[Editor's Note: This was first published back when I was with Buzz magazine in December of 1999]

“Amazingly, we were denied access to the first hospital. Luckily, there was a room at the second, and I hopped out, but not before uttering a German sentence that probably had never been used before, and possibly will never be used again: ... ‘Please don’t forget to bring my ear in the plastic bag.’” Grizzly, yet for some reason, Mick Foley’s rendition of his infamous “ear losing” incident in Germany is encompassed with such a wry sense of humor that you can’t help, as Foley put it while taking a photo minutes after losing his ear, but get “the slightest hint of a smile.”

Have a Nice Day by “Mankind” Mick Foley is truly a masterpiece. Without spoiling the potential readers enjoyment of the sometimes delightful, painful, emotional, insightful stories found within, the book compiles Foley’s journey from high school until his first WWF championship victory of The Rock in 1998. All topics are covered--car rides with Dad, wrestling training, problems within WCW, the IWA death matches and the tremendous “Hell in the Cell” match with the Undertaker. Wrestling fans will truly appreciate the candor Foley lends in describing the wrestling industry, from the actual action, to backstage antics and the intriguing creative side of angles, character creation, and interviews.

An entirely different view of wrestling has been produced--truly not just the product that we watch religiously on Monday nights. Foley describes a dark, yet fascinating world of misused talent, painful, prevalent injuries, and a comradary of respect amongst friends who nearly kill one another. Foley allows the reader to candidly explore his relations with fellow wrestlers such as Vader, Jake Roberts, Steve Austin, Al Snow, Terry Funk and the late Owen Hart.

The humor in this book is impeccable--as you turn the pages, you can almost hear Foley somewhere reading the words in his exuberant yet modest voice. But moreover, Foley is a master at emotion. When you laugh, he makes you shudder. When you feel like wincing, you find yourself laughing aloud. A sensitive moment is broken with a quip of humor and a painful one is ... regardless of wit, always quite painful.

Personally, I didn’t just like this book ... I truly loved it. Not only did 503 pages go by faster than Al Snow getting pinned during jobber duty (a comparison I believe Foley would appreciate) but it was unquestionably the most entertaining book I have ever read. Or, for that matter, the first book I have ever laughed aloud at. I say this not just because I’m a wrestling fan. And not just because I have been a Foley mark since his days as “Cactus Jack Manson.” I praise this book because two of my true passions in life are writing and literature. Not only is Have a Nice Day one of the most impressive pieces of writing that I have encountered, but it’s an impressive piece of literature and a genuine classic.