Rating: 
Summary: Mankind's book goes behind the WWF scene
Review: The World Wrestling Federation originally became an international phenomenon in the early to mid-eighties. Under the guidance of WWF owner Vincent K. McMahon, Jr., people like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant became household entities, and heroes for a generation. The success of the WWF, however, can be seen in all factions of entertainment and media, and this includes the literary world.Mick Foley is a wrestling personality who earned a reputation for doing anything it takes to give the crowd a good show. He has wrestled for over 15 years, and is most known as either Mankind or Cactus Jack, though many fans will never forget his third in-ring persona, teenage heart-throb Dude Love. It is Foley's selflessness in the ring and his complete disregard for his body that has won the respect of fans and peers alike, and in his book, Mankind: Have A Nice Day - A Tale of Blood and Sweat-Socks, Foley reflects on his 15-year career, and the rest of his life as well. What surprises many, however, is how well he is able to recollect the happenings in his life, and produce work that is both funny and touching, painful and heart-wrenching. Foley makes you laugh as much as you cringe, and cry as much as you wince. The book begins with Foley's most painful memory, when he had his ear torn off in a match in Germany, and then goes into the beginning of his life as a Long Island native who became infatuated with wrestling on television. Wrestling was not only a hobby, it was Foley's way of bridging the gap between he and his father, and for them it became a common interest that bonded them tightly as father and son. He then discusses his college life at SUNY Cortland, where he traveled every weekend to Pittsburgh in order to train with old-time wrestler Domenic Denucci. Foley discusses Denucci's influence on his life, as well as his keen ability to live out of his car every weekend because of his undying passion. Mick Foley wanted to be the next Superfly Jimmy Snuka, but instead of being a high-flyer he became famous for having three different personalities who never ceased to stun or entertain his fans. The culmination of his career came when he won the most coveted prize in the business, the WWF Championship, against the self-proclaimed People's Champ, The Rock. Aside from his in-ring adventures, Foley's book delves deep into his personal life, including his love-at-first-sight relationship with his wife Colette, and the life of a wrestler behind-the-scenes. He talks candidly about many of his colleagues, from the outrageous antics of Jake-the-Snake Roberts to the failures of Ric Flair as a wrestling booker. Most importantly, however, Foley discusses the impact of the death of fellow wrestler and family man Owen Hart's on his own life, and how it made him value his wife and children more than ever before. All in all, Have A Nice Day is a touching tale that will leave you in stitches, and make you marvel at the amount of stitches used to patch up Mick Foley's battered body. Ultimately, he shows that a professional wrestler is not just an actor who follows a script, but rather an extremely tough competitor who takes pride in entertaining millions of fans every day, and being heroes to kids worldwide. His book is a winner, for all mankind.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, though pretty monotonous sometimes.
Review: I'm not truly a wrestling fan, but my friends recommended this book to me, so I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, it was pretty darn good. Granted, it's not going to win the Pulitzer, but it's got to be one of the most original and well-written biographies I've ever read. This book chronicles one of the most unique individuals in wrestling's history. He wasn't the best athlete and he wasn't the best looking guy either. He only had to things going for him - his persistence and his uncanny ability of take punishment. Not only does it describe Foley's wrestling career, it delves deeply in his family and personal life, and describes the profession that is wrestling from a unique and accurate view. Often, the audience only sees wrestling as entertainment, but Foley exposes it as a full-fledged business, with employees and decisions, with economic implications for each show. What is most memorable about this book is Foley's descriptions of some of his most gruesome matches. From getting slammed into razor wire and explosives, to tearing off half his ear, he captured my interest and instilled in me some respect for professional wrestlers. The one complaint I have is that Foley kept describing match after match. This paperback is over 700 pages long, and it could have been cut somewhat. At about pages 300-500, the book becomes tedious and almost repetitve as he describes numerous wrestling contests that really didn't differ from other ones he describes. Wrestling fans will love it to death, and non-wrestling will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Have A Nice Review
Review: The first of the WWF (now WWE) autobiographies, and still the best. Foley, unsatisfied with the way his ghost writer scripted his book initially, decided to write it himself. Certainly, Foley should be credited with trying to write alone, rather than just let his ghostwriter do the work for him, but it is a testament to Foley the man that he wants anything with his name on it to be true to himself.
Foley proves himself quite literate, despite first impression from a guy who competes in matches with barbed wire and explosives, and taking over a dozen HARD chairshots to the head at the WWF's Royal Rumble 1999 Pay-Per-View. He also comes off as having quite a good sense of hunor, not only about himself, but about the wrestling business in general.
One might also think that due to his "King of the Death Match" label that Foley might be a little arrogant, as people might think all pro wrestlers are, but Foley again proves people wrong, as he is quite humble about not only his beginnings, but also his rise to the top, becoming a WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Sure, it's not real competition, but to get the title demonstrates the company's confidence in your ability as a performer to draw crowds. Certainly everyone strives to have the confidence of their company behind them.
As Foley has stated numerous times, both in his book, and in interviews, yes, he has sustained some bodily harm in his matches. Yes, he may never be able to walk straight, or stand tall again. However, he has lived his dream. How many people can say that? As Foley himself states, the damage that has been done to him physically is a small price to pay for living out his dream.
An excellent read, wrestling fan or no.
Rating:
Summary: Hard work, determination, and a bunch of "bumps"
Review: When I first picked this book up, I thought "there is no way I'm going to read a book this long about a professional wrestler." I began reading, however, and once started I couldn't stop. This is the story of Mick Foley, better known at various stages of his career as Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind. Foley wrote the book himself, and did a spectacular job. In fact he writes much batter than most of the "ghostwriters" who pen celebrity autobiographies today. Foley has a style, in which he tells a well-crafted and compelling narrative while cracking jokes that one can't help but laugh at. This is, literally, a tale of blood, but for some reason it's a funny tale.
Behind all the glitz and glory of professional wrestling comes the sport's most unlikely hero: Mick Foley. With a less-than-stellar physique, Foley sometimes didn't have the visual appeal of other would-be wrestlers, and consequently had to work many times as hard for what he achieved. This book follows Foley during his fourteen year (I believe) career as Cactus Jack, from wrestling in small high schools to touring Africa to tangling himself in barbed-wire in Japan and earning the title "King of the Deathmatch." It also covers his stint as Dude Love in the WWE, and his most recent character, Mankind. Through it all Foley gave it his best, not being afraid to bleed even when only a few fans would see him. Foley was bruised, battered, beaten, cut open, torn up, blown up and otherwise abused during his climb to the top of the WCW, IWA, ECW, and WWE (which eventually happened in late 1998, when Foley won the world championship belt), but he gave it all for the sport he loved. Foley is an unlikely hero, but is nevertheless a good example of what hard work and determination can get you in life. After reading this book I'm compelled to agree with the masses: Foley is good.
Rating:
Summary: Mick Foley fans rejoice
Review: Mick Foley's autobiography Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks is a great book. It is surprisingly well written for a professional athlete, even though he did go to Cortland State University. This book was written by hand on seven-hundred and sixty pages of note book paper in seven weeks. Foley starts by explaining how he started his wrestling career under the training of Dominic DeNucci when he was twenty years old. I think Foley is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Throughout his many years of wrestling he has sustained numerous injuries ranging from a bruised kidney to eight concussions, he has also had over 325 stitches. The story concludes when Foley wins the WWF as his alter ego Mankind. This book is so superb there are times that make you laugh out loud and times that make you want to cry. I recommend this book to all sports fans, and for anyone who loves the great sport of wrestling this is a must have. So everyone out there "Have a nice day."
Rating:
Summary: A great book about a man's rise to fame in the world of prof
Review: Mick Foley tells about his life and the hard times that he went through to get to the top of the wrestling business in his book Have A Nice Day. His childhood was that of a pretty normal kid, going to school, playing sports and having friends. When he goes to high school, he gets his first taste of wrestling and it becomes a part of his life. He travels 800 miles every weekend just to train to become a professional wrestler until he finally makes it. The story is very captivating. When he is telling about some of his various injuries the reader can't help but to get a little squeamish. The reader really feels the pain that he must be going through, like when he gets his ear ripped off of the side of his head. The reader feels the pain of the barbed wire matches and the king of death match. The action is well paced especially during the times when he tells about his matches. He is a family man and has a great sense of humor. In the "fake" world of professional wrestling, Mick Foley is a truly respectable man.
Rating:
Summary: One giant step for Mankind
Review: Wow! This is truly an amazing book! After reading this book, I felt as if I had some sort of understanding of Mick, a seemingly peaceful man whom in his career always chose the most violent and painful path. From his misunderstood beginnings as a Long Island teen fantasizing about Jimmy Snuka, throughout his travels and travails through the outhouses of professional wrestling, to the pinnacle of his trade, the World Wrestling Federation, Mick shows all, in his own idiosyncratic way in his own painstakingly written words, what this business is all about. If you ever wanted to understand why the millions that watch this Pop Cultural Phenomenomon unfold each and every Monday night, this is your opportunity. If you are interested in a book of inspiration, seeing a man who was told at every turn that his dream was unattainable, that he was too different, that he was not a person that would sell out arenas, overcome and succeed, this is your book. If you want to enjoy a book, have a good laugh, lose complete track of time because the book is so engrossing, this is your book. Thanks Mick, and as always, HAVE A NICE DAY!
Rating:
Summary: The first and the best
Review: The WWF decided to publish wrestler autobiographies back in the late 1990s, and Mick Foley was the first to have his published. It not only dominated the wrestling fan's eyes, but the mainstream as well and was received so well by everyone it went to the top of the New York Times bestseller lists for non-fiction. And he wrote it all himself. Not only is it a classic telling of some truly amazing personal stories, but its organized so well it flows flawlessly. The book is written superbly, and its impossible to forget that it was written by a man who's undergone serious punishment to his entire body, what with his vivid descriptions of the events within the pages. Bottom line, this book is a must read. I'm proud to have a first printing hardcover on my shelf to read again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Liar, sellout and hypocrit
Review: Yes, it's an interesting read of a really regular guy becoming (and I'm not kidding here) the unlikliest of wrestling stars. And it is pretty touching at times. But let's take an objective look at some of the facts. 1) People say Foley is a great wrestler because of his inhuman ability to endure pain that could literally put other human beings in traction. Does this make him a great wrestler. No f'in way. True talent comes in being able to protect yourself and your opponent and not get hurt. The TRUEST of great wrestlers simply make it look like it hurts really badly, but rarely ever injure themselves or anyone else (Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat are prime examples). But frankly, given enough guts and money, anyone can go out there and get seriously hurt. But not just anyone has the talent to make it look that way, but not be that way. 2) Where to begin with this one...he sold out. For a guy who professes to have such a deep appreciation for the art of wrestling, he jumped into the superficiality very quickly. A chapter explains his frustrations with the 'new' WWF crowd for only responding to catchprashes, curvy women and "sports entertainment" portions of the show and he professes what a tragedy that is. Until of course...he gets a catchphrase and becomes a comedy character that actually catches on. Then it's okay. Total garbage. 3) His title wins. He claims to be "A major reason Eric Bischoff wakes up with boot marks all over his tush every Tuesday (ratings day back then). His logic is that it's because he's a former world champion and thus, a main event talent. News flash Foley: His main event run and subsequent (and short) world title wins were all just extensions of the Austin-McMahon/Austin-Rock fueds. The one who delivered the ratings was Austin himself. A parade of wrestlers came through the main event scene during the long Austin vs Evil owner story, Undertaker, Kane, Shane McMahon, Val Venis, Bossman, Test, the Whole DX stable, but in the end, the real draw was Austin versus Vince McMahon and Foley's otherwise spindoctoring of these facts is just that, spindoctoring. 4) His family. I'm glad things turned out cool for him. But he spends lots of time rubbing it in the reader's face that he has a sexier wife than most. So what...if I have a wife who isn't (as) sexy what does that mean? It's a pity that Foley had an opportunity to show that men (or wrestlers in particular) aren't that shallow, but instead took the opportunity to rub the noses of the "less fortunate" in his good fortune. Also he says he was "afraid" of having an ugly daughter. So what is she didn't come out a looker? To say you're afraid of your child not being good looking is just awful. Finally, he seems to think every other match of his was some kind of classic. If one takes every word he says as the truth, then all his matches are 4-5 stars and of course he should be picked up by big promotions. Truth is, like he says in his second book "Wrestling promoters aren't interested in hardcore. You've got to have a good character and know the basics" Well there's the problem. Foley sole 'ability' lay in his pain threshold and there was really nothing to distinguish Cactus Jack from any other generically mean bad guy with a beard at the time. Also, he acts like all his friends are perfect too. He says his pal Kevin Sullivan helped WCW climb out of a creative hole. Idea like "The Yeti" "The Taskmaster" "Dungeon of Doom" "The Shark" "Zodiac Man" and other childish silliness were some of Sullivan's ideas and he was one of the reasons wrestling sucked in the mid 90's. But Foley won't bring that up, cause Kev's his friend and thus should not be talked about that way. In the end, Foley's world title/main event run was really cookie cutter stuff for the time and like I said, really just an extension of a greater fued and bigger stars. Back in the old days, getting the belt meant the company trusted you to carry the promotion on it's back as it's best performer and biggest star. But by the time Foley got it, championships had descended to the point where they were used to further storyline purposes and frankly played second fiddle to the conflict between the wrestlers themselves. He's only hurting himself by thinking otherwise. Just remember, getting your ear ripped off doesn't take talent, it takes an accident. What a crock.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing read!!
Review: WOW, this book was great. I think part of the reason I liked it so much is because Im a huge wrestling fan but(as so many others have already stated), you will like it even if you're not a fan of wrestling. This tells you so much about what goes on behind the scenes in all wreslting organizations. It tells about his runs in WCW, ECW, and of coarse WWF as well as his famous and brutal matches over in Japan. Mick Foley also talks about the infamous 1997 Survivor Series where Bret Hart got screwed as well as many stories about the late great Owen Hart. I promise you that you will be laughing throughout most of this book as he tells some of the funniest stories ever that involve many of the wrestlers that you wouldn't think of as being funny. Ive also read read Roddy Pipers book(also one of the best books ive read, although its only half the size of this book), and I am a little confused about Vince McMahon(WWF owner). Roddy Piper describes him in a way that makes you believe that Vince is only in it for the money and that he doesnt care what the wrestlers think about the company whereas Mick Foley describes him as being a very nice person who takes the wrestlers into consideration when making changes in the company...I cant figure out what hes really like. Overall this has to be one of the best books ive ever read and I highly recommend it to everyone looking for a great read!
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