" Shattered Dreams - My Review "

I took Shattered Dreams on holiday to Lanzarote recently and despite having the book for over a year I never read it from start to finish but have read certain chapters at various times, I made sure that I read it from front to back. Once I started I could not put it down, the only time I did was when other football fans seen me reading it they stopped to talk about Cardiff City to me.

A really interesting insight into the recent times of Cardiff City. I like Annis, how you remained down the middle, especially regarding Sam Hammam, as many know your friendship with Sam yet it doesn't interfere with your thoughts at the time. It was good to learn of things that I didn't know about, like that Sam took a phone call on the morning of September 11th 2001 whilst in a board meeting, and drove back to his home in London thinking of the words he could comfort his wife with, believing that two of his children had died in the atrocities. There is so much in the book about the workings behind the scene at the club and I particularly found the time of Sam's arrival interesting in that certain people on the board were trying to block the move.

Where other people write chapters, my favourite would certainly be Vince Alm's, he tells a great story regarding the politics behind the stadium planning and subsequent building. Vince is able to document the whole process and gives you a clear picture of all the runners and riders involved. I never knew until reading this book that certain councillors who objected the stadium build used a writer in the South Wales Echo to pen their objections in the media for them as part of this campaign but interestingly that writer is now very much part of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust.

I understand that many readers of this book think that Sam Hammam may not have been portrayed in the best light but it was very much the opposite for me and strengthened my view that Sam Hammam had forces working against him at the time and if others had worked with him and not against him then his time at the club would have been viewed as a far more successful period than what he is given credit for.

All in all, it is a must read for any Cardiff City fan as it is an honest and open account of what happened at Cardiff City during the years of 1998-2008.



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41305

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/

Yeh it was a good read to be fair,i won it on the forum bus raffle to stoke i think it was

I took Shattered Dreams on holiday to Lanzarote recently and despite having the book for over a year I never read it from start to finish but have read certain chapters at various times, I made sure that I read it from front to back. Once I started I could not put it down, the only time I did was when other football fans seen me reading it they stopped to talk about Cardiff City to me.

A really interesting insight into the recent times of Cardiff City. I like Annis, how you remained down the middle, especially regarding Sam Hammam, as many know your friendship with Sam yet it doesn't interfere with your thoughts at the time. It was good to learn of things that I didn't know about, like that Sam took a phone call on the morning of September 11th 2001 whilst in a board meeting, and drove back to his home in London thinking of the words he could comfort his wife with, believing that two of his children had died in the atrocities. There is so much in the book about the workings behind the scene at the club and I particularly found the time of Sam's arrival interesting in that certain people on the board were trying to block the move.

Where other people write chapters, my favourite would certainly be Vince Alm's, he tells a great story regarding the politics behind the stadium planning and subsequent building. Vince is able to document the whole process and gives you a clear picture of all the runners and riders involved. I never knew until reading this book that certain councillors who objected the stadium build used a writer in the South Wales Echo to pen their objections in the media for them as part of this campaign but interestingly that writer is now very much part of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust.

I understand that many readers of this book think that Sam Hammam may not have been portrayed in the best light but it was very much the opposite for me and strengthened my view that Sam Hammam had forces working against him at the time and if others had worked with him and not against him then his time at the club would have been viewed as a far more successful period than what he is given credit for.

All in all, it is a must read for any Cardiff City fan as it is an honest and open account of what happened at Cardiff City during the years of 1998-2008.



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41305

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/

Spot on Carl, especially the bit about Vince's chapter.

Keep meaning to buy one

Keep meaning to buy one

Ned, buy it, after having it for a year, I am disappointed I didn't read it a long time ago.

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/

And at £7.99 it is a bargain, a little more than a pack of fags or a Mcdonalds

I took Shattered Dreams on holiday to Lanzarote recently and despite having the book for over a year I never read it from start to finish but have read certain chapters at various times, I made sure that I read it from front to back. Once I started I could not put it down, the only time I did was when other football fans seen me reading it they stopped to talk about Cardiff City to me.

A really interesting insight into the recent times of Cardiff City. I like Annis, how you remained down the middle, especially regarding Sam Hammam, as many know your friendship with Sam yet it doesn't interfere with your thoughts at the time. It was good to learn of things that I didn't know about, like that Sam took a phone call on the morning of September 11th 2001 whilst in a board meeting, and drove back to his home in London thinking of the words he could comfort his wife with, believing that two of his children had died in the atrocities. There is so much in the book about the workings behind the scene at the club and I particularly found the time of Sam's arrival interesting in that certain people on the board were trying to block the move.

Where other people write chapters, my favourite would certainly be Vince Alm's, he tells a great story regarding the politics behind the stadium planning and subsequent building. Vince is able to document the whole process and gives you a clear picture of all the runners and riders involved. I never knew until reading this book that certain councillors who objected the stadium build used a writer in the South Wales Echo to pen their objections in the media for them as part of this campaign but interestingly that writer is now very much part of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust.

I understand that many readers of this book think that Sam Hammam may not have been portrayed in the best light but it was very much the opposite for me and strengthened my view that Sam Hammam had forces working against him at the time and if others had worked with him and not against him then his time at the club would have been viewed as a far more successful period than what he is given credit for.

All in all, it is a must read for any Cardiff City fan as it is an honest and open account of what happened at Cardiff City during the years of 1998-2008.



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41305

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/

Spot on Carl, especially the bit about Vince's chapter.

Vince gives an accurate account Paul of what was going on and I am proud that we have fans like Vince Alm who worked tirelessly to fight the campaign against the build.

I enjoyed the chapter on Ridsdale how he wormed his way in then took over.

Many different forces at work at the time and PR was certainly one of them but he was most definitely not the darkest force.

I enjoyed that bit most. Alot of people don't realise what goes on in those situations and what you have to do to get anywhere. Very fortunate to have people like Vince who gave up so much time and effort for the cause.

Wish we had more like that up here but it does make you appreciate what they do.

I enjoyed the chapter on Ridsdale how he wormed his way in then took over.

Many different forces at work at the time and PR was certainly one of them but he was most definitely not the darkest force.

yes reading between the lines Ridsdale was only the front man.

Absolutely, he got paid handsomely to do so but you are correct, only the puppet. It goes to show how much the puppeteers earned out of it.

Excellent read. Tag team. Carl great post about annis book when the next update/gossip???

Whats the story behind the councilors against the stadium and the Echo reporter?

Excellent read. Tag team. Carl great post about annis book when the next update/gossip???

Tag team

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/

Whats the story behind the councilors against the stadium and the Echo reporter?

In Vince's chapter he writes that the councillors who opposed the stadium had the ear of a writer/reporter in the Echo named Philip Nifield.

I will have to get the book out to write it word for word Gwyn but that is the generalisation of it.

Whats the story behind the councilors against the stadium and the Echo reporter?

Vince Alm told me the other day how one of our own fans(Philip Nifield) helped stop Sam get the New Stadium and it was before my very eyes in Shattered Dreams lol in some of the press reports,that are in the book, he was writing for the Echo and supporting certain Councillors who were against us ever having a New Stadium


CHEERS Carl for the Review, Glad you finally read the book

Whats the story behind the councilors against the stadium and the Echo reporter?

Vince Alm told me the other day how one of our own fans(Philip Nifield) helped stop Sam get the New Stadium and it was before my very eyes in Shattered Dreams lol in some of the press reports,that are in the book, he was writing for the Echo and supporting certain Councillors who were against us ever having a New Stadium


CHEERS Carl for the Review, Glad you finally read the book

And if I hadn't had read it you would never have known

No probs for the review I really enjoyed it all be it a bit late but nevertheless a great read.

Whats the story behind the councilors against the stadium and the Echo reporter?

Vince Alm told me the other day how one of our own fans(Philip Nifield) helped stop Sam get the New Stadium and it was before my very eyes in Shattered Dreams lol in some of the press reports,that are in the book, he was writing for the Echo and supporting certain Councillors who were against us ever having a New Stadium


CHEERS Carl for the Review, Glad you finally read the book

And if I hadn't had read it you would never have known

No probs for the review I really enjoyed it all be it a bit late but nevertheless a great read.

Cheers, Much Appreciated

Your right I would Never have Known and Since you and Vince told me, I am Gobsmacked that one of our own could do this.

Great Book.

My Father was one of the ones who went with Tony Jefferies and Annis to meet Sam that very first time, he thought it was a wind up at first when TJ rang him up looking for fans from different areas..

Great Book.

My Father was one of the ones who went with Tony Jefferies and Annis to meet Sam that very first time, he thought it was a wind up at first when TJ rang him up looking for fans from different areas..

Who is yr Father ? (pm me if u want)

Shattered Dreams is a great book! Really captures the rollercoaster years of Sam and the craziness of an era which few clubs will never experience! I read it in two days over Xmas

This was the 2nd of Annis's books that I read and have to say it was very good ....... also well worth a read if only for his wit and repartee is Gwyn's Valley Rams book . Gwyn tells it how it was was and gives newer and younger fans an insite into Police behaviour against City fans during the late 90's and early 2000's

Great Book.

My Father was one of the ones who went with Tony Jefferies and Annis to meet Sam that very first time, he thought it was a wind up at first when TJ rang him up looking for fans from different areas..

Who is yr Father ? (pm me if u want)

Just Pm'd you mate.

Just ordered. Could do with a good summer read

I often read it a chapter..but I don't think I have ever read it from front to back...but it brings back many memories for me.

Just ordered. Could do with a good summer read

Cheers
Jimmy, I will deliver tomorrow am, Really Hope you enjoy the read and its All TRUE

I often read it a chapter..but I don't think I have ever read it from front to back...but it brings back many memories for me.

Corky
Some Great memories and some Sad memories

Just ordered. Could do with a good summer read

Cheers
Jimmy, I will deliver tomorrow am , Really Hope you enjoy the read and its All TRUE

Cheers mate. Look forward to reading it

Cheers Carl, great advert

Cheers Carl, great advert

Yes Carl Thanks again

My personal favourite of Annis's books .... a cracking read and very insightful into the goings on, looking forward to the next one in September.

My personal favourite of Annis's books .... a cracking read and very insightful into the goings on, looking forward to the next one in September.

Thanks Marc, Well Appreciated