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Bret Hart
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Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling Paperback – November 4, 2009

by Bret Hart (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,527 ratings
See all formats and editions
Written without collaborators and based on decades of tape recordings he made throughout his career, Hitman is Bret Hart's brutally honest, perceptive and startling account of his life in and out of the ring that proves once and for all that great things come in pink tights.
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  1. Print length
    592 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  4. Publication date
    November 4, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0446545287
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0446545280
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
2,527 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book amazing, fascinating, and entertaining. They describe the writing quality as well-written and riveting. Readers also appreciate the honesty and insight into the wrestling world.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ReadabilityWriting qualityStory qualityHonestyInsightLook
144 customers mention "Readability"138 positive6 negative

Customers find the book amazing, fascinating, and entertaining. They say it's an enjoyable journey through Bret Hart's life. Readers also mention the book makes them laugh and cry.

"Great in-site into what it was like for an up and comer during the territory days and early days of the wwe...." Read more

"...Bret Hart is an amazing writer he makes you laugh, cringe, cry and truly shocks you...." Read more

"...like their in-ring styles, Mick Foley's books have been highly entertaining and funny, while Hart's book is detailed and professional...." Read more

"...This book is a compelling and truly well-written story of his life inside and outside of the wrestling arena...." Read more

71 customers mention "Writing quality"71 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book compelling, detailed, and riveting. They describe it as one of the best autobiographies to date about a pro wrestler. Readers also mention that the author writes with honesty and pulls no punches.

"...Bret Hart is an amazing writer he makes you laugh, cringe, cry and truly shocks you...." Read more

"...books have been highly entertaining and funny, while Hart's book is detailed and professional. Excellently executed, if you will...." Read more

"First the praise. The book is a very detailed account of the life and times of the Hitman in all his various wrestling capabilities...." Read more

"...This book is a compelling and truly well-written story of his life inside and outside of the wrestling arena...." Read more

59 customers mention "Story quality"59 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engrossing, amazing, and detailed. They say it's heartfelt and an impressive recollection of events. Readers also mention the struggles Hart overcame are inspiring.

"...Great detail and specific events give readers nostalgic vibes… love this book" Read more

"...Bret Hart is an amazing writer he makes you laugh, cringe, cry and truly shocks you...." Read more

"...any wrestling fans from picking up this book, as it's full of great inside stories and a nice look behind the scenes of all the places he worked...." Read more

"...His bouts were fierce. His talent to draw you into his story was second to none...." Read more

50 customers mention "Honesty"50 positive0 negative

Customers find the book brutally honest, unabashed, and detailed. They say it's a great read full of emotions.

"...Bret Hart is an amazing writer he makes you laugh, cringe, cry and truly shocks you...." Read more

"...He is BRUTALLY honest to the point where it almost hurts the book...." Read more

"...It was gloriously nostalgic to be taken back through the journey all over again from Bret’s point of view, skewed now as it is...." Read more

"...I think this book is filled with a lot of good stories, a lot of heartache and sadness and also the reality of what every wrestler has to go..." Read more

41 customers mention "Insight"41 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, interesting, and eye-opening. They say it's filled with an extraordinary level of detail and a fascinating background on the profession. Readers also appreciate the honest look into a world they grew up watching.

"...Great detail and specific events give readers nostalgic vibes… love this book" Read more

"...World of Wrestling" is significant not only because it exposes a brilliant mind, but also because it centers around such an important era of the..." Read more

"...are a good read, and his behind the scenes look at stuff is very intriguing...." Read more

"...It seeems he enjoyed these times the best. This memoir also provides an intriguing insight into the machinations of wrestling business, ie...." Read more

13 customers mention "Look"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and informative. They appreciate the beautiful, yet tragic story in and out of the ring. Readers also mention the book has a lot of colored pictures and like the pictures of the family.

"...up this book, as it's full of great inside stories and a nice look behind the scenes of all the places he worked...." Read more

"...later, even after accepting it was not 'real', I still appreciated the art and physicality...." Read more

"...This is a highly informative look at the Hitman's entire life and career...." Read more

"...Bret was an actual wrestler, skilled, technical, artistic, and political...the whole package. A must read for wrestling fans." Read more

Great price, fair shipping, good condition, happy
5 out of 5 stars
Great price, fair shipping, good condition, happy
Been looking for a copy of this for ages. Great price used, book is in terrific condition (slight normal wear) and the price was very fair considering availability of this title.Super satisfied with my purchase!
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Top reviews from the United States

eric
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great in-site into what it was like for an up and comer during the territory days and early days of the wwe. Brets career is one of few that spans the huge gap between where wrestling was and where it is now. Great detail and specific events give readers nostalgic vibes… love this book
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Ally Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Bests ever Wrestling Autobiography
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is the ultimate wrestling autobiography. I have read nearly all of the ones released by the WWE and they don't come anywhere near close to this for honesty, the closest would be one of Mick Foley's. Bret's account is honest funny but above all I found it to be sad. He was a man who gave everything he had for the WWE and Vince treated him appallingly. Bret has an ego you can tell that but you can also see that he would be the first to admit it as he admits all his faults without trying to cover them up during the book. Vince comes across just how everyone imagines him which isn't surprizing. But Shawn Michaels comes across in a much worse light, Bret is brutally honest about the drug abuse that goes on in wrestling and Michaels had a hell of a problem. What really damns Michaels in this book is that he comes across as someone very weak willed quite a sad character who nobody in the locker-room respected or liked because of his back stabbing, crying and drug taking. Triple H doesn't come across much better, they seem to act more like bitchy school girls who deny or runaway when caught. Where as most other wrestlers especially the Undertaker really seem to be great role models and decent human beings. Bret doesn't hold back and tells you the real costs of being a pro-wrestler he tells you everything even his wages. He tells you about his family again not holding back. He speaks with so much love for Owen and I also think guilt as he kept encouraging Owen to stay in the business that would one day kill him. Bret Hart is an amazing writer he makes you laugh, cringe, cry and truly shocks you. Even if you are not a fan of him personally but like wrestling you need to read this book it charts the true rise of the WWF and Vince, it also tells the truth about your childhood heroes. Be prepared to be moved and ultimately sadden by the rise and fall of arguably the best there ever was.
3 people found this helpful
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Thomas Briggs
5.0 out of 5 stars As far as wrestling books go, this is the best there is, was, and ever will be.
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2010
Verified Purchase
Wrestling books typically come in two varieties: books that are deeply personal and present a unique perspective on the business (Mick Foley's memoirs, Chris Jericho's "A Lion's Tale"), and fluff pieces published by the WWE (nearly everything else). Plenty has been written since Foley's influential "Have a Nice Day", but very little has actually been good. Luckily Bret the Hitman Hart's book falls into the former category rather than the latter.

"Hitman", by Bret Hart, is as good if not better than anything ever written about the business. Very much like their in-ring styles, Mick Foley's books have been highly entertaining and funny, while Hart's book is detailed and professional. Excellently executed, if you will. (I'm a fan! You're going to have to deal with it.) Yet Hart and Foley share one thing in common: they both wrote their own books, rather than relying on ghost writers. The results speak for themselves.

"My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling" is significant not only because it exposes a brilliant mind, but also because it centers around such an important era of the business. Bret Hart, a second generation wrestler, played a key role in the 80's and 90's, witnessing the transition of the Hulkamania era to the Attitude era in the WWE. In fact, he oversaw that transition as he carried the torch between two great champions - Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Most importantly though, Hart doesn't sugarcoat the imperfections of both the business and its players. Due to numerous work-related deaths of those close to him, as well as the infamous "Montreal Screw Job", Bret exposes the harsh realities of pro wrestling, acknowledging his retirement as an escape.

The first thing you'll notice about this book is that it is very well written. Hart kept journals throughout his career, and there's a feeling that you're right there with him, sharing his experiences. At times his descriptions of events and locations can be beautifully eloquent. Hart charts his entire career, and also gives a play-by-play of each of his most significant matches. It's really a treat to read his analysis of his iron-man match with Shawn Michaels and his heel-turn against Stone Cold Steve Austin.

As a stark contrast to most other wrestling autobiographies, Hart delves into the demons associated with pro-wrestling - sex, alcohol, drugs, steroids, etc... He doesn't hesitate to claim that Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWE, uses up his wrestlers, and then discards them like trash as soon as they have nothing left to give. It's a sad but honest reality.

I fully recommend Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling to anyone interested in Bret Hart, the business, or sports in general. It's a candid look at the career of one of wrestlings best, and he doesn't pull any punches. This is as good as it gets.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Jon
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in Canada on August 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was a great read.
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MR P M Cheeseman
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a kid I grew up watching the wrestling, hit man was a legend and still is!
Really interesting read, lots of background and heart family stories. Plenty of ups and downs and a load of laughs! One hell of a life and a lot of pain.
Gritty in places and highlights some interesting things. Got any wrestling fan old or young, I’d deffo recommend a read!
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First bought it in late 2007, bought it for a second time in 2021! It's the best and most detailed autobiography.. 5 stars at least :) Bret 4 Life!
5.0 out of 5 stars Bret 4 ever :)
Reviewed in France on October 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
Me and Nono bought this book in late 2007. Now my brother has it in his own house. So I bought this book for a 2nd time in 2021 ^^ This is the best and most detailed autobiography ever. Bret talks about his life and the wrestling industry, which is especially interesting since it was during such a great period, from his Stampede days to the Hulkamania era to the New Generation era to the Monday night wars/ Attitude era!
Read it right now or you will be execellently executed once and for all :)
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Giulio C.
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best autobiographies ever written in sport
Reviewed in Italy on July 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
What an emotional ride this book was. Bret can make you cry, then laugh, then cry again in the space of a single page. He does not hold back, and he presents with care and in detail his truth concerning his life and some historic moments of professional wrestling. Must buy.
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Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Best there is, Best there was and the best there ever will be
Reviewed in India on November 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Bret Hart was my childhood favourite and grabbing a copy of his biography was long overdue. Finally got it. As for delivery of the book is concerned timely as is expected from Amazon. Book was in good condition.

I need to warn you though that in case you plan to buy and read this book please keep your nationalism feelings aside. Bret has not great views on India when then WWF visited India in the 90s. But to be fair, let's admit India of today is different from India of 90s.

Coming to the book an excellent account of Bret's life from his childhood to his pre WWF days and then WWF. As expected lot is covered on the Montreal Screw Job and death of his dear brother Owen. Lastly his WCW days and his career ending match with Bill Goldberg are covered. One thing I would have loved to read is his truce with Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels. Also his HOF is just mentioned in one sentence.

For all Bret fans' it's a must. Even otherwise if you are a Pro wrestling fan you must read it. It tells you the inside of pro wrestling business. Exposes likes of Hogan, Triple H, Michaels etc
6 people found this helpful
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