Reagan Books, 1999
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook
If any book is responsible for launching the professional wrestling literary market of the past twenty years, it is this one. When Have A Nice Day hit number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list in December of 1999, wrestling insiders, historians and fans scrambled for their pens with hopes of following the success of "Mrs. Foley's baby boy." Some did (most did not) but gone were the days when the only wrestling themed releases were kayfabe guarding picture books and antiquated work out manuals. Have A Nice day ushered in an era when every living star (past or present) was expected to release a biography; when B-level mid-carders had a forum to explain why he or she forever revolutionized the wrestling business and when the local book store most likely offered a wide selection of accounts of the trials and tribulations of those wrestling fans loved, hated, loved to hate or never heard of. For fans it has been a welcome change that can be attributed to Mick Foley and Have A Nice Day. Foley has since penned 9 other books (auto-biographical, children and adult fiction) and has contributed to a host of other releases.
Have A Nice Day is pretty close to a perfect wrestling book. Foley provides readers with a peak behind the curtain without shattering too any of the taboos inherent in the wrestling business. He is a charming, knowledgeable and funny person who does not shy away from both self-deprecation or providing the reader with a first person account of his accomplishments. As one of the last true rising stars of the territorial days and one of the pillars of the WWF Attitude Era, Foley has a great perspective to chronicle some key moments in pro wrestling history. Foley chronicles a man's rise to super-stardom in an industry he loves while remaining a very down-to-earth and loving husband and father. If there is one book about professional wrestling to read, it is Have A Nice Day by Mick Foley.
04/15 Re-read: In preparing for the launch of this blog, I have been reading and/or re-reading some of the titles I had hoped to post early. I suspected that some of the older works would not hold up well. When I originally read Foley's book, it was a bit of a novelty to have a long-form behind the scenes look at wrestling and, often forgotten in these days of twitter, a wrestler talking out of character. I also wondered if Foley's later books and/or events that occurred later in his career would change my opinion of the book. In short, I expected to enjoy Have A Nice Day less than I had the first time around. I did not. The book is as good in 2015 as it was when it was newly released. Still highly recommended.
The abridged audio book omits too much to warrant five stars, but is good if you have already read the full book. It is narrated by Foley which is a bonus. Editions after the initial release contain bonus material.
The abridged audio book omits too much to warrant five stars, but is good if you have already read the full book. It is narrated by Foley which is a bonus. Editions after the initial release contain bonus material.
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