2-0, 3-2, 4-1, 6-2, foul, offside, GOAL!

For some, these words and numbers will conjure up thoughts of some of the greatest soccer matches ever played. And for others, images of extremely fit men (or women) running around on a huge pitch kicking the ball towards a net may come to mind.

I fall into the latter category --- I'm not a soccer fanatic but I do have respect for the game when seen on an international level. I have found myself supporting the team that is winning and, at times, the team with the best-looking guys! One of these guys is the delightful Mr. David Beckham. I must admit that occasionally I supported games with Beckham just to watch him on the screen, but slowly, after many games, I found myself jumping up when a goal was scored and becoming overly enthusiastic shouting foul, foul, offside --- to this day I do not even know what the offside rule is.

Because I've been a David Beckham fan for years (even though I don't know much about soccer), reviewing his autobiography was a privilege for me. BECKHAM - BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND gave insight into the real David Beckham, the soccer player on an international level, the fashion icon, the trendsetter, the family man and the role model to which hundreds in England and all over the world follow.

The book starts with his childhood, where we read about his love for soccer. He had such a talent for the game at a young age and he followed this through with the help and encouragement of his family and friends. We get to see a young boy grow from a shy, soft individual to the man he is today. Beckham takes us through some of the most important moments in his life --- fulfilling his childhood dream of signing up with Manchester United, meeting and marrying the woman of his dreams, becoming a father, bringing up a family and, of course, playing soccer.

If you think you'll find sordid secrets in BECKHAM, you would be gravely mistaken, as this book, though it may touch on Beckham's love and family life, is essentially about soccer. This is a true-to-heart autobiography of one of the greatest men in soccer history. As Beckham portrays his love for soccer, you get to see his passion grow as the years progress and find a new respect for this still very young man. By the end of the book, you begin to wonder that if Beckham can achieve so much at 28, what will be next for him? You will find yourself following his life beyond the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading BECKHAM - BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND and would recommend it to soccer fans, David Beckham fans, and those who are interested in learning how one young working class boy became an international icon.