The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself – The Youngest World-Champion's Story of 35 Titles, Family Struggle, and Street Revolution

"The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself," by Rodney Mullen, is an honest, raw look into the life of one of skateboarding's patron figures and into the sport itself. Let me just say that if you don't know who Rodney Mullen is, just go to Google or YouTube and search his name. He is one of the most innovative pioneers of modern skateboarding. He's been skating professionally since the late 70's as a freestyler and many of the tricks he invented led to what modern street skaters are doing today. He continues to invent new tricks with his style of skating that is truly unique, a blend of technical and street style. This book is his autobiography, a story which reveals so much more about the man who is responsible for more of modern skateboarding's development than most pro skaters involved in the sport today. It's also a very inspiring story about Mullen's own personal challenges with family, personality disorders and many challenges that helped to shape him into the man he became. It was not long into reading that Rodney reveals himself to be the very intelligent but socially awkward person that initially led him to the skateboard culture as a kid. We also see how his character is shaped by the influence of a very driven and structurally rigid father who pushes him to excel in life to the point of eventually mandating Rodney's retirement from professional skateboarding at age 16 because he decides it's taking over too much of Rodney's life and doesn't hold a future for him. We read as Rodney learns how to cope with these and many other challenges and eventually becomes a multimillionaire through co-founding one of the most successful skateboard companies of the 90's and continues to cast an influence over the skateboarding industry well into the new millennium, a full 30 years after he first stepped foot on a skateboard. "The Mutt" is a casual read and took me only three and a half weeks to complete, compared with a book of similar size that took me more than three months to finish before reading this one. Rodney clearly has the writing style of an analytical thinker, recounting vivid details of his life in a meaningful story telling fashion. At time I could barely put it down without reading three to four chapters at once. As a high school teenager I remember being introduced to Rodney Mullen via pictures in skateboarding magazines. I'll never forget that one of my favorite skateboarding videos was the Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song video in late 90's. It was really exciting to dig back into so many memories of my own past as I read about someone who influenced my growing up in a small way. After reading his story, it became clear that his influence was actually not as small as I thought. Particularly encouraging about this book is the way Mullen describes the learning process he's gone through in life with regard to dealing with problems, or more specifically learning to deal with them. I know that many young people in the skateboarding community use their sport as an outlet. While outlets can certainly be positive, they often serve instead as a way of not dealing with life problems. In this book Rodney shows how he had actually exhibited that same pattern, but over time began to learn how to deal with the many issues in his life rather than just avoiding them through skating. I would very much recommend this book to anybody who's been involved with skateboarding in their lifetime as you will certainly appreciate the story of Rodney Mullen. I'd also recommend this as a good read for people who simply appreciate seeing how others resolve many of life's common struggles. You won't be able to put it down quickly.

Rodney lets his admirers and fans really get to know a side of himself that commands respect and a deep admiration for the sacrifices and obstacles a person can overcome to have success in life. Truly, an autobiography, that is full of hope, faith, hard work, resiliency, perseverance, and a type humility needed to change with the ebb and flow of life's tides Emotions were all over the place throughout this amazing, well-written piece of work.

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!

I read this book over ten years ago and I ended up using it as target practice for my pellet gun. Not sure why I did that because it was and still is one of my favorite books of all time. I fell in love with Rodney Mullen from the famous skateboarding game Tony Hawk Pro Skater. From the moment I watched him skate I knew I was witnessing a special person. Something about him was very intriguing and this book really brought to light what that was. Its not just his skating but its how he thinks and how he carries himself as a human. Once you've read threw this book you'll find the title to be so much more appropriate and meaningful. From the first chapter I was hooked and drew so many parallels to my own life it was impossible to put it down. The way it is written is poetic and flowy, similar to Rodney's skateboarding. The descriptions of the settings will place you right along side Rodney, from His parents house, to the skateparks and to the streets where Rodney grew. I am so excited to be able to read this book for a second time! There are so many dimensions to it I am sure there are going to be some lessons I will learn as an older man. I love skateboarding so much and I am so happy that people like Rodney are apart of a hobby this is so near and dear to my heart.

I've never read something this impactful. If you ever skated seriously or know someone who does/did- buy yourself or them this book. Trust the reviews; it really is that good. This is a rare book that opens the floodgates of skateboard history (and our own memories of our personal skate journey*) and reveals a hidden promise most of us have long forgotten. *I remember, after getting stoked about skating after watching the film KIDS and being blown away by dudes ollie'ing down 10 sets and sliding down handrails when they are watching a skate video at someone's apartment early in the film. My father, not very keen on the skateboard idea as he wanted me to play normal sports like basketball and football, was kind enough to help me put my first board together. But there was no shoppe in town yet to figure out even the most basic concepts and the internet was still in its AOL infancy. And so we inadvertently put the trucks on backwards... :) There is no better feeling than, after thinking I was doomed to being the most uncoordinated skater ever and that this magical culture probably wasn't worth my time or within my grasp.... figuring out that, "hey Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad? I think we have the trucks on backwards." :) Go skate. NOW.

I got this book, because of my interest in skateboarding. I am still to this day fascinated with all things Steve Rocco (big brother/jackass), early 90's skateboarding, Skateboard art, and skateboard history. I knew most of the skateboard industry stories but these were told through Mullen perspective. I had low expectations on this book, because that I already knew alot of the subject matter. Once I started reading I read up to chapter 5. I put it down but couldn't stop thinking about it. Mowed the lawn, went skateboarding for an hour, came back home picked the book up again. I can tell you it is an easy read, but i was so enthralled about his passion. I related to how he saw his skateboard. I often think that I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for my skateboard. I was put to tears when reading about his mom. I never actually cried when reading, but the chapters leading up to his mom's death had hit me so hard, i couldn't even breath. I look up at the clock went I finished reading and it was 2 in the mourning. I read the whole book with in a day, and can't wait to re-read it. Just a note, I rarely ever read a book cover to cover in one day. Great book.

I love skateboarding. I have skated since the eighties and this book kinda covers the roots of what was going on when I started, which I found fascinating. I stopped skating for a long time when the little wheels came. I still skate now though. I think Mullen is partly responsible for the little wheels. I don't like the little wheels, thus, I'm torn.... Ripped up about rippin it up. I doubt anyone ever said Rodney ripped it up. Still though, he's an amazing person. I'm just not that into flip tricks, and ya ya ya, I can't do many of them, but they ain't got no flow man, even Rodney would agree with that. Still though, The dark slide is insanely cool. What is cool about skating, and Rodney touches on this more in the book, is that it is an art, a form of self expression, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Rodney thought about it creatively and this book tells you how a little. When the little wheels came around skating did get dark, like Christian, it got clicky and all flip-tricky; and now sometimes it just doesn't seem that creative. But that is just what it seems, things aren't always what they seem. It's what you make of it. What I like about the 80's was the style of no-style, and, Rodney was a part of that because he was being himself. What the book conveys was how hard it was for him to be himself, and how he did it anyways....It wasn't easy. This makes it universal. Skate & Create.

I met Rodney Mullen once, on Go Skateboard Day in 2008. He’s one of the most genuine people I’ve ever encountered. I was so awestruck that I forgot to let go of the Almost Skateboard Deck I’d asked him to autograph. I stood, clutching the deck like a kid refusing to relinquish his favorite toy, while Rodney gently pulled on it once—so he could sign it. But my fingers were frozen in place. That deck wasn’t going anywhere. Instead of getting in a tug-o-war or acting irritated at the difficulty my failure to release the deck caused him, Rodney just smiled, shifted his stance slightly, and autographed it anyway. When I read, “The Mutt” this January, I was amazed at the challenges Rodney has experienced and overcome throughout his life. Skateboarding is his passion, his obsession, and his lifeboat. It carried him through the storms of life and even caused a few along the way. Rodney’s life is inspiring. I cried at times as I read about his relationship with his controlling and volatile father. I cheered when I discovered his personal victories. Most of all, Rodney Mullen’s story shows us how focusing on our passion can create unprecedented results in even the strangest circumstances. Roland Byrd author of Break Your Mold: The Art of Overcoming Patterns and Behaviors that Hold You Back

A nice and motivational read.

"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!

In den letzten Wochen hat mich der Skateboard-Virus übel erwischt, was vor allem an der Veröffentlichung von Powell & Peraltas Video "Bones Brigade – An Autobiography" liegt. Darin sind die Skaterhelden meiner Jugend zu sehen, u. a. auch Rodney Mullen. Mullen, der wie kaum wie ein anderer Skateboarden geprägt hat, galt schon immer als merkwürdig. Umso spannender liest sich sein Werdegang, warum er so viel Zeit auf dem Board verbracht hat, was ihn dazu motivierte (und das waren die meiste Zeit keine positiven Erfahrungen) und weshalb das Skaten für Mullen im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes lebenswichtig geworden ist. Ich habe die Biografie förmlich verschlungen und nach dem Lesen noch wesentlich mehr Respekt für Mullens Leistungen, als ich ohnehin schon hatte. Ich empfehle dieses Buch nicht nur den Skatern, sondern auch allen Eltern, denn in diesem Buch stecken viele Einblicke in die Teenagerseele. Mein Fazit: In diesem Buch geht es nicht nur um das Skaten, sondern vielmehr um das Heranwachsen unter z. T. sehr erschwerten Bedingungen. Mullen ist sehr offen mit seinen Gedanken, seinen Ängsten und Gefühlen, weshalb dieses Buch so lesenswert ist. P.S.: Wer die Biografie gelesen hat, sollte sich anschließend "Bones Brigade – An Autobiography" anschauen und ich wette, es wird einem kalt und heiß den Rücken runterlaufen, wenn er die Interviews mit Mullen sieht...

Interesting read into the earlier days of skateboarding via one of its pioneers. However at times The Mutts writing style makes you want to vomit. Don`t let this deter you, it`s an interesting read all the same.

I couldn't put the book down. Skateboarder myself, this book is eye opening and gives awesome details about the history of freestyle and fundations of street skating. Rodney is such a great guy.