Fascinating story about a train wreck of a life

As I listened to this book my opinion about Tyson swung to both extremes. In the first part of the book I was really pulling for Mike, he worked hard to overcome extremely disadvantaged early years. He had his periodic outbursts, and issues, but under the mentoring of his friend and coach, Cus D'Amato, he rose above it all to eventually become champion. During this part of the story he also began battling against so many people trying to rip him off now that he had a ton of money.

At that point in the book I was totally in Mike's corner, but unfortunately after Cus died the story of his life went down hill so fast, and so uncontrollably from there that it eventually became hard to tolerate. In some ways this part of the book was fascinating as well, but also very sad. It is mind-boggling how someone could blow hundreds of millions of dollars so fast. He was constantly getting in street fights, high on cocaine, sleeping with every girl he could, fathering several kids, and being accused by gold-diggers for fathering others he didn't. He was sued countless times, sometimes with merit and others by people trying to fleece him, but after awhile I began to stop feeling sorry for him and started thinking he is getting everything he deserves.

The language, and sex talk is pretty strong throughout. I told my wife this book is like novocaine for sensitivities to the F-word, it must appear at least a thousand times in the book. If you aren't easily offended I think you will find this book very interesting. It is a rare look into a life most of us could never fathom.

39 people found this helpful

Delusional, Hateful, Twisted.

I listened to this book for 13 hours and then I just couldn't take it anymore. I used to be a Mike Tyson fan. This guy has serious mental health problems. If everything he has said and done is true, he should be locked up permanently. The whole books is like this - have sex with ten girlfriends, bash someone, blame white people and the system, cheat, manipulate, learn a lesson and change for ever and then repeat. The whole book is an absolute mess. I am worse for reading it.

30 people found this helpful

Love him or hate him you will love this book

Where does Undisputed Truth rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorite biographical books in my collection. From an insanely dysfunctional household, to the greatest boxer of all time, to jail and hehab, this book is like the ghetto Forest Gump. You will laugh out loud, only to be shocked and appalled two minutes later, and finally transported to a time when hair was big, coke was everywhere and a 19 year old kid made boxing the most exciting sport on earth for a short time.

What about Joshua Henry’s performance did you like?

His accent and voice at times are very much like Tyson and he does a great job approximating the champ telling his own tale.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Iron Mike Unchained

13 people found this helpful

The story of a great struggle that continues today

The book grabbed my attention right from the beginning. I could relate to Mike's status as the black sheep. He was very poor and lived in abandoned building growing up and became a thief at the age of 7. They would lift him up into open window and he would run around and open the door for the older guys. They also had a soft spot of pigeons, so we learn all about Mike's love affair with pigeons. Later Mike is sent to juvenile hall and although it is a reunion with many of his thug friend he ends up meeting a guy who teaches him how to box. His trainer Cuz Dmato taught him so many things and kept him out of trouble. Unfortunately, Cuz dies. Mike finally reaches Cuz's dream for him of being the heavyweight champ and does so at the tender age of 20. This was a poor kid and now he became a millionaire overnight. Needless to say, his trainers and Don King didn't have his best interests at heart and neither did Robin Givens. It seems that everyone wanted a piece of this guys success. He was lost and medicated himself with things like cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and numerous women. He was falsely accused of rape and went to jail for several years and still came back and kicked butt. Holyfield was head butting him when Mike bit off a piece of his ear, but we never heard about that side of the story. Mike is about my age and now has 8 kids from different wives, but he has settled down some. He keeps relapsing with drugs, so I think this is a guy that will one day be another Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson. He is a very talented man who doesn't know how to handle all that has been bestowed upon him. From listening to his book I know that he is a regular guy like you or me that was given a gift and worked very hard to make something special of himself only to throw it all away. Maybe his mind is set to fail no matter how well he does in this life. Good luck Mike. I hope you find some peace in this life.

12 people found this helpful

Worst autobiography ever

I went into this book liking Mike Tyson. After finishing this book I dislike Mike Tyson. I didn’t think that could happen. Mike Tyson is a horrible person. This book is hours of just him bragging about how many women he slept with, how many drugs he did, and how nothing was his fault. And at the end, oh yea I’ve changed.

8 people found this helpful

Surprised

What did you love best about Undisputed Truth?

The realness

Which scene was your favorite?

What seems like the turning point of his life when he fought the man that killed his pigeon.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Great listen, a totally different aspect of the champ that I can understand.

6 people found this helpful

Offensive life of indulgence and self-absorption

Tyson's life is both tragic and interesting...for awhile. Over time, the sheer volume of profanity and endless pattern of self-destruction became increasingly offensive. Tyson shows some self-reflection and yet often describes himself as a victim... By the time the rape trial comes along, I had had enough. I tried to stick with it but in the end, stopped listening altogether. Narration is good, story is very gritty and depressing. I suggest you pass.

4 people found this helpful

Mixed feelings on this book...

Would you consider the audio edition of Undisputed Truth to be better than the print version?

No, it was worth listening to while at work.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It is known that Tyson has lead a crazy life, but it was interesting to hear about all of the legal issues the guy had; he really had a hard time keeping his self out of trouble.

Which character – as performed by Joshua Henry – was your favorite?

The best part of the book was the first few chapters, where he describes his early part of his life; where he tells stories about him and Cus D’Amato.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is funny to hear about how crazy he was, but sad in the same sense. This guy never learns from his mistakes and wasted most of his life. Tyson also surrounded himself if really bad people that just took advantage of him.

Any additional comments?

If it wasn’t for the cocaine, Tyson would have probably lived a different life.

4 people found this helpful

It’s everybody’s fault by mine!

I started a book as Mike’s fan, soon I grew to despise the person he is.

3 people found this helpful

Save your time

The book is just way to long, same stuff over and over drugs, sex, money,. The guys mind is a total mess

3 people found this helpful