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By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

For this week's Question of the Week, we asked Torch readers about their thoughts on Bret Hart after reading his book. How much was their opinion changed - positively or negatively - after reading Bret's detailed account of his life and wrestling career? Let's go to the feedback...

Bill Taylor, Torch reader: Honestly, I thought the book was quite honest and to the point, covering a great portion of the Hitman's career from prior to entering Stampede wrestling, to behind-the-scenes arguments with family and dealings with the WWE. His points going through life are well documented in this book and how he met his first wife and how much he loves his kids. Bret Hart's book could have added a lot more, but I think there was a lot taken out when editing the book for publication. This man's career in pro wrestling has spanned decades and he could easily write another book (becoming something like what Mick Foley is doing). There are guaranteed more stories that he could have told about his life in wrestling outside of his time in Stampede and the WWE. Really, he did not cover the WCW aspect very much, and maybe he could later on in another book. But, overall this was by far the best wrestling book I have ever read!

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Mark of Toronto, Torch reader: A few thoughts regarding Bret Hart's "Hitman": His work reads very well and very fluidly. He is a natural writer; this shows his passion and how he has said most of the material in the book comes from his notes and voice recordings/journals. Maybe not as eye-opening as Mick Foley's books, but just as great if not better a read. ... He really believes in the honour of the business - from the very first chapters all the way through his WWE career, it all came back to what it meant for the guys in the locker room before what it meant for the bottom dollar. ... I can see why others (like HBK) see him as living in a bubble: there are numerous mention in the book about his creative juices flowing, but him shot down. For instance, the WrestleMania X ladder match - that it was all his idea, even the finish, and how HBK stole it like it was his. Bret drives home over and over again how much this was really his own idea. Bret seems quite insecure about leaving well enough alone. ... I never knew how much he really respected HBK up until about the time of the Clique; that he knew Shawn was a great showman and they each had high respect for one-another's work until business became too personal. ... His candid words about his family are pretty tough sometimes. Jim Neidhart, Dynamite Kid, and Davey Boy are mentioned often and repeatedly as guys who didn't quite understand the business and/or respect it enough. (It's as if Bret was a deity in his own eyes; playing with "kittens" on the road and not understanding why Julie kept breaking things off with him.) ... The best aspect of the book - it's mentioned from very early on - is Bret's perspective on Owen and Owen's life. He is like the "chosen one" in Bret's eyes and it's touching all the way through the read.

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Jeff Patrus of Roscommon, Mich.: I found Bret Hart's book to be well-written, honest and detailed, and he's an excellent storyteller. However, I must admit I have a lesser opinion of him that I did before I read the book. It seems like he uses "the ends justify the means" theory to justify his marital infidelities. While it's admirable that he at least acknowledges his indiscretions (along with those of others in the wrestling business), he sends a bad message by implying that his indiscretions aren't as bad as those of others in the business. Also, he seems to be very judgmental regarding Shawn Michaels, instead of acknowledging that HBK might be a changed man. I don't doubt that HBK was a primadonna during his first WWE run (before his back surgery), but how would he know about what HBK has gone through, when, as far as I know, the two haven't interacted with each other since the Montreal Screwjob? One particular line, about Shawn being convinced it was Bret that screwed him during the Montreal incident (rather than the other way around) really bothered me. I haven't heard HBK even imply that Bret screwed him, much less outright say that. I think Ted DiBiase made a very wise point in the recently released HBK DVD set, when he talks about Shawn reportedly wanting to bury the hatchet with Bret, but Bret not being interested in returning the favor -- if you're angry and holding a grudge against someone, you're not harming the person to whom you're directing your anger, you're only harming yourself. I just think it's a shame Bret would continue to be that angry. He had a wonderful career, and no question, he had a lot of hardships to deal with since the Montreal incident. I just hope he finds happiness and moves on with his life.

JC: After reading the book and then almost re-reading the final two parts for review purposes, the most difficult evaluation of the book concerns his marriage infidelities and his relationship with Shawn Michaels. As a reviewer, I don't feel it's my place to judge Bret for his obvious indiscretions on the road. I can only evaluate the message he's sending through his accounts. I agree with Jeff that Bret tries to excuse his behavior throughout the book with reasons that he was lonely, he needed a companion, he was stressed out, and his main vice is women. It's an instance when personal choice vs. overwhelming influence of the environment comes into play. Instead of on the prowl, Bret could have been in his hotel room reading a book. Or, were the circumstances too overwhelming to where he needed that companionship to keep his sanity on the road? It's a slippery slope to excuse all unacceptable behavior due to overwhelming and extenuating circumstances.

Regarding Shawn Michaels, I have a little more sympathy for Bret than Shawn because of what Shawn wrote throughout his book about Bret. I've read Shawn's book twice, then I re-read key parts related to Bret last week when doing the Part 4 review of Bret's book. Shawn takes a number of personal and professional shots at Bret throughout the book. And this was coming from the new Shawn. In Bret's book, there are several stories about Shawn and Bret's verbal interaction with each other during their WWF days, and I'm convinced there has always been (and may always be) one massive disconnect in the communication category. It's as if Bret is one side of a bridge, Shawn is on the other side, and in the middle is what's left of a 10-year-old creaky old wood bridge that neither man wants to take the first step to repair. It's amazing how they're still trading blows in their respective autobiographies 10 years later.

You can still contribute! If you've read Bret Hart's book, send in your feedback and thoughts on how your opinion of Bret has changed or been reinforced. Click the "Contact Us" button above and send your feedback to James Caldwell.

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