Wrestling books.

Oasis44 · 22-04-2009 8:39pm

[quote=michael.etc...;59428815I'm waiting on Andre's arriving atm though- that should make for an interesting read[/quote]

I flicked through Andre's book and a big word of warning to anyone about to buy it - it is much more a synopsis of his time through the WWE i.e. like you would see in Wikipedia as oppossed to a proper biography.The guy wrote it basically just chronicoled (spell!) his time in WWE - no real juicy information. Decent enough pictures in there though. I decided not to buy it in the end. Picked up Jericho's book which was a good move.

ShawnRaven · 22-04-2009 8:39pm

Oasis44 wrote: »

Best ones I've read are:

Chris Jericho (hilarious only downside is it only covers up to 1999)
Eric Bischoffs (Great read - very insightful - defo recommend it)
Ric Flairs (How could this not be good considering his career)
Broken Harts (very good - owen would have been proud of his mrs)

I've had Jericho's for about 18 months and still not picked up, more due to lack of time rather than lack of interest, sadly. Bischoff's one is really good too, although he can twist some of the truth around to suit him, like the decline of WCW.

I've heard Martha's book is pretty good, I won't say any more because she's kinda lawyer happy and could take me to the cleaners

The Worst ones are:

The rocks, hulk hogans, stone cold

HHH and Undertakers are out in October - dead mans should be great

Rock & Hogans were terrible, both were cashin jobs on the success of Foley's first book and so they figured they could throw any old garbage on paper and make it sellable. Angle's one isn't great either and whatever you do, do NOT read Chyna's dirt rag.

Austin's one isn't really a book to be fair, and should never have been sold on the premise of being one. It's basically snippits of various interviews patched together.

Irony here is, being a HHH fan and a Taker hater, i'm actually really looking forward to Taker's book, and looking forward to avoiding HHH's one. Who'da thunk it?

D.Q · 22-04-2009 11:37pm

I liked the rocks book!!

thought it was interesting enough. Iv read it a few times like.

hahaha iv also read chynas a few times.. oh god.

ShawnRaven · 22-04-2009 11:45pm

DieselQueen wrote: »

hahaha iv also read chynas a few times.. oh god.

That book came out in 2000 i think...
You do realise you could have murdered the the book seller and you'd be out now!

Oasis44 · 23-04-2009 9:12am

DieselQueen wrote: »

I liked the rocks book!!

thought it was interesting enough. Iv read it a few times like.

hahaha iv also read chynas a few times.. oh god.

You're from Cork so of course you liked it like:D

Dancor · 23-04-2009 9:17am

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I believe that was me who pointed that out. I also said that it explained his actions, but didn't excuse them. That was pretty much his stance on it too.

Basically he's not asking you to agree with his actions, but understand them. For those who haven't ready the book yet or haven't gotten to that point yet, without spoiling, but Julie comes across as an obsessive, headmelter of a partner who Bret had to pander to a lot. Even before they got married and had kids.

Of course, we're only getting one side of the story there, aren't we?

Do you think Bret has anything to lie or be particurly biased about though? The book has been praised for its honesty. I know Bret likes to tute his own horn but I think he was as fair and honest as he could be in the book.

lynnsback · 23-04-2009 11:41am

So can we continue to discuss Bret's book here or do we start a new thread for that?

Oasis44 · 24-04-2009 12:32pm

Just got the WWE Encyclopedia - very well presented and certainly loads of information but it is clearly written with young readers in mind i.e. the information they print on each wrestler is very WWE Friendly and certainly doesn't mention the numerous subsequent deaths of these same stars.

Sex Lies and Headlocks this aint:(

lynnsback · 24-04-2009 5:44pm

I too liked the Chyna book. Only thing I didn't like is that it was too short. And of couse she didn't dish the dirt on her breakup with Paul or her cosmetic surgery

ShawnRaven · 28-04-2009 2:19am

dancor wrote: »

Do you think Bret has anything to lie or be particurly biased about though? The book has been praised for its honesty. I know Bret likes to tute his own horn but I think he was as fair and honest as he could be in the book.

Interesting question, i'm sorry I didn't get to answer it sooner, but I was away for a few days.
It's not so much that he's lying, or telling the truth, but when it comes to his married life, we don't really know Julie's side of it, and pretty much a good chance we never will. Bret might "come across" as Mr honest and truthful in his book, but he's also had his fair share of bullsh*t, like in his first couple of shoot interviews from 2000 and 2001.

I've never read an autobiography where the author didn't try to pass off his opinion as complete truth anyway.

lynnsback wrote: »

So can we continue to discuss Bret's book here or do we start a new thread for that?

Neither!

Book talk goes here!

EdK · 28-04-2009 2:24am

I'm currently trying to get my hands on the midnight express 25th anniversary scrapbook it looks like it could be a little gem

AnCapaillMor · 28-04-2009 10:02am

Thought foleys 2 books were great. Austins\Rocks were boring. So far i'm liking Bret Harts book and i'm not that far into it he's just back from Japan for the 1st time.

flahavaj · 28-04-2009 5:55pm

EdK wrote: »

I'm currently trying to get my hands on the midnight express 25th anniversary scrapbook it looks like it could be a little gem

The write up in the Observer this week truly whets the appetite alright.

D.Q · 28-04-2009 6:03pm

Oasis44 wrote: »

You're from Cork so of course you liked it like:D

Im not from cork...what a bizarre assumption.:eek:

ShawnRaven · 28-04-2009 8:19pm

DieselQueen wrote: »

Im not from cork...what a bizarre assumption.:eek:

Clearly you didn't get the joke.... LIKE!

Anyway, back on topic, books people!

Brow · 28-04-2009 10:08pm

If ye had to suggest an absolute great read in terms of a wrestling biography which would it be? Ive only read Foleys first two and with the whole Bret Hart coming over recently and such i've been inspired to pick up another.

Off the bat ive quicly narrowed it down to Brets or Jerichos but if anyone would recommend one over the other or even another it'd be appreciated.

Vince135792003 · 09-05-2009 11:18pm

Currently reading Heath McCoys History of Stampede wrestling and the Hart family. For those that enjoyed the Bret Hart book, it's a must read.

Really well, written and researched.

flahavaj · 09-05-2009 11:42pm

Vince135792003 wrote: »

Currently reading Heath McCoys History of Stampede wrestling and the Hart family. For those that enjoyed the Bret Hart book, it's a must read.

Really well, written and researched.

I've heard its incredible. Definitely next up for me. Where did you get it? Amazon?

Vince135792003 · 09-05-2009 11:47pm

flahavaj wrote: »

I've heard its incredible. Definitely next up for me. Where did you get it? Amazon?

Yep. It arrived within a week.

Cactus Col · 13-05-2009 12:51pm

Just finished reading Bret Hart's book on the way into work this morning. I've read a few wrestler's autobiographies over the last several years, and this is easily amongst the best.

grames_bond · 13-05-2009 2:51pm

Cactus Col wrote: »

Just finished reading Bret Hart's book on the way into work this morning. I've read a few wrestler's autobiographies over the last several years, and this is easily amongst the best.

its brilliant isnt it? as far as wrestling books go it really is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be!

/gets coat!

Kid Nothing · 13-05-2009 8:16pm

Vince135792003 wrote: »

Yep. It arrived within a week.

Order this on Saturday on your recommendation, got here today!

It better be good :pac:

ramsmobile · 14-05-2009 7:51pm

Finished Bret's book two weeks ago, and it is without a doubt the best wrestling autobiography ever - hard to see it ever being topped to be honest. Read my review of the book on Amazon.co.uk or on my blog at http://lordoftherams.com/blog/?p=17.

Have read all of Foley's book (and I agree, the third one is terrible - a real fall from grace), Bischoff's, Jerricho's, Hogan's (I enjoyed the stories about Andre the Giant), Guerrero's and Flair's. Have Shawn's and Batista's sitting amongst a pile of other books to read.

Is Dynamite's book out of print these days?

ShawnRaven · 14-05-2009 8:41pm

ramsmobile wrote: »

Is Dynamite's book out of print these days?

Not sure, but i know highspots still have it listed on their site:
http://www.highspots.com/product.asp?id=5387&category=109

ramsmobile · 15-05-2009 1:39pm

ShawnRaven wrote: »

Not sure, but i know highspots still have it listed on their site:
http://www.highspots.com/product.asp?id=5387&category=109

Thanks for the link - will take a look.

Machismo Fan · 15-05-2009 7:42pm

I was having a quick flick through Jim Cornette's Midnight Express book and I've got to say it's a really cool piece of work.

Vince135792003 · 15-05-2009 8:01pm

Kid Nothing wrote: »

Order this on Saturday on your recommendation, got here today!

It better be good :pac:

I just finished reading it. It's the best book I've read in a long time. Hope you enjoy it.

fatal · 16-05-2009 9:15pm

Judging from the reviews,McCoys stampede wrestling book will be next on my list.Cheers for the heads up vince

michael.etc... · 18-05-2009 9:01pm

fatal wrote: »

Judging from the reviews,McCoys stampede wrestling book will be next on my list.Cheers for the heads up vince

Add me to the band-wagon. It's a fantastic book. I absolutely loved it. McCoy's stuff is so nicely written, and even back to the history of Stu growing up- much more interesting than the norm. It's a good companion to the Bret book as well.

chopperbyrne · 18-07-2009 4:47pm

Bought the following two books yesterday:

and

Read the Million Dollar Man one in one sitting. It's good, but is quite short (only 245 pages with double spacing) and could do with being a little more detailed. It's one of the few books I've read that the author doesn't take pot shots at people he used to work with. He seems to be the most laid back, least bitter (not at all) ex-wrestler ever.

Wouldn't recommend it as a full price purchase, but if you see it on offer it's worth a read.

Should have the Andre book finished in a few days and I'll give my thoughts on that then.

flahavaj · 18-07-2009 4:59pm

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Bought the following two books yesterday:

and

Read the Million Dollar Man one in one sitting. It's good, but is quite short (only 245 pages with double spacing) and could do with being a little more detailed. It's one of the few books I've read that the author doesn't take pot shots at people he used to work with. He seems to be the most laid back, least bitter (not at all) ex-wrestler ever.

Wouldn't recommend it as a full price purchase, but if you see it on offer it's worth a read.

Should have the Andre book finished in a few days and I'll give my thoughts on that then.

Isn't DiBiase's book laden with factual innacuracies though?

chopperbyrne · 18-07-2009 5:03pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Isn't DiBiase's book laden with factual innacuracies though?

Like what? I couldn't tell you to be honest. The only glaring mistake I noticed was he called the Royal Rumble match the King of the Ring once.

flahavaj · 18-07-2009 5:09pm

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Like what? I couldn't tell you to be honest. The only glaring mistake I noticed was he called the Royal Rumble match the King of the Ring once.

Oh, I'm not sure myself, it was something I'd heard or read somewhere, thats all. Probably the usual needless nitpicking from smarks with too much time on their hands. As long as it doesn't affect your enjoyment of the book who gives a sh*te about such pedantry!

the flananator · 18-07-2009 10:22pm

Picked up Hitman in Dundrum last week. Its a terrific read so far.

chopperbyrne · 18-07-2009 11:29pm

the flananator wrote: »

Picked up Hitman in Dundrum last week. Its a terrific read so far.

I thought the first half of that book was brilliant. The second half is one long, bitter, egomaniacal rant though. Really soured my opinion of the man.

Reganio 2 · 19-07-2009 6:29am

I still can't get through the Bret book, I flew through Foley's 1st book and Heartbreak and Triumph but I just can't get into Bret's at all, maybe its cause I never seen him wrestle really or the fact I never liked him as a wrestler or a person as he always struck me as very egotistical and holds a grudge. Even reading through the bit I have (Think I am just at the bit where he is in Japan could be a bit further though as I keep reading it on and off) and I can just see he is very self centred by mentioning every time he sleeps with a girl like the bit in Japan it seems he is just saying it to be like "Oh I slept with a girl on the 1st night of meeting her, amn't I brilliant" ... No

brick tamland · 19-07-2009 10:50am

chopperbyrne wrote: »

I thought the first half of that book was brilliant. The second half is one long, bitter, egomaniacal rant though. Really soured my opinion of the man.

It wouldnt be a wresling book without the bitterness though would it

chopperbyrne · 19-07-2009 12:48pm

brick tamland wrote: »

It wouldnt be a wresling book without the bitterness though would it

Which is why the DiBiase book is a revelation.

geeky · 19-07-2009 1:56pm

brick tamland wrote: »

It wouldnt be a wresling book without the bitterness though would it

Yeah, but the 'Hitman' book just collapses into mad melodrama around halfway through. Hart portrays himself for 250 pages as this big-hearted superhero who gets f*cked over and wronged by everyone (and yes, he was messed around by several people) while never making a mistake. The self-righteousness of the guy for the second half of the book is just maddening - that's in stark contrast to a well-written and interesting beginning.

I'd recommend reading the first 250 pages or so, but quit as soon as Michaels starts getting booked in headline events if you still want to like Bret Hart.

PS: I read Jericho's and Mick Foley's first, found them very good! Does anyone have any other recommendations? is Flair's any use?

chopperbyrne · 19-07-2009 3:53pm

geeky wrote: »

Yeah, but the 'Hitman' book just collapses into mad melodrama around halfway through. Hart portrays himself for 250 pages as this big-hearted superhero who gets f*cked over and wronged by everyone (and yes, he was messed around by several people) while never making a mistake. The self-righteousness of the guy for the second half of the book is just maddening - that's in stark contrast to a well-written and interesting beginning.

I'd recommend reading the first 250 pages or so, but quit as soon as Michaels starts getting booked in headline events if you still want to like Bret Hart.

PS: I read Jericho's and Mick Foley's first, found them very good! Does anyone have any other recommendations? is Flair's any use?

Flairs book is good.

William Regals book is good.

Angles book is brilliant while he's talking about his amateur career, but crap when he's talking about his professional career.

Eddies is good.

I enjoyed Bischoffs book.

Shawns is good too.

The Kings book isn't bad either, his illustrations are quality.

Gerard.C · 19-07-2009 5:13pm

I can't give Regals book enough praise, it's a fantastic read. I really enjoyed Terry Funks too if thats any good to ya

flahavaj · 19-07-2009 5:29pm

geeky wrote: »

Yeah, but the 'Hitman' book just collapses into mad melodrama around halfway through. Hart portrays himself for 250 pages as this big-hearted superhero who gets f*cked over and wronged by everyone (and yes, he was messed around by several people) while never making a mistake. The self-righteousness of the guy for the second half of the book is just maddening - that's in stark contrast to a well-written and interesting beginning.

I'd recommend reading the first 250 pages or so, but quit as soon as Michaels starts getting booked in headline events if you still want to like Bret Hart.

PS: I read Jericho's and Mick Foley's first, found them very good! Does anyone have any other recommendations? is Flair's any use?

Did you honestly expect it to be all sweetness and light when he was writing about Michaels!? Knowing what we all know about Hart and the way he has continued to hold a grudge all these years, you still went out and bought the book in all fairness, its a bit rich to complain about it afterwards!

Personally I loved it, from start to finish its such a detailed look back over a fascinating career and the fact that WWE weren't involved in its publishung meant he could be far more liberal in speaking his mind and dare I say it actually tell things as they were without pressure from Vince to put his spin on the story. And this is coming from someone who doesn't particularly like Hart as a person what what I've read and heard the last few years.

flahavaj · 19-07-2009 5:37pm

As I've said before Jericho's is absolutely fantastic:laugh out loud funny throughout, with great detail on his times in japan and Mexico, areas that are pften rushed through in WWE published books. I tore through it in a couple of days.

Of the other books, Flair and Lawler's are definitely worth a look, but criminally short when you look at the unbelievably longevity both guys have had in the business. Their careers deserve far more and like all WWE priduced books theres always the feeling athat you're never getting their own opinions, but rather Vince's take on things.

I liked Funk's as well, but again its far far too skinny. Regal's was an absolute revelation, really good stuff. Foley's first too are decent, the last one is horrid.

Angle's is alright but again, not detailed enough for me. Hogan's ios God awful, but worth a look simply to get a laugh out of all the lies and delusion conteined within.

I'm still intending to get my hands on Meltzer's tribute books. Did anyone read his Misawa tribute a few weeks back, it was an absolute masterpiece? And I'd love to read his tribute to Gordy whom he held in the highest possible esteem. Also still want to get the Stampede book as I've been looking at some of the od Stampede footage recently and it was beyond awesome.

Oh and don't even think about getting Ring of Hell. Pure gutter journalism, the guy actually uses the deathvalleydriver.com message board as a source at one stage.:eek:

michael.etc... · 20-07-2009 12:01am

^^^ His Misawa tribute was outstanding. I have Tributes II, and i must say, it's fantastic, a really beautiful book.
The Stampede book is ****ing brilliant, and a brilliant piece to read alongside Bret's. I recommend the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series as well.

Interesting that both Andre and DiBiase's came up there together. I reviewed both of them over the past couple of months, and found them atrocious.

DiBiase's wasn't as bad- the tone is pretty easy going and DiBiase is likeable, but he glosses over stuff horribly, and generally does himself a terrible disservice. And flahavaj is right, it's filled with mistakes and innaccuracies. It's enjoyable enough, but like Funk's, there's just not enough in it.

Andre's is written like the Rock's, half-bio, half kayfabed play-by-play of some of his bigger matches. The best bits by far are the comments from guys like Timmy White. I was really dissapointed by this one.

geeky · 20-07-2009 8:20am

flahavaj wrote: »

Did you honestly expect it to be all sweetness and light when he was writing about Michaels!? Knowing what we all know about Hart and the way he has continued to hold a grudge all these years, you still went out and bought the book in all fairness, its a bit rich to complain about it afterwards!

Personally I loved it, from start to finish its such a detailed look back over a fascinating career and the fact that WWE weren't involved in its publishung meant he could be far more liberal in speaking his mind and dare I say it actually tell things as they were without pressure from Vince to put his spin on the story. And this is coming from someone who doesn't particularly like Hart as a person what what I've read and heard the last few years.

God no, not by any stretch - having seen 'wrestling with shadows', I knew it wasn't going to be a pleasant treatment of his last WWE year. I just didn't like how the book itself turned into a particularly two-dimensional wrestling storyline. He was, apparently, always swamped with hitman fans everywhere he went, vince was apparently trying to bury him for almost a year through his commentary, even the camera crew that filmed him running in Canada made him look bad...

I'm glad I read it, but I was disappointed at the lack of perspective, self-awareness or real insight for the second half of the book, particularly when all these things made the first half so enjoyable.

D.Q · 28-07-2009 11:07pm

anyone read it?

bought this yesterday, one of the worst books I have ever read, nevermind wrestling books.

I HATED the format, the mini chapters like. Made me feel like I was reading one of those less stress leaving cert books.

The content wasnt much better, he started off by saying he hated guys from the business writing bitter self serving books, then proceeded to do just that.

does paul heyman have a book yet?

Red Sleeping Beauty · 13-09-2009 4:27pm

Only just picked up Bret Hart's book there a while ago. I've not read many wrestling books to be honest. Don't like the idea of ghost writing and the ego involved. Liked Foley's first one though, don't know if anything can beat that.

Anyways, I've only read from about 1993 to the end cause I was a big mark for Hitman - well, I was a little kid! Some interesting little bits here and there but there's afair bit skimmed over I thought and there's some mistakes. The three most striking things were : Hart was ridin young wans while he was on tour (never thought that would've happened in my young innocence :P) ; He blames Osama Bin Laden for the death of his mother; and he really really thinks; His family really were a bunch of nutters!

I liked what I read so far and I'll go back and read it from the start but I don't know anything of his Stampede wrestling days. Oh and I thought it was hilarious that HBK apparently "stole" his finisher for the ladder match at WM X.

Riddle101 · 14-09-2009 12:20am

Books i've read
Foley's Foley is Good- Never read his first although I going to one day but I thought it was pretty good book. Foley's a really smart man and I give him props for writing them all himself.

Stone Cold Truth- Meh, wasn't so bad but it wasn't great either.

Ric Flair To be the man- Interesting read but I didn't care too much for his bash on Randy Savage and Bret Hart and how he puts over Triple H and Shawn Micheals so much. It's obvious he's s*cking their c*cks.

Eric Bischoff's Controversery Creates Cash- I was expecting more from him about the backround politics in WCW. But he never talked much about it. I was hoping to hear his side of the story on certain things such as giving Hogan, Nash and Hall so much power as well as Ted Turner and his magic wallet and how he spent so much of Turner's money.

Bret Hart- Really appreciated his book and I thought it was very cool. Although I think Bret comes off as being very bitter in his book.

The Hardy Boyz- Only read it recently just to hear what they would say, wasn't to great to be honest and I thought it was too early for them.

Edge- Same as Hardy Boyz, too early for it's time.

Kurt Angle- Interesting hearing about his training for the Olympics and his family. But again too early for it's time, it only touches on his first year in WWE and ends.

Chris Jericho A Lion's Tale- Proberly my favourite wrestling book and a great guide to anyone wanting to become a wrestler. Very funny and witty as well as that he's very realistic, which is cool because most wrestlers seem to come off as being stuck in the same dimension as one another. But Jericho is proberly the most down to earth and dosen't let wrestling be apart of his life which is healthy because you see guys like Ric Flair and Roddy Piper and how hard to find it adjusting to real life beyond the mat like a couple of old war veterns who have spent so many years in the army. I really hope he brings out a second book because he seems to have left the door open for a second one like Mick Foley's books and he only touched on entering the WWE in it.

For non wrestling biographies the only book i've read is Tales of the Road.

Red Sleeping Beauty · 14-09-2009 6:02pm

Wasn't Undertaker supposed to have a book coming out ? If it was real, legit , non-kayfabed and not ghost written to hell then I'd jump on it.

flahavaj · 14-09-2009 6:16pm

I idea of the The Dead Man having a "ghost writer" makes me chuckle.

Wrestling books.

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