{"product_id":"book-gmci","title":"The Three Lives of the Kaiser","description":"\u003cb\u003eFranz Beckenbauer is Germany's greatest-ever football player and one of the game's biggest icons of all time, a World Cup winner as player and manager. \u003ci\u003eThe Three Lives of The Kaiser\u003c\/i\u003e is the first English-language account of a truly remarkable existence.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKnown everywhere as 'the Kaiser', Beckenbauer's compatriots even referred to him as 'the Shining Light'. Not anymore, though. Because what is often described as a blessed life has really been an emotional roller-coaster ride with stunning highs and bitter lows. He rose to fame at the \u003cb\u003e1966 World Cup \u003c\/b\u003ein England, where after the final defeat the British press marvelled at the grace of a 'beaten but proud Prussian officer'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowever, there was nothing Prussian about the Bavarian boy who flouted authority, disregarded rules and viewed the traditional German work ethic with the disdain of someone to whom everything comes naturally. Beckenbauer grew into one of the game's first truly global stars and transcended sport. He was painted by \u003cb\u003eAndy Warhol\u003c\/b\u003e and discussed the merits of Wagner with Aga Khan's wife at the Bayreuth Festival. He gently warded off overtures from \u003cb\u003eRudolf Nureyev \u003c\/b\u003eand danced with \u003cb\u003eMick Jagger \u003c\/b\u003eat Studio 54 in New York.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack home, though, people often wondered what to make of this most famous German athlete who was so un-German. It took his country three decades to learn to love Franz Beckenbauer – but shenanigans surrounding his greatest off-the-field triumph, bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany, have made him a controversial figure all over again. \u003cb\u003eUli Hesse assesses his achievements and his legacy in this definitive insight into the life of a sporting icon.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Audio","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49346589294896,"sku":"BDgmci","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/402333-gmci-Square.jpg?v=1734166968","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-gmci","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}