cover image The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea

The Best in the World: At What I Have No Idea

Chris Jericho. Gotham, $28 (432p) ISBN 978-1-59240-752-1

World Wrestling Entertainment star Jericho (Undisputed) delivers the third chronicle of his unconventional life in and outside the ring, which should be a sure hit with his large fan base of "Jerichoholics." He recounts his life since 2007 when he returned to wrestling after his self-described "sabbatical," having left the WWE in 2005. Like his previous books, Jericho displays a keen understanding of the realities of being a character in the tightly-scripted wrestling world: "the second time you were made champion was the proof that you really deserved it and could make the company money by holding it." He offers an inside look at how wrestlers change their images to stay popular, as he details how he switched roles from his nice-guy persona to that of "the ultimate heel with no redeeming qualities," based on the villain played by Javier Bardem in the film "No Country for Old Men." Jericho also describes his encounters with the likes of Mickey Rourke, Metallica, and Bob Barker, as well as a long look at life on the road with his heavy metal band Fozzy. Overall, however, the book lacks the fast-pace of his earlier efforts; many of the stories sound like repeats of past exploits. (Oct.)