The Hardcore Diaries by Mick Foley Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hardcore Diaries
Book Review: Not up to his previous wrestling books
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been a fan of Mick's for a long time, and I enjoyed his first two wrestling books, "Have a Nice Day" and "Foley is Good." Both were conversations with a pro wrestler detailing his daily life and road to the top. They had a wit and humor that was deeply honest and enjoyable.
I never read his other books because as Foley admits in the "Hardcore Diaries" he is not a writer, but a wrestler who writes. I knew that from day one. He has talent but without a disciplined editor his writing resembles more incoherent ramblings, and nowhere is this more true than in Diaries.
I did not enjoy the constant back and forth of the timeline and the non-wrestling related stories in the book, you might. I bought it for an inside look into his recent run in the WWE and his battle with Flair, and that is in the book but not fully developed to the degree I'd hoped.
Buy this if you are a Foley fan, but don't expect any revelations about the Wrestling world that all of us fans are fascinated with.
Book Review: Compelling even for non-wrestling fans
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm definitely not a wrestling fan -- in my younger years, I mocked friends who watched that silly "kids stuff." But after seeing the excellent "Beyond the Mat" documentary, I just happened to spot this book and recognized Mick Foley from the film. Even if you don't know the first thing about wrestling, it's a very funny and down-to-earth glimpse behind the scenes and at a wrestler's "everyday" life. I laughed out loud several times. One highlight occurs when Foley is working an autograph-signing convention and ends up comforting legions of disappointed Adam West/Burt Ward fans (they're apparently not the nicest guys). There are also reports from the author's travels through Iraq and Afghanistan visiting troops, and it's interesting to see how the soldiers/other people interact with the wrestlers. Foley's continuing frustration with the WWE is intriguing as well. I still don't plan to watch wrestling, but after reading what the athletes put themselves through to entertain, I certainly won't make fun of it anymore. Recommended read; I plan on seeking out Mick Foley's other books as well. Book Review: Rambling and Unfocused
Summary: 2 Stars
There is a good book, a good story, or a good narrative in here somewhere. Unfortunately, it is completely obscured by a rambling storyline, a forced diary structure, and several hundred poor attempts at humor. The book smacks of an attempt to squeeze a few more bucks out of those who loved "Foley Is Good", so you have three options. Either buy the former if you want to know about Foley's life or buy one of the author's two fiction work if you want to check out some great (albeit disturbing) coming-of-age fiction, but under no circumstances waste your time with this one.Book Review: Interesting
Summary: 3 Stars
Mick Foley is a really interesting guy. He cares, and seems very down-to-earth. I will admit, I didn't have very high expectations for this book. I haven't read any of his others, so I really don't have anything to compare it to.
I understand a bit about professional wrestling, I used to be a fan. I thought it was interesting to see how the angles get created and carried out. It's clear that by being a journal-type story, the events are taken care of in chronological order, but it seemed a bit too disjointed and jumpy for me.
If Foley wasn't so personable and such a nice guy, I don't think this book would have been as easy to read. But he is a nice guy, and he very obviously cares. I hope he continues to use his celebrity to do all the wonderful things he does.
Book Review: Should have stuck with the main story
Summary: 3 Stars
He should have stuck to the primary story of following the development of how an angle gets written, changed and carried out. When he strays from that if feels way too bloggy (as it should because that was the source for much of it, his blog). I say this as a major Foley fan (Mick, if you're reading this I'm the guy that bought 'Scooter'). It's great that he's doing the charity work, I can understand him wanting to bring attention to the charity work. But don't charge me for it and don't interrupt a great story to it.