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Ozzy Osbourne Last Rites Book Review
Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025) released his final book, Last Rites, posthumously on October 7th.
I received it on October 10th and read it all by October 11th.
Last Rites chronicles Ozzy’s last 7 years on the planet. Starting off being on what ended up being his last tour.
Everything was going well, until one night at home, he fell, breaking his neck.
From that point on, his health was never the same.
It was one thing after another. Multiple surgeries (some of which made him worse, others to try to undo the bad ones), blood clots, sepsis, pneumonia, constant pain, heart valve blockage (which I think ultimately killed him) and more.
It really is a miracle he lived to be 76.
But as he said a few times, he had a great run up to 70. And he did.
The book is not all doom and gloom.
He talks about getting back together with Black Sabbath again, his final solo tour, and many other stories from throughout his life.
Some of the stories he reiterated from his first book I Am Ozzy (2009), but they were worth mentioning again.
Ozzy completed this book reportedly days before his passing.
He leaves no stone unturned.
Like many, I will always love and miss you Ozzy.
Thank you for all the great music and joy you brought us.
All the best to his family, friends, and fans all over the world.
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Skipping Christmas Book Review
My girlfriend showed me the movie “Christmas With The Kranks” a few years ago (it was released in 2004) and I loved it.
Last year, I received the book the movie was adapted from.
Called “Skipping Christmas”, it was released in 2001 and written by John Grisham, known for many lawyer/crime thrillers.
Both the book and the movie are about this couple who always celebrate Christmas, but this particular year, the husband (played by Tim Allen in the movie) decides to convince his wife (played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the movie) to skip Christmas this time and go on a cruise.
This is because their daughter is working out of the country for awhile and frankly, to save money and because the husband is tired of all the traditional Christmas stuff.
The wife takes a bit of convincing, but ultimately, she agrees with her husband to do this.
Well, everyone they know (neighbors, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, police, firemen, everyone in their community) is up in irons about this couple skipping Christmas this year.
They’re all in on doing this, until their daughter calls and says she’s coming home for Christmas with her new fiance, who she barely knows.
So, after not preparing for Christmas at all (decorating, cooking, shopping, etc.) they only have a few hours to put everything together.
Both the book and the movie are very fun, entertaining stories.
I actually enjoyed it better than my girlfriend, who loves many Christmas movies/stories.
Like any book adapted into a movie, there are a few differences, but not much.
I could easily visualize the movie while reading the book.
Kind of a departure story for John Grisham, but he did a great job writing it, as usual.
Seek both the book and movie out and enjoy.
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Leonard Nimoy I Am Not Spock Book Review
I have been a Leonard Nimoy fan since I was little.
However, I had never read his book, I Am Not Spock.
I had read his I Am Spock, though, which is quite good.
But I Am Not Spock has for the most part been out of print or not as available for many years.
Luckily, I found it at a $1 book sale.
My book copy has definitely been well loved, let’s say, but it is complete and the ruggedness of it does not bother me.
Leonard released this book in 1975.
He talks about some aspects of his life and of working on various projects, including Star Trek.
Many people apparently took the book title the wrong way and thought Leonard hated the Spock character and hated Star Trek.
Quite the contrary.
Leonard loved Spock and Star Trek and the opportunities that character and show awarded him. Not only on the show, but of what he did later also.
Leonard has lots of Star Trek stories and even has some memos he wrote to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and others in regards his thoughts and suggestions on various Star Trek episodes, and even mentions some of his favorite episodes.
This is not a very long book, but it is very good, if you can find it.
As Leonard and Spock would say, “Live long and prosper”.
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Duff McKagan How To Be A Man (and other illusions) Book Review
Duff McKagan released his second book, How To Be A Man (and other illusions) in 2015.
Duff is known as the bassist of Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver, but is also the lead singer/co-guitarist of the band Loaded, and was in the bands Neurotic Outsiders and The Walking Papers, and is a solo artist also.
But outside of being a singer/songwriter/musician, he is also a writer. And a very good one at that.
He has written for The Seattle Weekly (where he is from), Playboy.com, and ESPN.com, and released his first book/autobiography It’s So Easy (and other lies) in 2011.
Duff is very smart, well spoken, and well read.
In his second book, he talks about being a father, a husband, a musician, a writer, being sober, being a sports fan, stories of being in his bands, going back to school after getting sober, book recommendations (as I said he’s well read) and so much more.
I found this book to be an excellent follow-up to this first.
You don’t have to be a fan or even know who he is to enjoy this and his other book.
This is a very entertaining, enlightening, and even inspiring book.
Seek it out and his other book too.
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Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling By Jim Ross w/Paul O’Brien As Told To Scott E. Williams Book Review
If you are a wrestling fan, you should probably know who Jim Ross, AKA Good Ol’ JR, is.
He has been a fixture in wrestling since he started as a referee in 1974, and eventually becoming an announcer/commentator/interviewer/head of talent relations and so much more.
For many, Jim Ross is the greatest wrestling announcer/commentator of all time.
Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling (w/Paul O’ Brien as told to Scott E. Williams, released in 2017) chronicles his life from his early days all the way to 1999 when he returned to wrestling after a second bout of Bell’s Palsy.
Jim has two other books, but this is his first.
And if you are a fan, you will not be disappointed.
JR has a lot of stories, and I think since he has so many stories that it’s fitting he has three books up to this point.
Check out this book. No pun intended, but it is a real Slobberknocker as JR would say.
And I’m glad to say I was able to buy a signed copy!!
All the best always JR.
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The World According To Dutch/Tales From A Dirt Road Book Reviews
Professional wrestler/manager/booker “Dirty” Dutch Mantell has written two books, and is writing a third one.
I am reviewing his first two books here.
Dutch’s first book The World According To Dutch, was released in 2009 and his second, Tales From A Dirt Road, was released in 2010.
Both of these books are not full on autobiographies, per say, but do have many stories from throughout Dutch’s life and career.
If you are a fan of Dutch or just of wrestling in general, then you will love these books.
Tons of great stories, some funny, some serious, but all worth reading.
I should have bought these years ago, but I just had not gotten around to it until last year.
It took awhile to receive them (I bought them from Dutch personally and due to health problems, it took him awhile to send them but most importantly, he’s OK now.) but once I did, I started reading them very quickly.
Both books are great and again if you’re a fan of his or of just wrestling, you will enjoy Dutch’s storytelling and humor very much.
Thank you Dutch for these great books (and thanks for signing them for me!!!!) and I can’t wait for your third book.
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Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark By Cassandra Peterson Book Review
I’ve been a fan of Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) for many years, and I knew she released her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark a few years ago (2021), but I had not gotten around to reading it yet.
I’m sorry it took me awhile to get to it, but once I did, it was hard to keep down.
I wish all books were like that. Hers definitely is.
In her memoir, Cassandra talks about growing up in Kansas and Colorado Springs, getting accidentally burned as a child, becoming a groupie for a brief period (stories about Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, Tom Jones, which is not a flattering story on Tom’s part), meeting Elvis Presley (amazing story), becoming a singer/dancer and later a Las Vegas showgirl, and becoming an actress.
She talks about starting work in The Groundlings troupe, which included Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman), Phil Hartman, Edie McClurg, and others.
And she talks about becoming Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark, in which she became a household name, and many more stories.
Cassandra, like all of us, has had a lot of ups and downs. Some of it is hard to read, but it’s her story. But even throughout the bad times (and the good), her humor stands tall.
She is tough and has not only survived, but thrived.
I’m very glad that she put out this memoir and I’m even more of a fan of hers now.
Thank you for all the entertainment you have given us fans over the decades and you are always appreciated.
And everyone: Please check out this book.
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Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme Book Review
Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme, written by Corey Danna (in collaboration with Sheldon) was released on July 22 of 2022.
Sheldon Lettich wanted to be a cinematographer, but ultimately ended up being a photographer, then a radio operator in Vietnam, then later became a screenwriter and director, just to name a few things.
He ultimately has worked with many movie stars, particularly Jean Claude Van Damme (before he was a star and beyond and ended up being friends with him), Sylvester Stallone, Charlton Heston, and many others.
He’s written and/or directed movies such as Bloodsport, Cyborg, Rambo III, Lionheart, Double Impact, Only The Strong, Legionnaire, The Order, and many others, and even created the play Tracers.
Corey Danna is a fan of Sheldon’s (as am I) and even though Sheldon did collaborate with Corey on this book, Corey is really telling Sheldon’s story.
I think it’s a good book with lots of great stories and information.
My only complaint is there is a lot of repeat information when it’s not necessary.
Having said that, I still liked it and I recommend checking it out.
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Perpetual Conversion By Dave Hofer Book Review
Perpetual Conversion: 30 Years & Counting in the Life of Metal Veteran Dan Lilker, written by Dave Hofer, was initially released in 2016, but went out of print for many years.
However, a second printing was released on October 18 of 2024.
I ultimately got it as a Christmas present.
If you’re a fan of Metal music, you probably at least know the name Dan (or Danny) Lilker.
He is the original bass player of the Thrash Metal band Anthrax. He actually came up with the name Anthrax.
He also is the bassist of S.O.D. (Stormtroopers Of Death), Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, and many other bands.
Danny is a Metal guy thru and thru and has always played heavy music.
This book tells Danny’s tale, and includes many quotes from Danny and many of his bandmates, family, and friends.
Danny has done a lot over the years, and even though he’s not a household name by any means, I think he has a cool story and I recommend reading this book if you can find it. Especially if you’re already a fan.
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My Tribute to My Favorite Wrestler Hulk Hogan (August 11, 1953-July 24, 2025)
As I type this, I’m still processing the passing of Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948-July 22, 2025).
Two days after Ozzy’s passing, my favorite wrestler ever, Hulk Hogan, passed away too.
I had heard for about a month that his health was not well, but I honestly did not believe it.
In the last several years, Hulk Hogan has become someone everyone loves to hate, and fair enough.
I’ve not loved everything he’s done and said by any means.
Having said that, I became a fan of his when I was six or seven years old and he was the reason why I became a wrestling fan.
From 1989-1992, when I first watched wrestling (I sadly went away from it for many years but did get back into it and will forever be a wrestling fan.), Hulk Hogan was everything to me.
I bought into his whole character and he was one of my biggest heroes.
Even when I went away from watching wrestling, I never stopped being a Hogan fan.
And even when I got back into wrestling years later, he was the reason.
Many will forever argue who the “greatest wrestler of all time is”. I have many favorites, but for me, it’s Hulk Hogan.
He was the biggest star, sold sooooooooo much merchandise, and really put his name out there and professional wrestling out there too.
Wrestling was popular wayyyyy before he came along, but when he got really popular, wrestling definitely kicked into a new gear of popularity.
He wasn’t the only reason, but the biggest reason why because again, he put his name out there and put professional wrestling even more into the mainstream.
From 1984-1992 or 93, Hulk Hogan was IT!!
He went into a slight slump in the mid 90s, but when he teamed with Scott Hall (RIP) and Kevin Nash and formed the bad guy wrestling faction New World Order (NWO), Hogan’s popularity soared again.
In 2002, when the NWO attempted to make a comeback, the fans really wanted Hogan to be a good guy again, and that’s what he did.
His popularity, even in 2002, was off the charts.
Some years later, family/domestic issues became forever tabloid news, even to this day.
Like all of us, he was flawed and made mistakes, but for me, the good he did still outweighs the bad.
If you don’t agree, fair enough.
But no matter what, Hulk Hogan, for me, will always be my favorite wrestler and I will be forever grateful and thankful to him.
I sadly never got to see him wrestle in person or meet him (although I did get his autograph a few times via online and at a wrestling show), but I did get to see him at a wrestling pay-per-view in 2011 in Cincinnati.
I’m glad I at least got to see him.
I feel like I need to say so much more, but I’m at a loss.
All I can say is I’ll always be a Hulkamaniac and again, I’ll always love him for all the good that he brought to my life, and especially childhood.
I love you Hulkster!!!!
Rest In Peace and all the best to your family, friends, and fans all over the world.
Hulkamania/NWO 4 Life!!!
All the pictures I’ve included in this post are from my collection of magazines, books, DVDs, toys, and pics of the show I saw him at.
I have pictures that I took from the show, but I can’t find them. If I do, I’ll post them too. But until then, I included pics from the DVD of the show I was at.
This is not everything that I have of Hogan, but you get the idea that I’m a Hulkamaniac.
Again, I love you Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea)!!!!!
Thank you for making my childhood and life in general better.
