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Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Yeah, I'm the towering red-and-yellow warrior who revolutionized the wrestling business, the larger-than-life superhero who transformed an entire country into a horde of Hulkamaniacs™. I'm the guy who spit blood and breathed fire to help create an empire called World Wrestling Entertainment™.
But it wasn't always like that. Once I was a fat kid named Terry Bollea watching legends like Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham, never dreaming I'd be a professional wrestler myself one day.
Find out what makes me cry like a baby and what makes my blood boil. Then tell me you know the man called Hollywood Hulk Hogan™.
Join the Babe Ruth of wrestling on a gritty, no-holds-barred odyssey from his start in the barbaric wrestling arenas of the seventies through the humiliation of his involvement in federal steroid-abuse trials to the achievement of his greatest triumph yet.
Along the way, lock up with the likes of Mr. T, Ted Turner, The Rock®...and of course, Vince McMahon™, head of World Wrestling Entertainment™.
But it wasn't always like that. Once I was a fat kid named Terry Bollea watching legends like Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham, never dreaming I'd be a professional wrestler myself one day.
Find out what makes me cry like a baby and what makes my blood boil. Then tell me you know the man called Hollywood Hulk Hogan™.
Join the Babe Ruth of wrestling on a gritty, no-holds-barred odyssey from his start in the barbaric wrestling arenas of the seventies through the humiliation of his involvement in federal steroid-abuse trials to the achievement of his greatest triumph yet.
Along the way, lock up with the likes of Mr. T, Ted Turner, The Rock®...and of course, Vince McMahon™, head of World Wrestling Entertainment™.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
28 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 7, 2020
Hulk Hogan is a wanker and this book confirms it.
December 31, 2021
This book was so fun brother. Is it the best thing out there? No. But I had a good time reading it. It's a fast, easy read too so you can finish it in a day if you want.
August 3, 2011
At times Hogan can come off a little much, this book is no exception. Take what you read with a grain of salt, but otherwise a fairly entertaining story.
September 7, 2011
Contains little that most die-hard wrestling fans didn't already know, and yet I read it in a day, and couldn't put it down.
May 22, 2022
Hogan is very egotistical along with some problematic views and behaviors and I've learned to take anything he says with a grain of salt. I grew up as a major wrestling fan and even though I haven't watched it in years, I felt it was a good time to take a step back and read some autobiographies. If it wasn't for that little challenge I made for myself, I doubt I would've read this at all. I don't want to throw shade at Hogan entirely, because he was a phenomenal wrestler and entertainer, but he didn't do it all on his own like he likes to make you believe. Still though, it was an entertaining read/listen and Hogan did a great job narrating.
October 28, 2008
I think this is an oral history. its like listening to Hulk Hogan talk to you. Every third sentence ends in "brother" or "let me tell you brother". Like the Hulkster himself its brilliantly over the top and as complex as a kids book
June 18, 2012
I don't know how much of this book was actually written by Hulk Hogan, if any, but the end result is an often entertaining, sometimes funny, but always interesting glimpse at the man who pretty much single-handedly helped mould professional wrestling into the brand it is today.
February 22, 2016
I read this book a long time ago and I personally enjoyed it as a wrestling fan...and particularly as a big fan of Hulk Hogan himself. ..I recommend it to every fan of Hulk Hogan...everyone else read at least a sample if you can because not everyone will like it
October 25, 2008
very fast, easy read. You get an overview of Hogan's career in wrestling and other TV adventures.
June 5, 2011
Decent book describing his life leading thru his divorce.
September 10, 2012
Not a bad read I did expect a little more.
March 3, 2013
Unique read. Its written as hulk hogan rather than as the true man. If you go in knowing it is a read not o be taken too seriously, you will get some enjoyment out of the read.
July 14, 2024
If your wrestling fan then this is probably essential reading. Everyone knows who 'Hulk Hogan' is but not so much about the man behind the legend.
Fascinating reading and so often in these cases, some of the facts behind the scenes are more interesting than his public persona. I had often seen clips where Hogan was playing a guitar and thought it was just a gimmick, but in reality he had quite a successful career playing full time in a band, pulling in $400-$600 a week in the 70's.
As well as the print version, I also listened to the abridge audio book read by Hogan himself.
Defiantly one for fans, not so good for anyone else.
Fascinating reading and so often in these cases, some of the facts behind the scenes are more interesting than his public persona. I had often seen clips where Hogan was playing a guitar and thought it was just a gimmick, but in reality he had quite a successful career playing full time in a band, pulling in $400-$600 a week in the 70's.
As well as the print version, I also listened to the abridge audio book read by Hogan himself.
Defiantly one for fans, not so good for anyone else.
August 1, 2025
This book was written in 2002, which is perfect because since then, NOTHING BAD AT ALL HAPPENED INVOLVING HULK HOGAN AFTER THAT YEAR.
August 8, 2025
I read this book for this first time some years ago, maybe during the 2012 or 2013, it was a great experience. Reading this book again, after the the death of the Hulkster is sad, extremely sad. I enjoyed every page, Hulk has the ability to make a story immortal, even if it is simple. I appreciated the sincerity of Hogan, he talks about arguments and facts with a good measure, not exaggerated or in a boring way, he knows his story and he doesn't care about prejudices. This book is not just about him, but it is also a love story between him and wrestling business.
We miss you Terry.
We miss you Terry.
March 17, 2025
It's an entertaining book which, like most wrestling books of the time, is a weird mix of kayfabe and real life. He unwittingly portrays himself as a big lunk who is pushed and pulled through life and success by much more interesting characters, which probably isn't too far from the truth. It's written before he destroyed his reputation, and is a fun look back at a legendary pre-scandal career.
March 27, 2017
Everyone knows Hulk Hogan. The icon of the professional wrestling scene in the 1980s through the late '90s, the Hulkster put both himself, his aura of "Hulkamania", and the WWF into the national mainstream for the first time. Even the younger generation of wrestling fans who grew up in the late 1990s and 2000s know of Hulk Hogan through his occasional appearances on WWE and reality TV shows (and sadly, in recent years, of his divorce, leaked sex tape, and racial controversy). However, reading this autobiography doesn't really give the average fan anything truly new or in-depth into either Hulk Hogan, or the man behind the character, Terry Bollea.
As one of those '90s babies that I referenced to earlier, I grew up with Hulk Hogan, though usually seeing him live once in a blue moon at a Wrestlemania or in his last full year of active wrestling in 2003. Otherwise, I relied on what popular culture and WWE documentaries fed to me about Hulk Hogan. And I learned a lot. However, when I saw that Hogan had two autobiographies, I thought I would try expanding my understanding of this man a little bit more than just short videos. After reading this books' reviews, I knew to not expect a world-class, detailed autobiography. And for the most part, these limited expectations were met, if not exceeded. Hulk Hogan's life from childhood through the early 2000s is nicely laid out here, all in one place for a casual WWE fan to enjoy. I learned so much about Hogan's early years, both in the wrestling industry and his high school career. His two stints with the WWF and relationship with both Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. are nicely highlighted. His reflection on his personal life and the toll the wresting profession has on a marriage is mentioned throughout, though he seemed a bit too hopeful considering his family soon came crashing down following his retirement.
But even with my toned-down expectations, there were still disappointments. Once he began to write about his many years as a full-time wrestler, from regional promotions in the southeastern U.S. to Japan to WWF, he never really talked about any specific matches. You never hear what is was like to wrestle in that ring against other legends like Paul Orndorff, The Ultimate Warrior, or Randy Savage. Hogan is more likely to talk about one or two of his close friends outside the ring, notably Andre the Giant. And even then, he mentions time and again that the '80s blended together in his mind. Hogan can hardly recall the vaguest details... they are simply lost to time, now. His time with WCW is even more condensed. Besides his initial inclusion into the NWO, his long run in WWE's main competition is heavily ignored. As this book was published under the WWE label, I can understand that they wish the focus to be on his 10+ years in their promotion. But I didn't learn anything about Hogan's time in WCW. To get even a decent look at that perspective, you have to read Eric Bischoff's "Controversy for Cash" autobiography. That should not be the norm for your own autobiography, being forced to read somebody else's book just to learn about your life.
I gave this autobiography 4 stars because yes, I indeed liked it enough that it wasn't just "okay / average" but it wasn't a MUST MUST MUST - READ. However, you must remember this: it's about and from the very MOUTH of Hulk Hogan, for Pete's Sake! So, yes, I would encourage all of you to read it, though check it out from your library rather than reluctantly purchasing it like I did. Also, his 2009 autobiography "My Life Outside the Ring," borrows PLENTY of the wrestling material while focusing his story around his family and the sad decline both he, his wife, and two kids suffered in the late 2000s. However, in this book which is not associated with WWE publishing, his outlook on life is incredible for a man in his state of mind. I highly recommend that you read that book, as well (though you could get away with JUST reading that book).
As one of those '90s babies that I referenced to earlier, I grew up with Hulk Hogan, though usually seeing him live once in a blue moon at a Wrestlemania or in his last full year of active wrestling in 2003. Otherwise, I relied on what popular culture and WWE documentaries fed to me about Hulk Hogan. And I learned a lot. However, when I saw that Hogan had two autobiographies, I thought I would try expanding my understanding of this man a little bit more than just short videos. After reading this books' reviews, I knew to not expect a world-class, detailed autobiography. And for the most part, these limited expectations were met, if not exceeded. Hulk Hogan's life from childhood through the early 2000s is nicely laid out here, all in one place for a casual WWE fan to enjoy. I learned so much about Hogan's early years, both in the wrestling industry and his high school career. His two stints with the WWF and relationship with both Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. are nicely highlighted. His reflection on his personal life and the toll the wresting profession has on a marriage is mentioned throughout, though he seemed a bit too hopeful considering his family soon came crashing down following his retirement.
But even with my toned-down expectations, there were still disappointments. Once he began to write about his many years as a full-time wrestler, from regional promotions in the southeastern U.S. to Japan to WWF, he never really talked about any specific matches. You never hear what is was like to wrestle in that ring against other legends like Paul Orndorff, The Ultimate Warrior, or Randy Savage. Hogan is more likely to talk about one or two of his close friends outside the ring, notably Andre the Giant. And even then, he mentions time and again that the '80s blended together in his mind. Hogan can hardly recall the vaguest details... they are simply lost to time, now. His time with WCW is even more condensed. Besides his initial inclusion into the NWO, his long run in WWE's main competition is heavily ignored. As this book was published under the WWE label, I can understand that they wish the focus to be on his 10+ years in their promotion. But I didn't learn anything about Hogan's time in WCW. To get even a decent look at that perspective, you have to read Eric Bischoff's "Controversy for Cash" autobiography. That should not be the norm for your own autobiography, being forced to read somebody else's book just to learn about your life.
I gave this autobiography 4 stars because yes, I indeed liked it enough that it wasn't just "okay / average" but it wasn't a MUST MUST MUST - READ. However, you must remember this: it's about and from the very MOUTH of Hulk Hogan, for Pete's Sake! So, yes, I would encourage all of you to read it, though check it out from your library rather than reluctantly purchasing it like I did. Also, his 2009 autobiography "My Life Outside the Ring," borrows PLENTY of the wrestling material while focusing his story around his family and the sad decline both he, his wife, and two kids suffered in the late 2000s. However, in this book which is not associated with WWE publishing, his outlook on life is incredible for a man in his state of mind. I highly recommend that you read that book, as well (though you could get away with JUST reading that book).
January 11, 2022
My final read of 2021. I grew up watching Hulk Hogan wrestle and I’ve always been fascinated to learn more about how and why he was the way he was both in front of and behind the cameras. My first wrestling memory was watching Hulk win the 1990 Royal Rumble and that incredible clash with The Ultimate Warrior: I also strongly recall seeing a match when I was even younger involving Hogan (wearing his godlike red and yellow ’Thor’ helmet) taking on one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, The Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase. Nevertheless, Hulk Hogan has always been a controversial figure in sports entertainment, often disliked and heavily criticised by many fans and other wrestlers. For me, he’s an icon from a time during my childhood when imagined heroes could be flesh and blood and when things seemed so much more straightfoward. Terry Bollea (the man behind the persona) also had quite a poor upbringing and always strived from a young age to change things for himself and his family - something he achieved on the grand scale. This was a great read.
June 11, 2010
Typical Hogan B.S. A dishonest autobiography and a complete waste of paper. It's too bad Hogan couldn't transform back into Terry Bollea long enough to write this, because he was a pop-culture icon who would have a great story to tell if he'd tell it right.
November 25, 2012
This book would have been a lot better if he had written it as Terry Bollea instead of in character as "Hulk Hogan." I got tired of reading "brother" after about every 2nd or 3rd sentence ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BOOK. I had to FORCE myself to finish it.
Read
January 5, 2013I like this book because it talks about how Hollywood Hulk Hogan where he grew up, talks about his mother and father, then he talks about him doing sports when he was little kid like Baseball. Then he talks about how he want and becomea Professional Wrestler. There is more to come.
March 6, 2009
Decently written, but suffers from a great deal of revisionist history and BSing.
May 19, 2009
Clearly a story from just his point of view not all that bad a read but not too good
June 10, 2009
love it
December 23, 2011
Excellent book. I read this book a few years ago, but just found this site. Great account of Hogans story from childhood to his days in the ring with the WWE/WWF
May 11, 2012
I live in Tampa and enjoyed all of the local references.
February 4, 2014
Amazingly quick book to read through. Not the best wrestling book but I have read worse ones.
February 9, 2016
fun read. Hulkmania runs wild!
January 2, 2018
This book is bad, but it isn't the worst wrestling book I've read. If you can forget the fact that 99% of it is bullshit, there are some interesting stories.
January 31, 2019
read by Hulk Hogan himself on youtube
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews