Great revealing look at the world of pro wrestling.
Rating:
5 / 5
This is a great introduction into Mick Foley's world.
Even though I read this book in December 1999, I think
it is possibly one of the best autobiographies/biographies
ever written by a professional wrestler. This was his
first attempt at being an author, and he did remarkably
well.
He discusses in the book the matches he and his friends
had as kids, and the crazy stunts they did (jumping off
the roof of a house for example) to mimic their favorite
stars. He also discusses how he spent weekends training
at Dominic DeNucci's pro wrestling training camp, while
he juggled going to school. DeNucci was an ex pro wrestler,
who was in the WWF. He also talked about sleeping in his
car as well.
His discussion of the life on the independent circuit
and in Japan is very interesting, as are the numerous
types of matches he has been involved in his career.
He isn't called the King of Hardcore Wrestling for
nothing. This book also discusses his stints in ECW
and WCW, and how poorly he felt he was treated by them.
He also discussed with Vince the creation of the
Mankind character and his return to the WWF. His first
stint there in the 1980s was as a jobber, or a guy that
is supposed to lose, or JTTS (Jobbing To The Stars).
He also touches on his wife and how they met and his
children. He also discusses the tragedy surrounding the
Owen Hart death. It is a bit on the salacious side with
some of the content, but all in all, it's a very
entertaining read. The man isn't the stereotypical
wrestler as portrayed by certain members of the mainstream
media, who are fairly ignorant about the pro wrestling
industry and what really goes on. He has proven in both
of his bestselling hardcover books that he has sharp wit,
and a sense of humor and is a charismatic personality,
inside and outside the ring. I have known about Foley
since the late 1980s when he was Cactus Jack in WCCW,
or World Class Championship Wrestling, which was one of
the many casualties when the WWF began its' national
expansion campaign into other territories in the 1980s.
What I didn't know was about Mick Foley the man, until
Have A Nice Day!: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks was
released in 1999. The book is a must-have for the mark,
or the knowledgable wrestling fan who knows what is going
on behind the scenes, or the smart mark, a.k.a. the smark.
What a wonderful book!
Rating:
5 / 5
Honestly, before reading this book, I didn't think much of Mick Foley. I thought he was a crazy, sadistic fool, but other than that, not much.Then I read "Have a Nice Day", and everything changed. Even though he recently retired from in-ring competition, Foley has now become one of my favorite wrestling personalities, and this book has everything to do with that. "Have a Nice Day" is a look inside Foley's life; how he got into wrestling to begin with, how he became known as Cactus Jack, and how he became one of the great wrestlers of our generation. The events he describes are so mind-boggling, that you'll have to read it to believe it. Foley, in addition to recounting his own life, also shows the reader a behind-the-scenes view of the Pro Wrestling business, and he does so with the utmost sincerity. You will know exactly how he feels about the industry and other wrestlers. Overall, this is just a wonderful book, and FUNNY! However, those unfamiliar with Pro Wrestling might not get some of his jokes. And another warning: this is by no means a watered-down version of Foley's life, meaning he goes through some of his more gory wrestling matches in vivid detail, and there are pictures that are very graphic (Except the one with his newborn son, which is just adorable). Not recommended for the squeamish. But this is not in any way recommended only for pro wrestling fans. Anyone who wants to read a story about someone beating countless odds to achieve his lifelong dream should get this book.
Have A Nice Review
Rating:
5 / 5
The first of the WWF (now WWE) autobiographies, and still the best. Foley, unsatisfied with the way his ghost writer scripted his book initially, decided to write it himself. Certainly, Foley should be credited with trying to write alone, rather than just let his ghostwriter do the work for him, but it is a testament to Foley the man that he wants anything with his name on it to be true to himself.
Foley proves himself quite literate, despite first impression from a guy who competes in matches with barbed wire and explosives, and taking over a dozen HARD chairshots to the head at the WWF's Royal Rumble 1999 Pay-Per-View. He also comes off as having quite a good sense of hunor, not only about himself, but about the wrestling business in general.
One might also think that due to his "King of the Death Match" label that Foley might be a little arrogant, as people might think all pro wrestlers are, but Foley again proves people wrong, as he is quite humble about not only his beginnings, but also his rise to the top, becoming a WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Sure, it's not real competition, but to get the title demonstrates the company's confidence in your ability as a performer to draw crowds. Certainly everyone strives to have the confidence of their company behind them.
As Foley has stated numerous times, both in his book, and in interviews, yes, he has sustained some bodily harm in his matches. Yes, he may never be able to walk straight, or stand tall again. However, he has lived his dream. How many people can say that? As Foley himself states, the damage that has been done to him physically is a small price to pay for living out his dream.
An excellent read, wrestling fan or no.
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