The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself

"The Mutt" is a nickname given to Rodney Mullen as a kid, because of his rugged hair and small dog-like appearance. This is his autobiography, co-written by former pro skater turned writer Sean Mortimer, who helped Tony Hawk with his autobiography "Hawk: Occupation: Skateboarder" a few years earlier. Rodney starts the book off by acknowledging the people who helped him complete it, and with an introduction detailing his feelings during the finals of the 1983 world championship freestyle skateboarding contest. The contest that was supposed to be his retirement from skateboarding, a promise his father made him do. Rodney's father was a successful businessman and a respected dentist, also an intimidating former boxer who served as a bombardier during the Korean War. When he told Rodney skateboarding was just a waste of time and that he should focus on more meaningful activities, that was the law. As long as he lived in his house he'd do what he was told.Rodney's father is a recurring subject in the book, and Rodney's attempts to make peace with him. It deals with serious matters in life; finding a place to belong when you feel like an outcast, even in your chosen profession. It deals with tragedy and self-destructive behavior. But it's also an extreme success story, with Rodney winning contest after contest, inventing countless new tricks, and travelling the world doing demos for the likes of Converse and Swatch. Each chapter gives us more understanding to the genious that is Rodney Mullen. How he grew up in Florida, became sponsored by the biggest skateboard company in the 80's, started his own company which became the biggest in the 90's, making him a multi-millionaire, all while being an introverted insecure freestyler and math geek.Freestyle skateboarding was something (and still is, for that matter) looked down upon by the "cooler" kids, who favored vert (ramp and pool) and street skating. Rodney was the king of freestyle, being virtually unbeatable for a whole decade, before retiring from competition at the dawn of the 90's.I must admit that I'm not an avid reader, but I read this book quicker than any book I've ever read. Every time I picked it up I had a hard time putting it down. Being a skateboarder myself I was already somewhat familiar with Rodney's story. That didn't make it any less enjoyable though, especially since it's written in such a warm and humorus way, often making fun of serious issues. Every other page or so has a picture from his well-documented life, adding flavor to an already amazing book. I'd even say it's the best damn book I've ever read, and would recommend it to anyone who's ever heard of Rodney Mullen, or skateboarding for that matter!5 out of 5 Franks!

I started skating in 1989, back in the day when Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen were inventing everything that skateboarding is today. I watched a video of Rodney Mullen on YouTube and thought it would be interesting to read his autobiography, since I had previously enjoyed Tony Hawk's Hawk: Occupation: Skateboarder (Skate My Friend, Skate), but I didn't realize I would enjoy it this much.As a fan of skateboarding or Rodney Mullen, I think this book has everything you'd want to read about, including its history, how Rodney got into skating, how he invented tricks, how he met other skaters, his psychological issues, his relationship with his dad and all about his multi-million dollar skate company.I read a review that said this doesn't teach you how to do his tricks. Well that's sort of true, but not entirely. If there's one thing the book teaches you about how to skate, it's that if you want to be the best, you have to be obsessed with it, and skate for hours every day. And that applies to pretty much anything you want to excel at.Stephen OberauerAuthor of The Mischievous Nerd's Guide to World Domination

If you skated in the 1980s, you knew who Rodney Mullen was. The man, sure-footed genius that he is, is singularly responsible for today's street skating (or 'street style' as it was known in the olden days). Mullen's story is that of a polymath who excelled in academia and in his chosen sport but suffered from the relentless and demotivating effects of his domineering father who strongly disapproved of what he considered to be Mullen's misguided and immature career choice. Mullen tells a strangely affecting tale of a youth riven by his desire to excel at skating and respectfully comply with his overbearing father's demands. If you enjoy reading The Mutt, I recommend you watch The Bones Brigade Autobiography for a full 'where are they now' overview of the legendary skate team.

"The Mutt" is a very good autobiography. Exacly the one style I wanted to read from Rodney. The book is very well written, and the structure so simple. Rodney doesn't over talk about the tricks he used in contests nor the ones he invented but focuses on sharing his personal life in all details, chronologically. Youth, family, friends, business, souvenirs, hapiness and sadness.A book that gripps you from the first chapter if you want to know everything about Rodney, his surrounding, and how the world of skateboard used to work from the 1970's until now.Highly recomend it !

Be aware that this is not a book for children or those expecting a 'How to..' guide as might be suggested by the title.This book is great if you are interested in Rodney Mullen's life story. I am about the same age as Rodney, and was into skating in the 70's through to the 90's so it was interesting to see how his life panned out throughout the decades. A great insight into the life of Rodney Mullen.

Well i am a big Rodney fan and found this book good , not the best autobiograohy out there but a good insite into rodney mullen.Worth a read

Read this book. Read it. Buy it. Now. If you have even the slightest interest in skateboarding, this will be of interest. If you have no interest in skateboarding, don't worry - there's a very warm and humane story in this autobiography. I love Rodney - if you've ever seen him on YouTube, he's incredibly humble and quiet. Monk-like almost. This book tells how he became the person he is and the pressure he was under which ultimately formed his character. Have you bought it yet???

theres nothing to not like about this book

Es un libro, lo importante es lo que dice, si te interesa lo que dice te gustará, más allá de eso incluye fotografías en blanco y negro y a color que raramente encontrarías en internet

Avendo praticato skateboarding negli anni in cui Rodney Mullen dominava la scena del freestyle e successivamente dello street, questo libro mi ha fatto ritornare alla mente molti ricodi. E' scritto molto bene ed enfatizza gli aspetti dell'uomo dietro allo skater. Ho letto anche la biografia di Tony Hawk dello stesso autore, ma ho preferito questo libro. La figura di Mullen è in confronto molto più problematica, originale e interessante. E' incredibile come un ragazzino di quindici anni potesse rivoluzionare il mondo dello skateboarding e non essere preso sul serio dal padre. Per i genitori il fatto che lui avesse così facilmente successo era la dimostrazione che gli skater erano solo degli incapaci vagabondi e che lo skateboarding non meritava tale spreco di energie. Per tutta la sua infanzia Rodney lotterà perché gli consentano di praticare questo sport, che coltiverà in modo maniacale, da recluso, in un casolare di campagna in Florida quasi totalmente ignaro lui stesso che quelle routine che egli si imponeva lo alzavano a un livello altissimo ineguagliato dai suoi pari per decenni. Da leggere da ogni appassionato di biografie.

First off, I'm not a huge reader of books unless it's a very specific topic I'm extremely interested in. That being said I ran across this here on Amazon and gave it a shot. I'm a couple years older than Rodney, but also started skating in the 70 's and followed the ups and downs of skating ever since. Was fascinated when I saw him perform on a beta tape of a contest in the 80's....magical. It wasn't until I heard him speak on the Bones Brigade reunion dvd that he really piqued my interest. Soft, but very well spoken I was touched and hung off of every word he said in his part of that dvd. The book itself is extremely well written and gives a great deal of insight into Rodney's upbringing and life and times skating and just plain being Rodney. From being a kid with a skateboard to successful businessman, this book covers it all and was an easy read for me since I was so interested in learning about Rodney. The parts of the book revolving around his mom are especially touching. So many great experiences and life's trials and tribulations. Lots of neat explanations on trick learning and creations too. Mr Mullen definitely deserves the grand title of the "Godfather of skateboarding". Look him up on YouTube, you won't be disappointed, oh yeah, buy this book too!

Really interesting content for the most part. Rodney is definitely a one of a kind guy. Definitely recommended for hardcore skateboard nerds.