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Walk on the Wild Side
Perhaps you're thinking that two books by and about Dennis Rodman are at least one book too many. Nevertheless, Walk on the Wild Side, the sequel to the bestselling Bad as I Wanna Be, continues Rodman's story, interspersed with his singular views on everything from sex to drugs to rock-and-roll. Certainly Rodman is outrageous, but this book reveals his admirable willingness to stick to his guns; he abhors bigotry in any form, eschews illegal drugs, and defends his right--and presumably the rights of others--to express his individuality as he sees fit. If Rodman's intentions are honorable, his execution is often immature in the extreme--head-butting referees in defense of his independence is hardly admirable behavior. Still, Rodman's appeal goes deeper than his bad-boy image or his tie-dyed hair. There is something oddly sweet about Dennis Rodman's naïve faith in the redemptive powers of sex, in the individual's ability to constantly remake him or herself in a better image, and in the basic American virtues of hard work, self-reliance and patriotism--however strangely he might choose to express them.
Even those readers willing to consider Rodman's particular view of the world might be put off by the act of reading Walk on the Wild Side. Sentences in boldface, words and phrases that are capitalized or highlighted in black, and paragraphs presented in a different typeface--all for no apparent reason--leap from every page, merely print pyrotechnics that distract from Rodman's message. But maybe those fans who can get past Dennis Rodman's outrageous persona also will be able to overlook his book's layout.
Paperback
First published April 28, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2019
Not 5* because it’s a masterpiece, but because it’s SO conflicting and frustrating and contradictory and problematic and raw and honest and ugly. He’s so clearly a deeply damaged person (and KIND OF aware of it and also in complete denial of it). I really, really want to know how he feels about this book now, 22 years later...
he wrote some incredibly fucked up things in this book. (Eg. “If I were president I’d make it illegal for women to not give head” AND “I don’t go down on women, it’s gross.”) He also has an air of enlightenment... He’s a walking contradiction.
while I believe he’s hurt a lot of people, his existence really inspired me to be “different” as a kid (a kid who was stuck in a ultra-conservative, boring jock family (but who also loved drag and being flamboyant (but didn’t have the space to be them-self))). The world needs more weirdos like him (but hopefully with more therapy under their belts).
I couldn’t put this book down.
he wrote some incredibly fucked up things in this book. (Eg. “If I were president I’d make it illegal for women to not give head” AND “I don’t go down on women, it’s gross.”) He also has an air of enlightenment... He’s a walking contradiction.
while I believe he’s hurt a lot of people, his existence really inspired me to be “different” as a kid (a kid who was stuck in a ultra-conservative, boring jock family (but who also loved drag and being flamboyant (but didn’t have the space to be them-self))). The world needs more weirdos like him (but hopefully with more therapy under their belts).
I couldn’t put this book down.
November 11, 2013
This book is really a manifesto for creative self-expression, it may veer slightly into hedonistic territory briefly, but it's not a shallow or superficial book at all and I would say it delves into spiritual and existential aspects of life. I found much truth and wisdom in this book, Rodman is a guy I would like to hang out with, think both his head and heart are in the right place. He's highly opinionated and oddly realistic his enemies are my enemies, conservative, uptight, prudish, mean spirited and closed-minded people set on imposing their will on everyone else. For anyone who strongly feels that creative and individual self expression are paramount to basic health and happiness, this book, and his other book, are must haves! Rodman is my kinda guy!
April 3, 2017
This book had a much different tone to it in regards to the previous bios. Rodman poses as The Martyr and is the king of the Humble Brag. But there's good advice sprinkled in here alongside some inspiration. And ultimately, Rodman is being real; it's hard to fault him for that.
July 16, 2008
It was OK, just more wild stories.
November 16, 2013
Very Interesting insight into the complex character that is Dennis Rodman, quick and enjoyable read.
August 2, 2017
I have been a worm fan for as long as I can remember. I like this book
June 18, 2021
Mr. Rodman definitely liked living it up: partying, boozing, gambling, screwing white women—it was every rapper’s dream come true. But that wasn’t enough for Mr. Rodman. His riotous lifestyle had to come with a philosophy. Hence this book.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing deep or insightful about his ramblings. They range from stating a carpe diem lifestyle to politicians being liars (really? I had no idea!) to how it was much more fun hanging out with gay, transgender or transvestite folks than conservative people. He doesn’t state how such colorful individuals are more amusing than others; it’s something we have to infer for ourselves. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with eyeliner and glitter.
Often, the book reads like the opinionated, inner babbling of a hyperactive 15-year-old girl, complete with big, bold capitalized fonts and repetitive pictures of himself. The only things missing are underlined words and multiple exclamation points.
The book is repetitive as well, emphasizing his youth of theft and poverty and his brief suicidal depression. On the third read about how he held a gun and contemplated shooting himself, I was thinking, “Oh, just pull the trigger already.” Callous, I suppose. But nothing about his ramblings elicited sympathy.
His attacks on other athletes for toeing the line, playing nice and being polite instead of throwing caution to the winds and acting like the sports gods that the world treats them have a point. But there’s something mean spirited and petty about it. Let him dress up as Cleopatra with a wig and platform shoes. That doesn’t mean everybody else has to throw on the feather boas.
In short, Mr. Rodman should have eschewed writing another silly book (or writing any if the previous one was as self-indulgent as this). His lifestyle speaks for itself—and loudly, too. Then again, this book was published in 1997 when he was in his thirties. Now he’d be in his late 50s and he may have mellowed considerably. If so, I wouldn’t mind another, better book for him. But I have to judge this one and it is appallingly bad.
Stick with his basketball career and steer clear of this literary effort.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing deep or insightful about his ramblings. They range from stating a carpe diem lifestyle to politicians being liars (really? I had no idea!) to how it was much more fun hanging out with gay, transgender or transvestite folks than conservative people. He doesn’t state how such colorful individuals are more amusing than others; it’s something we have to infer for ourselves. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with eyeliner and glitter.
Often, the book reads like the opinionated, inner babbling of a hyperactive 15-year-old girl, complete with big, bold capitalized fonts and repetitive pictures of himself. The only things missing are underlined words and multiple exclamation points.
The book is repetitive as well, emphasizing his youth of theft and poverty and his brief suicidal depression. On the third read about how he held a gun and contemplated shooting himself, I was thinking, “Oh, just pull the trigger already.” Callous, I suppose. But nothing about his ramblings elicited sympathy.
His attacks on other athletes for toeing the line, playing nice and being polite instead of throwing caution to the winds and acting like the sports gods that the world treats them have a point. But there’s something mean spirited and petty about it. Let him dress up as Cleopatra with a wig and platform shoes. That doesn’t mean everybody else has to throw on the feather boas.
In short, Mr. Rodman should have eschewed writing another silly book (or writing any if the previous one was as self-indulgent as this). His lifestyle speaks for itself—and loudly, too. Then again, this book was published in 1997 when he was in his thirties. Now he’d be in his late 50s and he may have mellowed considerably. If so, I wouldn’t mind another, better book for him. But I have to judge this one and it is appallingly bad.
Stick with his basketball career and steer clear of this literary effort.
November 29, 2025
I love reading up on Rodmans Life. But every book feels like he talks about the same thing in different ways.
Fashion, Girls, partying & Basketball. Its talked through out his books over and over again. Or how he used to be a janitor stealing watches in Dallas Airport. Overall, i love seeing what i was like first hand wining those championships in Chicago after being a lost journeyman after the Pistons let him go. Dennis is one of my favorite players of all time. I wish he gave himself more credit, there hasnt been a player like him since. And the more i hear stories of Stern, the more i dislike that short sh*t.
Fashion, Girls, partying & Basketball. Its talked through out his books over and over again. Or how he used to be a janitor stealing watches in Dallas Airport. Overall, i love seeing what i was like first hand wining those championships in Chicago after being a lost journeyman after the Pistons let him go. Dennis is one of my favorite players of all time. I wish he gave himself more credit, there hasnt been a player like him since. And the more i hear stories of Stern, the more i dislike that short sh*t.
March 8, 2020
Surprisingly he gave some good advice in this book about life in general and being who you are. He did a lot for those of us who are different by being who he is and gives hope for the people who started life roughly. Anything can happen. Who would have thought he didn’t even play basketball in school and graduated at the height of 5’11 sprouting to 6’8 in 2 years? He’s lived one hell of a life
August 27, 2021
Once upon a time this was cool.
November 13, 2023
A fun read but the same stuff gets repeated over and over
February 20, 2024
Great book, although nothing as great as Bad As I Wanna Be!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews