Monday, November 18, 2013
Fergie autobiography contains at least 45 mistakes
The publishers of Sir Alex Ferguson's best-selling autobiography have been left red-faced after eagle-eyed readers pointed out 45 factual errors.
Fergie's second account of his life, entitled My Autobiography, became the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book, shifting 115,547 copies in its first week on sale.
But readers have spotted as many as 45 factual errors in the 402-page hardback, which has prompted publishers Hodder and Stoughton to offer to reimburse one disgruntled reader.
Hodder and Stoughton CEO Jamie Hodder-Williams is said to have replied by email to the customer in question, offering a full refund in exchange for the return of the book.
Mr Hodder-Williams wrote: 'We did in fact go through several stages of fact-checking with this book, with a reading from within Manchester United as well as from a specialist football fact-checker.
'Although a very large number of corrections were made we plainly did not pick up everything.
'Possible corrections that have so far been helpfully pointed out are being checked and will be included in future reprints.
'I am sorry that you feel that your expenditure on the book was not worthwhile. If you would like to send the book to me at our head office address, stating where you bought the book and at what price, we will refund your expenditure and postage.'
Among the inaccuracies in Ferguson's account of the latter half of his 26-year Old Trafford reign are his claim United had 11 years out of former captain Roy Keane, when it was actually 12.
Ferguson also claims 'Rio Ferdinand excelled against Manchester City in the semi-final second leg [of the Carling Cup] in 2009 at Old Trafford' when the year in question was 2010.
The former United boss even managed to get wrong the date he had a pacemaker fitted, stating the procedure was done in April 2002, when it was actually carried out in March 2004.
The book also states United legend Ryan Giggs made his debut for the club aged 16, when the midfielder was actually 17 when he first appeared for them.
A spokeswoman for Hodder and Stoughton said: 'A member of the public did write in saying that he had found errors in the book and was not happy. He didn't say what the errors were.
'We have written to him and said that if he is not happy with his purchase he should send in the book and we will refund the purchase price.'
Fergie's second account of his life, entitled My Autobiography, became the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book, shifting 115,547 copies in its first week on sale.
But readers have spotted as many as 45 factual errors in the 402-page hardback, which has prompted publishers Hodder and Stoughton to offer to reimburse one disgruntled reader.
Hodder and Stoughton CEO Jamie Hodder-Williams is said to have replied by email to the customer in question, offering a full refund in exchange for the return of the book.
Mr Hodder-Williams wrote: 'We did in fact go through several stages of fact-checking with this book, with a reading from within Manchester United as well as from a specialist football fact-checker.
'Although a very large number of corrections were made we plainly did not pick up everything.
'Possible corrections that have so far been helpfully pointed out are being checked and will be included in future reprints.
'I am sorry that you feel that your expenditure on the book was not worthwhile. If you would like to send the book to me at our head office address, stating where you bought the book and at what price, we will refund your expenditure and postage.'
Among the inaccuracies in Ferguson's account of the latter half of his 26-year Old Trafford reign are his claim United had 11 years out of former captain Roy Keane, when it was actually 12.
Ferguson also claims 'Rio Ferdinand excelled against Manchester City in the semi-final second leg [of the Carling Cup] in 2009 at Old Trafford' when the year in question was 2010.
The former United boss even managed to get wrong the date he had a pacemaker fitted, stating the procedure was done in April 2002, when it was actually carried out in March 2004.
The book also states United legend Ryan Giggs made his debut for the club aged 16, when the midfielder was actually 17 when he first appeared for them.
A spokeswoman for Hodder and Stoughton said: 'A member of the public did write in saying that he had found errors in the book and was not happy. He didn't say what the errors were.
'We have written to him and said that if he is not happy with his purchase he should send in the book and we will refund the purchase price.'
