The Zen of Naka
  • Published: 18 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9781780573816
  • Imprint: Mainstream Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 240
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The Zen of Naka

The Journey of a Japanese Genius

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An intimate portrait of the Japanese midfielder that explores his life and career so far

Since his move to Celtic in the summer of 2005, Shunsuke Nakamura has become a cult hero in both Scotland and the Far East. From the wonderful goal in his Champions League debut against Manchester United in 2006 to the strike against Kilmarnock that secured Celtic's league win in 2006-07, Nakamura has firmly established himself as a Celtic legend.

Nakamura's ability to confront and overcome adversity has been the key to his success. From his rejection as a youngster by home-town club Yokohama Marinos to his omission from the 2002 World Cup squad by Philippe Troussier and his struggle to adapt to the defensive nature of Italian football, Nakamura has bounced back stronger every time.

The Zen of Naka is a comprehensive, revealing account of Nakamura's career to date. It explores his development from the early stages of his footballing journey to his time with Celtic at present, and looks ahead at what the future may hold for the star.
  • Published: 18 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9781780573816
  • Imprint: Mainstream Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 240
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Martin Greig

Martin Greig is a senior sports writer at The Herald. He has written extensively on all aspects of British football and has interviewed Shunsuke Nakamura on several occasions during his time in Scotland with Celtic.

Praise for The Zen of Naka

Martin Greig's revealing book is a chronicle of rejections surmounted

The Guardian

A fine piece of work

Sunday Herald

[A] well-written and refreshingly detached biography, which shines a light on the enigma without shattering it. We catch glimpses of Nakamura that tantalise, intrigue, and sustain interest

Scotland on Sunday

A thoughtful and sensitive book about a thoughtful and sensitive man . . . many of the quotes in the book are utterly fascinating [and] make for entertaining and thought-provoking reading.

Harry Reid, football writer

Meticulously researched . . . tightly-written and thoroughly entertaining

Irish News

A cut above most football books . . . the Nakamura that emerges from the book is to be admired for his humility, generosity and work ethic

Sports Books of the Year, The Scotsman

Greig has drawn a portrait of the playmaker rather than simply taking a photograph . . . a fascinating image of his subject emerges

The Herald

Refreshingly unsychophantic . . . Greig eschews the usual fawning in favour of an attempt to get to grips with an elusive subject who has experienced genuine ups-and-downs

The List