Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore: Funk, Terry, Williams, Scott E., Foley, Mick: 9781582619910: Amazon.com: Books (original) (raw)

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Customers find the book entertaining and informative for wrestling fans. They appreciate the behind-the-scenes stories and his Japanese experiences. The author provides clear explanations and is straightforward. Readers describe the book as a fun read from a great old-school representative.

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22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable. They say it's a must-read for wrestling fans and a fun read for older fans. Readers appreciate learning about the life of a legend in the sport. Overall, they find the book interesting and worth reading.

"...He doesn't throw anyone under the bus, which is fine by me. Really a good read. Check it out." Read more

"...say there was enough new stuff in there that it was definitely worth the read...." Read more

"...This book explains it very well. It was a good read for someone that has enjoyed wrestling for years...." Read more

15 customers mention "Storytelling"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's storytelling. They find it entertaining and informative, with great behind-the-scenes stories about old wrestling territories and his Japanese experiences. The author is transparent in his storytelling and doesn't sugarcoat anything. Readers appreciate the insights into the man himself and the Japanese wrestling circuits that are not easily found elsewhere.

"...Terry is very transperant in his storytelling and doesn't sugarcoat anything. He doesn't throw anyone under the bus, which is fine by me...." Read more

"...Like Foley's book it goes beyond the wrestler and brings you insight into the MAN himself. I am completely glad I bought this book...." Read more

"Terry Funk's book is an informative read for any wrestling fans or wrestling historians...." Read more

"This book has it all. Terry Funk not only comes across as funny and likable but he also gives a crash course on pretty much the entire history of..." Read more

5 customers mention "Explication"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and insightful for wrestling fans. They appreciate the author's explanations, anecdotes, and reasoned essays. The book is described as respectful, honest, and straightforward.

"...For the most part, Terry did well to explain things a person like me (someone who didn't follow his career before recent years) could understand...." Read more

"...This book explains it very well. It was a good read for someone that has enjoyed wrestling for years...." Read more

"It's as much about everyone he worked with as himself. Very good insight to the pros and cons of the business." Read more

"...Great anecdotes, along with some genuinely reasoned essays on what has gone both right and wrong with wrestling over the years...." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find Terry Funk entertaining and likable. The book provides a fun read about his matches.

"...I was informed and more importantly, entertained by Terry Funk. He's a lot smarter than his wrestling personality leads you to believe...." Read more

"This book has it all. Terry Funk not only comes across as funny and likable but he also gives a crash course on pretty much the entire history of..." Read more

"...I also discovered that it was fun to read about his matches and then find them on you tube and watch. I didnt find all of them but I found a lot...." Read more

"...Fun read from a great old school representative." Read more

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Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2012
Other wrestling autobiographys should take notes from Terry Funk and Scott E Williams on how to share a story. I love reading about the Funk family's humble beginnings. I love all the road and wars storys from the old schoolers that people like that Cena will never have. Terry is very transperant in his storytelling and doesn't sugarcoat anything. He doesn't throw anyone under the bus, which is fine by me. Really a good read. Check it out.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2007
I picked up this book because of how Mick Foley has talked up Terry Funk in his previous two books (Have A Nice Day & Foley Is Good). I've become somewhat of a late Terry Funk fan thanks to Mick Foley. I've missed out on some of Terry's best days and best matches (notice to WWE - get moving on a Terry Funk dvd!) so I must admit to being weary heading into reading this book.
I was very pleasantly surprised. I was informed and more importantly, entertained by Terry Funk. He's a lot smarter than his wrestling personality leads you to believe. Also, like his protege Mick Foley, his morals show through in an industry known for a lack of morals at best. In one of the earlier chapters I was waiting in a car while shopping was being done and decided to read more of the book to pass the time. There was a funny part of the book that literally made me laugh out loud! Funk is funny as hell when he wants to be and there is a good amount of humor in this book.
I must admit there were things in the book that either went over my head or was about people/things I did not know about. For the most part, Terry did well to explain things a person like me (someone who didn't follow his career before recent years) could understand. Also, we got to hear his side of the friendship between him and Foley. I'd almost be willing to say this book should be recommended even if you aren't a wrestling fan. Like Foley's book it goes beyond the wrestler and brings you insight into the MAN himself. I am completely glad I bought this book. It took me away from the real world and my real life problems. I was absorbed by a man who loves wrestling, but loves his family even more. High praise to Terry Funk & co-writer Scott Williams!
P.S. - Special thanks to Mick Foley for talking so nicely about Funk in his books that he made me interested in Funk to buy this book and start following Terry's wrestling career.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2023
Terry Funk's book is an informative read for any wrestling fans or wrestling historians.
By far, the most interesting part is Terry's description of wrestling in the 1960s and 1970s, as Terry offers a clear picture of life under the N.W.A. territorial system. He mentions a ton of wrestlers whom I had never heard of: Sputnik Monroe, Duke Keomuka, Butch Levy, Don Serrano, Babs Wingo, Dick Murdoch, Thunderbolt Patterson etc. He also describes the logistics of running a wrestling promotion during that time (he and his family owned the NWA promotion that operated out of Amarillo, TX); the manner of travel; the dedication to maintaining kayfabe; and the role of the NWA champion. Terry's thoughts about the end of the territories are insight too. I had actually never known that some guy in the 1970s named Eddie Einhorn had tried to do what Vince McMahon Jr. eventually did, going national.
In the later chapters, Terry talks about his work in the 1990s and 2000s (i.e. his work in Japan, WCW, ECW, WWF as well as his feud with Lawler in the Memphis territory). In most of the wrestling books that I've read, this section is usually the most interesting portions, as there is talk of the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era. But in Terry's book, these chapters are uneventful because Terry didn't do much of note; he was a low-card wrestler for a lot of these years. The value of Terry's book definitely comes from the early chapters about the NWA territories.
Overall, excellent read. I would daresay that I learned more about wrestling history from Funk's book than I did from reading any of the other wrestling bios.

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2021
I grew up watching the Funk family in Amarillo. I had the pleasure of meeting Dirk and getting to spend an evening with Terry and his wife, Dory and his wife, and Dirk. They were my childhood heroes but they were a down to earth family that were nice to me. I was lucky to meet them and Ricky Romero and Duck Murdoch and some of their family members. So being able to read Some of Terry’s accounts of the business was pretty cool. I’m back in the Panhandle now and it’s great. Who knows maybe I’ll run into them again. But if your a fan of wrestling it’s a must read.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2008
I just finished reading Terry Funk bio. He is my all time favorite wrestler and I must say I was a little leary of the book because I have watched all of his shoots and thought I had probably heard it all before. But I must say there was enough new stuff in there that it was definitely worth the read. The only bad part, like Harley Races book, is that I think both have had such long rich careers that their books could have been a lot more extensive with a lot more pages. But it was still very good.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
This book has it all. Terry Funk not only comes across as funny and likable but he also gives a crash course on pretty much the entire history of the wrestling business. He also responds to Ric Flairs jab at Mick Foley in his book (glorified stuntman). Instead of just ripping into Flair which he certainly could have done, he actually goes into what made Foley great. His chapter on the art of the promo is required reading. He is also brutally honest about what went wrong in ECW and WCW although he avoids blaming Hulk Hogan which is understandable because they're friends.
Overall I really enjoyed this book
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018
This book tells the story of one of the most long lived people in the business. It offers a look at the territory days and shows the evolution of the industry through the years.
This book doesn’t bury anyone but does give opinions on some of the characters both in and out of the ring.

Top reviews from other countries

Reviewed in Canada on August 7, 2017
Anybody with the name Funk & in wrestling
be careful & don't take'm lightly,
they'll smack you down
in a heart beat.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2016
Terry Funk has had a storied career and met just about every personality in the industry. A fascinating journey charting his whole career from his reign as NWA champion, Japan, WWF, WCW, ECW and a plethora of regional territories. Essential reading for anyone keen on pro wrestling history.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2012
glad i bought the book, a great insight into the man and his years in wrestling buisness from a regional star to nwa world champion,this book deserves to be read by any true wrestling fan

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2015
We all know Terry Funk, or at least the work he's done. With more retirements than a decade of top-flight cricket batsmen he's the man who just can't let go of what he loves - but does so without embarrassing himself. Unlike other legends who received the true limelight in the television era, who we would like to remember as they were in their prime, the Funker looks like he could still go convincingly.
A wart-and-all insight into the mind and experiences of the man behind the aura this is undoubtedly one of the better wrestling books out there. Not quite at the Jericho/early Foley level, but gives 'Hitman' a real run for the candid nature of it all. There's not a great deal of "I sold out X arena; This town came just to see me" stuff that others write; instead we see a family man at heart who was virtually born into wrestling. Being slightly too young to remember the territories of the NWA days, this is a tour-de-force of those halcyon days, giving a real insight into how it all worked - how they played off against each other; the trials and tribulations of running a promotion in the territory system. Recent history is littered with those that have fallen by the wayside due to their failure to attract the attention of 'big TV', which is now the lifeblood of pro wrestling. The struggles are similar, but somehow back then it was able to work.
It's a refreshing change from those books largely written in character - Terry Funk the man is wildly removed from the uber-violent Death Match Competitor or aggressive bouncer in Roadhouse and he's surprisingly eloquent too.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2023
A true encyclopedia of knowledge from the late great Funker. Taking us through the territory days, NWA, WCW, Japan and the WWF and so much more. Stories from the road, behind the scenes, Funk really paints a picture with his passion for the business