Rating: 
Summary: Great book about the best entertainer in wrestling history
Review: I grew up loving Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. My dad occasionally took me to the matches at Raleigh's Dorton Arena. My dad loved Ric Flair and I have always been a huge fan of his. I started reading this book yesterday afternoon, July 12. I finished it up today, one day later. I rarely read any book through from page one through the last page, but I had to read every word I could about the "Nature Boy." Opinions will obviously vary, but for me, it was a great book. Ric takes us through his sad, troubling beginning. It was a shocker for me and I found myself feeling sorry for Ric. He describes his parents in endearing terms and discusses his hell raising days as a teen growing up. Nature Boy goes into the way he got started with Verne Gagne. It was tough and Verne displayed some tough love, a different kind of love than his father. We get a description of his wrestling career and his personal life. I always believed Ric probably wasn't a saint and this book confirms it. There's no question in my mind that Ric Flair was and always will be the best entertainer ever in the history of pro wrestling. Maybe not the biggest draw or maybe not even the best wrestler. I found myself troubled by Ric's apparent disregard for his lifestyle outside of the ring and the consequences it was having on his family. Of course, no one is perfect, including me. Ric shows us his warts and all of us, if honest, certainly have some. The stories about the different wrestlers are my favorite part of the book: Greg and Johnny Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones, Ken Patera, Dusty Rhodes, Sting, Hogan, Luger, Savage, Bruiser Brody, the Von Erichs, Andre, Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat and others. Ric doesn't pull any punches in this book. He tells you exactly what he thinks about the person he's talking about. Some out there will no doubt be upset with some of the things he says, but Ric is one of the best ever so he's qualified to evaluate others in the wrestling business. I don't know, however, that he'd say anything negative about any of the current WWE roster. So I have to wonder how much this book was edited. I wanted a totally uncensored account from Ric and I don't know how far this goes. I found myself strongly disliking Jim Herd, Eric Bischoff, and Vince Russo. These guys, having no wrestling experience, trying to call the shots and disrespecting a wrestling great like Flair. I knew pro wrestling was cutthroat, but Ric was totally unfairly treated by these morons who somehow ended up with a little bit of power. Ric delves into the personal side even more with a description of a couple of bouts with depression and anxiety. Nothing wrong with that as I believe that most people struggle with these demons at different points in their lives. It's kinda hard to believe though: the self-proclaimed best wrestler in the world struggling with some self-esteem issues. Everybody has a spin on controversial subjects and Ric is certainly no different. This book is an absolute must for any Ric Flair fan. It's a great read. You may not agree with the Nature Boy on everything he says, but the book tells many tales about professional wrestling, the stars and some of the inner workings. There's analysis from different people on some of things Flair tells about, which makes the book that much better. Combine that with some information about Flair's wives and kids and it's an excellent book, in my small opinion. Hulk Hogan was a bigger draw, but no one was a better entertainer than Ric. There will never be another one like him in the history or future of pro wrestling.
Rating: 
Summary: Flair a silly old man
Review: I tryed to enjoy this book but i just cant stand all the put downs in it. From Bret Hart To Mick Foley to even Randy Savage he takes shots at some of the greats trying to bring some meaning to his now depleted career. I was a Ric Flair fan when he was in WCW but his WWE run has been far from convinceing and this book was a slap in a face.
Ric Flair you can say your as good as you want but you are not even in Dynamite Kid , Bret Hart , Chris Benoints league.
Rating:
Summary: You can never imagine how this book touched me...
Review: I've been a wrestling fan for almost 14 years now. Still my priorities were with WWF/E. Ric Flair was not an unknown to me, but I just didn't know his greatness. Untill a couple of years ago ,I became a big fan of the "Nature Boy". I loved his charisma and work ethic. Yet, I still didn't see the stuff of greatness. I bought his DVD and was mesmorised. The guy was divine. He instantly became my favorite wrestler because of the fact that I haven't seen this kind of quality in wrestling matches. So eventually I bought this book . Now, I read a lot of wrestling books including the critically acclaimed Foley books. I still hold his first in high esteem, but this definately topped it. Foley's book was very well written and funny enough to let me ROTFL! But I never, ever expected a book to generate this much emotion from me. During the last chapters of the book, I admittedly wept my tears off my face. The book was so honest that I really felt Flair's depression. Here was a guy, strutting on TV, chanting "WOOOOO!", and being a limousine ridin son of a gun. Yet he was struggling with self doubt. I'm a tough guy. I hold a tough man reputation. Putting me into tears is a nearly impossible thing to do, yet this book did.But how will I recommend it the crowd ? If you like wrestling, you will absolutely love the stories told in this book . They will make you laugh . Flair was so honest about his divorce, blaming himself and wondering how could flair's first wife live with him. The book also includes comments from various superstars like HHH, Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race,Chris Jericho,etc... I couldn't recommend this enough. If you've just heard of Ric Flair, nothing more, then buy this . Read it again and again . Ric has once again proved why he's the measuring stick . "To Be The Man" is a wonderfull journey full of laughter, pride, sorrow , and depression. A "real world" fairy tale with a prince charming that wore custom made suits ,diamond rings, corvette cars, limousines, jets, 16 World Championship reigns, and most importantly a family to love. Ric , you proved to me that you are the MAN! WOOOOO!
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting angle from a true legend
Review: I've read a lot of the reviews of this book - some very positive and some very negative, and I've read the book myself.
One thing that you have to consider is that this book is based on the opinion of the subject - Ric Flair. Whether it's right or wrong, it's his opinion.
I grew up with wrestling, and I remember all the old school wrestlers like Bullet Bob Armstrong, Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, Andre the Giant, Sting, and many others. And, whether you like to admit it or not, Ric Flair has a legitimate claim as one of those legends.
Ric's legacy in the wrestling industry is fortunately much greater than his legacy as a father and a role model. He seems to be bitter about the changes in the wrestling industry, and is having a hard time adjusting (personally, I don't like the direction wrestling is going now either). The cheap shots at other wrestlers are distasteful.
All in all, this is a good book, especially for those who remember wrestling in the early 80s and beyond.
Rating:
Summary: U can't be called a fan if you don't read about the man!
Review: I've read pretty much all of the wrestling autobiographies that have come out over the past few years, and Ric Flair's book is among my top three favorites. The thing that irritates me most about wrestler autobiographies is the political [...]-kissing that waters down each one. That doesn't happen in this book.
While some might accuse Flair of kissing up to Vince McMahon in these pages, I believe his feelings were heartfelt and 100% true. I give the McMahon family a lot of credit for restoring the confidence that was beat out of Flair in the ridiculous atmosphere of WCW. The only things that irritated me about "To Be The Man" were his exaggerated praising of Triple H, and his take on Bret Hart after his brother Owen's passing. These two takes (especially the cold "receipt" on Bret) were not needed. Something tells me Vince wasn't in much of a hurry to strike down his editing finger and steer clear of putting Bret in a negative light (the '97 Montreal fiasco probably still eats at him).
I cannot give "To Be The Man" a higher recommendation. Flair is impressively honest about the mistakes he's made in his life. His anecdotes are classic. I simply could not put this book down. Great job.
Rating:
Summary: "To Be The Man" is the best wrestling book going today!
Review: If you're a Ric Flair mark, like me, this is a phenomenal read. I read it from cover to cover as soon as I bought it. It was so good, I was reading it while driving! Bad move, I know, but I couldn't put it down. I loved reading about the old territory days and how things worked behind the scenes, and then about his problems with WCW management. Honestly, I think any old school fan who is familiar with Flair will enjoy this book because it gives a nice look back to the days when there was a wrestling promotion in every major city. And if you're new school, and don't even know what the NWA is, I think you may get a nice history lesson. I would highly reccomend this book above any other to a wrestling fan.
Rating:
Summary: Wooooooo! Great Book By a Wrestling Legend
Review: Ric Flair's autobiography "To Be the Man" is probably the best I have read, and I have read many. It is a nice length, well written, an easy read, and takes a great inside look into his childhood, and the two biggest wrestling companies to date. His childhood is facinating, and is brutally honest about his lifestyle, and short comings as a husband and father. I have to admit although I respected his talent...I didn't really care for him on a personal level. After reading this book I really look at him differently, and have a new respect and liking for him. Great book...if you like wrestling read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Woooooooooooooooooo!
Review: The best wrestling book put out, period. No surprise given that Ric Flair's name was attached to it, it had to be the best. My only gripe was that it was too short--I wanted more. Lots of good inside stuff from the 70's and 80's, and the tragic sufferings of a man who was literally beaten down by one of the biggest clowns in wrestling, Eric Bischoff. Flair doesn't really pull any punches here, and it is intriguing to watch his relationships with Dusty and Hogan develop from one of idolization to a certain animosity (Dusty Rhodes), to a mutual respect to a portrayed hatred (Hulk Hogan). Flair clearly has his favorites: Harley Race, Wahoo, Steamboat, Windham, Sting and Arn--no surprise. He also identifies some folks who should not never have even bothered wrestling, Ultimate Warrior, Brutus Beefcake, to a lesser extent, Mick Foley. Gotta love the take on Shane Douglas as well. How's your book Shane? heh heh. What's great is Flair's respect for the guys who came before him, and the hard work that had to be put in for Flair to be the best. How many people today could live through Verne Gagne's training camps? If Flair hadn't partied so hard, we might be already looking at the next sports politician. Great story, but I just wish it was longer- Flair's stories are so good that you really wish the book would keep going. Fantastic read, you have to pick this up.
Rating:
Summary: If you want to be the man.... Learn from THE Man!
Review: The old quote goes, "To be the man, WOOOOO, you gotta beat the man." This is never more true, as you find out more and more about "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. In this book, Flair goes into his childhood, his wrestling training, getting started, his career with the NWA, WCW, and the WWE. He goes into great detail about many topics, including who he respects, detests and who he admires in the wrestling business.
This book is a quick and fascinating read, whether you are a wrestling fan or not. I have read the book twice and still can't get enough of it, it's just that good.
He's a 16 time world champion, and a New York Times best seller. I'd say, "To be the man, you have to BE Ric Flair," and this book is the proof. WOOOOOOO
Rating:
Summary: An Honest Look From The Greatest
Review: There has been a glut of wrestling memoirs published in the past five years. Some of them have been interesting reads, some have not. None have been written with the degree of authority that comes in this one.
Ric Flair is the most important figure in modern wrestling. Whatever is good about what we see in the WWE and other promotions today came from Ric Flair. He invented the charismatic promo for television. He melded the old, carny style of wrestling with the new, character-based wrestling of today. In any listing of the greatest North American matches of all time, Ric Flair participated in at least half of them.
Knowing this, I am thankful that Flair approached this biography openly. There are no punches pulled here. His viewpoint on his peers is expressed without reservation. His words have generated a little bit of heat.
What readers need to know is that this a great book. It's entertaining and informative, and it comes from the most credible source in the world on the subject.
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