Wrestling Books [Archive]

NeanderCarl

04-26-2007, 09:03 AM

After being an English Literature student for so long, up to degree level, I'm kinda burnt out on reading. Nowadays the only books I seem to read are wrestling biographies. Today, I popped into a book store and decided to pick up an autobiography/wrestling book I hadn't read before.

Choices (that I don't already own) were Eric Bischoff, Eddie Guerrero, William Regal, Rise and Fall of ECW, WWE Legends, Shawn Michaels, Lita(!?) and Edge.

So, I chose Shawn Michaels, Heartbreak and Triumph.

Did I make the right choice then or what? I was torn between that, or the Bischoff book which was the same price but in hardback.

NeanderCarl

04-26-2007, 09:04 AM

I did take a look at the Legends book, but if I wanted a book depicting the history of the WWE, I certainly wouldn't buy the WWE-published version.

Strangely, it WASN'T in the fiction section.

Saying that mind, there was a "History of the WWE" book by Scott Keith (of TheSmarks.com "fame") called Tonight In This Very Ring, which was pretty bad too. Opinions presented as fact, chronological mistakes, skimming the surface of some important events.... not on the NeoC "recommended list".

Dave Youell

04-26-2007, 09:25 AM

I would of got Regals or the ECW book myself, but each to their own.

Heard the HBK isn't exactly sticking to the truth in some area's

IC Champion

04-26-2007, 10:26 AM

God fearing Christians dont lie.

BigDaddyCool

04-26-2007, 10:28 AM

I would of got Regals or the ECW book myself, but each to their own.

Heard the HBK isn't exactly sticking to the truth in some area's

Meh, I wouldn't get the ECW book on account that Paul Heyman is the master of spin and all it does is glorify ECW and Paul Heyman. Sometimes I get sick and tired of how can/could do no wrong which is odd considering ECW failed.

Impeccable

04-26-2007, 10:33 AM

I would have picked Bischoff (as that is the only one I don't own).

I did really enjoy the Shawn Michaels one. I wish he had waited though, because it's about two years old now and he's done a lot since then!!!

I suppose it's more earning potential for WWE.

Jeritron

04-26-2007, 12:14 PM

Well the Shawn Michaels and Eric Bischoff book's are probably good, but they're fiction novels.

Foleys 3 books, The Death of WCW, Adam Copeland on Edge and several other books seem to be the only ones that are telling the complete truth.

The rest are probably good, simply because of the subject matter and the authors "writing" them (ghostwritten). However, they have more spin than Chubby Checker in a blender.

Shaved Monkey

04-26-2007, 12:33 PM

I would of got Regals or the ECW book myself, but each to their own.

Yeah, out of the bunch that one was def my favourite to read.

Dorkchop

04-26-2007, 12:35 PM

Edge's book is pretty short, but I actually enjoyed it. Maybe even more than Foley is Good.

mannydamnxpacrock

04-26-2007, 01:19 PM

I am really interested in Bischoff's myself.

Shaved Monkey

04-26-2007, 01:26 PM

I am really interested in Bischoff's myself.

It was a quick moderately intereting read. In the case of books like his if you're going to shell out cash for it, wait for the paperback to come out.

FourFifty

04-26-2007, 01:38 PM

My biggest problem with Eric's book are all the typos. Aside from that, a good read.
All three of Foley's books are awesome, not just because he wrote them. He's a great story teller.
Regal's book is pretty damn good. Great sex story in there.
Eddie's book..................... with all due respect to his memory, his book fucking sucked. It was so dry. A good ghost written book makes you forget that it was ghost written. Ric Flair and Freddie Blassie were able to do this with their books.

PepperCarrotMan

04-26-2007, 01:45 PM

I only have Foley and Wrestlecrap books.

The rest dont look interesting at all imo.

DAMN iNATOR

04-26-2007, 06:29 PM

I only have Foley and Wrestlecrap books.

The rest dont look interesting at all imo.

By Foley's book I assume you refer to The Hardcore Diaries?

PepperCarrotMan

04-26-2007, 06:30 PM

By Foley's book I assume you refer to The Hardcore Diaries?

I own (and read) Foley Is Good and read Have a Nice Day and they are both great. Hardcore diaries I dont have much interest in.

Disturbed316

04-26-2007, 06:41 PM

Everyone should own the books from the Wrestlecrap guys, seriously.

Shaved Monkey

04-26-2007, 06:54 PM

I own (and read) Foley Is Good and read Have a Nice Day and they are both great. Hardcore diaries I dont have much interest in.

Hardcore Diaries wasn't very good anyway.

PepperCarrotMan

04-26-2007, 06:58 PM

Hardcore Diaries wasn't very good anyway.

Yup that's what I heard. Doesnt sound interesting either...

NeanderCarl

05-01-2007, 12:33 PM

Well, I finished the HBK book, and I gotta say I was disappointed.

He only really skims the surface on a lot of his career, misses out a lot of interesting periods from his career, doesn't really reveal a lot about himself and seems on a permanent mission to remove his stigma of being a difficult or manipulative person to deal with. The story of the book seems to be "My name is Shawn Michaels, and this is why I'm not such a bad guy..." Trying to justify his actions, defend his mistakes... it's not a terrible book, it has some great insights and some amusing anecdotes, but it just never really seems to go into much detail.

Interestingly, for somebody who doesn't want his career to be remembered by the Montreal Screwjob, he does spend a lot of time building up and describing ... you got it... the Montreal Screwjob.

NeanderCarl

05-01-2007, 12:33 PM

Hardcore Diaries, by the way, was half a great wrestling book, and half a boring Mick Foley book.

Rob

05-01-2007, 01:25 PM

Interestingly, for somebody who doesn't want his career to be remembered by the Montreal Screwjob, he does spend a lot of time building up and describing ... you got it... the Montreal Screwjob.

Remember he is the person telling people to get over it too.

Bad Company

05-01-2007, 09:33 PM

Dibiase's is good too. Nice easy read.

taker707

05-01-2007, 11:08 PM