Diary Of A Madman

The Hardcore Diaries is the third autobiography penned by Mick Foley. The wrestler's initial memoirs were published in late 1999 whilst his second book, Foley is Good, was released in the Spring of 2001.

Both of the earlier books were New York Times bestsellers and paved the way for a handful of other wrestlers to pen their autobiographies as publishers recognised there was a market for work of this kind. They noticed that wrestling fans can read and write!

What differs from Foley's earlier books and that of the other releases is that the manuscripts were written by Foley's own hand. He did not believe in a ghost-writer and spent his free time writing his books into a notepad as he wasn't computer literate; unlike the same wrestling fans who can read wrestling biographies!

The idea behind this thrd book is an interesting one. Foley had initially planned on writing a book in the same vein as a baseball coach who kept account of a certain period in his team's challenge to win the World Series. The wrestler's idea was to grasp a period in the lead up to Wrestlemania to see how plans were outlined, executed and ended before, during and after the biggest event on the wrestling calendar.

The problem that occured with handling this kind of work was Foley was booked to perform at the Wrestlemania in question and he felt that he would not do the idea justice. The owner of the WWE, Vince McMahon, then suggested a Plan B which resulted in The Hardcore Diaries.

The book takes place in mid 2006 where Foley has returned to the WWE and takes the form of diary entries from that period in the build-up to the wrestler's match at the ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view event in June of that Summer.

The missing pieces of Foley's life story from 2001 onwards is also woven into the book at appropriate times introducing the reader to his two new children, his departure from the WWE, the release of two novels and children books as well as planning on returning to the world of wrestling as part of the TNA company. An act that resulted in McMahon offering Foley a better deal and an agreement between the two that a third autobiography would be released without the heavy edits that have plagued every other WWE published book in recent time.

Foley wanted his expose released without the WWE approving what can and cannot be said. He got his wish. The book is very critical of some of the ideas that have been generated from the WWE publicity machine - something that may not have appeared in the book had the agreement not been made to give Foley carte blanche over its content.

The style of writing is somewhat erratic. The shift from a journal to prose piece can be forgiven but the change from present to past tense is highlighted by the author is somewhat of a flaw to the finished product.

You do see a side to Foley that seems humble in that he does mention all the charitable work he does. It does seem a little self rewarding, however by showing what he does. I know it probably wasn't his intention but it does have a Smashy and Nicey type feel to it when he recounts all of his work for good causes. He highlights the charities yet seems to pat himself on the back for helping them out.

His relationship with the female talent within the WWE is also discussed in a charming yet self pleasing way. He comes across as a geek from school who just happens to be friendly with the good looking girls and seems to use this as his way to be percieved as cool to thsoe who have captured his attention.

Despite these two possible subconscious forms of boasting the book is good. It isn't anywhere near as superb as the debut autobiography but the concept of capturing a moment in the life of the wrestler works well and - just like Have A Nice Day did in 1999 - it may open the door for others to write in a similar style.