Introduction

No footballer has ever captured the imagination of the world as fast and as furiously as David Beckham. Julie Burchill tracks his rapid ascent from most villified man in Britain to national hero.

Early Controversies

In 1998 he made two terrible mistakes - he got a red card and he was photographed wearing a skirt. Now four years on teenage girls pine over his posters, Thai monks build shrines to him even the press who so shamefully abused him are addicted to his prescence on the field of dreams.

Questions and Analysis

But what does Beckham want? Is he an idiot savant, or just a fool for love? In this dazzling new book, the sharpest social commentator in Britain tackles the most stylish sportsman and - via sex, class and the celebrity culture - pins down the enigma that is David Beckham.