Bad Intentions: The Mike Tyson Story

by Peter Heller

Book Overview

Relying on in-depth research and interviews with those who have known Tyson at every stage of his life, this book portrays the shy child who became a vicious street thug, discovered boxing in juvenile prison, and was brought to the attention of the legendary Cus D'Amato to be shaped to be one thing--heavyweight champion of the world. 33 photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0453006817
• ISBN13: 9780453006811
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 378 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Reads like a good novel, informative but needs another update

Bar none, this is the best book I've read about Tyson. It's full of facts and direct quotes from loads of people who worked with/against Tyson, as well as the man himself. It's also a great book for someone like myself- a fan who loved Tyson the boxer but always found Tyson the man to be a jerk, albeit a sometimes misunderstood one. This book traces Tyson's history from his reckless juvenile days in the streets and the Tryon home for outcast boys, all the way up to Don King, Robin Givens, and his rape conviction. There's a subsequent update chapter that describes the goings-on after his release, but this is just a few pages long and stops before his first post-jail fight with Peter McNeely. It's interesting, but it's very short. Fortunately the book itself is a meaty several hundred pages. Its outdatedness is the only real problem with the book. Originally written in the mid 90s, it describes everything up to his rape conviction in great detail. It reads like a page-turning novel, a tale full of treachery and corruption - the honing of a wayward youth into a disciplined fighter and his subsequent recidivism. The book is completely objective, as well. It shows us the sweet side of Tyson, and makes no bones about the fact that he had one. But it's also crystal clear that he was a beast, giving us many examples of Tyson's primitive and criminal behavior. Beloved trainer Cus D'Amoto isn't safe either, for there's evidence in this book (which I'd never seen before) that shows he wasn't just a sweet old man who took Tyson in and raised him as his own. But in addition to discussing main characters like these, people like Robin Givens and Don King are discussed in great length as well. They emerge as the real villains of the story, as well they should. Everyone knows how badly they affected Tyson's career, and the book traces all the details of how and why. In fact, King has his own lengthy chapter, giving us a full portrait of the man's history and questionable relationships with countless people on his way to Tyson -that's how thorough this book is. Long story short, it's a shame that this book doesn't continue past Tyson's imprisonment and brief release, because it's a greatly researched, open-minded, passionate and thorough account of Tyson's career as well as boxing itself and loads of the people on Tyson's periphery. Loaded with insight from other boxers, scholars of the sport, and many (like Teddy Atlas) who worked with Tyson himself, it's a very broad offering of information. Pick it up whether you like the man OR hate him, it's a fascinating read.

Mike Tyson is the Man

I am a huge Mike Tyson fan, and this is pretty much required reading for any Tyson fan. If you want to know about Mike, read this book. Provides lots of information, and Peter Keller really picked a great title. This book takes you through all of Mike's various stages, and each is fascinating: From Mike's early years in Bronwsville as the kid who was teased on as a young child, to a bully by age ten, a hardcore criminal not long after that, a Cus D'Amato disciple at age 13 who soon moved to Catskills, a pro in the making and a ferocious fighter as an amateur for five years, a pro at age 18, the death of D'Amato, a champion at age 20, a superstar and legend not long after that, the blowout of Michael Spinks, and then of course there is Don King, Robin Givens and her mother, the divorce to Robin Givens, the shocking KO loss to Buster Douglas, the rape conviction, and then the beginning of his post-prison comeback. Unfortunately, that is where this book ends, so there is no mention of all the other fascinating stuff in Mike's life after that. One thing that some readers might not like is how Keller goes into deep detail on virtually everyone in the Mike Tyson story, and explains their background, history, etc. Ordinarily, that would put me off, but since I am such a huge Tyson fan, I was interested in knowing about Don King, Robin Gviens, Cus Damato , etc.

You Must Throw Every Punch With Bad Intentions

You Must Throw Every Punch With Bad Intentions4.75 StarsBad Intentions - more than just a title - it's a D'Amato philosophy.A great quote from Cus D'Amato that stuck with throughout the book and after:"No matter what anyone says, no matter the excuse or explanation, whatever a person does in the end is what he intended to do all along."Really a fantastic book from the beginning - Tyson as a kid - Cus & The Kid all the way to where it ends - the rape trial and conviction. This is a great read and an attention-grabbing perspective on Tyson and those around him.You get a deeper look at and much needed tour of D'Amato, Jacobs, Cayton, Rooney and the entire original Team Tyson line up - I can't help but wish that Mike stayed with them. These people really seemed to have his best interest in mind and truly loved him.My one complaint is Heller's take on the rape trial - I felt he did a horrible job with the review of details and happenings - to say that Tyson's lawyer was of the same caliber of Clarence Darrow - PLEASE - the guy was Don Kings TAX attorney - he had no business defending Tyson - there were witnesses not allowed to testify, his strategy was ridiculous and there are other issues that I just wont include in this review...I recommend this book and once I finished I wish there was more. I found it complete (for the time it covered), thorough and mostly accurate (except the trial/conviction) - it's one of those books where you feel part of the story.Both the Tyson fan and non-fan can enjoy this book.

A Heavyweight Account

'Bad Intentions: The Mike Tyson Story' is an enthralling account of the boxer's rise and fall. Peter Niels Heller's assiduous scholarship and precise analyses combine to create a portrait that is both compelling and frightening. Drawn into professional boxing at the age of 19, Tyson quickly established himself as the boxer to beat. No-one could. Ultimately, he defeated himself, being sentenced to six years in prison in 1992. However, rather than surrender to the nihilism of incarceration, Tyson fought back. As Heller says on page 126, 'He was on his personal canvas, the Celestial Referee was about to count 9, and then it happened; Tyson stood up, bowed but unbeaten. With renewed energy, he determined that he would change; become a better person. The miracle had begun, and within a month he was working on a lathe in the carpentry shop, turning himself into a model prisoner first, a fruit bowl second and finally an elaborate rocking horse. So impressed were the authorities that they gave the boxer early release and a free white ant inspection.'These days, Tyson continues to be an ornament, proudly positioned on Don King's mantlepiece.

Pure Inspiration

This book is excellent for anyone who wants to understand where mike tyson came from and the sort of influences that made him what he was and what he is now. Heller is an excellent writer and it is by no means a slow read. To anyone who is involved in any martial art or combat sport it is pure inspiration describing a boys detirmination to become on of the greatest fighters of all time.