Iceman: My Fighting Life Reviews

• Great Book by the MMA's Biggest Star

  
  By A1NY8E3WRXPWCX on 2008-01-30
  I encourage all MMA/UFC fans to pick up Chuck Liddell's new book. Chuck pulls no punches in discussing all of his fights, his feud with Tito, and his life as MMA's biggest star. Chuck discusses his street fights, college life, and the fame and foturne that goes with being the ICEMAN.
  
  GREAT READ
  
  

• A man can never have too many belts

  
  By A2L3OKVV6SZENT on 2008-02-13
  Yes, WOW is right. Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Chuck "The Iceman " Liddell tells it all. Excellent book, very detailed, and would highly recommend to any Chuck fan or MMA fan.
  
  Chuck is not only one of the greatest fighters ever to step into the octagon, he is down to earth, a good father, and a loyal friend to those who know, work and train with him. Money, fame and fortune has not changed him and his love for fighting. He would be just as content fighting in his backyard for free to prove he is the best.
  
  One of his most intriguing fights he talks about in detail that I was amazed by his courage and toughness was the Vale Tudo Championships in Brazil. A brutal thirty minute war with Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons, whose record at that time was 13-2. Chuck's only second career fight and he beats a heavily favored veteran fighter in his own back yard. No rounds, no gloves, no breaks, very few rules. Not many men as determined or as brave as Chuck would take on such a challenge. When Chuck saw Pele the next day, he said his face looked like the Elephant Man's.
  
  Quote from book. "Winning that fight earned me my first magazine cover. Naturally, it was Full Contact Fighter. It also put me on the international map as a mixed martial arts threat. Most important, it helped me realize what I could do in the ring. I knew I had the talent to go far in this sport."
  
  And far he did, winning the UFC LHW title in 2005 against Randy Couture, and defending it four times. After watching his incredible performance against Wanderlei Silva on December 29, 2007, I believe he will win his title back soon.
  
  

• The Iceman Cometh!!

  
  By A328547P5BGZC on 2008-02-09
  Wow. I just finished this book. Any UFC fan will enjoy reading this book. Not only does it shine light on Chuck's childhood, training and personal life, the book goes into detail about the history of MMA (mixed martial arts) and BJJ (brazilian jiu jitsu) and Dana White (president of the UFC).
  
  Chuck Liddell is a mans man and a legend in the UFC. One of the best things about the book to me was that Chuck never claims to be the baddest man ever and doesnt take any cheap shots at the other fighters, he simply tells his side of the story.
  
  Great reading!!
  
  

• 4.5 Stars, Good book

  
  By A1HXP4PZYZE52M on 2008-03-27
  Being a big fan of UFC, I decided to pick up this book. It was a good book, but it was a very easy read. The childhood story of Chuck Liddell was very interesting but nothing suprised me of what he did growing up. I look forward to the releases of Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture's books being released in the next couple months. As for this book, definately worth picking up if your a fan of UFC and Chuck Liddell.
  
  

• The Iceman Cometh ... and smites his Opposition

  
  By A56AA52NMMKYQ on 2008-04-13
  MMA icon and Mohawk-coiffed Chuck Liddell offers his first person autobiography in "Iceman." After reading the pathetic Matt Hughes book - "Made in America" - Hughes makes Liddell seem like freakin' William Shakespeare. "Iceman" is a highly entertaining read if you are a MMA fan, regardless of whether or not you are a Liddell fan. Liddell's rise in MMA has roughly paralleled the emergence of MMA as a fringe activity - "human cockfighting" - to a more mainstream sport.
  
  You get the inside story of Liddell's training methods, his preparations for his fights, what it's like to be on the set of "The Ultimate Fighter" and his friendship with Dana White. Chuck Liddell comes off to me as a fairly carefree happy go lucky guy who doesn't get too high after wins or too low after losses. He is no saint, and after reading the book you might suggest that his nickname not be "Iceman" as much as "Swordsman."
  
  The story is not complete, of course. At age 37 or 38, Liddell may have a few fights left in him. The book was written before he beat Wanderlei Silva in December 2007. If Liddell's career continues as long as Randy Couture's, he may have to sharpen the pencil for a sequel.
  
  If you are an MMA fan, you will enjoy and savor this self-portrait of a modern day gladiator.
  
  
  
• An MMA Fan Review
  By A26BIFHVUFFJZ1 on 2008-02-23
  This book really put it into perspective how mainstream MMA has become. I didn't realize just how popular the sport and its fighters have become until I read this book.
  
  The book also provides details and insight into why Chuck does what he does. It provides life changing events and the decisions Chuck made to keep going. I find myself thinking of Chuck's life and the decisions he made and it provides a calming influence to me as I now understand that life can only beat you up if you let it. I found the book helpful in understanding Chuck and I am an even bigger Liddell fan since reading the book.
  
  
• Liddell a bad role model.
  By A27TD0ADDG41PS on 2008-03-17
  After Matt Hughes snail paced tome I never thought anyone could top it. I was wrong. Chuck LIddell is a sanctimonious, pat myself on the back, self-proclaimed he-man. Is he a good fighter, of course! But you could have just switched covers with Hughes book. The stories no one can back up about fights in Santa Barbara. I know the area well and patrolled it for years and have never had a report like he speaks about in his book. Then he tops it off by telling readers about his promiscuous lifestyle as if anyone should be proud of that accomplishment. Fathering two childern who do not have a full-time dad who is there for them when they get home from school. Par for the course in today's society. Chuck wins all this money and won't take custody of his children because he just liks to party and have more than one woman in bed. Chuck is just another thug in a sport that used to have character. Don't buy this book.
  
  
• Worlds Better Than The Matt Hughes Book
  By A2413IMA7H34AG on 2008-02-18
  This is a true MMA fan book. Liddell mentions his family life and how he was raised, but its more of a side note and it is relevant to his fight career and he keeps the reader intrigued. Unlike the miserably boring Matt Hughes book, which was nothing more than a biography about his family and farmlife where fighting was just kind of mentioned here and there, the Liddell book is a very fun read. This book shows the behind the scenes lifestyle, and all the things he went through to get to where he is.
  
  
• Good read.
  By A27YSDRXHN9B2X on 2008-02-21
  I really enjoyed this book. As a fan of autobiographies, MMA and the UFC. After i read it, i felt i knew Chuck better and knew what made him tick how he got to where he was, both professionally and as a man. I felt I had a better knowledge of MMA and the UFC. It's a book about Chuck and hi slife as a fighter, not the history of MMA and the UFC, but since he was a part of the second comming, he gives some good insite and behind the scenes stuff. all this made me crave more, so unfourtunatley I bought the Matt hughes book after. For that I may never forgive Chuck, Ever.
  
  
• Lot's of inside information
  By A21DYMFOMQ37AH on 2008-03-05
  This book was everything the Matt Hughes effort wasn't. Liddell speaks in detail about his fights, his overall strategies, and specific tactics against particular opponents. The man comes across as likeable and intelligent. He does us a favor by sparing us stories of his childhood years, and skips right to the meat of the book.
  
  I learned a lot of interesting things; Dana White trained at the same gym as Chuck Liddell - so did the Fertitta brothers. Liddell lost his manager because of a disagreement over TUF2 - the man thought he should have been paid more money and Chuck realized this was necessary both for the sport and his recognition. The UFC launched their TUF reality show completely on their own dime and then pitched it for free to any network willing to take a chance! These are the kinds of things I really wanted an insight into and Liddell's book delivers in spades. The Matt Hughes book, in contrast, gave me nothing.
  
  I wasn't a fan of Chuck's prior to reading this novel, but I am now. It's obvious that he cares passionately about the MMA game and I hope he manages to recapture the LHW belt.
  
  
  
  
• Chapter 32: When you have an opportunity to have a good time , you've got to take it.
  By A4HZABLPV180X on 2008-04-20
  I picked this up and read it cover to cover on a 6 hour flight.
  I am very impressed but at the same time intrigued by Chuck as he is an interesting character. It is not often a guy with a mowhawk and tattoos on his head scores a 1200+ on his SATs.
  
  The chapters are short and sweet, and each one tells a life lesson.
  If fact Chuck recommends ripping out the table of contents and posting it on your wall. There were some interesting stories about his no holds barred fight in Brazil, and his extreme training at the Pit, along with his acting career on Entourage. However, hands down the best story was about how easy it is to pick up girls on a fight night after you win the UFC championship.
  
  
• If you like UFC, good book.
  By A2ZT0UH26HABX6 on 2008-04-26
  I read this book in one day while stuck at the airport. I'm a UFC follower and I enjoyed reading this book. Chuck's got a great story. He's been there from the start of UFC.
  
  
• Not Great, but not bad, easy read
  By A3D664GQV3HCW5 on 2008-02-14
  The title pretty much explains it for me. The book was an easy read, not boring, and not great and not bad, maybe good. I felt the overall content from the book was lacking. I watch UFC and have been a fan since before he entered it, and I was glad to learn a little more about it and everything. Thats why I gave it a 4, if it would have been hard to read or slow, then it would have gotten a 3, but it was an easy good read.
  
  
• Iceman-My Fighting Life by Chuck Liddell
  By A1PNMSUCO0ZYYZ on 2008-02-23
  I am a huge fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts sport, and this book is an informative and insightful look into the early days of the sport and the rise and ascension of arguably one of its biggest and most charasmatic stars, Chuck Liddell (the Iceman). It is written simply and straight-forward, and Chuck gives his own viewpoint into this fast-growing and dangerous sport, and what type of mental and physical commitment it takes to be successful. I enjoyed this book a lot, and recommend it to any new fan of the mixed martial arts sport.
  
  
• great read
  By A3SA0F5Z8GZ57N on 2008-02-29
  A absolutely loved this book. It gives insight to one of the greatest fighters in our generation. You find-out alot about the man, as-well as the details that made him the fighter that he is today. If you're a Chuck fan you'll love him even more after this read. Great book.
  
  
• Lucid and Straightforward
  By A365X4FTQ6JAUW on 2008-03-18
  Not since Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter's Rise to the Top - which chronicled the life of MMA fighter Jens Pulver - has a book been written with such lucidity and honesty about the life of an MMA fighter. This book depicts Liddell's life, from his early childhood influences to his lascivious escapades after his big wins. The book is written in a straightforward and insightful manner - it doesn't get boring or redundant. Every chapter has a little moral or lesson. In one chapter, for example, Liddell says, "to me, losing as a man is better than winning as a coward." This comment, of course, is an indirect reference to Tito Ortiz.
  
  This book is at the forefront of what appears to be a forthcoming flood of MMA biographies. It is a must read for any true MMA fan.
  
  
  
  
• Speedy Delivery to Australia
  By A3I7ST9WQZMZEA on 2008-05-14
  I ordered this product as part of a gift for my partner, I ordered it late and was sure I would not have it on time however it arrived way before I anticipated and estimated delivery time and in perfect condition so thank you Amazon
  
  
• Tough Guy, Rickety Binding
  By A2HL7R8R23NERT on 2008-05-16
  Natch, this is one of those autobiographies written "with" a real writer, in this case, Chad Millman. But given the Iceman's persona and interest reflected herein, this book still has the ring of authenticity, as captured in quotes like these regarding pre-fight preparations:
  
  -- "...I could think, focus, and go over my game plan, which was essentially to go and beat the cr** out of the guy."
  
  -- "My plan was to punch him in the face as much and as frequently as possible."
  
  You've got to love it. (That, or return the book.) My guess is that Iceman fans will enjoy getting the lowdown on Liddell's life, and this also provides an interesting history on how the UFC became what it is today.
  
  I am downgrading this book to four stars because its binding was so crummy, whole chapters fell out as I worked my way through it.
  
  
• An Ice-Cold Look at a Rock-Star UFC Fighter's Life and Career
  By A1FT7QFKNHL9DT on 2008-05-25
  Sometimes there are icons of sports. In the UFC, Chuck Liddell is a name that immediately comes to mind. His fights with Tito Ortiz are legendary, and the trilogy with Randy Couture is even more so. His kick to the head of Renato, "Babalu" Sobral, is still a highlight KO to this day! And the painful comeback fight with "Ramapage" Jackson that didn't even make 2 minutes in the first round still lingers in the hearts of UFC fans. But who is Chuck Liddell? What makes him tick? Read this book to find out!
  
  He's been called the baddest man on the planet, and he will always be a legend in the UFC. But you learn that he's always loved to fight. Whether in a bar, or on a simple street corner, or, of course, in the Octagon, just waiting to load up for that knock out punch that will end it all. You'll read about it all in this. From his days of football and wrestling, to when he stepped into a dojo, and simply longed to spar. You'll find out about The Pit, and about the man John Hackleman is. And you'll read about most of his fights. He really gets into it, and he loves to talk fighting.
  
  But you'll also see a man outside the Octagon, the man who likes to party and hang with the ladies. Somewhat of a lifestyle that has had many saying he lives a rock-star MMA life.
  
  All in all, you'll find out about Chuck. When reading the book by Matt Hughes, I was impressed, despite the fact that he didn't go into detail all that much like Liddell did. And Liddell does indeed go into detail, because he's proud of who he is. Sometimes he offers a little too much information, attempting not to boast.
  
  But he knows what it's like to be the best, and to be beaten by the best. But he's still ready for a fight or two. And until he can't get in that cage anymore, he wants to keep on fighting! Quite interesting overall.
  
  
• Thanks Chuck!
  By A1HBGHVQPQQR81 on 2008-06-14
  I wasn't a Chuck Liddell fan until I read this book.I'll being cheering for him to win his fights until he retires now.Thanks Chuck!
  
  
• Best book i've read in a long time...
  By A23VIKPSBMOLCG on 2008-06-25
  I read Chuck Liddell's book in about a 3 week span, inbetween work and working out and other activities. Although it was a quick read, it was a very insightful and entertaining book. Growing up in SLO and his problems with his father not being in the picture. To playing HS football and then being a near perfect student-athlete at Cal Poly. Until his fighting days in obscure bare knuckle fights in Brazil to what we have as the UFC today, with all the highlights and lowlights pinpointed and brought to life in a fun way. Kickass Book!
  
  
• Iceman Inspires!
  By A3P72ER6K05SMS on 2008-07-01
  This book tells a good story and gives you a peek at the explosively popular world of MMA. Chuck Liddell is an example for America's youth to look up to. Honest, hardworking and straight to the point. Very happy with this purchase.
  
  
• Interesting insights on each of his fights, but not well written and relatively shallow outside of the Octagon.
  By A3VX99SEREK037 on 2008-07-24
  Chuck Liddell is a great fighter and his fights are entertaining. The contradiction of his ferocity in the Octagon to his mild-mannered nature outside of it is fascinating. I wish the book had more depth and exposed more of the real Chuck. But after reading about how Chuck was raised and getting a glimpse into his demeanor and lifestyle, it makes sense why the book is rather shallow. I enjoyed and appreciated the insight Chuck gives into each of his fights (e.g., his opinions on this opponents, his disposition towards the fight, the technical breakdown and strategy employed, etc.). But I could do without his bragging, the awkward-at-best and poor-at-worst writing, and the general lack of biographical meat.
  
  
• Fantastic MMA Book!
  By A2FGR5I4LFNGTK on 2008-07-26
  If you are a fan of MMA or just the UFC then you will LOVE this book. It does not just inform you about Chucks life or the UFC but it informs about MMAs growth! Make sure you have plenty of time because you will be just like me, on a couch all Sunday reading the whole book! ENJOY!
  
  
• Very entertaining but lots of filler
  By A2J3DS07L88QSX on 2008-08-04
  Have never been a big Chuck Liddell fan - I always felt he was overrated; seeing him get destroyed by Quentin Jackson in Pride kind of confirmed my feeling - but I enjoyed this book immensely. Lots of good stories told throughout - though he does repeat one or two - and plenty of detail on his fights. I was definitely entertained - I read the last 200 pages of the book in a single sitting, something I never do anymore.
  
  My only knock would be that there's lots of filler or empty space throughout. The book is divided into a whopping *47* chapters (one of which is a single page!) Each chapter comes with a blank page. So right away you've got 47 pages of nothing in a 300 page book. The chapters also include a half-page header on them that's essentially worthless - so another 23 pages of nothing. 70 pages of nothing in a 300 page book is a lot, IMHO.
  
  Still, that criticism is only enough to knock the book down to 4 stars. This is an excellent read for any fan of Liddell or MMA in general. Recommended.
  
  

• Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History
• This Is Gonna Hurt: The Life of a Mixed Martial Arts Champion
• Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage
• Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter's Rise to the Top
• Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge