Beckham

The Beckham enigma continues. Since the publication of Cashmore’s challenging social biography in 2003, the working-class kid from the East London has left Manchester and conquered the world. Undisputedly one of the world’s most famous men, Beckham has transcended sport to become an all-purpose cultural icon for the twenty-first century.

What are the sources of Beckham’s godlike status? Why does someone who looks good, but speaks in platitudes and does little but play football, command the ...