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A. Thorpe June 10, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Review by A. Thorpe for The Lost Babes: Manchester United and the Forgotten Victims of Munich
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Speaking as a Manchester City supporter of 43 years this is the best factual football book I have ever read, it gives life to names known only from my childhood, without spoiling anyones enjoyment I personally would urge any reader to firstly read the final chapter first as this puts a clearer perspective about the author.
I read the book in less than 2 days as it was to use an overused phrase ‘unputdownable’, it is not a Manchester United basher on the contrary it is critical of certain individuals who are or were connected to the club.
I,having read the book feel as if I personally knew those who died and also those who survived.
It is the only book that when finished I would want to start reading straight away again.

P. Hargreaves June 10, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Review by P. Hargreaves for The Lost Babes: Manchester United and the Forgotten Victims of Munich
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Every so often a book is published which actually adds to the history of Manchester United as opposed to merely restating what is already known. Such a book has just been published.’The Lost Babes’ is an excellent book, which provides some missing pieces absolutely essential to the Manchester United jigsaw.As the years pass the number of people who can remember the events of 1958 reduce. And many of those left struggle to get the grey matter working properly. It is thus vital that such books are written whilst there are people around who are capable of providing accurate information which gives both a correct picture and, significantly, an accurate perspective.Jeff Connor has done such a job and I hope that you will take the time to read his book. You might find that it gives an insight which you do not currently have – you certainly won’t unless you are over fifty years of age. The book does not put either the Club or certain individuals in a good light, but that does not surprise me one little bit. One of our most celebrated ex-players, now a director, is shown in his true colours. But then, I’ve known that for a very, very long time.I commend this book to you. It gives information which cannot easily be found elsewhere with regard to to some key issues.

A Manchester Red June 10, 2010 at 10:27 pm

Review by A Manchester Red for The Lost Babes: Manchester United and the Forgotten Victims of Munich
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I’ve been a Man Utd fan all my life. My late dad never spoke about Munich, and reading this book was like the education I never received at home.

With intimate insights into the lives of individuals affected by the Munich disaster, Jeff Connor carefully and respectfully brings to life the grief and trials post Munich; he contrasts the club welcoming publicity about the disaster with their attitudes to the families living with the consequences – sometimes living hand to mouth.

It is clear that the Busby Babes are not the only former football stars who feel let down in retirement, especially in the reflection of Rio Ferdinand and his generation earning £7m a year (more in a week than they received in total over nearly 50 years!) Connor, however, charts a careful course between the rocks of sentimentality and the cliffs of rage at the maltreatment of his fellow man (and boyhood heroes).

I, for one, was deeply moved by the experience of reading this book. I recommend it to all Manchester United fans, particularly younger ones who only remember the eras of Beckham and beyond.

Random Reader June 10, 2010 at 11:21 pm

Review by Random Reader for The Lost Babes: Manchester United and the Forgotten Victims of Munich
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There are a large number of books written about the Busby Babes and the tragic air crash of the 6th Feb 1958 such that it is difficult to imagine anything new being said. Jeff Connor approaches the topic from a slightly different angle. He has the express aim of describing the unfair treatment of some of the families, the “Forgotten victims of Munich” as the sub-title describes them. To be sure he finds some individuals (notably Gregg and Wood – what is it with goalkeepers?) and families who feel let down but in general I read into this reaction the lasting sadness of loss, rather than outright anger at the club. In the event nothing Manchester United could do, would be enough would it?

Putting this focus aside, I found the book really well written and informative. Connor gives space to some of the less feted Babes (Viollet, Blanchflower, Jones, Bent) and tells their stories without neglecting the stories about Duncan Edwards, Gregg and Charlton. What struck me in the end though, however hard to face for a staunch United fan, was that the Busby Babes might not have been the legends they now are if they not been struck by tragedy. Liam “Billy” Whelan had lost his place to Charlton, Roger Byrne was aging, Wood was losing his place to Gregg, Pegg was out of the side, Geoff Cope was a permanent sub, Scanlon survived but was never a really top player and so on.

In the end maybe the Busby Babes were protected from the harsh realities of football by the fact that they never reached the point of being dropped, replaced and sold. On the other hand see what Charlton achieved and think what Edwards, Taylor and Colman might have done. A really moving read for any United fan with an eye to history.

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