I'm curious which wrestling books out there get your approval? I've read both of Foley's books, but I can't decide which to buy next. Maybe Dynamite Kid's book? I'm also reluctant to buy any obviously ghost-written books.
I just got Dave Meltzer's "Tributes..." and it is very good. All of the obits included are ones that I didn't get as a subscribed, and there are some way inside stories included on each wrestler, as well as a great retrospective on each's career.
Dynamite Kid's book(Pure Dynamite) is excellent. You will not be able to put it down once you pick it up. Story after story after story...
Just found a copy of this in a Coles book store - the only one they had. Lookin' forward to reading it, although after suffering through Linda Hart's lawsuit-waiting-to-happen, I'll never quite look at Billington (or Smith, or Neidhart) the same way again...assuming the stories she told are true, that is. God DAMN I hate reading gossip - why the HELL did I buy that book in the first place? I really should've known better.
I just got Dave Meltzer's "Tributes..." and it is very good. All of the obits included are ones that I didn't get as a subscribed, and there are some way inside stories included on each wrestler, as well as a great retrospective on each's career.
Tributes was good, but Meltzer has this annoying habit of telling how the wrestler died first (usually not a pleasant bit of info), then talking about his life. Very strange, and kind of off-putting. But, I wouldn't not recommend you read it.
If you've already read both of Foley's books then the only advice I have is do not buy The Rock's book! There are a few passages in there that sound like textbook examples of ghostwriting (as described in Foley is Good) and once he gets to the point in his career where he switches from "Rocky Maivia" to "The Rock," Duane starts writing 2/3 of the book in character! It gets annoying after about two chapters.
Once you start down the smark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.
Yun Cheolsu (FKA Cactus Jon) Foley Mark Raven Mark Kane Mark Hardy Mark Just Plain Mark Author Musician and High Priest of the Temple of Spork
If you've already read both of Foley's books then the only advice I have is do not buy The Rock's book! There are a few passages in there that sound like textbook examples of ghostwriting (as described in Foley is Good) and once he gets to the point in his career where he switches from "Rocky Maivia" to "The Rock," Duane starts writing 2/3 of the book in character! It gets annoying after about two chapters.
I didn't mind the Rock's book, but only because I found it at one of the Crown Books bankruptcy sales and got a SUBSTANTIAL discount. ;-)
I got Goldberg's book in similar fashion, but I haven't bothered to read it.
I JUST got "Foley is Good" at my local "Giant Book Sale" but haven't started it.
May I recommend Gary Michael Capetta's "Bodyslams" as an entertaining assemblage of anecdotes? Thank you, I will!
[sarcasm] Save your money and wait for Keith's book to come out. [/sarcasm]
I actually bought his first book, and it's not bad! I was expecting it to be Keith-like, but instead what I got was an excellent look at some history of wrestling.
I'd like to read Positively Page - but I'd have to order that special from the States since NO ONE carries that up here.
I just finished Rocky's (it's actually quite good, aside from the parts where he goes into Rock mode) and I'm working on Chyna's right now. Chyna seems to bounce all over the map and it's hard to keep up with what she's doing at times.
It depends on what you want to read about. If you want to read funny stories about the wrestlers and the business, read Foley's or Dynamite's books. If you want to read about a specific person's life and childhood, read most of the other WWF biographies (and Goldberg's book). The problem is Goldberg had a fairly normal and boring life (or else he's just a lot more honest than the rest of the auto-biograhers), so the book isn't very interesting.
On the other hand Mick Foley also had a fairly normal and boring life until he got involved in wrestling, but he managed to present it in a pretty entertaining way, so i guess it's all in the delivery.
Anyone get their hands on Diana Hart's book?
Moe
"Excuse me, do you have any EuroDisney T-Shirts?" January 2nd, 2002. Paris, France. My proudest moment.
Isn't this also the annual autumn dominance of heels to set up the face victories at WM? Lookit the champs: Del Rio, Henry, Beth, Rhodes, Ziggler, and Air Boom. Only one title is held by a face.