If They Only Knew (Hardcover)

~ Chyna (Author), Michael Angeli (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With its beguiling blend of swagger and vulnerability, anger and poise, largesse and disgust, Laurer's tell-all tragicomedy will not disappoint her many fans. Sharp-tongued, idiom-slinging and wry, the voice encountered in these pages is both more and less than the Chyna who appears in the wrestling ring. Laurer's painful childhood and adolescence were characterized by her sense of her difference from her peers (taller, more muscular) and punctuated by the antics of her divorced mother and father. She leads us through the tribulations and joys of searching for her niche (belly dancing, selling pagers in inner-city neighborhoods); of getting the proper breast implant size; of changing the role of women in the WWF; of intra-WWF romance; of celebrity. In one memorable scene, while she is fighting for a spot in the WWF, she outdoes pro-wrestler Hunter (who later becomes her boyfriend) in the weight room. In another, terrible moment, her mother and stepfather burst in on her at the doctor's office, livid because her con-artist father had already used their insurance to cover thousands of dollars of his medical bills. As Laurer eloquently demonstrates, her chosen profession makes a fine metaphor for her life. The book successfully maintains Chyna's awe-inspiring, larger-than-life image at the same time that it imparts deeply personal, poignant and inspirational insight into Joanie Laurer. B&w photos. (Jan. 30) Forecast: With her recent Playboy feature, the book's excellent array of photos, Chyna's fan base, a planned author tour and a print run of 300,000 this book should sell big, as have other recent memoirs by wrestling stars.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Part feminist, part superhero, Chyna has blazed a trail where no woman had gone before. She has gained the respect of the men inside the World Wrestling Federation, and the world at large. She was the first woman to wear the Intercontinental Championship belt, yet these were not her most significant battles.

She has battled her entire life: against a controlling mother; against a scheming father; and against a world with a predetermined view of what beauty and success should be. She has battled and won her entire life.

If they only knew offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the World Wrestling Federation, and a rarer glimpse of what it takes just to get there -- the hurdles that must be overcome... and the broken hearts and broken body parts that are suffered along the way.

Chyna -- a.k.a. Joanie Laurer -- lets us in what it's like to live your dream and overcome your nightmares. Complete with insights from other WWF Superstars, this is a must read for any fan of the WWF and for anyone who wants to see how a real-life hero overcame adversity.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment; 1st edition (January 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060393297
• ISBN-13: 978-0060393298
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #218,427 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let's Do The "Flippy Thing", March 2, 2001

By	Chad Spivak (North Miami Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

Yes, and I'm not only talking about flipping the pages. To learn more about the "flippy thing," you'll have to read the book.

Similar to Mick Foley's book, as well as somewhat with the Rock's book, Chyna speaks from the heart, and tells you her true-to-life story. We get to learn all about her dysfunctional family, her horrible luck with finding a proper job, and her unbelievble curse at fitness pageants. But, more importantly, we get to learn about Joanie Laurer and Chyna, two different personas, one outstanding person.

The thing that I liked most about the book was her sarcasm and humor. Not only did it help the book move along rather quickly, but it allows you to relate to her story more. Her witty comments and language made for more interesting reading.

The book's photographs are excellent, and the comments by Triple H and Mick Foley are nice additions. The only major beef that I had was using Michael Angeli to co-author the book. It often seemed as if he was not very knowledgeable about wrestling, and seldom watched it. But, other than that, this book is a real winner. The behind-the-scenes stories are incredible and the section involving Killer Kowalski is beyond funny.

Any fan of the World Wrestling Federation has to read this book. It won't take long to read, and you'll be glad that you did.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ninth wonder of the world indeed, May 12, 2004

By	Steven selfridge (Butler,PA USA) - See all my reviews

I can say that Chyna is my favorite wrestler of all time,and I can also say that her autobiography was amazing,Most say it is poorly written,But I would say other wise...I found the book to be quite interesting and brought you closer to the WWE diva.It showed you how hard she had it growing up with her mother and father...and How she made her way into the WWF now WWE.She brings you in closer on her careers before wreslting and what it took to become the most celebrated diva in WWE history of her time.She proved she was just as good as the men if not better then most of them.She made you see who the real chyna is...The side we dont see,the side that is Joanie Laurer!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bitter, February 15, 2001

By	tracey mitchell (south boston, virginia USA) - See all my reviews

I wish I hadn't read this book. I was always in awe of Chyna and the power and confidence that she portrayed. However, after reading this book, I now realize that she is nothing but bitter and sarcastic about her accomplishments and fame. Almost every sentence had sarcasm in it as well as bitterness towards each event in her life. I finished the book and my whole attitude towards Chyna had been tarnished. I am not proud of her anymore. I feel like she is who she is now just to spite something or someone. And that is just not respectable at all.