A Life Too Short - The Tragedy of Robert Enke

Paully D

Have any of you picked this book up yet?

I'm sure most will be familiar with the tragic story of Robert Enke, but for those who aren't he was a German goalkeeper who was suffering with depression and committed suicide by standing in front of a train a couple of years ago. According to his wife, he struggled to deal with the death of his daughter in 2006 and been treated for depression ever since.

This book was written by his close friend who he had planned to write his autobiography with after his career had finished. It's been translated into English and is available to buy from The Book Depository for a little over €13.

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Life-Too-Short-Ronald-Reng/9780224091657

Their description of the book:

Why does an international footballer with the World at his feet decide to take his own life? On 10 November 2009 the German national goalkeeper, Robert Enke, stepped in front of a passing train. He was thirty two years old. Viewed from the outside, Enke had it all. Here was a professional goalkeeper who had played for a string of Europe's top clubs including Jose Mourinho's Benfica and Louis Van Gaal's Barcelona. Enke was destined to be his country's first choice for years to come. But beneath the bright veneer of success lay a darker story. In "A Life Too Short", award-winning writer Ronald Reng pieces together the puzzle of his lost friend's life. Reng brings into sharp relief the specific demands and fears faced by those who play top-level sport. Heartfelt, but never sentimental he tells the universal tragedy of a talented man's struggles against his own demons.

I'll probably order it over the next couple of days. It's sure to be a very emotional read.

Dozen Wicked Words

Very sad story, not sure I would be able to read the book, he seemed like such a nice bloke who was just beaten down by depression.

Oat23

I read the German version last year. I'd recommend it to everyone at €13. Great read. Such a sad story.

joshrogan

How long does delivery take, on average 5 working days?

Saint_Mel

Ordered it yesterday. Usually their delivery times are decent

mirwillbeback

Anyone read this since the thread was last updated?

Got it for Christmas, absolutely brilliant read, and an eye opener that professional footballers do not have a dream life.

Louis Van Gaal and Frank de Boer in particular seem like horrible people, shifting blame everywhere but themselves.

Excellent read, highly recommended.

Saint_Mel

Yep, damn good read but a sad sad story. Definately an eye opener.
Have since recommended it to a few people who all thought the exact same.

Orando Broom

mirwillbeback wrote: »

Anyone read this since the thread was last updated?

Got it for Christmas, absolutely brilliant read, and an eye opener that professional footballers do not have a dream life.

Louis Van Gaal and Frank de Boer in particular seem like horrible people, shifting blame everywhere but themselves.
Excellent read, highly recommended.

Explain.

kryogen

Just to let people know, you can actually get it off Amazon for about 9 euro. Definitely a good read, very sad

mirwillbeback

Orando Broom wrote: »

Explain.

Van Gaal comes across as a ego maniac, who's attitude is one of a bully.

De Boer publicly blames his keeper for two mistakes which in reality were caused by his own performance - losing his player and not tracking back. The whole team disagree with De Boer, but he never admits he was wrong. Lots more to it, but that's a quick sumary.

pickarooney

Viewed from the outside, Enke had it all.

What kind of a bat**** insane remark is that to make about a man who's lost his child?
An amazing lack of perspective and sensitivity.

mirwillbeback

pickarooney wrote: »

What kind of a bat**** insane remark is that to make about a man who's lost his child?
An amazing lack of perspective and sensitivity.

It does say " from the outside " in fairness.

I take it to mean we assume footballers have it all, money, women, fame, a career playing a game 99% pay to do.

And through the book, you realise his depression was in place long before his daughter came along.

Lawrence1895

mirwillbeback wrote: »

It does say " from the outside " in fairness.

I take it to mean we assume footballers have it all, money, women, fame, a career playing a game 99% pay to do.

And through the book, you realise his depression was in place long before his daughter came along.

That's only, what we see in front of the cameras. Sometimes, professional football players are like pop stars, always have to smile and perform to heir very best, even if they have problems in their private life. And that's some kind of pressure, not everyone can deal with, imo

Mushy

Finally saw it in a shop today, so bought it. Very hard to read, but also hard to put down I find.

Stevecw

Got it off Amazon there just before xmas. Only got around to reading it in last 2 weeks.

Brilliant book, it is very very sad. Amazing what went thru his head even from his early days. So many ups & downs and mad the little things that set him off etc. All the people that loved him & tried help him along the way, u feel so sorry for too.

Have to say while it's fairly heartbreaking to read, its well worth it. I'd put it as best football book i've ever read. Highly recommend it.

Paully D

Just thought I'd bump this as I only got around to reading it over the last few weeks. Like others I found it hard to put down even though it was very sad.

gallyer

got this book over christmas myself, would highly recommend it. Read it in about two days which is unusual for me! Even though you know how it ends obviously, as I was reading it i was just willing it to end differently, seemed a genuinely nice bloke. Great story about him ringing the young goalie who had just been hung out to dry by his manager on national tv.

Mushy

Finished it a while back, such a great read.

Was gonna ask for recommendations on other football books. Should I start another thread or use this one.

Zebra3

A grim read, but nevertheless highly recommend it.

Heartbreaking stuff.

Oat23

Mushy wrote: »

Finished it a while back, such a great read.

Was gonna ask for recommendations on other football books. Should I start another thread or use this one.

Found this in a search. Some listed there.