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Post by celtics543 on Oct 16, 2008 22:16:34 GMT -5
I'm not sure if this should be here or in the (W)rest of Wrestling, so if it's in the wrong place, then I apologize.
So, I just finished Bret's book and I just needed to say that it is one of the best books I have ever read. I know it's 500+ pages but I honestly felt that he could have gone into more detail and had 1000 pages without making it boring.
It was a book that really kind of changed how I view some of the guys though, especially Shawn. Obviously I knew about the screw job and that they had a mutual dislike of each other, but after reading the book, Shawn sounds like he was the biggest A-Hole in the history of wrestling, with HHH not far behind.
I know some people will just say that he's bitter, but the whole book was really agenda free in my mind, and was just his honest feelings on everything. He even gave guys credit when it was deserved, even if he didn't like them.
The parts about the other wrestlers who have passed away, especially Owen, were difficult to read. It really put everything into perspective when he was talking about it because it seemed like every couple of pages there was a paragraph or at least a mention of another wrestler passing away. It really is a shame that so many are and were addicted to pain pills or other drugs, but after reading I totally understand why. The whole tragic tale of Dynamite was kind of heartbreaking too, although he did seem like kind of a prick.
I also loved that he didn't hold back about his personal life and his marital problems. He may have said a little too much about his infidelity, but at least he seemed sorry for it, or at least knew that it wasn't something he should have been doing.
I've never been a Bret fanboy, although he was my favorite for a few years when I was younger and I've always enjoyed his matches, but this book turned me into one. He was honest, candid, and emotional throughout the whole thing and it really showed just how much he cared. It was totally different then most of the other wrestlers books where they just say how great they were, although he did do that quite often, and how they never did anything wrong. I really started reflecting at the end about how different wrestling is now compared to what I've seen on dvd and what I remember from my early childhood in the late 80's and early 90's, and I miss those days.
So I'm sure some others on here read it, what did you all think of it?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2008 22:22:50 GMT -5
as for all wrestling books i've read his was the most informative and the most in-depth.
in all honesty i preferred Jericho's and Have a nice day because i loved the comedy but if your looking for depth in the wrestling world then read Bret's book.
I agree, he is fair and honest throughout the book and while i'm sure there were some parts he left out (which i totally understand) the fact that he put so many of his mistakes in there shows what kind of person he is.
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Mac
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
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Post by Mac on Oct 16, 2008 23:34:14 GMT -5
I'll be buying this soon. I read Bischoff's book on vacation and thought it was excellent.
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Post by wahoowah11 on Oct 16, 2008 23:45:50 GMT -5
I was just thinking of making this, but I agree 100% with the op. Im going to one of autograph signings in november. But he seemed to really care about the business and how it started to change to entertainment and how it bothered him. I think that it is one of the greatest wrestling books and bios that I have read.
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Lardlad
El Dandy
Live reaction to @WWE #WWENetwork
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Post by Lardlad on Oct 17, 2008 11:00:33 GMT -5
I'll be buying this soon. I read Bischoff's book on vacation and thought it was excellent. If you thought Bischoff's book was excellent, I can only imagine how much you'll enjoy Bret's. On a related note, I was surprised Bret chose to include the picture of a young Shawn, Bret and Stu Hart. I don't know why, but I didn't think putting a picture of Shawn in his book was too likely.... |
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Post by Big Daddy Bad Booking on Oct 17, 2008 11:08:16 GMT -5
I'll be buying this soon. I read Bischoff's book on vacation and thought it was excellent. If you thought Bischoff's book was excellent, I can only imagine how much you'll enjoy Bret's. On a related note, I was surprised Bret chose to include the picture of a young Shawn, Bret and Stu Hart. I don't know why, but I didn't think putting a picture of Shawn in his book was too likely.... Different times, represents something better in Bret's life. He and Shawn had an excellent working relationship before the Clique started. I absolutley adore this book. I hope I get to meet this man some day. |
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Post by shamana on Oct 17, 2008 11:53:43 GMT -5
Really? Well, it takes a bit of comradeship for a proper feud. BTW, while it does not have anything to do with the book (which I hope to read soon), here's hoping Bret would induct Shawn in the HoF.
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Peeetah
Hank Scorpio
BANG
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Post by Peeetah on Oct 17, 2008 13:14:18 GMT -5
Really? Well, it takes a bit of comradeship for a proper feud. BTW, while it does not have anything to do with the book (which I hope to read soon), here's hoping Bret would induct Shawn in the HoF. That will NEVER happen. |
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G2
Don Corleone
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Post by G2 on Oct 17, 2008 13:44:46 GMT -5
Really? Well, it takes a bit of comradeship for a proper feud. BTW, while it does not have anything to do with the book (which I hope to read soon), here's hoping Bret would induct Shawn in the HoF. I mean this in the nicest way: That is the most hopelessly optimistic statement I have ever read!  |
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Lardlad
El Dandy
Live reaction to @WWE #WWENetwork
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Post by Lardlad on Oct 17, 2008 13:45:29 GMT -5
Stone Cold inducted Bret Hart and I'm guessing that Triple H will induct Shawn Michaels....
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Post by Bobby Womack on Oct 17, 2008 14:31:45 GMT -5
if a wrestlers personal opinions on someone can make you change your opinions on them you really need to take a good hard look at yourself, take everything said in that book with a grain of salt, as with every wrestlers book he re-writes things to make himself look good and constantly puts himself over
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Post by derrtaysouth95 on Oct 17, 2008 14:34:13 GMT -5
I haven't had the chance to read this book yet, but I want to.
I honestly hope Bret wouldn't be the one to induct HBK into the HOF. Shawn should be put in by HHH or Jose Lethario{sp?}.
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G2
Don Corleone
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Post by G2 on Oct 17, 2008 15:01:45 GMT -5
if a wrestlers personal opinions on someone can make you change your opinions on them you really need to take a good hard look at yourself, take everything said in that book with a grain of salt, as with every wrestlers book he re-writes things to make himself look good and constantly puts himself over I respectfully disagree mate. Constantly puts himself over? Bret's book is the most brutally honest self assessment I've ever read by a wrestler, maybe even by any sportsman. He shows many of his flaws and while he does try to justify them (who wouldn't when talking about themselves!?) I never got the feeling of re-writing history. I don't really think one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace a pair of boots needs to put himself over anyway. It really is the most honest book I've read from a wrestler, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it's the most honest I'll ever read from one. |
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yourgoingdown
AC Slater
Get ready for a Wild Ride on the Outside!
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Post by yourgoingdown on Oct 17, 2008 15:07:44 GMT -5
I just got done reading it last week and I have to say that it was a fantastic book and I didn't want it to end. I mean he was insightful on alot things in the wrestling business that I hadn't read about and cleared up alot of things about the backstage area during 95-97. I felt like that I finally heard the true story to it all instead of that lie filled book by Shawn Michaels. It breaks your heart when he talks about the people that he knew that died especially Owen. Theirs an air of sadness to the book that I noticed. I almost wanted to tear up on some parts. About all the things he went through for the business that he loved and his family loved and getting screwed over and over in the WWF by Vince Mcmahon and WCW. This book really did touch me with his honesty and drive to do what he thought was right.
I never felt like he took shots at people but just told the truth. Like for example that one story with Scott Hall making that little kid wait an hour for an autograph and then saying that he didn't have to sign anymore autographs. That was low on Hall's end and then Bret saying that he lost what little respect he had for Hall right there. I agreed with Bret on that one even though I'm a huge Hall mark. I was never that big of a Bret Hart fan growing up but now I'm a fan for life (no pun intended lol).
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Post by bigsplash on Oct 17, 2008 15:50:37 GMT -5
I read Bret's book last year as I imported it off of ebay and it was an amazing book. I think it was better than Foley's even.
There were less laughs than Foley's or Jericho's but I do not think you will get a more honest assessment of the wrestling business then what Bret gave. Nothing can touch it.
The most telling thing is just how awfully honest he is. Reading the book gave me much more respect for Bret Hart, but I don't have a tremendously high opinion of the person himself. His affairs and drug use (while minimal) and disputes don't make him a saint and I think he realizes that.
You cannot find a better wrestling book.
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BxB
Unicron
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Post by BxB on Oct 17, 2008 16:09:51 GMT -5
if a wrestlers personal opinions on someone can make you change your opinions on them you really need to take a good hard look at yourself, take everything said in that book with a grain of salt, as with every wrestlers book he re-writes things to make himself look good and constantly puts himself over I respectfully disagree mate. Constantly puts himself over? Bret's book is the most brutally honest self assessment I've ever read by a wrestler, maybe even by any sportsman. He shows many of his flaws and while he does try to justify them (who wouldn't when talking about themselves!?) I never got the feeling of re-writing history. I don't really think one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace a pair of boots needs to put himself over anyway. It really is the most honest book I've read from a wrestler, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it's the most honest I'll ever read from one. Don't mind Ms Roger's baby boy, he seems to have a disdain for Bret Hart. I've never seen a guy post a positive word about Bret Hart and he constantly posts in threads related to him. Even when the topic is about Bret's book, where he comes off brutally honest but not to this fella, Bret's still putting himself over. |
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Post by Citizen Snips Has Left on Oct 17, 2008 18:04:00 GMT -5
I thought it was a fanatstically well-written and incredibly engaging read. Reading about how his family eventually consumed itself through jealousy was downright horrifying.
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Post by mauled on Oct 18, 2008 9:06:48 GMT -5
I respectfully disagree mate. Constantly puts himself over? Bret's book is the most brutally honest self assessment I've ever read by a wrestler, maybe even by any sportsman. He shows many of his flaws and while he does try to justify them (who wouldn't when talking about themselves!?) I never got the feeling of re-writing history. I don't really think one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace a pair of boots needs to put himself over anyway. It really is the most honest book I've read from a wrestler, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it's the most honest I'll ever read from one. Don't mind Ms Roger's baby boy, he seems to have a disdain for Bret Hart. I've never seen a guy post a positive word about Bret Hart and he constantly posts in threads related to him. Even when the topic is about Bret's book, where he comes off brutally honest but not to this fella, Bret's still putting himself over. I have always thought Ms Rogers baby boy hostility to anything Hart related stems from either 1) Is a fan whose autograph Bret did not sign and has been bitter ever since. Or 2) His real last name is Hickenbottom ! Wondered if Malenko ever apologised to Hart awfterwards for injuring him and then just leaving without checking to see if he is ok. |
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Turd Ferguson
Hank Scorpio
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Post by Turd Ferguson on Oct 18, 2008 13:25:03 GMT -5
I'd heard that the american version's different from that which was released around the world. I couldn't see why an american publisher would abridge an autobiography, so I think it's bullcrap.
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Post by DeuceDominoMark on Oct 18, 2008 14:27:20 GMT -5
Don't mind Ms Roger's baby boy, he seems to have a disdain for Bret Hart. I've never seen a guy post a positive word about Bret Hart and he constantly posts in threads related to him. Even when the topic is about Bret's book, where he comes off brutally honest but not to this fella, Bret's still putting himself over. I have always thought Ms Rogers baby boy hostility to anything Hart related stems from either 1) Is a fan whose autograph Bret did not sign and has been bitter ever since. Or 2) His real last name is Hickenbottom ! He and WWHHHD used to work for Bret. One day, they both showed up to work drunk and Bret put it on their permanent records. ...Anyone else love the Drew Carey Show? ;D |
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