Have a Nice Day, where to begin? A New York Times number one times best seller of an autobiography written by Mick Foley who would go on to find success in of the same nature with the second volume of his memoirs. Mick has written 3 children’s stories, 2 novels, and a total of 4 autobiographies not to mention that he wrote these due to finding fame as one of the most unlikeliest professional wrestling stars in the last two decades. Foley would go on to win the World Wrestling Federation (as it was then know, now WWE) title 3 times, be known as the ‘Hardcore Legend’ and one of the most adored characters of all time in the world of Sports Entertainment.
A Tale of Blood and Sweat Socks is very hard to flaw in any way. The story of an underdog who most likely should never have made it in the wrestling business following his dream until he reached every goal he could ever imagine and then some. Starting with his humble beginnings as a child, taking you through his awkward teenage years telling of failed and attempted romances and various other recollections, holding nothing back no matter how bad it may make himself look. Going over the now famous hitch-hiking to Madison Square Garden story, his aspirations encouraging him to jump off the roof’s of houses and the development of his earliest alter ego, followed by training with Dominic DeNucci. All the time the reader feels a sense of relation to Mick combined with being able to chuckle at the way the stories are told, bringing out a plethora of emotions that Foley continues to draw from his audience constantly as his book continues. You travel with him all over the world Mexico, Japan, America and Germany through barb-wire, tables, and fire taking the reader on a trip they are likely to never forget.
The section containing Germany is probably one of the more cringe worthy parts of the book, yet is told in such a way that by the time the story is over you can’t help but laugh out loud at the outcome. Going into detail of his encounters with all walks of wrestlers such as Al Snow, Terry Funk, The Rock, Stone Cold, Vader and many more, also the promotions he had been apart of from the International Wrestling Association of Japan to World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. Foley gives an open and honest interpretation of the events that shaped both him professionally and personally leaving out no point whether it is high or low in his life. Including the infamous Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker at the 1998’s King of the Ring, the capturing of the world championship for the first time then closes the book. All aspects of Mick’s life are covered in Have a Nice Day including all of his alter ego’s, eventful matches, and key moments in his personal life, as a reader you really feel as if you are walking through his life, experiencing every moment emotionally, leaving you to eagerly anticipate the next chapter.
Phenomenal is the first word that comes to mind to describe Mick Foley’s first volume of autobiography, Have a Nice Day. No stone is left unturned including but not limited to experiencing the joyous tears of his children being born, his unfortunately humorous adolescent encounters, the pain of his most violent matches such as The King of the Death Match tournament, the hilarity shared backstage among wrestlers, the frustration of behind the scenes politics, and the sense of accomplishment at a seemingly insurmountable task. You will laugh, you will cry, you will grimace, you will be charmed by the goofy antics, and you will smile for Mick Foley. Any person who has been a fan of wrestling in any continent since the late 80’s should have a copy of this book on their book shelf. This is not a book just for wrestling fans though, this is a story of a man who can be admired for his sheer determination and sheer to continue the proverbial ladder reaching his ultimate goal something anyone can relate to.
– By Jimmy Wheeler
By Mick Foley
Published by HarperCollins
Released October 20, 1999
511 Pages, Hardcover