Foley Is Good: And the Real World Is Faker Than Wrestling Reviews

• Mick proves the title is correct

  
  By A3DBNPEIWN3L44 on 2001-05-11
  Mick Foley has done it again. Not only did he keep all the things I liked about "Have a Nice Day!" -- especially the lovely flow of his jokes -- but he has produced with "Foley is Good" a better-structured piece that also showcases his interest in things other than wrestling. (But don't worry, there's plenty of wrestling stuff for the fans.)

  It's a great book to read aloud because of Mick's timing. You'll laugh through most it, guaranteed. Mick has a brand-new whipping boy -- Test. But don't worry, poor Al Snow gets his share of ribbing, including a photo of him in drag! The Mean Street Posse are once again the mid-card whipees.

  Be prepared to get out your Kleenex, because you'll surely cry through the chapter on Owen Hart and another friend of Mick's who died of cancer, Brian Hildebrand. He was a referee that never worked for the WWF, but who was beloved by many.

  Mick really shows just how intelligent he is at the end of the book. Within those chapters are his own study of sex and violence in wrestling, then his discussion on the similarities between the McCarthyism era and the PTC's tactics. He conducted interviews with a researcher, probably watched over 30 hours of video tape, attempted to contact the PTC itelf, and ended up with a very convincing argument that wrestling is no worse than soap operas, "Cheers" and Monday Night football.

  The recently born Mick Foley Jr. (Mickey) also makes an appearance, and if you're a fan of the rest of the Foley family, the ultra-cute Dewey and Noelle and of course the "hot" Colette are right in there.

  Mick also provides several top ten lists, including his favorite theme parks, rides and of course, wrestling matches. I won't say which one is his favorite, but if you are any kind of a Foley fan you know it's *not* the Hell in the Cell from '98 with the Undertaker.

  In short...just read it! You'll never regret picking it up. Now all we have to do is convince Mick to start writing history books. He would be brilliant at it, and seems to have the interest.
  
  

• Bravo Mick!!!! A Brilliant Work. Highest Recommendation

  
  By A2ASEBCEN9ZWTZ on 2001-05-14
  "Foley is Good," the follow up to Mick Foley's best-selling "Have a Nice Day" is just as equally entertaining and worthwhile to read as the first book. If you've read the first book you no doubt thought Mick said everything he could, right? You could not be anymore wrong however.

  "Foley is Good," is a brilliant piece of work that contains several elements. First and foremost, you'll get to meet "Mick Foley Superdad" and "Mick Foley the Man." He spends a great amount of time talking about his family and his love of amusement parks with GREAT stories and even several of "Mick's Top Ten" lists. It's just a great story about a man, his family and his joys in life. You'll get to see a great side of Mick's personality.

  Also, you'll get to see "Mick Foley the Sports-Entertainer." The book continues to chronicle the ending part of his wrestling career picking up directly where "Have a Nice Day" finished. It's a nice review of the 1999-2000 season of WWF wrestling with nice insight into the matches and feuds including how they were booked, etc. Great read for WWF/wrestling fans. Once again, the book also gave some great anecdotes of "the boys" (the other wrestlers) which was just a blast to read.

  However, for myself personally, the real gem in this book is seeing "Mick Foley the Intellectual." Mick spends a very significant portion (I'd say a good 40%) of the book addressing controversial issues in the wrestling world: backyard wrestling, violence on television, the parent's responsibility in proper parenting when it comes to filtering and being involved in children's viewing habits, drug use in the wrestling industry, the Owen Hart tragedy, the mainstream media's unfair portrayal of wrestling, The PTC. Mick gives his thoughts on these issues in a BRILLIANT display of sound reasoning, logical arguments and plain old common sense. His take on these issues is a must-read for anyone. Mick goes so far to spend the last 100 pages of the book or so defending the WWF from the critical Indiana University content analysis study of WWF programming over the course of year and from the controversial allegations of the PTC. His 100 page rebuttal to this was just brilliant.

  Overall, the book was a pleasure to read. Mick's writing style is very easy, almost like talking to a friend. I read the book in two days on a weekend (all night Saturday, all day Sunday). It still contained the same great humor (sometimes cheesy and a bit sophomoric, which is GREAT to me), great wrestling stories, and also a great story about a family man. Mick's love for his family shines through this book like a sun in Spring. The most interesting part for me though was his take on the issues. This is what really separates this from the first book that makes it a "must-read." Overall, it's a great look at the world through the eyes of a very interesting man. A worthwhile read for anyone.

  At the end of this 400+ page journey you'll tend to agree with Mick on two of the underlying themes that Mick weaves throughout the book.

  1. The Real World IS Faker Than Wrestling

  2. Foley IS Good.

  Highest Recommendation Possible

  ps: Btw, in case if some readers of the first book were wondering, yes, the Al Snow jokes (along with the Mean Street Posse and Test) are in here too :)
  
  

• This Book Is More Than Good

  
  By A1Q329PGKOGLDD on 2001-05-15
  Even Triple H would say that this book can "hang with the Game." Mick Foley has done it once again, with his third successful book.

  In "Foley Is Good, And the Real World Is Faker Than Wrestling," Mick Foley picks up right where he left off in his "towering best seller," "Have a Nice Day." In this book, he does talk about his life personally, but it is in no way an autobiography. It picks up where the other book ended, as Foley has just become the World Wrestling Federation Champion. Here, he chronicles some of his more important matches, as well as summarizes the last few years of his phenominal active wrestling career.

  Foley also has a good time merely describing things that either bothers or amuses him, but he does so in such a straightforward, candid way, you can't help but enjoy the book. His top-ten lists are sensational, but the section of the book that I truly enjoyed the most was the very end, where Foley fights back against the PTC and numerous "studies" done against the WWF. Not only does he pick apart the reviews and court cases against professional wrestling, but he adds in his own research, which made for really interesting reading. More importantly, he is classic Mick Foley, and he is truly at his best.

  When he wants to be, he is one of the funniest men around, and he peppers his writing, especially the argumentative writing at the end of the book, with this incredible humor. His writing style is unique in that it draws the reader in, and makes you feel as if you are simply having a conversation with him. He clearly has a knack for writing, and it shows.

  This book is excellent, and just as good, if not better than his first blockbuster autobiography. I enjoyed it very much, and I urge everyone to read this book.
  
  

• The Hardcore Legend shows his serious side in his new book

  
  By A1YW3Z65PZXO7Q on 2001-05-16
  One of the things that I enjoyed the most about this book wasn't Mick Foley's continued "sophmoric humor" or his warm comments about his family and friends. But rather it was his views that had a more serious slant. This is something that didn't show itself in his first writing attempt. However, this book has the humor and warmth that made the first book so enjoyable, even to those that weren't fans of professional wrestling.

  Foley's writing is hypnotic, and almost conversational. I couldn't put the book down after I bought it, and finished the four hundred plus pages in a day. The most interesting part, however, was his stance against the Parents Television Council, and most notably it's head L. Brent Bozell III. Instead of attacking this man for attacking him, Foley delves into the allegations that the PTC has leveled against the WWF, and finds fault with their assumptions. He quotes studies, doctors, policemen, and even attempts to call the PTC to get a quote. This is something we haven't seen from Foley yet--investigative journalist. The seriousness of his message though is lightened by the humor that is evident in all of Foley's writings.

  To state simply, this is an enjoyable book, and is much more heart-warming and down to earth than the first one. This looks at Mick Foley the man, not Mankind or Cactus Jack, his wrestling alter-egos. This book talks about someone who gets his feelings hurt, and delves into the inner child that bubbles up out of Foley. Anyone who enjoys and uplifting story that will make you laugh out loud at times will enjoy this book, whether you're a wrestling fan or not!
  
  

• Welcome to the main event!

  
  By on 2001-05-10
  Mick Foley's first book, Have a Nice Day, completely took the literary world by surprise. With its humorous anecdotes, touching stories, and frank honesty about his career and the world of professional wrestling, the book quickly became the standard to which all other wrestling books are compared. Well, guess what? With this new book, Mick Foley has just raised the bar again. If the first book was the opening match, the second is the main event.

  Foley's first book provided readers with background information into the career and lifestyle of a professional wrestler. Foley is Good picks up immediately from the end of the first book, describing events that have occurred up to the present day. Foley's storytelling remains superb and wrestling fans will continue to be entertained with stories about WWF stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Owen Hart.

  What really makes this book stand out, however, is the unique insight Mick brings about professional wrestling and its place in modern culture. He openly addresses the concerns people have brought regarding the dangers of professional wrestling. (His Ten Commandments of backyard wrestling should be a must-read for all budding professional wrestlers.) Most intriguing of all are his comments about the PTC and the WWF, which is the most well-articulated and thoroughly researched defense of professional wrestling I have ever seen. He pulls no punches and will undoubtedly be criticized for some of his comments. Yet it is this last section that gives us the most insight into the mind and heart of Mick Foley, the man.

  Readers already impressed with Foley's first book, Have a Nice Day, would do well to get their hands on this new book as soon as possible. Highest recommendation
  
  

• Trully Insightful
  By AYH78L91XPFMN on 2001-05-18
  I will admit to being a Foley fan since the very first time I actually sat and watched a wrestling show. There is something about Mick Foley that I just can not explain. When his first book, "Have A Nice Day", was published we bought it immediately and both my husband and I read it, fighting for control over it, as we both didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed getting the inside view of wrestling and of the life of my favorite wrestler Mick. But "Foley is Good" just blew me away. These two books are the only Autobiographies I have ever finished. Foley is funny, witty, heart touching, poinent, dramatic, and thought provoking.

  His books are easy to read and even a non-wrestling fan would find them enjoyable just for the humor in them. But "Foley is Good" is more then just humor. He opens himself up to us all. We see his hopes, his dreams, his heartache for Owen Hart's tragic death, his feelings for his family, and his very strong views on the PTC among others. He talks of censurship, parenting, the hardship of attempting to live ones dream. He expresses regret and remorse of actions that he has taken that have upset his family. He was allowed and willing to express his opinion of things he think was/is done wrong in WWF today. You can see the love he has for his family. How much they mean to him. You can see his sense of honor. And his intelligence.

  Yes this book is funny. I rarely laugh out loud when reading, but he had me laughing hard. I also rarely cry when reading, but the chapter on Owen did me in there. Yet what sticks in my mind the most was the feeling you get for Foley's love for life. He lives it to its fullest (and in some cases hardest). We could all learn from Foley about how to love, laugh, take responsiblity as parents, and cry.

  The title says it all. Foley is Good.
  
  

• Great Book for Wrestling Fans - Not Interesting to Others
  By AODXHSB1HIYI on 2001-05-23
  "Foley is Good" is a hilarious book about a wrestler who has worked his way into the hearts of his fans. Mick Foley once again demonstrates himself to be an articulate, humorous, grounded, and a genuinely interesting person with interesting opinions on a wide variety of subjects. As a big wrestling fan, I enjoyed the behind the scenes look of what was going on through his mind during the last few months of his wrestling career, just as I enjoyed learning of "angles" that never actually had a chance to transpire. Best of all, I laughed out-loud during many points of the book. Even though I knew F.I.G. would be on the Best Seller list and sold at a discount within a week, I bought it for full price as soon as I saw it. I am glad I did. It was that good. For non-wrestling fans, however, I think this book would hold less value. While Foley does describe his views on other reality-based subjects, these sections are mostly enjoyable because they are juxtaposed against the backdrop of wrestling, which is removed from reality. Therefore, great book for fans. Okay book for others. As a fan - 5 stars from me.
  
  
• Foley is great.
  By A3O7DOQ19P1Z9L on 2005-08-15
  I actually bumped into Mick at one his wrestling gigs at a house show in November 1998, he had shaven his beard and he looked at me while walking around the arena. I never spoke to him, but he saw me, and though I was a big fan and I thought he was a very smart guy, something happened that I wasn't expecting. I actually felt scared of him; he looked pretty intense, he was a big man twice my size, and he was standing about 15 feet away from me. But I was wrong about Mick, there was nothing to be afraid of. (I later saw Al Snow, and felt no fear...true story!) After reading both "Have a Nice Day" and "Foley is Good," I realized what an interesting and funny guy he is. Mick Foley isn't just good... he's a great writer. He has an honest down to Earth writing style, fascinating stories, and of course a hilarious sense of humor. I loved "Foley is Good" just as much as "Have a Nice Day," and while I know that Mick has gone on to follow his passion and write fiction, I wish he'd come back some day and write another account of what's happening in his life. This guy can make a day spent at home lounging on the couch sound interesting, he's that, well, good. A great book for wrestling & non-wrestling fans alike. C'mon Mick, write another bio!
  
  
• Like Having Coffee with an Earless Friend.
  By A3NS7QA8T4Z1MU on 2001-05-09
  There are very few authors who manage to give you the warm feeling Mick Foley does. As you read the book you can almost picture the one ear wonder sitting right there with you. This is an amazing trick and (although I have never said this about another man before)he is an amazing human being.

  The first book Foley wrote was a phenomenal autobiography. This book is more a collection of funny and insightful stories mixed in with some very serious thoughts on important topics (parenting, violence, censorship etc.). When he wants to be funny, Foley is hilarious. I actually had a guy on Metro North move his seat because of my out loud laughter (or was it the White Castle I had for lunch?). When Foley gets serious he gets very serious and thorough. The research he put into the whole PTC and censorship was impressive. He really did his homework and it adds a lot of validity to his points (unlike the PTC that uses manipulation).

  The enjoyment level of spending time with Mick can not be measured. We should be very thankful that he decided to share this interesting world with us...after all it could have been Al Snow who wrote a book instead.
  
  

• A GREAT follow up to "Have a Nice Day"
  By A31DLYKGH7YZTZ on 2001-05-10
  "Have a Nice Day" (Foley's first book) is widely regarded as THE number one book on wrestling ever written. If not the most informative, it was certainly the most entertaining. Thankfully, his sequel, "Foley is Good" is highly entertaining as well. It certainly is an easy read (and by that I mean you get lost in the story quickly!). It picks up where the first book ended...Foley winning the world championship belt. From there on, it mainly chronicles the final few years in his wrestling career as countless matches and injuries are beginning to take there toll. But unlike the first book, "Foley is Good" occasionally deviates from the narrative to discuss and thoroughly analyze many criticisms and accusations that have been unfairly heaped on pro wrestling recently. These side discussions are a fascinating enough read to more than justify the cover price alone, but it is the final 10% of the book that is the real kicker--Foley conducted exhaustive research and study to write what I consider one of the best rebuttals of all time. This section should be required reading for anyone who has ever believed that pro wrestling is a top negative influence in society. Not only does this essay dispel many of the media's "untruths" in regards to wrestling, it shockingly unearths the underhanded and outright malicious tactics used by the news media and the PTC (Parents Television Council). The aggresiveness used by these groups to further their own agenda makes anything on WWF TV look quite tame. The stories Foley shares are hilarious and often quite touching, and his style of writing is a breath of fresh air. Foley writes as if he were sitting in the chair across from you, talking out loud and not as though he were sitting alone trying to convert his thoughts to paper...anyway, I'm rambling here so let me just wrap this up and say that if your a fan of Foleys, or wrestling in general, or if you just wanted to read an essay that blasts the PTC out of the water, then you definetly need to get this book. I did and I wasn't dissapointed
  
  
• Highly recommended if you are a wrestling fan
  By A2BW8ZI352D37P on 2001-07-11
  If you are a wrestling fan, and if you read and enjoyed Mick Foley's first book, "Have A Nice Day", chances are you will enjoy this book as well. If anything, "Foley is Good" seems like a supplement to the first book, updating readers on the two years or so worth of events that have occurred since the first book was published.

  Personally, I found that I enjoyed the first book a little more, if only because that book covered a much larger timeframe and therefore is a more expansive story, while the second book covers such a brief timeframe in comparison that the story doesn't seem as complete. However, you will find the same humor and backstage insight that made the first book so entertaining, as well as Foley's interesting and well thought out opinions on various subjects facing the wrestling business today. Some of the chapters where Foley defends the WWF against its many critics are stronger than others - Foley's section on drugs in wrestling is rather shallow and his piece defending Vince McMahon comes off too much like it was written by the WWF PR department. However, Foley's obviously well-researched and powerful attack against both the Parents Television Council and the controversial Indiana University study of the effects of wrestling on children were fascinating. The tactics used by the PTC are downright scary, and reading about Foley's attempts to contact the PTC directly to debate them was both hilarious and frightening (let's just say the PTC representative Foley talks to is no less than completely gutless). Equally funny was his recollection of the conversation he had with the professor in charge of the Indiana University study, and finding out exactly how liberal the professor was in defining offensive behavior (a female wrestler touching a male wrestlers arm was considered a "sexual act").

  To be honest, I've never bought the whole "you'll love this book even if you aren't a wrestling fan" comments that some readers have made about Foley's books. This isn't a knock on Foley at all, I just simply can't see how a several hundred-page book focusing primarily on the wrestling business is going to hold the attention of someone who isn't a fan. If you are a fan, though, I can guarantee that this book will A) make you laugh B) provide interesting backstage stories and insights about events in and around the World Wrestling Federation post-1998 and C) open your eyes to the often less than ethical tactics of both the media and extremist organizations.
  
  

• He's made impossible possible...Again
  By A1RUV61GNFT3QU on 2002-12-23
  I finished Foley's first book, "Have a Nice Day" in record time. In fact, I remember the night I bought it, I stayed awake until 3:00am, having read the entire book from cover to cover. As a life-long wrestling fan, I am amazed at Mick Foley's ability to remember (in great detail) the moments in his life that are now forever etched in the pages of a literary masterpiece. "Foley is Good"...if possible...is twice as good as Mick's first #1 New York Times Bestseller.

  As I write this, I'm only on page 366. That won't deter my five star rating. The rest of this book could [stink] and I wouldn't be disappointed. I have laughed hard enough to almost suck a candy cane up my nose, and cried through pages 166-176, which honor the life and legacy of Owen Hart. I have relived an entire WWF Pay-Per-View from September 1996, and a match between Foley and Shawn Michaels that almost tore the roof from Philadelphia's First Union Center. (Mick remembers this contest as the Greatest Match of his career, and from the nosebleed section of the arena, I wholeheartedly agreed. It was my first time attending a PPV, and certainly a night I will never forget)

  It is also clear in this book that Foley is a phenomenal human being...a man who loves life and loved his career...but prides himself on being a loving husband and father.

  His total honesty is admirable, and it is with this approach that Mick tackles controversial topics like drug use in pro wrestling. The sincerity with which Foley writes is evident in a book that you'll have a hard time putting down.

  The critics once said that a wrestler couldn't be a writer...and that once he became a writer, he wouldn't sell his books. Mick Foley made the impossible possible...AGAIN.
  
  

• Foley Is Great
  By on 2005-03-24
  This is an excellent book that should not be skipped over. His frequent Al Snow, Mean Street Posse, and Test jokes made me laugh so hard I cried. The book seems intimidating at first glance with over 500 pages, but you will fly through this book and want more. Overall this book is very addictive one that I had trouble putting down. The jokes are funny and the book is entertaining. This book deserves every bit of a five star rating.
  
  
• Mic Foley is back
  By on 2001-05-09
  After the success of Mic's first new york best selling book, Have a Nice Day, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. His format is a little different but all the jokes and fun are there. Just within the first 3 chapters Al Snow was already being put down. I enjoyed every minute of this book and was not able to put it down. I highly recommend it!!
  
  
• Foley is...good
  By A2ITKTMZPKQZXG on 2001-05-11
  Reading this book almost makes you think that despite his incredible success in pro-wrestling, Mick Foley may have actually missed his true calling in life as a writer.

  Between Foley's uncanny story telling ability, great (sophmoric) sense of humour and timing, and incredible intellect when it comes to making commentary on some of the pressing and contreversial issues plaguing Sports Entertainment today, Foley is Good is a... good read. Recommended for all, wrestling fans and non fans alike. I literally didn't put it down, and read the whole book in one sitting the day I bought it. Just awesome. Period.
  
  

• The Perfect Autobiography for All Mankind
  By A2R03EUJ93IWPS on 2001-05-17
  ...I think part of the appeal of Mick's writing is that, instead of thinking about proper grammar and punctuation, he just writes whatever he happens to think and feel. This book is captivating for that reason. You gather an appreciation for Mick's feelings because his writing is friendly and personal. He writes the way people talk. His insight is brilliant as well, as he defends professional wrestling against its harshest critics. He does some well-researched analysis of cases involving the deaths of four children, all of which got some degree of national attention because wrestling got blamed four encouraging deviant behavior. A look at some commonly ingored facts from each of these cases shoots numerous holes in that idea, and indeed the behavior of the parents in each situation will grab your attention. The book's epilogue is absolutely brilliant, as Mick examines the notorious Indiana University study (I remember the first time I read the study in USA Today and being baffled as to where the researchers found simulated sex and drug use of WWF programming. I almost fell out of my chair when I found out in this book) and the PTC, whom Mick has a field day exposing with legitimate facts (there is even a footnotes section at the end if you have trouble believing Mick). If enough happens in Mick's life to warrant a third book at some point, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to plunk down some hard-earned dollars. Mick's honesty, sense of humor, and unique abilities make anything written by him a spectacular read.
  
  
• Can't Get Enough Foley
  By A2BTH6JYRH391K on 2001-05-19
  Mick Foley's new book proves once again that we can't get enough of Mick. This is a great read. You will find yourself laughing and crying as Mick leads us by the hand thru that roller coaster mind of his. It is unusal for charisma to be so strong that it is felt thru a book. What can be next for Mick? Whatever it is I will by it!
  
  
• foley is great
  By A1Q66RKY6JC6Q5 on 2001-05-23
  mick foley does it again. mick shows us that he can write another book. he tells the truth about the life he lives. mick is a hero to us all. he takes the time to show us how to under stand pro wrestling. so as a best seller i give this book a 4. because he told his storie. now what. thanks snake
  
  
• Micheal Frances Foley- IS NOT GOOD... BUT GREAT!
  By A3321HA7UGNF2S on 2001-05-30
  When I read Foley's first book I was thoroughly impressed and enjoyed it immensely. I was unsure of what he would talk about in a second book for I was sure all his bases where covered, but this new book is great as well. At times I could have done without the sexual references but other than that Foley delivered his life and belittled the many critics of a sport he loves so much with class, wit and humor that would offer competition to even the best of stand up comedians.

  I love Mick Foley- the wrestler, father, comedian and AUTHOR and I know you will too!

  FOLEY IS NOT GOD for there is only one- BUT HE IS CERTAINLY GREAT!

  "ROCK ON"...or should I say "MICK ON"

  -Andrea Mark 9:23 (and Foley believed)
  
  

• Foley is Funny, Charming, and Insightful
  By A1UV4BVT8K8DRT on 2001-06-11
  The reason I chose to read Mick Foley's Foley is Food: And the Real World is Faker Than Wrestling is because I am an avid wrestling fan. However, upon reading this book I discovered that much like Foley's first book, Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks, this book would be enjoyed by non-wrestling fans as well. Foley is very humorous in this autobiography and also provides insight into what goes on behind the scenes in the WWF. Foley has wrestled in all three major wrestling promotions (WWF, WCW and ECW, the latter two are now defunct) so he has acquired a vast knowledge for the industry. In this book he speaks alot about the first book he wrote in which originally a ghost writer was to do most of the work for him. He did not lik that idea and eventually took on the task of writing over 700 pages by hand. I would reccomend this book to anyone at a ninth grade reading level or better, wrestling fanatic or not.
  
  
• A more honest work you won't find
  By A2HPUBAJYTJKLP on 2001-06-26
  Unlike Foley's first book, which dealt with his humble beginnings and his rise in pro wrestling, "Foley is Good" focuses more on the aftermath, his life away from work, and his thoughts on various issues. Rather than go on about his deathmatches, injuries, and Al Snow jokes (oh wait, those are in there) Foley focuses on telling things how he believes they are. In fact, my favourite part of "Foley Is God" is the last quarter of the book where he discusses the various problems that the WWF has encountered recently. The chapter on the PTC (Parents Teachers Council, a group bent on cleaning up TV by ridding us of wrestling) is extremely informative, and would challenge anyone who believes that "wrestling is evil".

  At the most, this book is an enjoyable look at a sport truly loved by its author. It shows wrestling in it's true light, which makes this a perfect read for non-fans. Although it does lag in places, the book more than makes up for the weak spots with stories like Foley's encounter with Britney Spears and the setimental look at the late Owen Hart. This is definately the most honest, indepth look at wrestling you'll ever pick up.
  
  

• Guilty little pleasure
  By A1444T102UNZ37 on 2001-10-01
  You really want to dislike, sorry make that hate, "Foley is Good..." prior to reading it. It starts with its author, Mick Foley. Here is a man who not only earned his living in the bogus, little-respected corner of the showbiz world known as wrestling; but he also had a way of doing that was deemed silly even by wrestling's standards. His act involved "sock-puppetry", his character "lived" in the boiler rooms of the arenas, he did frequent and disturbing pleas for his "mother" (in order to get ahead of Freudian told-you-so:ers, a proposed name for Foley's alter ego "Mankind" was "Headcase") and is best known for a 20 ft fall off a steel cage into a table that almost ended Mr Foley's career. If the sheer ridicule of Foley's wrestling career and the context he works in isn't enough, the sleeve notes about the author reveals that this bona-fide renaissance man is a "US history buff" who "enjoys amusement parks". Suddenly, the idea of reading Michael Jackson's dismal bio "Moonwalker" looks like a taste of Hemingway's best work in comparison. All in all, "Foley is Good..." gives the impression that it's about to suffer in the hands of a critically minded reader the way, say, Pee-Wee Herman would in a Sumo wrestling contest. That is, until you actually read it.

  Because littered as it is with crude references and over-ambitious double entendres, "Foley is Good..." is actually, well, rather good. A sign of ageing is surely when you start taking wrestling less seriously, which is probably why many 30+ people will think twice about picking this book up, unless it's a gift for their kids. Sure, any schoolkid knows that a fair amount of scriptwork and rehearsal goes into staging a wrestling match. But few people with any sense of modern pop culture underestimates the impact of wrestling, and the WWF especially, these days. Few publicly traded corporations have pulled off a transformation act the way the WWF has in the latest decade. Any case study on them, to which I count "Foley is good..." as one, should be mandatory reading at any MBA school or "Change-management" consultancy. So why, then, does wrestling have the evident problem of gaining the respect that other sports/ entertainment options enjoy? Part of the answer lies in its target audience. The WWF caters to adolescent boys, and lately girls (and to a certain extent their parents, who are the ones who have to shelve out the twenty or so bucks that a PPV or live event will set you back) This is a pity, because a book like "Foley is good..." will entertain a larger audience than the 20 or so million that are glued to TV-couch on wrestling nights.

  Don't get me worng, this IS a book about wrestling, i.e. not one of those "it's not really about sport, it's actually about life"-books. But the reason non-wrestling fans will most certainly enjoy it, is Foley's writing style. He proves to be not only smart but also self-mocking, witty and, gasp!, well-read (when was the last time you heard any physical athlete quote Nietzche?). The bio, a follow-up to 1999's "Have a nice day!", is somewhat chronologically organised but is interspersed with the author's thoughts on everything from storytelling and societal problems to family life and behind-the-scenes wrestling trivia (the latter travels both the highs and lows of life as a wrestler, covering such areas as injuries, failed plotlines and onstage in-jokes of wresters). Sure, it ain't James Joyce and to call "Foley is good..." a demanding book would be about as misleading as saying "Who wants to be a millionaire" is a quiz show for Nobel prize winners. All in all, what this book gives you is a swift, but enjoyable, read that manages to strike that rare combination of entertainment with a heart. Recommended...
  
  

• Foley is Good is...good
  By A10DQ1IVHSLO34 on 2002-04-24
  Foley Is Good is the sequel to Mick Foley's first book, the New York Times bestseller, Have A Nice Day. Unlike Have A Nice Day, which covered Foley's wrestling career, Foley Is Good gives Mick's opinion on violence, drugs, and many other every day topics.

  Foley Is Good covers Mick's life after retirement. It talks about his family, hobbies, and his relationship with other wrestlers. It even includes several top ten lists of Mick's favorite songs, amusement parks, and movies. Unfortunately, many people won't be able to enjoy this book because they can't forget the fact that it was written by a professional wrestler. But this book is not for everyone. It contains enough four-letter words to keep angry mothers complaining for a long time.

  Foley Is Good is a perfect combination of action and comedy. If you're a wrestling fan, you can learn more about the man behind Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack. Even if you don't like wrestling, you can still enjoy the humor and viewpoints of the author. If you set aside the fact that it's written by a wrestler, anybody can enjoy this book. Foley Is Good is...good.
  
  

• Limited Focus
  By A2HWD9PTM7RBXN on 2002-04-28
  This sequel to Have A Nice Day is truly a mixed affair. Probably the strength of this follow up is behind the scenes commentary on what it is like to be a Professional Wrestler. Very interesting are Mick's "on stage" angles with The Rock and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Mick gives us great detail on how his Royal Rumble 2000 Match elevated both himself and Triple H. Its interesting to read about his private feud with The Rock although it would have been nice to know The Rock's point of view during this misunderstanding that festered inside Mick Foley for two years. Mick gives us both the fantasy and reality points of view. Also amusing are Foley's cracks about Test, Al Snow, and The Mean Street Posse. The chair swinging incident regarding the Posse is pretty intriguing from a wrestling fan's point of view.

  Also interesting is Mick Foley's relationship with his family. Mick indeed seems like a gentle caring family man outside the ring even if in many ways Mick is a bit of kid himself.

  What weakens the book is the the general purpose. Was it really necessary to write a book that details the last two years of a wrestling career? What is one supposed to gather from this? Mick also gives us very little about his role as a commissioner other than saying that in his humble opinion his work with Edge and Christian was legendary. Don't get me wrong, those skits were good. However, Mick could have ellaborated a little more.

  Also, the last chapter on the PTC and Mr. Bozell is a total bore. Mick Foley needs to realize that the WWF can be questionable viewing to young children especially with the racey storylines. I am not saying that children should not watch the WWF. They just need the proepr guidance from their parents. Mick Foley seems to greatly ignore this very obvious point. Comparing the violent scenes to Hansel and Gretel and other child-like stories is inaccurate. Hansel and Gretel is certainly not as graphic and obvious with its violence. The WWF has become extremely violent and Mick Foley's physical, mental, and emotional condition certainly proves it.

  None the less, Foley is Good is indeed a "Good" book not a "Great" one. Foley's imagery is certainly quite vivid in many spots. However, his point of view is defiitely from a man who has taken a few too many chair shots.
  
  

• Almost as good...
  By A18UWJIZVIWMJY on 2003-07-27
  Foley IS Good, but this second attempt at an autobiography falls short of his first. That is not to take anything away from this attempt, but simply to say that his prior work "Have a Nice Day" is definatley superior. A great read for any fan of professional wrestling or a great story from a boy from Long Island, NY. Read his first autobiography first, though.
  
  
• Not as good as "Have A Nice Day", but still a good read
  By A2E7DBCR9DCG87 on 2005-09-09
  Sequels rarely live up to the work that they follow, and this is no exception. Think of this book as sort of "the making of" Have A Nice Day; Mick Foley devotes a considerable amount of time to how he wrote the book, his travails with a would-be ghostwriter, fallout (both real and imagined) from "Beyond the Mat", and the marketing, selling, and critical response of his book. But, Mr. Foley does devote some great passages to several issues that are key: namely, the decline in his physical health (and the correlation to his in-ring abilities) due to the bumps, shots, and other wrestling injuries, and the use of drugs in pro wrestling. Of the former, Foley is extremely candid in his estimation of how far his skills have fallen, because of the almost-non-stop grind of his wrestling career. An entire chapter is devoted to talking about the use of illicit drugs in the industry (as well as society), as well as Foley's declaration that he has not used steroids, heroin, or other illegal substances (nor does he point fingers at other wrestlers, but the record speaks for itself- just look at the plight of the Von Erich family).
  The one false note comes at the end- while Mick Foley's response to the moralist critics is interesting, it comes off as too self-serving, and I suspect that an intern and LexisNexis were put to work to put an almost unnecessary addendum to an otherwise good read. Foley is best when he is recounting old wrassling stories and character anecdotes, and while he is almost storied out ("Have A Nice Day" has a TON of inside-baseball-like stuff compared to "Good"), it is still an enjoyable read.
  3.5 STARS (This in one notch below "Blood and Sweatsocks")
  
  
• Amazingly Astounding!!!!!
  By ABXYDATMH4BB9 on 2001-05-08
  As strange as it may seem, I've actually had this book for about a week now. For some reason my local book store had put it out a week early. I jumped at the chance to buy it, and managed to read it over only three nights. This book starts off right where Mick left off in "Have A Nice Day." The stories he has to tell this time around are just the best. The way in which Mick recounts some of his classic encounters in and out of the ring are just astounding. His memory is simply fantastic for matters such as these. He even has a few interesting opinions on such topics as backyard wrestling. His commishionership would have been a great topic to put more focus on, but the book is superb nonetheless. I don't want to ruin it by saying too much, but this book is a must buy for any wrestling fan, or even the non-wrestling fan as the book provides for an enlightening read, that as the jacket suggests, is a "roller-coaster ride." And on this ride, you won't want to get off.
  
  
• Anatomy Humor and Serious Social Commentary??
  By AVBYL0BIAZ8IB on 2001-05-15
  Just like the first one, this a great book. I haven't laughed so hard while reading since Douglass Adams's "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" series. The chapter entitled "The Legend of the Penis Suplex" is just about the funniest (not to mention most bizarre) thing I've ever heard.

  Funny alone does not a great book make, and this book is more than just humerous. There's a lot of truth in what Foley says about the real world being "faker" than pro-wrestling. I hope a lot of non-wrestling fans/critics take a look at this. I hope fans make use of the ammo this book provides in confronting the stupidity put out by groups like the PTC who love to bash pro-wrestling.

  The bottom line here is that Mick Foley is a great story-teller. This second book continues forward with the story of his life. Mick Foley's fans and readers should be thankful they've been given this glimpse into a truely amazing life.
  
  

• Foley is Good but I'd rather Have A Nice Day!
  By A1RELHHVOS0FGL on 2001-05-16
  Once again, Mick Foley gives us just what we want: another glimpse into the wild and crazy world of professional wrestling. As an avid wrestling fan, I thought the book was great. As a reader, I thought his previous work (Have A Nice Day!) told more interesting stories and was a bit more original. Despite him giving cheap pops to my hometown (Springfield, MA), the book seemed a bit scattered. While less than half of the book was related to his actual wrestling (only two years), some of it was social commentary about backyard wrestling and the social ramifications of sports entertainment. I would say, though, the majority of the book was clearly the evolution of his first literary effort, which was interesting, but I would have preferred some more wrestling topics. The essay portion (In Defense of the WWF) was a good read, but by no means do I want to plow through it again. If you have read Have A Nice Day!, this is an essential read. If you haven't, read it, then find out why Foley is Good.
  
  
• This Book Is Worth it
  By AGM58KUUTF2W3 on 2001-05-19
  I read Micks first book and I thought it was great. This one is even better, In less than 2 days im almost done with it. It is definately worth the price!
  
  

• Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
• The Hardcore Diaries
• A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex
• The Stone Cold Truth (WWE)
• Ric Flair: To Be the Man (WWE)