Mick Foley, Stephanie McMahon (Foreword)
Polis Books, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook, Audiobook
Mick Foley, the man who held the pen that began the wrestling book boom of the early 2000s, returns with his latest book Saint Mick: My Journey From Hardcore Legend To Santa's Jolly Elf. Released in late 2017, with a foreword by Stephanie McMahon, Saint Mick recounts the retired grappler's fascination with all things Christmas and his personal experience learning to master the art of being Santa Claus. Foley's other releases include: Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (1999), Foley Is Good: And The Real World Is Faker Than Wrestling (2001), The Hardcore Diaries (2007), Countdown To Lockdown (2010). He has also written two novels: Tietam Brown (2003) & Scooter (2005) and 4 children's books: Mick Foley's Christmas Chaos (2000), Mick Foley's Halloween Hijinx, (2001) Tales From Wrescal Lane (2004) & A Most Mizerable Christmas (2012).
When reading or discussing a work by Mick Foley, one of the wresting industry's most published authors, it is very difficult to avoid making comparisons. That being said, the subject and tone of Saint Mick are different enough from his earlier biographies - while the writing style and humor are still in tact - that it is much easier to read Saint Mick as a stand alone book than it is his second through fourth biographies. Foley is in fine form writing this book and shows a great deal of passion for his role as an "apprentice" Santa Claus. Foley is absolutely at his best when he is describing the process of learning, the awkwardness one experiences when he/she is something of a fish out of water and the feeling of joy one has when he/she has accomplished his/her goal. Saint Mick is very much filled with the qualities that have made Mick Foley - the man, not the performer - so popular with wrestling fans. His self deprecating humor, his honest and unabashed love for his family and his passion for entertaining are very much alive in this title. With regard to the Santa Claus community, Foley has reveals a great deal of information about a very interesting, active and fascinating sub-culture of that is very likely unknown to most readers.
When reading or discussing a work by Mick Foley, one of the wresting industry's most published authors, it is very difficult to avoid making comparisons. That being said, the subject and tone of Saint Mick are different enough from his earlier biographies - while the writing style and humor are still in tact - that it is much easier to read Saint Mick as a stand alone book than it is his second through fourth biographies. Foley is in fine form writing this book and shows a great deal of passion for his role as an "apprentice" Santa Claus. Foley is absolutely at his best when he is describing the process of learning, the awkwardness one experiences when he/she is something of a fish out of water and the feeling of joy one has when he/she has accomplished his/her goal. Saint Mick is very much filled with the qualities that have made Mick Foley - the man, not the performer - so popular with wrestling fans. His self deprecating humor, his honest and unabashed love for his family and his passion for entertaining are very much alive in this title. With regard to the Santa Claus community, Foley has reveals a great deal of information about a very interesting, active and fascinating sub-culture of that is very likely unknown to most readers.
Saint Mick is a book by a wrestler and not a book about wrestling. While there are smatterings of wrestling related memories within, this is not a book that will appeal to those who are solely looking for wrestling content. While the book is a Christmas themed book and many readers might prefer to read it during the holidays, it does not seem to be necessary to read during the Christmas season. It may actually be more poignant for a reader to give Saint Mick a try at other points of the year.
All that is good about Mick Foley's writing is very much present in Saint Mick. It will be an enjoyable reading experience for most. While the specifics of the book are very much geared toward a very niche market, those who are ready, willing and/or able to see the universality of the story will enjoy the book a great deal.
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