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Okay, there have been many, many wrestling books published in many years. What, in your opinion has been the best and what's been the worst?
I personally have read the books by Foley (just the bios, I haven't really read the kids books or Tietam Brown), Hogan, Lawler, DDP, Angle, The Rock, and Piper, as well as the Wrestlecrap book and The Wrestling Book of Lists (or something to that effect).
The best were, of course, Foley's. The worst had to be Hogan's. It wasn't necessarily bad, per se, it was just mediocre. It lacked the attitude of Piper's book, the cheerful exuberance of Lawler's, and most importantly it lacked the humor and warmth of Foley's books. All it really has is Hogan, and as Santa with Muscles has taught us, that sometimes ain't enough.
Last edited by Rob Kamphausen; 2004-09-10 1:57 PM.
Knutreturns said: Spoken like the true Greatest RDCW Champ!
All hail King Snarf!
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Foley's book was very entertaining and insightful about his career. I don't agree with everything he says (like JR being the best commentator in the business), but it was a good read.
Lawler's book, IMO, was very honest. He admits to not being the greatest wrestler and that most of his victories were because he was the promoter and booker. He gives a lot of credit to the guys of the generation before him, with him, and even after him. I didn't see too much attacking of other wrestlers to make himself look better. On the contrary, he talked up most of the ones he mentioned, like Funk and even Hogan (though he does relate a story about buying Hogan a car to help the guy out, and Hogan leaving town three weeks later without repaying the loan because Lawler wouldn't use Brutus the Barber Beefcake). Lawler also admits to doings most things in his life to attract women and not being very good in relationships.
whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules. It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness. This is true both in politics and on the internet." Our Friendly Neighborhood Ray-man said: "no, the doctor's right. besides, he has seniority."
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living in 1962 15000+ posts
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Foley's first book is one of, if not the best. His second was okay, but not as interesting because his journey was largely over in that one.
Blassie's was really good. Very interesting and informative. I sped through that one in a day or two. Fun. Recommended.
Flair's is quite good, as well. I'm on my second go round on that one. It's a little choppy in places, but with a career as long as his, that's a minor complaint. Lots of interesting and funny road stories (which the others have as well) and lots of stuff about the politics in WCW (not just Hogan and Bischoff, but quite a bit about them also.).
Dibiase's was interesting, but was more about his life and his personal journeys than wrestling, which was more what I was interested in reading. Getting his input on the creative side, angles, gimmicks, etc. There's some of that, but not a lot.
Piper's was fun and an enjoyable read, and really captured his voice well. I understand there's some disput about some of the money figures he puts out, but that's not really my interest. Very entertaining book.
Tonight. ..In This Very Ring is a detailed account of the Monday Night Wars and very interesting.
Wrestlecrap is hilarious. Both of those are must reading.
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Quote:
King Snarf said:
The best were, of course, Foley's. The worst had to be Hogan's. It wasn't necessarily bad, per se, it was just mediocre. It lacked the attitude of Piper's book, the cheerful exuberance of Lawler's, and most importantly it lacked the humor and warmth of Foley's books. All it really has is Hogan, and as Santa with Muscles has taught us, that sometimes ain't enough.
I was reading parts of it again last night, and I thought it was a little better than mediocre. Lots of the anecdotes and travel stories were funny as Hell, as was the chapter about his training, but the best parts of the book involved describing working with all the non-wrestling celelbrities over the years. The Mr. T and Dennis Rodman sections in particular were pretty entertaining.
I agree that it wasn't as good as the other books I've read(I haven't read Angle or the Rock's because I don't think they've been around long enough to have too much to say). I wouldn't call it a "fluff" piece, but it wasn't entirely honest. There are a million things that Hogan glosses over throughout the WCW years, or doesn't mention at all--it would've been nice if someone tried explaining the thought process behind the Fingerpoke of Doom. He also almost never even mentions Randy Savage, despite the fact that they made each other more famous in the late '80s.
And that's terrible.
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living in 1962 15000+ posts
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Quote:
(I haven't read Angle or the Rock's because I don't think they've been around long enough to have too much to say).
Agree.
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Angle's was good, because he talks about the Olympics, wrestling in Russia, DuPont's murder of Dave Schultz (Angle and Dave were close), and what came in between the Olympics and the WWF. Interesting stuff.
Knutreturns said: Spoken like the true Greatest RDCW Champ!
All hail King Snarf!
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Have any wrestlers ever turned their hand to writing fiction?
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And, arguably, Hulk Hogan.
Knutreturns said: Spoken like the true Greatest RDCW Champ!
All hail King Snarf!
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I likes the Playboy ones..
too blessed to be stressed
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Well, Franta you make a good point and.. HUH?!?
Knutreturns said: Spoken like the true Greatest RDCW Champ!
All hail King Snarf!
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the most inspirational book i read was ddps...
the most humorus book i read was foley's...
the BEST book i read was bobby the brain heenan's
runners up: steve austin's and the rock's...
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