By Alpha Daffae Senkpeni
Monrovia – When former football coach Arsene Wenger described George Weah’s life story as a miracle that ‘will make a marvelous film’, he had no idea that a compatriot of the former World Best player was planning to write a biography about the soccer legend.
Review By: Alpha Daffae Senkpeni
Now, with the release of this “Unauthorized Biography of Mr. George Weah”, this review of the book proves Wenger was right. This version of Weah’s biography is a good fit for a biopic although Weah did not authorize it.
The work put in this book may ease potential screenwriters and movie producers’ trouble of conducting hectic research. The author put the icing on the cake for what would be a great “true-life story” for the big screen.
Forget the potential of turning this book into a biopic, author Rodney D. Sieh, who is also a successful career journalist, worked as a researcher to get this book to the print house. Sieh’s journalism background might have propelled him to finishing it in a remarkable fashion. He successfully managed to blend his many years of reporting on Liberian politics with his solid background in sport reporting to deliver this excellent prose about the two phases of Mr. Weah’s life – a footballer and a politician.
Sieh’s sport reporting career is clearly manifested in this book. The way he recounts Weah’s road to footballing success in France and Italy demonstrates Sieh’s passion and understanding of telling sport history. His narration of Weah’s goal scored on November 23, 1994 against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League will give readers an imagery of that iconic night. It’s a flashback anyone will relish.
Also, the book validates and at the same time debunks many of the myths about Weah’s raise to the top of Liberian football before his exploits in Europe. Again, thanks to Sieh’s meticulous research skill and ability to deliver multiple historical accounts accurately.
What’s important to also note in this review is that the book is not only about George Weah. It’s a massive effort that documented historical events that range from Liberia’s footballing culture, atrocities of the civil war, unsavory political antics and politicians maneuvers to the highest echelon of government in Liberia.
The way the author profiled all the characters [or if you like, eyewitnesses] would give readers a deep understanding of each character/person’s history and legacy – good or bad. The author appropriately found the link between each character and Mr. Weah, showing how relations either foster or failed.
This book also makes staggering revelations about Liberia’s political maneuverings and upheavals and uncovers deep rivalry amongst old-time and new-time Liberian politicians. Notably, it reveals the root of a deep feud that existed between former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Cllr. Varney Sherman prior to the 2005 elections.
Because it’s an unofficial biography, there would be debates about the believability of the accounts recounted in this book. However, the attributions given to characters or sources by the writer do easily controverts any believability inklings. From Mr. Weah’s former teammates, club executives, journalists, fans, political bedfellows, and allies, the writer meticulously pieced together relevant historical details retold by witnesses to present the complete life story of one of Liberia’s greatest sons.
This book offers information for two kinds of readers: Liberians and foreigners. For Liberians familiar with the story of George Weah and are still keen on verifying some accounts of his rags-to-riches story, this book solves the puzzle. For foreign readers, it’s a masterclass narration about the life journey of global footballing icon turn politician. And, if you are unfamiliar with the oral history about Mr. Weah that has lingered for decades, this is a page turner to help you find out the truth.
This book gives staggering revelations about Weah’s political ambition for the Liberian presidency even when the world knew nothing about it. It takes readers back into time unraveling Weah’s infant political ambition and the murky roads he trekked that led to his triumph in 2017.
And now probably the most infamous controversy in the country’s history that Liberians still bemoan: the dramatic failure of the national football team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup when Mr. Weah led the team through a successful run of qualifier. Chapter 7 presents several accounts about incidents leading to that historic flop by the Lone Star in 2022.
For international or foreign readers, this is a history book that catalogs Liberia’s recent past of politics and the brutal civil war. It gives a deep glimpse into major political ploys and some of the notorious dealings of political bedfellows.
This is not a book only about President George Weah, it’s a recollection of Liberia’s recent historical events.
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About the Author:
Alpha Daffae Senkpeni is a Liberian journalist, fact checker and communications specialist. He is a prospective graduate of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
Senkpeni is a former editor of FrontPage Africa and is currently Executive Director of Local Voices Liberia.
He can be reached via email: daffae82@gmail.com