by me.
A more balanced, less emotional, review it’s that the book is an interesting approach to examining the factors that breed success in life – by whatever metric you judge that. West seeks to examine Messi’s football career as a potential guide for how to live – he explores the characteristics which Messi displays and are essential to his success and, by analogy, to success in life in general.
West took the approach of interviewing just 7 people – some in football, some who knew Messi and others with interesting things to say. Each chapter interweaves these interviews with a study of how Messi demonstrated one of the key characteristics needed to be successful. The format works really well, the writing is very readable and it’s a book you could easily dip in and out of.
If you want a flavour of what the book is about, West has a great twitter thread (@andywest01) that gives a summary of each chapter. If you like the sound it from that summary, you’ll love the book. While I think the overall approach of the book might alienate some readers looking for something more traditional, West has gone for something different and he executes his vision brilliantly.
In summary, I loved it. You might not like it quite as much but you should definitely give it a shot.
You can read all of my sports book reviews at https://allsportsbooks.reviews
About half-way through reading Lionel Messi and the Art of Living, I realised that, for this book, the target audience is me. I love Messi, I’ve read plenty of philosophy, and plenty of pop social-science books. I read the book during my commutes to and from the office during the toughest week in work I’ve ever had. I read it while also in a very reflective mood having spent the weekend buying baby clothes for the first time (my wife is heavily pregnant with our first child). I’ll never be in a more receptive place for some insights into how to live and never more willing to learn than from the greatest footballer of all time.
Did I mention that I love Messi? I’ve loved him from the first time I saw him play. I sound like one of the 5 million Liverpool fans who claim to have been in Istanbul but I was boring enough to have watched almost all of the U20 World Cup in 2005 when he first emerged. My brother’s childhood sweetheart had just broken his heart the day we both finished undergrad and, being freshly graduated and jobless, I spent 6 weeks trying to cheer him up with a diet of rented movies and sport on TV. I probably don’t love Messi as much as my friend who has ‘Messi 10’ tattooed on his arse, but for me, he is the footballer that defines the last 10 plus years of my enjoyment of the game.
Returning to the book, it is very hard to categorise. It’s part biography, part philosophy, part self-help book, part Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. In some ways it could be read as the foundational book for the Church of Messi – a New Testament built around our one true saviour (from the evils of CR7). But that may just be by me.
A more balanced, less emotional, review it’s that the book is an interesting approach to examining the factors that breed success in life – by whatever metric you judge that. West seeks to examine Messi’s football career as a potential guide for how to live – he explores the characteristics which Messi displays and are essential to his success and, by analogy, to success in life in general.
West took the approach of interviewing just 7 people – some in football, some who knew Messi and others with interesting things to say. Each chapter interweaves these interviews with a study of how Messi demonstrated one of the key characteristics needed to be successful. The format works really well, the writing is very readable and it’s a book you could easily dip in and out of.
If you want a flavour of what the book is about, West has a great twitter thread (@andywest01) that gives a summary of each chapter. If you like the sound it from that summary, you’ll love the book. While I think the overall approach of the book might alienate some readers looking for something more traditional, West has gone for something different and he executes his vision brilliantly.
In summary, I loved it. You might not like it quite as much but you should definitely give it a shot.
You can read all of my sports book reviews at https://allsportsbooks.reviews
October 10, 2019
“Why is he better at kicking a football than anyone else? Because he has spent more time practicing the art of kicking a football than anyone else. He was born with an aptitude for football and overtime he developed, refined, and perfected that natural ability.”
Anyone who follows football would be familiar with the story of a thirteen-year-old boy from Rosario, with a genetic condition and burning desire to play the sport that pushed him to move to another continent miles from home, who grew up to become arguably the greatest football player in history – Lionel Messi
The book focuses on the great things Messi has done on the pitch, and reveals how his many triumphs can be related to normal life. It’s an examination of his career, and not his conduct off the field of play; it gives more importance to what he does, over what he says (which is fitting as he’s always been a player who has led by action, rather than words).
Andy West’s idea to use Messi’s dominance on the pitch as an example for what we can achieve by taking a page from his book is ingenious. He’s done a commendable job describing key matches and the player’s most iconic goals – it’s almost as entertaining as watching it live. While talking about Messi it’s easy to get carried away discussing just his glorious successes, but the author does shed light on the Argentine’s numerous failures as well.
This insightful book is a must-read for Lionel Messi fanatics and football enthusiasts. Even if you aren’t a fan of the player you should give this a read- you’re sure to become one; I didn’t think I could admire him any more than I already did, but the author managed to pull that off. Readers who don’t follow the sport wouldn’t be completely lost, although it’s better to be familiar with football 101 before starting this.
Anyone who follows football would be familiar with the story of a thirteen-year-old boy from Rosario, with a genetic condition and burning desire to play the sport that pushed him to move to another continent miles from home, who grew up to become arguably the greatest football player in history – Lionel Messi
The book focuses on the great things Messi has done on the pitch, and reveals how his many triumphs can be related to normal life. It’s an examination of his career, and not his conduct off the field of play; it gives more importance to what he does, over what he says (which is fitting as he’s always been a player who has led by action, rather than words).
Andy West’s idea to use Messi’s dominance on the pitch as an example for what we can achieve by taking a page from his book is ingenious. He’s done a commendable job describing key matches and the player’s most iconic goals – it’s almost as entertaining as watching it live. While talking about Messi it’s easy to get carried away discussing just his glorious successes, but the author does shed light on the Argentine’s numerous failures as well.
This insightful book is a must-read for Lionel Messi fanatics and football enthusiasts. Even if you aren’t a fan of the player you should give this a read- you’re sure to become one; I didn’t think I could admire him any more than I already did, but the author managed to pull that off. Readers who don’t follow the sport wouldn’t be completely lost, although it’s better to be familiar with football 101 before starting this.
December 31, 2018
Through Leo, the author teaches us valuable life lessons and principles.
This is a well thought out and easy to read book. The subject matter is clear and concise when needed, and detailed and immersive when trying to explain crucial messages. Every single chapter delivers important messages, and through key moments in Leo's career, elicits nostalgia perfectly. The research done is spectacular, and explains the relevance of Leo's career in our life through the works of other authors and scholars. I liked the people chosen for interviews in the book as well, as not all of them are footballers and so offer a different perspective of their interpretation of sport, and life.
A thoroughly enjoyable and meaningful read, strongly recommended for even the casual fan.
Favourite chapters: Learning to Lose and A Different River
This is a well thought out and easy to read book. The subject matter is clear and concise when needed, and detailed and immersive when trying to explain crucial messages. Every single chapter delivers important messages, and through key moments in Leo's career, elicits nostalgia perfectly. The research done is spectacular, and explains the relevance of Leo's career in our life through the works of other authors and scholars. I liked the people chosen for interviews in the book as well, as not all of them are footballers and so offer a different perspective of their interpretation of sport, and life.
A thoroughly enjoyable and meaningful read, strongly recommended for even the casual fan.
Favourite chapters: Learning to Lose and A Different River
March 29, 2023
خلاصه: این کتاب به بخش های زندگی حرفه ای و خصوصی لیونل مسی ستاره بزرگ فوتبال (از عقیده بسیاری بهترین بازیکن تاریخ) تا سال 2018 اشاره داره.
نظر: این کتاب صرفا فوتبالی نیست و بیشتر روانشناسی عه. اگر که فوتبالی نیستید یا طرفدار بزرگ لیونل مسی نیستید، به این معنی نیست که نباید این کتاب رو بخونید. اتفاقا دید خوبی از زندگی یک بازیکن حرفه ای فوتبال با تمام مسائل زندگی شخصی، شکست ها و موفقیت ها رو کسب میکنید.
نکته مهم: این کتاب تا سال 2018 هستش. در حال حاضر (مارچ 2023) لیونل مسی فاتح یک جام جهانی، یک کوپا آمریکا، هفت توپ طلا و هشت دبست شده و بسیاری از ناکامی های تیمی مسی که توی این کتاب بهشون اشاره شده بود، الان دیگه دیده نمیشن.
لینک در طاقچه:
https://taaghche.com/book/136790
نظر: این کتاب صرفا فوتبالی نیست و بیشتر روانشناسی عه. اگر که فوتبالی نیستید یا طرفدار بزرگ لیونل مسی نیستید، به این معنی نیست که نباید این کتاب رو بخونید. اتفاقا دید خوبی از زندگی یک بازیکن حرفه ای فوتبال با تمام مسائل زندگی شخصی، شکست ها و موفقیت ها رو کسب میکنید.
نکته مهم: این کتاب تا سال 2018 هستش. در حال حاضر (مارچ 2023) لیونل مسی فاتح یک جام جهانی، یک کوپا آمریکا، هفت توپ طلا و هشت دبست شده و بسیاری از ناکامی های تیمی مسی که توی این کتاب بهشون اشاره شده بود، الان دیگه دیده نمیشن.
لینک در طاقچه:
https://taaghche.com/book/136790
December 31, 2022
If you are a casual Messi fan who only catches his highlight reels, you will find the backstories of many of his most memorable plays (e.g. the penalty assist) in this book - some of which might even change your perspective on the game of football in particular and life in general. Mixed in 50% football history and 50% life philosophy, this book strikes the perfect balance for me. It also focuses on Messi the man, rather than Messi the myth. The middle three chapters (“The Brain Game”, “Strenuous Freedom”, and “The Reciprocal Altruist”) were my favorites.
June 1, 2020
Great book. Really enjoyed the authors comments on Messi’s philosophy and how he relates them to life in general. Liked how the book was not too factual and instead tries to explain from a philosophical approach how Messi has become the revered ‘superhuman’ athlete he is today - by first and foremost being a good, humble person.
September 9, 2021
A hagiography. Not my cup of tea. Younger fans might enjoy it
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October 10, 2021good book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews