I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Mark Leslie shares the behind-the-scenes moments and trivia that only a true fan of Die Hard could truly appreciate in the book “Yippee Ki-Yay, Motherf*cker!: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard”.
The Synopsis
“Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs.”
That line, from one of many quotable moments from Die Hard, was an on the spot insertion during filming by actor Bruce Willis and director John McTiernan. That’s just one of numerous ad lib or almost accidental elements added to the film which make it such a memorable modern classic.
When Die Hard premiered in July 1988 John McClane didn’t just become a fly in Hans Gruber’s ointment, he heralded in a new era of action movies, inspired countless knock-off action movies best described as “Die Hard in a” or “Die Hard on a” copycats, and created a franchise that spanned five decades (if you include the 2020 DieHard battery commercial). Even thirty-five years later it continues to inspire heated annual debates regarding the film’s status as a Christmas movie.
This guide, lovingly researched by a die-hard (pun completely intended) fan of the 1988 action-adventure blockbuster collects trivia, behind-the-scenes stories of the movie, the script, the actors, and the books and other written material that Die Hard and several of the follow-on films in the franchise were based on or inspired by.
If you’re a fan of Die Hard, then you’re going to love Yippee Ki-Yay, Motherf*cker! Welcome to the party, pal!
The Review
This was a fun and engaging trivia guide to one of the most iconic action films (and let’s face it, Christmas films) of all time. The author does a great job of presenting the history of this film and the events that occurred before, during, and after the film’s release to help inspire a cultural phenomenon. From the historical background of the terrorist groups who helped inspire Hans Gruber’s own criminal organization, to the creation of some of cinema’s most beloved quotable moments in the film, this book had a bit of everything.
The thing that stood out the most was the overwhelming sense of nostalgia this guide had as it dived deeper and deeper into the film. The way the author was able to analyze and detail the ways in which both hero John McClane and antagonist Hans Gruber made themselves into such iconic characters in the genre, from the actor’s performances to who they represented in the culture at the time, made this book feel so alive and vibrant on the page, and invigorating to get lost in this film’s complete history.
The Verdict
Thrilling, engaging, and mesmerizing, author Mark Leslie’s “Yippee Ki-Yay, Motherf*cker!: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard” is a must-read guide and trivia book that you won’t want to miss. The heartfelt love for this film and the nostalgia that the author infuses into each chapter will bring readers back time and time again to get lost in this iconic action film’s history. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Mark Leslie would be the first person to admit he’s still afraid of the monster under his bed. That might be why most of his books explore the darker side. In addition to penning a series of true ghostly tales (that include SPOOKY SUDBURY, HAUNTED HOSPITALS and CREEPY CAPITAL), he has written a few horror titles (I, DEATH, ONE HAND SCREAMING, and NOCTURNAL SCREAMS), is the editor of the horror anthologies CAMPUS CHILLS, FEEL THE FEAR, and SUPERNATURAL, and is the author of the humorous urban fantasy action/adventure ‘Canadian Werewolf” series.
His other passions within the non-fiction realm include fan appreciation/trivia books about the classic modern films Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (THE CANADIAN MOUNTED) and Die Hard (YIPPEE KI-YAY MOTHERF*****)
Proudly adopting the term “Book Nerd” for himself, Mark is most comfortable with a pen in hand, fingers on keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book.He can often be seen traveling to book events with a life-sized skeleton named Barnaby Bones.
Born in Sudbury Ontario, Mark has courted with a serious addiction to reading and writing his entire life. He has called both Ottawa, ON and Hamilton, ON home for about a decade each and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario.