This is a very intense and fast-paced book documenting the 44 days that Brian Clough spent as manager of Leeds Utd. But its not just about football, its about a man, and about what its like inside his head. His story draws you in and makes you want to read on to watch the inevitable roller coaster ride. ( )

This is a good book. I didn't like Clough very much before I read it, and I don't like him any more now, but I read the thing absolutely fascinated. ( )

Until now Brian Clough has just been a name. But what a man, what a manager, what a tragedy! Strongly reccomended for everyone that has the slightest interest in football. Or in people. ( )

A compelling read but docked a star for the skewed portrayal of Clough. ( )

The Damned United is the story of Brian Clough's infamous 44 days as manager of Leeds. It also tells, concurrently, the story of Clough's football career leading up to the point he took the position at Leeds. Peace's research allows him to tell the story from Clough's viewpoint. We share his insecurities. We cannot know what is true and what paranoia. But this is not simply another unreliable narrator. It is the mind as unreliable narrator. A reminder that for each of us if our life is a text then we are our own reliable narrator.

It is also a brilliant (in the sense of sparkling with light as opposed to just good) reminder of the fact that Clough was such a wondeful bastard. He makes a great fictional character because he was such a one-off in real life. A Gordian knot of paradoxes. A self destructive man who orchestrated so many triumphs. An intelligent man who did so many stupid things. A tyrannical socialist. And like that knot he was a problem you could only solve by destoying it.

It is a shame that many will miss this book because it is based in the world of football. It's themes are universal and it is outstandingly well written.