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Addicted
Adams writes what it's like playing with the best players in the game, from Gazza to Dennis Bergkamp; and working with some of the most successful managers, including George Graham, Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle and Arsene Wenger. But above all, his story is that of a winner, a man who has brought the intense determination he has shown on the field to his recovery from illnesses off it.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 7, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 25, 2012
When I first started following Arsenal seriously back at the beginning of the Wenger era, there were three players who captured my imagination: Vieira, Bergkamp and Adams. I would come to like other players even better than that trio, but those three were my first footballing heroes, and they've always had a special place in my personal Gunners mythology.
I should probably mention that I was living in Florida when Arsene Wenger took over the Arsenal, and it was that move, near to a little Irish Pub named "The Fly's Tie" that allowed me to follow football in earnest. Until then I'd been living in Canada, and I had no access to football beyond some indoctrination from my Scouser neighbours (which made me a Gooner rather than a Red or a Toffee because I couldn't, in good conscience, follow their clubs) and an occasional and quite rare international match. Once in Jax, however, I discovered that football was on every Saturday and Sunday at the Pub, and I became duly addicted.
16 years later and I am willing to bet that football is as much a part of my daily life as any Gooner living in London. Just ask my wife. Sure I never made it to Highbury, nor have I been to the Emirates (which, I am told, makes me no better than a poser), but I've not missed the broadcast of a game in a decade. The football news is the first thing I read in the morning. My workout gear is exclusively Arsenal gear. My list could go on, but it's probably better if I stop there.
Which brings me back to Addicted, by Tony Adams. Tony was the first captain I knew as an Arsenal fan, and there hasn't been a Captain as effective since (although Vieira came close). I couldn't help loving Tony. He embodied the Arsenal I fell in love with; he bridged the span from Graham to Rioch to Wenger; and there is a bronze statue of him (and Thierry Henry) out in front of the stadium.
As you can imagine, I was expecting to love Addicted, Adams' account of his two great addictions -- booze and football. I am thoroughly disappointed.
I had this vision of Adams as a tough, old school defender who managed to overcome alcoholism and the shame of his imprisonment for drunk driving to achieve a healthy sobriety and thereby prolong his career. I imagined him as a lovable old tough who would have received respect because he believed in the people around him. I figured he'd have an impressive footballing brain even if his social and intellectual brain was run of the mill. I was wrong on the parts that really mattered.
Tony Adams' autobiography reveals that he is not just a stupid man but a stupid footballing man (a man who should never be handed another opportunity to manage a football club). He is arrogant with little cause. He was epically selfish when he drank, and now he is just impressively selfish. He thinks too highly of himself and not highly enough of those talented players who surrounded him. He is xenophobic (though mercifully not racist based on skin colour). And, ultimately, he is a bully, which is, I think, the only reason he was an effective captain.
I tarnished one of my favourite footballers by reading this book, and next time I go for a run I will have a hard time putting on my Adams' strip. I really wish I'd avoided this piece of sporting narcissism.
However ...
... if you are not a fan of Tony Adams, but you're curious about the kind of people who become top athletes in World Sport and how they deal -- or fail to deal -- with their fame and fortune, I am pretty sure Addicted is worth reading. Just not for me, but that's because it was too personal.
I should probably mention that I was living in Florida when Arsene Wenger took over the Arsenal, and it was that move, near to a little Irish Pub named "The Fly's Tie" that allowed me to follow football in earnest. Until then I'd been living in Canada, and I had no access to football beyond some indoctrination from my Scouser neighbours (which made me a Gooner rather than a Red or a Toffee because I couldn't, in good conscience, follow their clubs) and an occasional and quite rare international match. Once in Jax, however, I discovered that football was on every Saturday and Sunday at the Pub, and I became duly addicted.
16 years later and I am willing to bet that football is as much a part of my daily life as any Gooner living in London. Just ask my wife. Sure I never made it to Highbury, nor have I been to the Emirates (which, I am told, makes me no better than a poser), but I've not missed the broadcast of a game in a decade. The football news is the first thing I read in the morning. My workout gear is exclusively Arsenal gear. My list could go on, but it's probably better if I stop there.
Which brings me back to Addicted, by Tony Adams. Tony was the first captain I knew as an Arsenal fan, and there hasn't been a Captain as effective since (although Vieira came close). I couldn't help loving Tony. He embodied the Arsenal I fell in love with; he bridged the span from Graham to Rioch to Wenger; and there is a bronze statue of him (and Thierry Henry) out in front of the stadium.
As you can imagine, I was expecting to love Addicted, Adams' account of his two great addictions -- booze and football. I am thoroughly disappointed.
I had this vision of Adams as a tough, old school defender who managed to overcome alcoholism and the shame of his imprisonment for drunk driving to achieve a healthy sobriety and thereby prolong his career. I imagined him as a lovable old tough who would have received respect because he believed in the people around him. I figured he'd have an impressive footballing brain even if his social and intellectual brain was run of the mill. I was wrong on the parts that really mattered.
Tony Adams' autobiography reveals that he is not just a stupid man but a stupid footballing man (a man who should never be handed another opportunity to manage a football club). He is arrogant with little cause. He was epically selfish when he drank, and now he is just impressively selfish. He thinks too highly of himself and not highly enough of those talented players who surrounded him. He is xenophobic (though mercifully not racist based on skin colour). And, ultimately, he is a bully, which is, I think, the only reason he was an effective captain.
I tarnished one of my favourite footballers by reading this book, and next time I go for a run I will have a hard time putting on my Adams' strip. I really wish I'd avoided this piece of sporting narcissism.
However ...
... if you are not a fan of Tony Adams, but you're curious about the kind of people who become top athletes in World Sport and how they deal -- or fail to deal -- with their fame and fortune, I am pretty sure Addicted is worth reading. Just not for me, but that's because it was too personal.
July 25, 2015
A very interesting book by Tony Adams. The book covers his successes and his more troubled times. Well written and an insight into this Arsenal legend.
October 21, 2014
A very honest book by a very honest man
January 25, 2020
Tony Adams was a football player who captained England as well Arsenal club. Certainly one of the best captain to lead the Arsenal club in the history. This book offers a great insight into his life and mind and his troubles dealing with fame, rejection and football. What this book again reiterates is that everyone is insecure and it's important to learn how to deal with it. An honest and interesting account of Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams' struggle with alcoholism.
Traces his life from his childhood to winning and lifting trophies with the Arsenal. Lot of good photos in there, small anecdotes which give you an insight on how professional football used to work in the last decade!
Must read for Arsenal fans and "may" be for football fans or else it will be boring for others!
Traces his life from his childhood to winning and lifting trophies with the Arsenal. Lot of good photos in there, small anecdotes which give you an insight on how professional football used to work in the last decade!
Must read for Arsenal fans and "may" be for football fans or else it will be boring for others!
December 29, 2018
Osinskipoludzku.blogspot.com
Mimo, że moje serce bije dla klubu z czerwonej części Manchesteru to muszę przyznać, że lektura "Uzależnionego" w żaden sposób nie straciła dla mnie na wartości poprzez fakt, iż Tony Adams to legenda Arsenalu. Jego autobiografia to kawał historii współczesnej angielskiej piłki i serdecznie polecam wam te kilka godzin w towarzystwie Tony'ego.
Na rynku wydawniczym pozycji od kilku lat zatrzęsienie co nie zawsze niestety przekłada się na jakość. Tym bardziej ten trend jest zauważalny jeżeli chodzi o książki o tematyce sportowej. Wydaje się, że wystarczy mieć rozpoznawalne nazwisko przez kilka sezonów na boiskach piłkarskich, a już wydawnictwa prześcigają się w propozycjach biografii. Problem w tym, że często takie książki zwyczajnie nie wnoszą nic nowego do naszego życia, a czytanie o czymś co za chwilę pójdzie w niepamięć to moim zdaniem strata czasu. Historia Tony'ego Adamsa stanowi zdecydowanie wyjątek pośród wszystkich tych biografii, które zwyczajnie mogłyby się nie ukazać i nikt by się nie zmartwił z tego powodu.
Tony Adams już że względu na swój wygląd był postrzegany jako typowy twardziel. Jeśli dodać do tego jego boiskowe wyczyny w których często sięgał po bezpardonowe środki to nie ma się co dziwić, iż właśnie taki obraz tego gracza wpisał się w umysły kibiców. Jak się dowiadujemy z "Uzależnionego" była to jedynie maska skrywająca wrażliwego faceta, który bardzo szybko został wrzucony na głębokie wody i odkrył alkohol jako sposób budowania sztucznego poczucia własnej wartości. To właśnie o tym jest ta historia, o zmaganiu się z ciężkim uzależnieniem od alkoholu w świecie, który wcale temu procesowi nie sprzyja, a wręcz przeciwnie często piętnuje takie osoby, które zdecydowały się zerwać z nałogiem. Wszystko to Tony Adams przeplata anegdotami z meczów Arsenalu Londyn i reprezentacji Anglii dzięki czemu mamy okazję odświeżyć sobie, czy też poznać najważniejsze wydarzenia w angielskiej piłce począwszy od lat 80-tych a na początku trzeciego tysiąclecia kończąc.
Tony Adams jest w swej postaci nie tylko bardzo autentyczny, ale też i udaje mu się ustrzec moralizatorstwa i banału. Nie poucza, nie bawi się w kaznodzieję, a jednocześnie dzieli się swoimi doświadczeniami nie ukrywając przy tym, że zależy mu aby młodzi ludzie nie poszli jego śladem. Zamiast jednak głodnych kawałków o tym jak alkohol szkodzi zdrowiu pokazuje znaczenie zdrowego poczucia własnej wartości i umiejętności radzenia sobie z emocjami dla prawidłowego rozwoju człowieka. Najlepszym dowodem tego, że w jego przypadku decyzja o terapii była najlepszym krokiem na jaki sobie pozwolił jest otwarcie się na świat i poszerzenie horyzontów życiowych. Tony Adams daje się poznać na początku tej książki jako utalentowany piłkarz, a kiedy zbliżamy się do końca jego kariery zdąży on już odkryć pozostałe role w jakich chce się realizować, a dzięki temu my zobaczymy w nim człowieka. Człowieka, który może i popełnił w swoim życiu wiele błędów, ale i wyciągnął z nich odpowiednie wnioski. Polecam szczerze tę książkę nie tylko fanom piłkarskim i fanatykom angielskiej piłki, ale też i wszystkim zainteresowanym szeroko rozumianą zmianą i tym co ją determinuje. Nie będziecie zawiedzeni.
Mimo, że moje serce bije dla klubu z czerwonej części Manchesteru to muszę przyznać, że lektura "Uzależnionego" w żaden sposób nie straciła dla mnie na wartości poprzez fakt, iż Tony Adams to legenda Arsenalu. Jego autobiografia to kawał historii współczesnej angielskiej piłki i serdecznie polecam wam te kilka godzin w towarzystwie Tony'ego.
Na rynku wydawniczym pozycji od kilku lat zatrzęsienie co nie zawsze niestety przekłada się na jakość. Tym bardziej ten trend jest zauważalny jeżeli chodzi o książki o tematyce sportowej. Wydaje się, że wystarczy mieć rozpoznawalne nazwisko przez kilka sezonów na boiskach piłkarskich, a już wydawnictwa prześcigają się w propozycjach biografii. Problem w tym, że często takie książki zwyczajnie nie wnoszą nic nowego do naszego życia, a czytanie o czymś co za chwilę pójdzie w niepamięć to moim zdaniem strata czasu. Historia Tony'ego Adamsa stanowi zdecydowanie wyjątek pośród wszystkich tych biografii, które zwyczajnie mogłyby się nie ukazać i nikt by się nie zmartwił z tego powodu.
Tony Adams już że względu na swój wygląd był postrzegany jako typowy twardziel. Jeśli dodać do tego jego boiskowe wyczyny w których często sięgał po bezpardonowe środki to nie ma się co dziwić, iż właśnie taki obraz tego gracza wpisał się w umysły kibiców. Jak się dowiadujemy z "Uzależnionego" była to jedynie maska skrywająca wrażliwego faceta, który bardzo szybko został wrzucony na głębokie wody i odkrył alkohol jako sposób budowania sztucznego poczucia własnej wartości. To właśnie o tym jest ta historia, o zmaganiu się z ciężkim uzależnieniem od alkoholu w świecie, który wcale temu procesowi nie sprzyja, a wręcz przeciwnie często piętnuje takie osoby, które zdecydowały się zerwać z nałogiem. Wszystko to Tony Adams przeplata anegdotami z meczów Arsenalu Londyn i reprezentacji Anglii dzięki czemu mamy okazję odświeżyć sobie, czy też poznać najważniejsze wydarzenia w angielskiej piłce począwszy od lat 80-tych a na początku trzeciego tysiąclecia kończąc.
Tony Adams jest w swej postaci nie tylko bardzo autentyczny, ale też i udaje mu się ustrzec moralizatorstwa i banału. Nie poucza, nie bawi się w kaznodzieję, a jednocześnie dzieli się swoimi doświadczeniami nie ukrywając przy tym, że zależy mu aby młodzi ludzie nie poszli jego śladem. Zamiast jednak głodnych kawałków o tym jak alkohol szkodzi zdrowiu pokazuje znaczenie zdrowego poczucia własnej wartości i umiejętności radzenia sobie z emocjami dla prawidłowego rozwoju człowieka. Najlepszym dowodem tego, że w jego przypadku decyzja o terapii była najlepszym krokiem na jaki sobie pozwolił jest otwarcie się na świat i poszerzenie horyzontów życiowych. Tony Adams daje się poznać na początku tej książki jako utalentowany piłkarz, a kiedy zbliżamy się do końca jego kariery zdąży on już odkryć pozostałe role w jakich chce się realizować, a dzięki temu my zobaczymy w nim człowieka. Człowieka, który może i popełnił w swoim życiu wiele błędów, ale i wyciągnął z nich odpowiednie wnioski. Polecam szczerze tę książkę nie tylko fanom piłkarskim i fanatykom angielskiej piłki, ale też i wszystkim zainteresowanym szeroko rozumianą zmianą i tym co ją determinuje. Nie będziecie zawiedzeni.
July 12, 2013
Tony Adams. What a true, loyal footballer - perhaps the best captain that Arsenal have ever had. Of course, asides from his great career, we know all about his struggles away from the pitch with alcohol - so I did wonder how much this would feature in the book.
At times, 'Addicted' is a tad preachy and almost has tinges of 'feel sorry for me', or at least that's the impression I got - however there isn't too much of this and because of that I easily made it through to the end.
For anyone who is interested in Arsenal football club, football in general or alcoholism then I do seriously recommend this. There's a wealth of stories about various famous matches and characters from the game, and true to his word Adams speaks about everything with honesty. The chapter about his time in prison was particularly interesting, he was kind enough to tell the other prisoners that they more than welcome to send their stories about serving time with him in to tabloid newspapers so they could get a bit of money in their pockets.
At times, 'Addicted' is a tad preachy and almost has tinges of 'feel sorry for me', or at least that's the impression I got - however there isn't too much of this and because of that I easily made it through to the end.
For anyone who is interested in Arsenal football club, football in general or alcoholism then I do seriously recommend this. There's a wealth of stories about various famous matches and characters from the game, and true to his word Adams speaks about everything with honesty. The chapter about his time in prison was particularly interesting, he was kind enough to tell the other prisoners that they more than welcome to send their stories about serving time with him in to tabloid newspapers so they could get a bit of money in their pockets.
October 10, 2021
Definitely wins the most boring thing I've read whole year, future's considered. Dude just keeps going about him being this great leader, how he should always be captain, how he knows they'll win games when they got 1 tally and so on.. Makes me emotionally hurt, how arrogant, cocky he is. I've seen people be humbled by their addictions, by their fights, but this guy.. He comes out of aa, says he deserves to lead England in '98. Bro, wake up, you could've been so much more without the alcohol, you are last in que to be an example, to be leading anyone. Captain ain't just leading on field, he's being 1st guy all round, not only on team but in public as well. But this guy... Jesus, Tone, get down from your high horse
January 28, 2019
For those who have got to a point in their life where they no longer want a drink but they need a drink. This book is for you. An honest and powerful story about how an alcoholic is not just the stereotypical bum on the park bench but can be the Captain of the England football team. Very informative and inspirational about the disease of alcohol and the best way to treat it.
August 15, 2023
I’d heard this described as the greatest football autobiography, but it wasn’t any better than many others. Yes, he’s honest about his alcoholism, and that was probably revelatory in 1998, but not as much now. It’s decent enough, especially if you’re and Arsenal fan I bet, but no masterpiece
May 13, 2017
Great inside story into Mr Arsenal's life.
September 11, 2018
Autobiografia di Tony Adams, capitano storico dell'Arsenal degli anni '80/'90, dentro e fuori dal campo, dentro e fuori il suo problema con l'alcool.
Consigliato solo agli appassionati.
Consigliato solo agli appassionati.
December 27, 2018
Having met the guy personally , i found his book to be open and honest , just like he is now ( post drunk ).
Worth the read
Worth the read
January 4, 2019
Good hard hitting biog about professional football and addiction but the book has too much listing of football history etc
May 4, 2020
Talented footballer faces demons and wins. Expertly ghosted by Ian Ridley.
August 15, 2020
Most honest biography I have read
September 7, 2020
Moving story of a man who turned his life around from alcoholism and depression.
November 19, 2020
A completely honest account of one man's alcoholism and how he still managed to carve out a successful football career.
December 7, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5
This is told in a rambly, casual way like if he was telling a story to his friends. I don’t mind the style, but I do care about some parts (Arsenal) more than others (England).
This is told in a rambly, casual way like if he was telling a story to his friends. I don’t mind the style, but I do care about some parts (Arsenal) more than others (England).
August 8, 2021
More than your standard footballer auto biography
September 20, 2022
Great football autobiography
May 28, 2024
Wild ride, behind the scenes of football in the 80s-90s and how alcohol played it's part in Tony's life.
January 19, 2021
This was an exceptional read where you have a man who is one of the best defenders in the premier league for his whole career but was an alcoholic through the majority of it. This book is heartbreaking to see what led him to drink wine how he got through it being an elite athlete. This is very much a biography that follows his career with arsenal and England. Well worth a read for football fans whether you love him or hate him.
October 13, 2021
Inspirational, that's all I can say. To win the things he did whilst being drunk is ridiculous and then to get sober, come back and score that iconic goal against Everton to secure the title, WOW. Great read.
September 21, 2014
A solidly good read, though not a great one. Perhaps this is because the book was written 15 years ago, so many of the football references seem a bit dated. But as the title suggests, the crux of this book is about addiction and Adams' story of how he overcame his demons.
There are loads of entertaining stories, mainly off the pitch, which led to the England Captain's revelation that he needed to quit drinking and seek professional help.
At 370 or so pages, however, this book is probably 100 pages too long. Far too much discussion of his thoughts about the quality of other players (often, his musing are repeated 2-3 times on each player), and not enough of what exactly got him to the breaking point to where he decided to quit drinking. Maybe I missed that part?
Regardless, Adams is a legend and this is a book he should be proud of. It marks him moment in time as a great for England, Arsenal and most importantly his family.
There are loads of entertaining stories, mainly off the pitch, which led to the England Captain's revelation that he needed to quit drinking and seek professional help.
At 370 or so pages, however, this book is probably 100 pages too long. Far too much discussion of his thoughts about the quality of other players (often, his musing are repeated 2-3 times on each player), and not enough of what exactly got him to the breaking point to where he decided to quit drinking. Maybe I missed that part?
Regardless, Adams is a legend and this is a book he should be proud of. It marks him moment in time as a great for England, Arsenal and most importantly his family.
October 21, 2012
I picked this up from a charity bookstall in town. Not really sure why I did but it was a thoroughly fascinating book. So much so that I am almost tempted to keep hold of it rather than bookcrossing it. Adams tales of playing for England and Arsenal are interesting. They brought back a few memories of England's fortunes and shed new light for me on the recent-ish history of Arsenal of which I had been more or less oblivious to at the time. However it was his explanation of his addiction and his path to recovery which was most gripping. It is difficult to believe that he was able to perform at the level he did whilst in the grips of addiction.
April 23, 2014
تعبني على ما حصلته..اشتريته بدولار واضطريت اشحنه بالبريد لحاله ب 20 دولار بس يستاهل مستر ارسنال
استمتعت بكل الفصول عن ارسنال..من البدايات مع تيري نيل إلى الترقية للفريق الاول مع دون هاوي..من ثورة جورج غراهام وتحويله لمدافع عظيم ورمز لمجموعة صلبة تهوى الانتصارات بفارق هدف والخروج بشباك نظيفة..إلى الهاوية بعد ادمانه للكحول وقيادته للسيارة داخل حديقة احد البيوت وهو مخمور..الاشهر التي قضاها بالسجن كانت فترة تحولية له..اكتسب احترام كثير من المساجين بعد ما وصلته رسالة دعم من مجرم مشهور ومعروف بتشجيعه لارسنال هههه
بعض الفصول يتحدث فيها عن مسيرته مع المنتخب كانت مملة وتجاوزتها..اخترت تقييم متوسط لأن الكتاب يتعلق بارسنال ويتعمق في هذا الشأن ولهذا اراه مناسب للمشجع الارسنالي فقط
استمتعت بكل الفصول عن ارسنال..من البدايات مع تيري نيل إلى الترقية للفريق الاول مع دون هاوي..من ثورة جورج غراهام وتحويله لمدافع عظيم ورمز لمجموعة صلبة تهوى الانتصارات بفارق هدف والخروج بشباك نظيفة..إلى الهاوية بعد ادمانه للكحول وقيادته للسيارة داخل حديقة احد البيوت وهو مخمور..الاشهر التي قضاها بالسجن كانت فترة تحولية له..اكتسب احترام كثير من المساجين بعد ما وصلته رسالة دعم من مجرم مشهور ومعروف بتشجيعه لارسنال هههه
بعض الفصول يتحدث فيها عن مسيرته مع المنتخب كانت مملة وتجاوزتها..اخترت تقييم متوسط لأن الكتاب يتعلق بارسنال ويتعمق في هذا الشأن ولهذا اراه مناسب للمشجع الارسنالي فقط
June 8, 2017
In a word "outstanding". An honest, humble, candid read.
Self destructive tendencies are not just for the down & outs of society. The demon drink or any other addiction will consume and destroy you. I applaud Mr Adams for gaining the strength and finding redemption.
Paul Merson - ?
George Best - lost his battle
Jimmy Greaves - won it
Paul Gascoigne - still fighting it
Diego Armando Maradonna - lost his battle
Dr Socrates - lost his battle
Anyway, great book, well written & insightful. Should be compulsory in grade 2 English lessons.
Self destructive tendencies are not just for the down & outs of society. The demon drink or any other addiction will consume and destroy you. I applaud Mr Adams for gaining the strength and finding redemption.
Paul Merson - ?
George Best - lost his battle
Jimmy Greaves - won it
Paul Gascoigne - still fighting it
Diego Armando Maradonna - lost his battle
Dr Socrates - lost his battle
Anyway, great book, well written & insightful. Should be compulsory in grade 2 English lessons.
February 9, 2012
Honest.
Sometimes too honest for his own good!
Tony Adams was a football hero of mine as a kid.
It is disappointing to read how he seemed to take for granted the opportunity that he had... the life that he had... playing football everyday and getting paid to do so... what a wonderful existence! And yet he behaved so atrociously at times.
He was an alcoholic. He was an addict. But why?
He was a talented football player.
I no longer idolise him or admire him.
But I respect his honesty!
Sometimes too honest for his own good!
Tony Adams was a football hero of mine as a kid.
It is disappointing to read how he seemed to take for granted the opportunity that he had... the life that he had... playing football everyday and getting paid to do so... what a wonderful existence! And yet he behaved so atrociously at times.
He was an alcoholic. He was an addict. But why?
He was a talented football player.
I no longer idolise him or admire him.
But I respect his honesty!
March 2, 2008
Ghost written or not, and not a literary gem, this is a great book and a very honest one. What goes on beeath the surface of a gifted man. How fame and success is never enough. The intense insight and soul vbaring about addiction. The recovery and change and hope. On top of all that some great insights into the beautiful game!
January 31, 2015
A good story of a footballer that had a huge alcohol problem, wa able to play at a top level both for Arsenal and England and drink heavily. "It did not matter if if we loose I would drown my sorry with booze and if we won I would celebrate with booze"was e.g something Toni Adams said about what he was thinking during a game.
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