I just finished reading Mark Kriegel's latest book, a bio/origin story of Mike Tyson chronicling his childhood up until the knockout of Michael Spinks. I will admit that I have never read a Tyson bio previously though I have watched a documentary or two about his life. I feel like this was a pretty good book and addition to the Tyson story. I'm not sure how Kriegel is perceived by the fans in the classic but he is probably best known in the general for his ESPN commentating. I read The Good Son about Ray Mancini as my introduction to Kriegel and I really enjoyed that book. I do not like Kriegel as a TV commentator but I think he is more effective as a writer. Sort of how I don't enjoy Chris Mannix's TV commentary but like his podcast. This book is relatively quick at about 380 pages and he has a great list of interviews conducted for the book. Tyson's story is very interesting overcoming an unbelievably cruel childhood surrounded by crime, poverty and violence. A chance meeting with Bobby Stewart leads to an introduction to Cus D'Amato and a grooming towards being heavyweight champ. D'Amato, Atlas and Rooney are all interesting characters but difficult and possibly unreliable narrators. D'Amato and Atlas in particular as larger than life figures who like to spin their wheels. The book really finished strong with the whirlwind of events culminating in the Spinks fight build up. I know much common wisdom is that Don King ruined Mike Tyson. By the end of the book it wasn't all that clear if anyone really had Mike's best interests. Robbin Givens may have lied about her pregnancy to convince Mike to get married and along with Ruth use power of attorney to control finances. Jacobs and Cayton covering up Jacobs health and getting him to sign a very predatory deal. Torres is discussed a lot as well regarding his time as the New York State Athletic Commissioner. He seemed very dirty and corrupt in that role. Did anyone read the book? Like it or dislike it? Any other Tyson bio or auto-bio recommendations for further reading
