Jimmy Burns Libros

The story of FC Barcelona, written by the author of the internationally acclaimed Hand of God: The Life of Diego Maradona and updated with a new preface

The story of FC Barcelona, or Barca, the world's biggest football club. Jimmy Burns has unearthed police files and newspaper reports. He travelled with supporters and talked to managers, players, groundsmen and doctors, as well as those who have conspired to gain political and financial control.

For the best part of the last decade soccer has seen a personal rivalry unlike any seen Cristiano and Leo. This is their definitive story, from children kicking a ball halfway around the world from each other to their era-defining rivalry. One the preening Adonis, a precision physical machine who blows teams away with his pace and power. The other a shuffling genius, able to do things with a soccer ball that seem other-worldly. Their differences seem to tap into something fundamental about sports and indeed life. Between them they have scored over a thousand goals, won the Ballon d'Or nine times and redefined modern soccer. For the past eight seasons they have shared the accolade of best player in the world and arguments rage over which one deserves the title of greatest player of all time.

The definitive biography of Maradona, fully updated with new material following his death in 2020.Anyone doubting that Diego Maradona was more than just a soccer player had only to witness the outpourings after his death on November 25th 2020. During his tempestuous life and career, he played for top clubs in South America and Europe, notably Napoli where he became an adored hero and adopted son, and grew to be a legend in his homeland of Argentina after leading them to victory in the 1986 World Cup.Having gained access to his inner circle, Jimmy Burns traces Maradona's life from the slums of Buenos Aires, where he was born, through his great years of triumph, to the United States from where, in 1994, he was ignobly expelled after undergoing a positive drugs test. He also tells of his failed attempt to bring further glory to Argentina as coach in the 2010 World Cup, and ultimately, his tragic decline and recent death.Never before published in the U.S., this biography is widely regarded as the best and most revealing account of the highs, lows, genius and flaws of arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, and was the inspiration for Asif Kapadia's award-winning 2019 film Diego Maradona .

Completely up-to-date biography of the world's most famous footballer of all time, Diego Maradona.

A book about Spanish football by the journalist and football writer, Jimmy Burns, to coincide with the 2012 European championship

From the moment Pope Francis stepped on to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica for the first time, a global audience sensed that not only the Catholic Church but the world at large could be entering a new spiritual, political and social age. In the days following Pope Francis' election, there would be further early signs of the simplicity worthy of the first apostles and the leader that inspired them. Not since John XIII appeared on the scene half a century earlier had a new Pope opened the windows of the Church in such a way as to let in some much needed fresh air. Nevertheless, for the excitement generated by the first Latin American Pope and a man who claimed to want to put the poor back at the centre of the Church's social teaching, people could still only guess where it might be all be leading. Francis: Pope of Good Promise is neither an instant media job, nor a hagiography based on authorised interviews, but the product of diligent investigation across a wide range of official and independent sources - a measured, objective portrait of a man who, in circumstances that he neither sought nor foresaw, found himself handed the highest office at a time of crisis not just for the Church but for long established institutions worldwide from banks to political parties.

Focusing on the history and evolution of the world's most popular football league, this book delves into its standout moments and intriguing stories. It highlights the contributions of owners, managers, players, fans, and chroniclers who have shaped England's top-flight league, offering a comprehensive look at the interplay between big business and football.

The narrative unveils a remarkable and previously undisclosed story, offering deep insights into the lives of its characters and the historical context they navigate. Through compelling storytelling, it explores themes of secrecy, revelation, and the impact of hidden truths on personal and collective histories. Peter Hennessy’s unique perspective invites readers to engage with a nuanced understanding of events that have shaped the past.

A collection of art from one of the UK's most acclaimed sci-fi artists featuring everything from his initial sketches to his final works and published book covers.