| MEDIA REVIEWS |
| W |
WALKING A GOLDEN MILE
Release Date: July 2005 / Authors: William Regal and Neil Chandler / Publisher: World Wrestling Entertainment
--- I have always had an interest in pro wrestling in England, and have always thought Regal is awesome, so I
bought this book. Too much drug talk for me, but I knew it would be that going in. I enjoyed it to a degree, but
didn't love it. I recommend this one in a lukewarm fashion. (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GORGEOUS GEORGE?: the Blood and Ballyhoo of Professional Wrestling
Release Date: December 1974 / Author: Joseph Frank Jares / Publisher: Prentice Hall
--- I recall picking this book up at the school library when I was about nine years old, and if I had any sense about
me, I would have never returned it. It was a great read to someone that age, though I wonder just how much I
would have really gotten out of it if I read it today. I remember learning for the first time that Abdullah the Butcher
was really a Canadian named Larry, among other tidbits of info exposing the realities of the business, long
before the infamous 20/20 episode a decade later. I recommend that if you find this, buy it, then mail it to me,
and I'll pick up the tab. (Rich Tate)
--- I read this book years ago and remember enjoying it very much. May be the first book I read that openly said
wrestling is pre-determined. Besides, where else can you read about the masked black African Pussycat? I
recommend this book. (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WOO! MERCY DADDY: Welcome to My World, the Jimmy Valiant Story
Release Date: February 2006 / Authors: Jimmy Valiant and Miss Angel / Publisher: Self-Published
Click Here to Preview and Order
WORLD WRESTLING INSANITY: the Decline and Fall of a Family Empire
Release Date: May 2006 / Author: James Guttman / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLECRAP: the Very Worst of Pro Wrestling
Release Date: November 2003 / Authors: R.D. Reynolds and Randy Baer / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLERS ARE LIKE SEAGULLS: From McMahon to McMahon
Release Date: June 2005 / Authors: James J. Dillon, Philip Varriale, and Scott Teal / Publisher: Crowbar Press
--- Teal did it again, this time with one of the better managers from the old days. J.J. is too often linked to the
Four Horseman, and this book reminds fans that he was known for much more than that. It's rare that a book
can get the details right and tell a great story at the same time, but this is probably one of the most factually
correct books I have found, and doesn't falter in relating great tales. Kudos to all who worked on this book.
Recommended without any reservations whatsoever. (Rich Tate)
--- Excellent book! Dillon's attention to detail and storytelling style is just awesome. This is the best book on how
it really was working for different territories in the 1970s, and also a great portrayal on what Vince McMahon is
really like. I highly recommend this book! (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING: A Pictorial History
Release Date: April 2001 / Author: David Hofstede / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING AT THE CHASE: the Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
Release Date: June 2005 / Author: Larry Matysik / Publisher: ECW Press
--- An interesting take on one of the most unique promoters and promotions ever run. It's too bad Muchnick
didn't live long enough to tell his story, though he probably never would have anyway. Matysik does a
tremendous job of allowing the fans a look inside what made St. Louis, as well as the NWA around it, tick and
work for so may years. This may be the only chance we ever get to know as much about a true legend, as well
as the capitol of an alliance that once dictated much of the wrestling world's business. Recommend you get a
copy now if you haven't already done so. (Rich Tate)
--- One of the most insightful books to be published on professional wrestling in recent years. Matysik writes the
story of Mound City wrestling in a positive mode, capturing the essence of what made Sam Muchnick such a
dynamic personality. Sam's great love of the wrestlers themselves, the business being presented as a sport,
and his ongoing dedication to the St. Louis community, is indeed a fine tribute to a classy gentleman. I
recommend picking up a copy of this book which is written in an old school journalistic style, as opposed to
many kiss and tell negative exposes of the wonderful world of professional wrestling. (James C. Melby)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING BABYLON: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal
Release Date: April 2007 / Author: Irvin Muchnick / Publisher: ECW Press
--- This book captures the more seedy aspects of the business, featuring collections of various pieces author Irv
Muchnick has written throughout the last two decades, including the 1990s steroid scandal, the death of Jimmy
Snuka's companion, the Von Erich saga, and more apt to the times of the day, the deaths of wrestlers. Perhaps
the most eerie of statements is a quote from Vince McMahon: "Look, I'm in the garbage business. If you think I'm
going to be hurt by the revelation that one of my wrestlers is a violent individual, you're mistaken." Highly
recommended. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S MADE MEN: Breaking the WWE's Glass Ceiling
Release Date: August 2006 / Author: Scott Keith / Publisher: Citadel Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S ONE RING CIRCUS: the Death of the World Wrestling Federation
Release Date: September 2004 / Author: Scott Keith / Publisher: Citadel Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S UNDERBELLY: From Bingo Halls to Shopping Malls
Release Date: September 2005 / Author: Jimmy Van / Publisher: PublishAmerica
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING TITLE HISTORIES
Release Date: January 2000 / Authors: Royal Duncan and Gary Will / Publisher: Archeus Communications
--- Fans and researchers alike gain from the incredible work put forth in this book. An amazing amount of detail
and reference material for anyone from all over the world. The only downside is that this appears to be the final
edition. Recommended in the highest sense of the word for anyone who wants to dig deep into the historical
titles of any promotion, from any generation. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING WITH THE TRUTH
Release Date: June 2008 / Author(s): Bruno Lauer / Publisher: Crowbar Press
--- In his book, 'Downtown' Bruno Lauer takes the reader on a thrill ride that is a mixed bag of brutal honesty,
insightful self-deprecation, sincere appreciation, sad situations, and hilarious moments, which leave you feeling
you know the whole story, but also wanting a sequel. Bruno has accomplished what few manage to do when
writing their life story, whereas he did so by calling it the way he saw it without concern for his antagonist's
feelings, yet making certain he showed appreciation to those who helped him along the way, never taking credit
for his own success in the comical, yet sometimes tragic, world of professional wrestling. Extremely
recommended. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WWE LEGENDS
Release Date: February 2006 / Author: Brian Solomon / Publisher: World Wrestling Entertainment
Click Here to Preview and Order
Release Date: July 2005 / Authors: William Regal and Neil Chandler / Publisher: World Wrestling Entertainment
--- I have always had an interest in pro wrestling in England, and have always thought Regal is awesome, so I
bought this book. Too much drug talk for me, but I knew it would be that going in. I enjoyed it to a degree, but
didn't love it. I recommend this one in a lukewarm fashion. (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GORGEOUS GEORGE?: the Blood and Ballyhoo of Professional Wrestling
Release Date: December 1974 / Author: Joseph Frank Jares / Publisher: Prentice Hall
--- I recall picking this book up at the school library when I was about nine years old, and if I had any sense about
me, I would have never returned it. It was a great read to someone that age, though I wonder just how much I
would have really gotten out of it if I read it today. I remember learning for the first time that Abdullah the Butcher
was really a Canadian named Larry, among other tidbits of info exposing the realities of the business, long
before the infamous 20/20 episode a decade later. I recommend that if you find this, buy it, then mail it to me,
and I'll pick up the tab. (Rich Tate)
--- I read this book years ago and remember enjoying it very much. May be the first book I read that openly said
wrestling is pre-determined. Besides, where else can you read about the masked black African Pussycat? I
recommend this book. (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WOO! MERCY DADDY: Welcome to My World, the Jimmy Valiant Story
Release Date: February 2006 / Authors: Jimmy Valiant and Miss Angel / Publisher: Self-Published
Click Here to Preview and Order
WORLD WRESTLING INSANITY: the Decline and Fall of a Family Empire
Release Date: May 2006 / Author: James Guttman / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLECRAP: the Very Worst of Pro Wrestling
Release Date: November 2003 / Authors: R.D. Reynolds and Randy Baer / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLERS ARE LIKE SEAGULLS: From McMahon to McMahon
Release Date: June 2005 / Authors: James J. Dillon, Philip Varriale, and Scott Teal / Publisher: Crowbar Press
--- Teal did it again, this time with one of the better managers from the old days. J.J. is too often linked to the
Four Horseman, and this book reminds fans that he was known for much more than that. It's rare that a book
can get the details right and tell a great story at the same time, but this is probably one of the most factually
correct books I have found, and doesn't falter in relating great tales. Kudos to all who worked on this book.
Recommended without any reservations whatsoever. (Rich Tate)
--- Excellent book! Dillon's attention to detail and storytelling style is just awesome. This is the best book on how
it really was working for different territories in the 1970s, and also a great portrayal on what Vince McMahon is
really like. I highly recommend this book! (Trent Van Drisse)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING: A Pictorial History
Release Date: April 2001 / Author: David Hofstede / Publisher: ECW Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING AT THE CHASE: the Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
Release Date: June 2005 / Author: Larry Matysik / Publisher: ECW Press
--- An interesting take on one of the most unique promoters and promotions ever run. It's too bad Muchnick
didn't live long enough to tell his story, though he probably never would have anyway. Matysik does a
tremendous job of allowing the fans a look inside what made St. Louis, as well as the NWA around it, tick and
work for so may years. This may be the only chance we ever get to know as much about a true legend, as well
as the capitol of an alliance that once dictated much of the wrestling world's business. Recommend you get a
copy now if you haven't already done so. (Rich Tate)
--- One of the most insightful books to be published on professional wrestling in recent years. Matysik writes the
story of Mound City wrestling in a positive mode, capturing the essence of what made Sam Muchnick such a
dynamic personality. Sam's great love of the wrestlers themselves, the business being presented as a sport,
and his ongoing dedication to the St. Louis community, is indeed a fine tribute to a classy gentleman. I
recommend picking up a copy of this book which is written in an old school journalistic style, as opposed to
many kiss and tell negative exposes of the wonderful world of professional wrestling. (James C. Melby)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING BABYLON: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal
Release Date: April 2007 / Author: Irvin Muchnick / Publisher: ECW Press
--- This book captures the more seedy aspects of the business, featuring collections of various pieces author Irv
Muchnick has written throughout the last two decades, including the 1990s steroid scandal, the death of Jimmy
Snuka's companion, the Von Erich saga, and more apt to the times of the day, the deaths of wrestlers. Perhaps
the most eerie of statements is a quote from Vince McMahon: "Look, I'm in the garbage business. If you think I'm
going to be hurt by the revelation that one of my wrestlers is a violent individual, you're mistaken." Highly
recommended. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S MADE MEN: Breaking the WWE's Glass Ceiling
Release Date: August 2006 / Author: Scott Keith / Publisher: Citadel Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S ONE RING CIRCUS: the Death of the World Wrestling Federation
Release Date: September 2004 / Author: Scott Keith / Publisher: Citadel Press
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING'S UNDERBELLY: From Bingo Halls to Shopping Malls
Release Date: September 2005 / Author: Jimmy Van / Publisher: PublishAmerica
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING TITLE HISTORIES
Release Date: January 2000 / Authors: Royal Duncan and Gary Will / Publisher: Archeus Communications
--- Fans and researchers alike gain from the incredible work put forth in this book. An amazing amount of detail
and reference material for anyone from all over the world. The only downside is that this appears to be the final
edition. Recommended in the highest sense of the word for anyone who wants to dig deep into the historical
titles of any promotion, from any generation. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WRESTLING WITH THE TRUTH
Release Date: June 2008 / Author(s): Bruno Lauer / Publisher: Crowbar Press
--- In his book, 'Downtown' Bruno Lauer takes the reader on a thrill ride that is a mixed bag of brutal honesty,
insightful self-deprecation, sincere appreciation, sad situations, and hilarious moments, which leave you feeling
you know the whole story, but also wanting a sequel. Bruno has accomplished what few manage to do when
writing their life story, whereas he did so by calling it the way he saw it without concern for his antagonist's
feelings, yet making certain he showed appreciation to those who helped him along the way, never taking credit
for his own success in the comical, yet sometimes tragic, world of professional wrestling. Extremely
recommended. (Rich Tate)
Click Here to Preview and Order
WWE LEGENDS
Release Date: February 2006 / Author: Brian Solomon / Publisher: World Wrestling Entertainment
Click Here to Preview and Order