Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story

This book is a terrific story whether you are a wrestling fan or not. I personally have been an HBK fan since I was a kid so I loved the book. I feel he is by far the greatest wrestler of all time. This book only proves it for sure. From growing up in a military family to his early days in the AWA, the book takes you through his entire life. From his early days in WWE, his constant feud with Bret Hart, his title reigns, his DX days, and his rebirth, this book tells it all. I feel that Shawn probably left some details out but the book still holds it own. I read it faster than any book I've read before. I definately recommend it for it is truely a feel good book. I am personally so happy for Shawn to have a beautiful wife and two children. He deserves all the success he has and it is great to see him finally achieve inner peace. HBK ROCKS!!!!

Easily one of the best wrestling books I’ve read in ages. It’s around three hundred pages and is so well written with indentions that encourage a reader to stop and come back later. There’s controversy here but only in regards with Bret. I think it’s important to mention that the way Shawn feels today (and long after this particular book was published) about Bret has changed drastically and they’ve both put the past behind them. I loved every second and I know you will too

I am a huge mark for Shawn Michaels so I bought this book with rose-tinted glasses. I need not have worried that Shawn would come across as unlikeable or too boastful, he came across as a guy who lived his dream to be a great wrestler and made it to the very top before injuries curtailed his career for the better part of four years. He was quite modest in places. Michaels entered a world of painkillers to get over his injuries and was in a bad way before he found God (or God found him) and he saw the light to redemption both personally and professionally. I found the book to be a quick and easy read and I liked it a lot. I wouldn't have minded a few more backstage stories but what was written was pretty good.

I have been a wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. I have enjoyed following the career of Shawn Michaels over the years and really appreciated how he comes sforth in his book to show the ins and outs of the wrestling world. Most people who follow wrestling understands the art of the business while others are stuck in the fake vs. not fake aspect. I enjoyed reading about the friendships among the wrestlers as well as the "heat." I would recommed this book to anyone. I could not stop reading it. I hope that in the future he will write a book that is soley based on his God changed his life and his work in the ministry. He is a wonderful inspiration and I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

AWESOME READ

As a huge Shawn Michaels fan, I was a bit shocked at how little was left out. Also he never thanked his trainer Jose Lothario in the books credits! He never talked about his first time (losing his “innocence”) since he alluded to being a shy guy. Also it creeped me out knowing his mother forced him to date a 16 year old high school girl when he was 20 and owned his own home. Thats weird. He did not address the 9 month long affair with Tammy Sytch “sunny” the valet. She went into details in her book and on shoot interviews. It would really have been good for his version, I always felt she created a full blown romance in her own mind when she was more of a road ******! She said she was known as the “kilq chick” but Nash, HHH , Waltman have always denied it. The Montreal Screwjob; he almost admits its a work. He claims its not but he also gives all of the evidence as to it being one and Brent 100% was in on it. The convenience of the camera crew , getting him major heat while Bret comes out Canadas favorite child? Sunny in her book said it was a work (although shes been known to bend truths too) But Referee Dave Hebmer has said ITS A WORK and Scott Hall said it as well. His wife; weird way to meet as she worked in a wredtling company but claims he had no idea who the biggest star in wrestling was come on everyone even if you weren’t a wrestler at the time in the 90s news Shawn Michaels was! This girl wanted to get married and have kids. She was only 22 years old. She barely knows the guy doesn’t even see him and agrees to meet with him a good Christian girl and then she gets knocked up before she gets married. I’m not she was as she said they claim Kimberly page from the nitro girls said they were all former strippers and people in the Atlanta area said all those girls had been around and wanted to bag a rich wrestler. I’m glad he got off pills. I’m glad that he says he’s happy , in a place of peace but it definitely took the edge off the HBK that we all love from the 90s. The swagger the charisma granted he still could go in the ring. there’s no doubt about that and when this book was written, and he still had three more years of active wrestling, I mean it’s weird to see him now, because he literally doesn’t even look with the same person but it’s good that somebody could have such an amazing career and do what they wanna do and get out of the drugs. I just a lot of the book felt a little bit like something was missing out of the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this genuine portrayal of a lifelong passion towards an industry that is jeered and the seeking of a purpose when that passion abandons you. As a child of the late 80's and early 90's I was disillusioned when I learned that wrestling wasn't real. Still a nostalgic fan of Shawn Michaels and intrigued to learn he was now a born again Christian I looked forward to hearing his story. I was touched by his honesty in these pages. The most surprising realization from this memoir that I hate to admit is the respect I now have for those dedicated to the profession. I finally understand why they say it's real even if the final outcome is planned.

I really don't to read,but I finished the book in two days haven't put it down. I had always loved HBK and it w a s great to learn about his real life. I also found out some more things about wrestling that I find did not know. And I felt for him when he was alone and depressed, and I know what it is like powering through injuries...I'm a gymnast, just tape it up and hope for the best. The only downside is it doesn't go through his whole career not even the second DX. But later I found out it was written in 2005 so I got over it and I'll just have to buy a DX book which I hope will be just as great.

Da ich in meiner Kindheit und Jugend ein sehr großer Wrestlingfan war und im Teeni alter dann irgendwann bei Shawn Michaels hängen geblieben bin, ist das Buch für mich natürlich ein absolutes Highlight. Auch wenn ich das Geschehen in der WWE heute nicht mehr verfolge beeindruckte Shawn mich durch herausragende Leistungen und nicht zu guterletzt auch durch sein Aussehen so sehr dass ich nun dieses Buch gekauft habe. Man bekommt einen Einblick in Shawns Kindheit, private Dinge und natürlich in die Welt des Sportsentertainment. Besonders schön für mich zu lesen waren seine Karriere Anfänge, da ich damals Wrestling selber noch nicht verfolgt habe....die Karriereabschnitte die ich mit erlebt habe sind direkt noch schöner zu lesen. Für alle die Angst davor haben das Buch zu lesen weil es in englisch ist: gar kein Problem. Ich benutze mein Englisch jetzt schon 7 jahre lang überhaupt nicht mehr und ich hatte absolut keine Probleme dem Inhalt zu folgen

Non solo sul ring, anche su carta HBK si rivela il top dei top; questo libro racconta molto bene la sua grande storia, pieno di aneddoti, foto e curiosità sulla sua carriera dai primissimi inizi. Sono veramente contento di averlo acquistato e letto, da appassionato di wrestling ho conosciuto molti 'dietro le quinte' davvero interessanti. Da avere.

Pretty good read and quite interesting.

Shawn tells his story about how he got into wrestling and became the superstar he is today. It’s a must read for all Shawn Michaels fans as you get a first hand look at how Michael Shawn Hickenbottom became Shawn Michaels. How he nearly messed it all up and then rose from the ashes not unlike a Phoenix. The book itself is very well written. The last chapters felt a bit rushed and but nothing much you can complaint about. All in all a good read.

i've been trying to get a hold of this book for a long time. really had no luck trying to look for this in bookstores here in SG for years. i love it but only gave a rating of only 4 stars because of the delivered condition: few of the corners were dented. being an old school book/comic book collector, its physical condition is a big deal for me