Product Description

Fistic combat represents the greatest human drama in all of sport. Roman gladiators thrilled citizens and emperors alike when they entered the octagon to face an intense, life-threatening experience. Boxing, the sport of kings, also has its roots in the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. Banned in 500 A.D. by the Emperor Theodoric, it resurfaced twelve centuries later in England.John Milton praised it as a noble art for building character in young men, and sports writer A.J. Leibling dubbed it the Sweet Science. Many of its major protagonists - men such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali - have become transcendent, near-mythic heroes. But boxing is not the only combat sport, and mixed martial arts, in all their ferocious beauty, represent the fastest growing sports genre in the world. Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) has joined boxing in paying seven figures to some of its champions, and draws millions in its pay-per-view events. This book details leading figures in boxing, sumo wrestling, kickboxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, and mixed martial arts (including organizations such as Ultimate Fighting, PRIDE, K-1, Total Combat, and SportFighting). Over 150 entries cover champions, contenders, and other famous combatants from all over the world, as well as legendary promoters, managers, trainers, and events. Also included in this encyclopedia are sidebars on controversies, highlights, brief bios, and other noteworthy events, along with a general timeline.

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Product Description
The Sheikh of Baghdad is the true story of one man’s journey across two continents to find his place in the world. It is an unbelievable rags-to-riches-to-rags story with wrestling as a metaphor for life itself. Adnan Alkaissy, better known as professional wrestling’s General Adnan, can finally—safely—tell his story now that Saddam Hussein, once a childhood companion and later a threat to Alkaissy and his family, is in custody awaiting trial. An odd juxtaposition of two very different worlds, this incomparable life story encompasses both the hilarious tales of what life was like in and out of the squared circle of professional wrestling and stories of heartache and despair from a man whose country is trying to find itself once again. It is also the story of a man’s desire to achieve closure on a separate life lived many years ago. Finally, it is a story about a man, now in his midsixties, who wants nothing more than to go home to a free and democratic Iraq so that he can finally introduce his new family to his old one.The Sheikh of Baghdad is the story of an Iraqi American trying to make a difference in this post–9-11 world by telling his story to provide a small ray of hope for peace in the tumultuous Middle East. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fanciful? Maybe. A good read? Definitely!
The story of Sheikh Adnan Alkaissy is a good one. He ws born in Iraq and was able to become a top amateur wrestler before heading to the US and joining the professional wrestling circuit.

It is an amazing story, I don't know how much of it is exaggerated, but it is still a top read. The Sheikh tells us his life story and gives us glimpses into life in Iraq when he was living there.

He does not dish the dirt on the wrestlers but tells a simple story of the terror in Iraq, the life of a wrestler in the US and his thoughts on where Iraq will go in the future.

Worth buying for the stories of him wrestling in Iraq and his former friend Saddam.

Very Entertaining
A great read, very entertaining and you will find this pro wrestling character to have one of the most interesting backgrounds of anyone in the business.

Sheikh of Baghdad a Winner
Adnan Bin Abdulareem Ahmed Alkaissey El Farthie, who is known in professional wrestling circles as Sheikh Adnan Alkaissy, recalls in his book, The Sheikh of Baghdad, that when he and Saddam Hussein were teenagers hanging out in Baghdad coffee shops, the tall, lanky, well-dressed and polite young man always had a book or newspaper with him, anxious to talk about Middle Eastern politics. Saddam was fascinated by the Baath Party that was gaining influence in Iraq at the time, and young Adnan could see that his friend would, one day, become one of their recruits.
Meanwhile, Adnan Alkaissey, who is allowed to use the title "Sheikh" because his father was the imam, or, spiritual leader of the Almahdia Mosque in Baghdad, was anxious to travel and see the world. Since he excelled in sports, particularly amateur wrestling, he decided to come to the United States via the American Friends of the Middle East on a football scholarship.
Adnan earned a masters degree in education from the University of Portland. Using his immense amateur skills, he financed his education as a professional wrestler. In a showbiz world where Canadians made the best Russian villains (Ivan Koloff); native Nebraskans the most believable Germans (Jim, "Baron"von Raschke), Adnan followed the example of Italian Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow), and became Chief Billy White Wolfe. Adnan became a huge wrestling success.
In 1969, on one of several trips back home to Iraq to visit family, Adnan was "asked" bySaddam, now the Chairman of the powerful Revolutionary Command Council, to replicate his work at home. He had made a big name for himself in America, so, Saddam reasoned, Adnan owed it to his countrymen to show them that they, too, could be successful. Saddam wanted an Arab Champion whose struggles could mirror those of the Baathist Party. As you will read, Adnan could not refuse his old friend.
Sans Indian headdress and tomahawk, Adnan, who was appointed Saddam's General Director of Youth at the Youth Ministry, stages wrestling matches throughout Iraq and the Middle East. He becomes rich, a cultural icon as the Arab champion, and performs before hundreds of thousands of cheering fans. All the while, Saddam, who is giving the people bread and circuses and diverting attention away from his own plans, does not realize the matches he watches are performances.
Fame, as you will read, comes with a price.
The Sheikh of Baghdad is not a typical wrestler autobiography because it is a well-written, gossip-, beer binge-, drug- and raucous sexual exploit- free work. You'll laugh at how Saddam, fearful that Andre the Giant might actually defeat his champion, brings a solid gold pistol to the match, forcing Adnan to protect his huge opponent. You'll read sobering tales of Baathist cruelty but also of a man's desire to go back home one day and visit his family.Finally, you'll befriend an Iraqi who becomes an American, who lives the American Dream, and who wants others to have the same chances he did. The Sheikh of Baghdad gives a close look at life in Iraq under Saddam Hussein. It is evidence that Muslims and Americans can be friends rather than enemies, both in the ring and out.

One of the best Wrestling Bios I Ever Read!
Over Christmas, I was stunned to see a new wrestling autobiography, from wrestling's infamous "General Adnan". I snapped it up and read it, and was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the more interesting wrestling autobiographies to come out recently. (I've also read Ric Flair's and William Regal's.)

Older wrestling fans will remember the WWF's 1990 storyline coinciding with the Gulf War. In the storyline, Sergeant Slaughter teamed up with an Iraqi manager, "General Adnan", to side with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. In epic battles with Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, these evildoers were eventually defeated. Slaughter became a behind-the-scenes employee at the WWE (still on television occasionally to this day), and Adnan disappeared. Who was this guy? I assumed he was just some taxi driver that Vince McMahon picked to play the role. Boy was I wrong.

Adnan Al-Kaissy really was from Iraq, and more than that, he was Saddam Hussein's official World Iraqi Champion for eight years! Adnan has a wealth of stories from his life, both from Iraq and wrestling in America's AWA as "The Sheik".

Older wrestling fans will be surprised that Adnan first wrestled in America as "Chief Billy White Wolf", and was the tag partner of Chief Jay Strongbow during the late 70s. (This shocked me, because I actually saw these two wrestle Mr. Fuji and his partner at the Capital Center in Washinton DC when I was a child.)

Later, Adnan returned to Iraq and introduced Pro Wrestling there. He would fly over friends from Europe and America, including Andre the Giant, to wrestle in the Baghdad arena. His opponents never won a match, however, as the Iraqis believed the wrestling was real, and would have killed the victorious foreigner. At every victory of Adnan, the crowds would fire off their guns in appreciation, terrifying the guest wrestler.

Adnan's stories about Saddam Hussein are the most interesting of all, and the most disturbing. Adnan knew Saddam from the time the dictator was 16 years old. Saddam was very political even then, he murdered a man who was a Communist rival. As Saddam climbed the ranks of the Baathist party, Adnan relates, he became more bloodthirsty and paranoid.

Saddam's paranoia, interestingly, was not unfounded. In 1960, Adnan relates how the entire Iraqi country watched on live television as their president was assassinated. They watched as he was strapped down to a chair, as thousands of machine gun bullets made his body smoke. The killings of Iraq's political leaders continued, president after president was murdered as the decades passed. Very informative, especially considering the political process that Iraq has today.

Adnan's story of how he became an American citizen, and how he yearns for a better future for Iraq, is spellbinding. Whether you're a pro wrestling fan or interested in the people of Iraq, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

BOOK DESCRIPTION FROM THE AUTHOR, ROSS BERNSTEIN
Unbelievable.That is, in a word, perhaps the most appropriate word to best describe life story of professional wrestler Adnan Alkaissy.Alkaissy's incredible journey begins in Iraq, where as a young boy he grew up the son of a prominent religions seik in the 1940s and `50s.A childhood friend of future dictator Saddam Hussein, Alkaissy went on to become a very successful prep wrestler and soccer player in Baghdad.
As a top-flight athlete, Alkaissy was recruited by a secret U.S. agency operating in the Middle East and given a scholarship to play football at the University of Houston.Despite the fact that he had never played American football before, Alkaissy came to America to make the most of his unprecedented opportunity.He eventually transferred to Oklahoma State University, however, where he emerged as an All-American wrestler.From there, Alkaissy got into professional wrestling as an Indian character named "Chief Billy White Wolf."
After traveling the world as a pro grappler for several years, Alkaissy returned home to Iraq as a modern day hero of sorts.Meanwhile, Saddam was rising to power in the ruling Baath Party at the time and had big plans for his old friend.With that, Saddam summoned Adnan to his palace and told him that he wanted him to wrestle for Iraq and make him proud.Adnan, who was only home for a visit to see his family, respectfully declined the generous offer.But when Saddam told him it was not an offer, but an order, he realized that his life would never be the same.
So, under Saddam's watchful eye, Alkaissy began promoting his own wrestling matches in Iraq - importing professional grapplers from around the world to compete against him.Literally hundreds of thousands of crazed fans poured into local soccer stadiums to see Adnan emerge as the Middle East Heavyweight Champion of the World, and before long a superstar was born.Adnan was rewarded with his own palace, a fleet of Mercedes complete with chauffeurs, and money beyond his wildest dreams.He was even named as the Director of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, a very coveted and prominent government position.
Soon, there were thousands of adoring fans sleeping outside his home at night just hoping to catch a glimpse of their new hero.It was utter insanity.What Adnan didn't realize, however, was that Saddam was using his old friend as a clever ruse to entertain and occupy the masses while he began his own murderous regime of torture and terror throughout the Middle East.Eight long years later, Alkaissy was fearful of being killed.So, he left everything behind and escaped in the dark of night, leaving his friends and family behind forever.
With nowhere to turn to, he came back to America, where he would start over as a professional wrestler - only this time, instead of being an adored national hero, he would be transformed into a villainous Arabian madman named "The Sheikh." Alkaissy would spend the next several decades making a new life for himself working in the American Wrestling Association.Then, in 1990, a career ending knee injury forced him to retire and become a ringside "manager" instead of a headlining villain.That same year, when Iraq invaded Kuwait and the Gulf War began, he was lured back into the limelight as a new character called "General Adnan," which was created by the head of the vaunted World Wrestling Federation, Vince McMahon.McMahon saw dollar signs with Adnan, who would now dress up like Saddam and enter sold-out arenas across the country as a real-life enemy of the state.With a wife and kids and a home in Minnesota, Alkaissy was torn between cashing in and doing the right thing amidst the backdrop of his two homelands going to war.The events that ensued were simply incredible.
This is a true story about a man's journey across two continents which has finally come full-circle.In many ways it is an unbelievable rags-to-riches-to-rags story about wrestling as a metaphor for life.It is also a story that can now finally be told only because Saddam Hussein is at long last in U.S. custody awaiting trial, and poses no threat to Alkaissy's family which still resides in Iraq.This is also a story about an Iraqi-American wanting to make a difference in this post 9-11 world and hopefully provide a small ray of hope in the quest for peace in the tumultuous Middle East.
While the book is a very odd juxtaposition of two very different worlds, albeit so is Adnan's life story.On one hand there are hilarious tales of what life was like both in and out of the squared circle of professional wrestling.On the other are stories of heart ache and despair about a man whose country is once again trying to find itself.Mixed in are truly amazing stories which will make you laugh and make you cry.It is also about a man's desire to obtain a sense of closure while telling his personal accounts about a separate life lived many years ago.Finally, it is a story about a man, now in his mid-60s, who wants nothing more than to go home to a free and democratic Iraq, where he can finally introduce his new family to his old one. ... Read more

Product Description
With time running out, he had to chase his man down at the center of the mat before locking up again. His opponent blocked his move, maintaining his lead with less than ten seconds left. José lunged in for a front headlock and used all his strength, calling on all his hours of training and conditioning. I watched the final second tick away as José became a national wrestling champion. In A Saint in the City: Coaching At-Risk Kids to Be Champions, Scott Glabb shares his inspiring wrestling experiences from years of coaching the boys of Santa Ana High School with little hope for success, let alone a bright future. They had no prayer of a win, but Coach Glabb roused his athletes to bravely overcome their disadvantages to raise their school from being the pariah of Southern California wrestling to one of the most respected athletic programs in California. A Saint in the City openly describes the crime-ridden lives of athletes who didn't even hope for more until they started wrestling and found a coach who stirred them to greatness. Through Coach Glabb's reflections and his athletes' own words, A Saint in the City chronicles the tribulations and triumphs of one team that wrestled for victory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

...But, How Did He Do It?
Coach Glabb may be a great motivator and a great guy, and the book may be a great read, but there's more to the story in regards to Glabb creating champions and turning around the Santa Ana High School program. He doesn't mention "how" he did it, and that may not be what the book is about or important to some of you. However, for those who want to know I will provide you some insight and I wish the book did too.

Glabb was head coach at Marina High in Huntington Beach for 3 years--What happened there? Nada! His first 3 years at Santa Ana were looking to be just as bleak until 1993. What changed in 1993? Did he miraculously transform into a "Super Coach?"

I'll tell you what changed in 1993. A wrestler/coach named Vince Silva came on board to rescue the sinking ship named Santa Ana High School wrestling. Silva was the actual guy coaching and training those kids from 1993-1996. And that's exactly when the team started winning! Glabb probably didn't see it that way but how else does one explain the transformation? Silva did the same thing at Santa Ana College. Turned the program around.

If you want to find inspiration you have to look at Silva's rise in wrestling. His story parallels many of those Santa Ana wrestlers and is a huge reason for the program turning around.Those kids didn't respond to Glabb before 1993. However, they did respond to Silva because he had the coaching experience and dealt with many of the same struggles growing up as those Santa Ana kids. Silva gave Glabb a huge push start in getting the program off the ground and keeping it going. Some of those same Santa Ana kids from 93-96 have continued assisting Glabb.

Silva is now the head coach at Santa Ana College and has also brought that program from the bottom of the heap to a recognized and well-respected wrestling program. Do a search on Vince Silva wrestling to learn more about his coaching and wrestling accomplishments.

Excellent Read
I found this book motivating and a true testimony proving that when individuals are given opportunities and shown that their life matters to someone they will rise to the occassion more times than not.We all come from different walks of life but we all face challenges.Often we do not overcome our challenges on the first try.The stories of the lives in this book demonstrates how one's perseverance can prevail.Coach Glabb should feel proud of dedicating his life to others and has quite a gift to be able to find ways to reach these youth in a variety of ways.Often times stepping out of his comfort zone to allow God's work to be done.I would highly recommend this book to anyone feeling down on their luck, going through a rough patch in their life or recently perserving themselves.

David

A Saint in the City - true life stories of overcoming adversity
Well written, inspirational book by Santa Ana wrestling coach Scott Glabb.Offers keen in-sight into the day to day struggles of his wrestlers on the tough streets of Santa Ana.I don't know the exact number of young men that Coach Glabb has impacted in his life but the few mentioned in this book turned tragedy into triumph.A good read.

Inspirational
My son is a first time wrestler in Glabb's program. We were both impressed with the way the program is run. I bought the book to be supportive of the coach. I ended up reading this book in increments here and there.. The stories are amazing. Some of the persons in the book are still helping out with the program. I can't believe some of the barriers these kids had to cross to be where they are now. It showed how you can get from literally NOTHING to being a champ. It really made me analyze the situations that i have come across in my life and to not be discouraged.Funny part about this i must share.. i would leave the book on the couch at night. the next evening when i would go to pick up reading again i would have to search for the book! my kids were reading it...and let me tell you, they don't read!!! I highly recommend this book. it will make you think about your life, about why we are here, what our purpose is, and make you want to give back to your community and GET involved in your kids lives.

Not just for wrestling fans
I can recommend this book for *anyone* looking for an uplifting story; it's not just for wrestling fans.He uses wrestling jargon in a few places, but by and large, this book is about the character lessons that young men have learned under Glabb's tutelage.The type of stories you find in this book are the kind that you only expect to find in Hollywood inspirational movies, not in your own back yard in Southern California..but here it is, and it's all true.

I can testify to the impact Scott has had on young men: I know a few of the guys Scott tells of in the book, and they are men of good character--the type of guys you want your kids to be around.

If you are looking for hope that there are men of good heart and sound mind in the city impacting the next generation of men, look no further than *A Saint in the City.* ... Read more

Product Description
Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. ... Read more

Product Description
Coaching Youth Wrestling, Third Edition, stresses fun, safety, and effective instruction, helping you create an environment that promotes learning, helps your kids enjoy their wrestling experiences, and motivates your wrestlers to come out year after year.

Ideal for coaches of wrestlers ages 8 to 14, Coaching Youth Wrestling teaches you how to convey folk-style wrestling skills to your athletes in an engaging and positive manner. Its focus on teaching fundamental wrestling skills and techniques through match-like activities sets it apart from other wrestling coaching books. And, it's the only one written with the expertise of USA Wrestling.

Sequenced and specific chapters help you learn, retain, and reference in a flash. New skill-teaching activities and age-appropriate coaching tips are sure to bring focus and fun to your practices.

You'll get an in-depth look at wrestling fundamentals and the most effective teaching methods with updated and expanded information on coaching top and bottom techniques, coaching attacks and counterattacks, and basic skills. A straightforward discussion of weight classes and safety considerations prepares you to help your wrestlers make weight using safe, age-appropriate methods.

The expertise of USA Wrestling, combined with essential coaching skills like communicating with parents and officials, motivating players, and preparing for matches and practices, make this book a must-read as you prepare to meet the challenges and enjoy the rewards of coaching young wrestlers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

good for just starting coaches
This book is a good book for coaches who are new to wrestling. It does a good job going over the concepts of coaching, covers topics in coaching that you might not think of on your own. It covers the seven basic skill that the USA Wresting Federation thinks are important. It has some chapters on actual moves and counters but it it very basic. It also talks about teaching skills but is very weak in discussing or showing drills to help solidify the skills. It has a games section at the back but I don't think that is a very good section. The section on developing season and practice plans is very generic. Overall I would recommend this book but only with an additional purchase of a good drills book and maybe a season long practice plan book (not sure if this even exists)

A great gudie for new and old coaches
This book, now expanded has guidelines for all wrestling coaches and can assist in charting daily drills and learning the signals and the various holds. It also aides coaches into teaching fairplay and sportsmanship amongst young wrestlers, which is important in their daily lives. A great and informative read.

A little marvel
This book is a little marvel.I got it as I am coaching a group of adult beginners...and it's really helpful....my wrestlers are slow to learn moves and not too agile, so the slow/kids approach is perfect.
A bit disconcerting, all the photos of mere kids doing the moves...but that's to be expected as it's originally a teach-kids book.
But it's really much more than that. It can serve as a premier at any level.
The explanataions are very clear and can usefully be adapted..so often it's difficult to put into words information about moves, stances etc.
This little marvel does it very well.
10 out of 10

Great book to learn the basics.
Loved this book, it was very helpful to a parent who was new to wrestling.

Pretty Good Starting Book
We bought this book along with another one for our 5 year son for husband to help coach him his first year.It has good stuff in it, but my husband was hoping it had more beginning drills in it. ... Read more

Product Description
Focuses on fundamental drills every coach can use with his wrestlers so they avoid position mistakes, improve their strength and stamina, and enhance their athleticism. The 100+ drills and games are thoroughly explained with locations, descriptions, and coaching points, and cover: warm-up and flexibility, agility, neutral position—offense, neutral position—defense, top position, bottom position, endurance, stamina, and strength, resistance training, competitive wrestling drills, and more. Contains nearly 80 photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

101 wrestling drills and games
I bought this book to use with kids ages 6-13 and found it useful and informative.I especially liked the coaching tips found with each drill.

Drills and Games
Good little book on the basics for any coach for wrestling practice.The games section could have been left off, there are better ones. ... Read more

Product Description
By popular demand, this photo-packed book profiles the biggest superstars in pro wrestling, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, Minnesota's Governor Jesse Ventura, and many others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This book is GREAT!!!!!!!
This book is a GREAT stocking stuffer! I found the bookinformative and a handy reference source. The whole family will enjoythis quick read. It tells about many WCW and WWF superstars!! BUY THIS BOOK I REPEAT BUY THIS BOOK!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
As the second-best 135-pound wrestler in his high school, Ben watches as a friend's future becomes brighter and his turns dim. Eager to leave his home town of Sturbridge, Pennsylvania--and to avoid a dismal future working in a cinder block factory--Ben looks for a way out.Amazon.com Review
Ben will be damned if he's going to stay in Sturbridge,Pennsylvania, when he gets out of high school. Work in the cinderblock factory like everyone else? No way. He's also not going to lethis friend Al win the state wrestling championship. Ben wants it morethan Al does. Ben needs it more than Al does. Ben is going to win. Robert Cormierwrites: "in a beautifully understated first novel, Rich Wallace bringsthe town and the teenager achingly alive as Ben wrestles not only hishigh school opponents, but with the big issues of life and love andthe choices a teenager must make." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Wrestling Woes
Ben and his three friends have been a solid group since middle school.They started out wrestling together when they were that young, and their dream was always to wrestle for the high school team and perhaps lead their team to state championships in four different weight classes.Wrestling is a huge sport--the only sport that matters--in the town of Sturbridge, though, and many other boys have had the same dream.Ben and his friends think that they have the drive to make it, though.

Suddenly it is senior year, and they seem to be living the dream.Well, all except Ben.The previous year it had seemed like he and his friends would rule four consecutive weight classes.Then one of his friends gained weight and moved up into Ben's class, and Ben can't seem to beat him.He can't gain enough weight in muscle to move up beyond his friends, and he can't lose enough weight to drop a class without being too weak to wrestle at all.It is beginning to look to Ben like he may not wrestle this season--unless he is able to beat his friend in a match for the slot on the team.Will Ben have the drive and the ability to earn a varsity position?When his focus is drawn to a new girlfriend, will wrestling even matter to him anymore?

I liked the relationship between Ben and his father, and especially the odd gift Ben's father gives him at the end of the book.I also liked the description of Sturbridge; it was very well set up in this book.I liked the way each chapter started with lists of things that were important to know about Ben, and I especially liked the unpredictable ending.

I didn't really understand the relationship between Ben and Kim.It seemed that all of a sudden they were dating pretty seriously with no real lead-in or explanation.

A Young Adult Novel That Isn't
Rich Wallace's WRESTLING STURBRIDGE is the best young adult novel you are likely to read...and a darn good novel period (regardless of age demarcations).I think I've given away at least 10 copies of this book to nieces and nephews over the years and every one of them loved it.Along with STONEWALL'S GOLD, WRESTLING STURBRIDGE proves that the YA genre is no longer the domain of hacks and scribes who have failed at other genres.There is some terrific fiction out there for discriminating teens and tweeners and I would put STURBRIDGE at the very top of the pile.

champion wrestler

Here comes a team of lean mean wrestling machines! They are going to Sturbridge for a wrestling match. Who will win? Will Benny the main character or his friend al win? You'll see who wins in the book Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace. Benny is an athletic teenager that cant beat his friend Al, or will that change.
He has 2 more friends on his wrestling team Digit and Hatcher. They are good wrestlers but not good enough to beat Benny or Al. They hooked up as a wrestling team ever since they started. Who will win you'll see in this fabulous book Wrestling Sturbridge. This exciting book is very good so you should read it.
This wrestling team was friends or will that change when benny an al have to wrestle each other and become enemies wrestling for king of the mat. So get to reading the best wrestling book around.

A Syrupy Romance Book
This is a sad, tragic tale that is all too common for many U.S. high school wrestlers - a kid with the potential to become a state champion and win a free ride to college, but who blows it all because his hormones are raging and he can't stay focused on his goal.Wallace attempts to highlight the impediments to individual success within the young wrestler's cultural milieu, thereby producing a useful social commentary.

The plot is whether the wrestler will make his school's varsity squad by knocking off his fellow state-seeded team mate.The subplot, heavily intertwined with the plot, is whether the wrestler can keep his mind off girls so he can wrestle.Unfortunately, much of the subplot is inappropriate for school-aged readers - "I can taste Kim's mouth and her skin" (p132).Adult readers will sense the author has no daughters of his own.

As a retired wrestling coach, I found the subplot unhelpful to the main character.A lesser character, another member of the team, could have been shown to fail at wrestling because of his lack of focus rather than the main character.The author could have shown the rewards for a wrestler that come from perserverance and persistance rather than setting his sights on the mistakes of a loser who is content that he got the girl - "Life is good. I have Kim" (133).The main character hasn't graduated school yet, failed to make varsity when he is good enough to be offered a college scholarship for wrestling, has no plans beyond the moment, and believes "life is good".In short, this is a short manual on what NOT TO DO to be a winner at wrestling.

Wrestle Offs
A boy named Ben who wants to be the best Wrestler. But to get there he has to beat out his friend Al. Al is also the best in State. As his senior year comes to an end, will he beat out Al at wrestle offs or watch his dream wash away as he sits the bench?
I really liked this book because it shows a typical teenager trying to be the best. I liked how it showed Ben trying to get Kim the girl he liked to be his girlfriend. It also has a lot about wrestling in the book. I liked the parts of the book that are realistic like when Ben is cutting weight. The only thing I didn't like was that the ending wasn't how I pictured it.
A person who would probably like this book is a person who likes wrestling. Other people that might like this book are people that like shorter books.
... Read more

Product Description

This is the first-ever biography of the legendary wrestler Gorgeous George, filled with incredible never-before-told stories. George directly influenced the likes of Muhammad Ali, who took his bragging and boasting from George; James Brown, who began to wear sequined capes onstage after seeing George on TV; John Waters, whose films featured the outrageous drag queen Divine as an homage to George; and too many wrestlers to count. Amid these pop culture discoveries are firsthand accounts of the pro wrestling game from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Customer Reviews (16)

Good and Interesting Read
A very good and interesting read about one of the greatest characters ever in pro wrestling.

Dreadful packaging: shipping envelope was too small; book-jacket arrived bent.Page tore while trying to unpack it.
Mint, brand-new book, up to the usual Strand superb low-price standard, but packaged in a too-small, too-tight bubble-wrap envelope that crushed the edges of the book jacket.They didn't seem to have a proper-size wrapper so they shipped it in a dwarf envelope.During extensive attempts to get the book out of this trap, one page tore.The jacket's edges had already been bent inwards by the tight wrapping. I bought this as a gift, for which it's no longer appropriate.

I will not order another book via mail from Strand -- their packaging operation is incompetent and negligent.

Didn't they learn from Amazon how to put a book in a box to ship it?I paid extra for the shipping of this bubble-wrap/shrunken mess.

Excellent sports bio
Entertaining and illuminating sports bio about a fascinating cultural figure. You need not be a wrestling fan to enjoy this book, as the Gorgeous One's influence--as vividly described by Capouya--reached well beyond the scope of that sport.

The book might have been even stronger if Capouya had been able to get better access to Ali and Dylan for his chapters on GG's impact on their careers, but he's able to connect the dots well regardless. And the chapter on Gorgeous George's gender-bending theatrics and their influence make a richly compelling case for GG's impact on pop culture, not to mention his outspoken bravado, which flew in the face of the traditional notion of the stoic, play-by-the-roles hero.

A thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of sports, biographies and pop culture in general.

Gorgeous George and The Cultural Revolution He Helped Start
Late one Saturday night when I was a small boy and my parents thought I was safely in bed, and asleep, i crept from my bed into the living room to watch wrestling. This night was different. After weeks of watching macho good guys wrestling macho bad guys, Gorgeous George entered the ring, and my young view of the world was changed forever! Here was a man who seemingly danced right along the edge of sexual identity: feminine hair style, elaborate robe(that my mother might have coveted, a female attendant (probably first wife Betty) and "georgie pins."

When the match actually started george, except for the hair, was as masculine and tough as his macho foil, who, after defending traditional male values, got himself flattened by "The Human Orchid." What did it mean to be male, if George could act "swishy," as my father called it, and win? It meant that a certain view of how the world worked, was obsolete.

George, aided and abetted by wife Betty, who not only sewed his robes--but was a fount of ideas to refine the act, came along at a time when television was becoming a national medium. In addition the unified spirit of the war years was giving way to uneasiness with all kinds of traditions. A desire for individual expression was supplanting long years of group purpose, and putting the team first.

Author Capouya does an excellent job of drawing all these strands together in an entertaining, and enlightening narrative. he also offers convincing evidence for Gorgeous Gorge Wagner's influence on a group as diverse as Muhammad Ali, James Brown, John Waters, and Paris Hilton. I would add Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and jimi Hendrix to that mix.

Like George, and all too many other creative, and talented people, George and the others listed fell victim to getting lost in the gimmick! George's coping mechanisms were alcohol, gambling, and infidelity. In the end they would cost him everything. Including his life. This is a very good book. Those looking for a simplistic, one dimensional view of pro wrestling history may be disappointed, those open to a larger view of wrestling and its social context will find much to ponder.

Entertaining biography that tells the story of the transformation of journeyman George Wagner
What did James Brown and Muhammad Ali have in common?

They both took much of their act from GORGEOUS GEORGE, an
entertaining biography by John Capoya . . . it tells the story
of the transformation of journeyman wrestler George Wagner
from a dark-haired clean-cut good guy to a blond braggart
who cheated whenever he got the chance . . .he also drove
crowds wild back in the early 1950s when wresting first
gained widespread popularity.

In reading it, I was also reminded of THE WRESTLER (the
recent film)--particularly this one passage:

* Wrestling was becoming family television fare, but the Romans in
the arenas still went berserk at the sight of gladiatorial blood. The
subset of wrestlers down as "blade men" gave theirs intentionally.
To get heat, a boy would conceal an eighth-of-an-inch razor blade
on a wrist or finger, fixing it there with tape. When his opponent
slammed him face-first into a turnbuckle, he'd put a hand to his
forehead, drawing the cutting tool across it and opening up a slash
that gushed crimson. When the crowd saw the blood, or "juice,"
running down his face and neck and staining the mat below, it let
out a primal roar. A star like George would never have to resort to
blading or "getting color," as it was also known. But quite a few
other did, their foreheads gradually becoming hatch-marked with tiny
whitish scars.

Though the wrestling parts of the book were interesting, I
found his story out of the ring even more fascinating . . . such as
this account of when he met Ali (then Cassius Clay) and told him:

* "You got your good looks, a great body, and you've got a good
mouth on you. Talk about how pretty you are, tell 'em how great you
are. And a lot of people will pay to see somebody shut your big
mouth. So keep on bragging, keep on sassing and always be
outrageous."

And then there was this account of his appearance on Eddie
Cantor's radio show:

* This segment ended with Cantor asking his guest star: "There is
one thing I always wanted to know. What makes you call yourself
Gorgeous?"

To which George answered: "Honesty."

I was moved by Capoya's portrayal of George toward the end
of his career--and particularly the description of the bout he lost
and was forced to have his curls shaved in the ring . . . things went
steadily downhill afterwards, and when he died at 48, he
was both broke and virtually friendless.

Adding greatly to my enjoyment of the book were the pictures
from the various stages of his career. . . they really helped me
understand his popularity and why he had been such a cultural icon ... Read more

Product Description
In the do-whatever-it-takes world of the WWE, there has always been a system that guarantees happy audiences and successful careers—there’s the good guys, and there’s the bad guys. Over time, wrestlers may fade away, but this theme remains the same, with grudges, long-standing feuds, and an ever-changing roster of colorful characters driving the action. Until now.

In this revealing look at the decline of the world’s most popular sports entertainment franchise, Scott Keith uncovers a growing trend of favoritism and stagnation within the WWE that gives an elite group of stars a free ride—for as long as they want—with no worries of being retired. Ultimately the fans are the big losers because waiting in the wings is a group of talented young wrestlers eager to prove themselves in the ring. But getting to the top in the WWE takes more than good moves, because if you want to have it made—you have to be made.

Includes black and white photos throughout, plus a 16-page color photo insert. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Two Years of WWE
The author provides 2 years of WWE (April, 2003 to March, 2005+), mainly through the pay per view shows.It is somewhat interesting to re-visit the WWE plot lines and matches.I do agree with the author's negative opinions of Hulk Hogan, Brock Lesnar & Goldberg.These overpaid guys did little more than throw clubbing punches.

The author has little good to say about the WWE.His rants against George W. Bush, Republicans and conservatives have no place in a wrestling book.He dishes the WWE divas & female wrestlers and probably WWE's humor.He fails to realize that wrestling is an entertainment sport.We want the whole package.Nothing's finer than a bikini battle royal.Scott Keith's view of wrestling would get old in a hurry.I would trust the WWE more than Scott Keith to get it right.

Another problem with the book is the focus on just the pay per views.The TV shows attract far more viewers, but they are ignored.Then at the end of the book the author says the WWE is no longer worth 2 hours of his life each week to watch RAW.Why the author so angry?

If you can set aside all of the author's prejudices, then you have a book you can glance at during TV commercials.

Not up to Scott's normal standard
I'm a big Scott Keith fan, in fact, in the past, I've sent him video tapes of wrestling shows, just to be able to read a review from him.His rants are spectacular.BUT, in comparison to his other books, this is a bit of a letdown.I don't know what it is, but this book dragged as I read it, instead of making me want to read more and more.Not much new was covered in the book, it's just a review of the events for each month of the time period covered.Keith really doesn't give too many strong opinions outside of the stuff you hear every critic say, like "Triple H has too much power", or "Benoit wasn't pushed enough".I expected a lot more when I ordered this one and am sorry to say I was letdown.

Horrible
I've read quite a few books about wrestling and this one is just awful. The author is a little canadian crybaby with a pathetic school boy crush on Trish Stratus. There is nothing really new or exclusive to this book, it is more of a compilation of his crappy blogs. The title is very misleading, all he does is complain about the WWE and does it in monthly PPV order. Honestly don't waste your time, read The Death of WCW instead, by far one of the best wrestling books available. ... Read more

Product Description
Though professional wrestlers are usually ignored by sportswriters and entertainment reporters alike, the popularity of these gifted athletes and showbiz pros is undeniable. Few fans are concerned with whether the wrestling is "legitimate."

From Ace Abbott to Buck Zumhofe, this is the second edition of the first-ever ("major contribution’—ARBA; "most informative"—Wrestling Then & Now) comprehensive compilation of biographical information on professional wrestlers past and present, including major promoters and managers. Each entry is listed under the wrestling name most often used, with cross references to real names and other ring names. The ring name is followed by the grappler’s real name, hometown, height and weight, and birth and death dates when available. The biographical data provide the era in which the individual competed, wrestling associations, titles, tag team partners, major bouts and other highlights. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The most complete listing of pro wrestlers
I was looking for a book that would be a complete in-depth history of wrestling, but there doesn't seem to be one out there. This book has no photos (except for Lou Thesz on the cover), but it contains short bios of more pro wrestlers than any other book. Unfortunately, only the briefest of bios are provided (it basically lists championships won, with very little personal info provided). Height, weight, & birth dates are provided for some, but not most, wrestlers. Lentz has written some great books on film history for McFarland, but this one is a disappointment due to lack of more info in the entries (which is perhaps not possible given the subject matter). At first I thought this book lacked completeness, but after seeing other so-called wrestling "encyclopedias," this one is certainly the most complete. For example, a major star of the early 1960s, Argentina Apollo, gets no mention in any of the other wrestling books, but is included here. It's very dry reading for a wrestling book, & if you buy this one you should get at least a couple of other books with photos to accompany it. I'd like to see more info included in the entries (at least for the major stars) that would distinguish the wrestlers a bit more than the author has done here (for example, how they were innovative, what their style was, gimmicks used, special techniques, etc.). A worthy addition to your wrestling reference library, but will somebody please write a definitive encyclopedia on this subject? A second edition of this book is due in November 2003, but with only 20 or so additional pages, I doubt if it will expand the entries into what I was hoping for.

One-of-a-kind reference source
My compliments to Mr. Lentz for the wealth of information he was able to unearth on the sometimes mysterious world of professional wrestling.I've been a fan of wrestling since the 1960s and it was great to finally see areference book that gives information on the "sport entertainers"that have thrilled me and countless others over the years.I flip throughit often to find tidbits about current and past mat stars.A truly greatjob on a difficult subject.

Looks good, but not a factual book on many of the stars.
The old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover".This book looks good, but beyond the cover is filled with page after page of incorrect information regarding many of the wrestlers.Mr. Lentz certainlydidn't take the time to research his information. I have been a collectorand researcher of wrestling related items for nearly 40 years, and neverhave I picked up a book with so many errors in it.My advice is, if youwant a book that looks good on your bookself, then this book is for you. But, if you are looking for a book that will provide factual information onwrestlings greatest performers of the past, then pass on this book!Sorry,this is not a reliable source of wrestling information to the seriouscollector or fan.

An outstanding reference
Without a doubt, this is THE book to purchase if you are a pro wrestling fan. Filled to the brim with career highlights for over 500 wrestlers from the early 20th century right down to the days just before the formation of the NWO, Lentz has covered it all. I have found it to be an invaluable reference too, and worth every bit of it's price. TC Kirkham, Webmaster SyxxNet ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not for the serious fan.
Greenberg's book is certainly acceptable as a brief history of professional wrestling.Hardcore fans, however, will likely be disappointed by this brief book.In fact, any regular reader of wrestling newsletters such as the Torch or Observer will probably already know all these stories and more.

He rarely touches on behind-the-scenes manuevering, instead maitaining a kayfabe that betrays his history as an Apter-style magazine writer.Recent articles in WWF owned magazines make his objectivity questionable as well.How can he honestly describe the history of wrestling while working for the WWF?

Not for the serious fan.
Greenberg's book is certainly acceptable as a brief history of professional wrestling.Hardcore fans, however, will likely be disappointed by this brief book.In fact, any regular reader of wrestling newsletters such as the Torch or Observer will probably already know all these stories and more.

He rarely touches on behind-the-scenes manuevering, instead maitaining a kayfabe that betrays his history as an Apter-style magazine writer.Recent articles in WWF owned magazines make his objectivity questionable as well.How can he honestly describe the history of wrestling while working for the WWF?

Pro Wrestling: Fom Carnivals to Cable TV
Wrestling has never been more popular and may be the world's only universal sport. Tracing the roots of wrestling from Ancient Greece to the present, this book touches on women's wrestling, Japanese wrestling, and eclectically presents the highlights of the sport. Includes bibliographic references and index. It is already as popular as Harry Potter at our school. ... Read more

Product Description
Slammin' captures the fun, the spectacle, and the excitement of professional wrestling (in over 60 photos) while also providing accurate and comprehensive information about its stars, both past and present. Wrestling history can be divided into two distinct eras-before Hulk Hogan and after Hulk Hogan. As the sport's most recognizable superstar since Gorgeous George, Hogan has been the featured performer in almost every main event since the first Wrestlemania in 1984. However, the real pivotal figure in wrestling's evolution is WWF president Vince McMahon, who has built up a national network of syndicated stations in 200 cities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Decent Enough
This Book gives a good Bio of many of the Stars but Mr Hofstede
makes too many mistakes or leaves out details.Here are two:
He says that the Giant got dropped on his head at Souled 97 but
it actually occurred on January 24 at WCW/NWO Souled Out.He also
when mentioning the Owen Hart/Steve Austin Incident forgets to
point out it was a Tombstone Piledriver, not a Regular Piledriver.Before this Person ever writes another book on
Wrestling, I Suggest he Watch every WWF,WCW, and ECW Pay-Per-
View to make damn sure he gets his dates and times right.

Awesome
I loved this book. It's written by someone who knows what he's talking about, and I found it extremely well-researched. It's also surprisingly funny. Slammin' knows not to take wrestling too seriously, yet pays fittingtribute to the talented athletes who perform in the sport. Highlyrecommended.

Good Read but Marred by Numerous Errors
This book was definitely interesting to read, but being a long-time fan of pro-wrestling I didn't learn a lot from it. There are numerous errors in the book, too numerous to list. The author's choice of wrestlers to writeabout is a little strange - No lenglth mention of Eddie Guerrero, RickySteamboat, The Steiner Brothers, Juventud Guerra, Billy Kidman, Booker T,etc. No ECW, Japanese or Mexican wrestlers (referring to promotion, notrace) are profiled.

However, for beginning fans of pro-wrestling, thisbook is definitely a good read. You won't notice the errors but will learna lot about the way the business works.

A good read, but a lot of theinformation is available for free if you look around on the internet. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

Drawing Heat
I enjoyed this.It didn't leave me with the greatest feeling.Although it's make-believe, wrestling demands an enormous price from its participants.

Decent Read
I classify this one as decent, a bit boring at times but also entertaining at times. There are a lot more entertianing books out there on pro wrestling but this is not a bad one to pick up if you have the time.

For the true fan
This was a good book about professional wrestling by someone who learned from the master, Sam Muchnick.

Good buy
I actually bought this book as a Christmas gift for my husband who is a huge fan and to his surprise, he had wanted to read this all along.He has been a fan or wrestling since he was a kid and even he said this book is full of new good information.Good buy I suppose!

Larry Matysik Does It Again, One of the Best Books on the Subject
Larry Matysik has turned into a prolific author.With three other wrestling themed books to his credit, Wrestling at the Chase, Brody (withBarbara Goodish), the St. Louis Record Book, Larry now turns to giving us an in-depth inside look at professional wrestling and how it works.

If anyone is qualified to write such a tome, it's Larry Matysik.From the age of 16, Larry became an assistant to one of the greatest wrestling promoters who ever lived, the legendary Sam Munchnik, a founder and long tiome president of the National Wrestling Alliance.Larry became an announcer as well as promoter and publicist.This man can truly say he beared witness to thye true heyday for professional wrestling in America.

If you are someone who is involved in pro wrestling in some way, this book is required reading.If you are just a fan who wants to really know what makes this thing called professional wrestling tick, this is your book.

Like Larry's other books, this is excellently written and a highly informative and enjoyable read.The author's passion for the subject shines through like a beacon. ... Read more

Product Description
This instructional guide explains the origins of submission wrestling, the underlying fighting skill associated with such events as the Ultimate Fighting Championships and the King of the Cage. It explores its various offshoots and influences and features hundreds of photos to demonstrate techniques and training exercises. Rules and regulations regarding associated competitions, workout programs, and match etiquette are thoroughly discussed, and resources for further research are included. Full of self-defensive skills and tips that improve physical fitness, confidence, and mental toughness, this book starts the novice on the path to proper training and provides fundamental information for all skill levels. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

A really poor grappling resource
This is an interesting book.It's title is misleading, it has nothing to do with NHB, it is geared entirely to no gi submission grappling with no thoughts given to striking offense or defense.The author has no grappling competition experience, and it shows in the glaring holes and errors in his technique.

Basically, this would be a good book if you had no access to a real instructor, good Brazilian jiu jitsu books or tapes.There are a lot of technical flaws with the techniques he shows that would get them defeated by anyone with any grappling experience.

EX:His sidemount control section shows a wrestling style sidemount, with his hips high and away from his partner.Leaving his partner more than enough room to get a knee through to put him in guard.He does show how to prevent a person from getting guard, but his opponent is attempting to do this from flat on his back instead of a shrimp position.Basically, his defense worked on someone with no clue how to do it.A brazilian jiu jitsu student with more than a months experience wouldn't be stopped by this.

His guard section shows him laying flat on his back, which is one of the first things you are taught to NOT do in both Judo and brazilian jiu jitsu.His in guard position is the sprawl, which leaves you unable to move to defend any submission or sweep attempts, and leaves you open to being choked, armlocked and having your back taken.Oddly enough, he doesn't use this position at all in his guard passing section.He uses a standard in guard postition, but doesn't go into details on it.

His takedown section shows a double leg takedown.He bends at the waist when he hits his partner at waist height.This would get you sprawled one by anyone with more than a months experience.It also makes lifting your opponent harder by making your back do most of the work in a good morning type motion, instead of getting underneath your opponent in a proper penetration step and lifting with your legs.
His high single leg attempt again has him bending forward and reaching for the leg, instead of penetrating into your opponent and taking the leg.His method is simple to defeat by simply stepping back, or pushing on him.
His throws make no mention of the kuzushi (off balancing) needed to make them work properly, and he has a LOT of space between himself and his opponent for his opponent to counter or escape.

His submission section has a lot of errors in it as well.Most of them are sloppy, with a lot of space in them for counters and escapes.

Basically, the book looks like he taught himself to grapple from books or poor videos so that he didn't pick up on the details that make things work well and never had the opportunity to try them out against skilled grapplers so that he could fix his mistakes.

Overall, this book has so many technical errors and problems with it that I highly recommend AGAINST it.Anyone buying this book without the benefit of proper grappling instruction will have many errors in their game that they won't know how to fix.Anybody with proper grappling instruction will catch the errors in the book and not learn anything new.

There are many books on the market today written by world class grapplers and trainers showing the techniques that they use against world class competition.I would recommend getting one written by an accomplished grappler, and not this one.

very good book
mark hatmaker did it again. another very good book on NHB. mark is a credible author who can share his knowledge easily and practical. a 5 star rating was given for a very good author and NHB practitioner. hoping for more books to come

Well done
Mark Hatmaker is an intelligent, articulate teacher of western fighting disciplines.I got so much from this book that I ordered the others in the series as well. Although it is a good overview and introduction to various techniques for beginners, Mark covers enough of the details and nuances to make the information useful to experienced grapplers as well.He conveys the information effectively in written format, and his videos are good, too.

Great little book for SW beginners
This book has lots of information for the self-taught. This is the sort of book the beginner would find useful. It has those basic techniques everybody has seen in MMA fights, as well as drills and advices to correctly apply them. I immediately bought the other books of the series and found them very good too.

And being tiny helps taking them to the training if needed.

I wish there were more books about submission wrestling like this one and I had not wasted my money in books about "BJJ mind sets" or Sprague's grappling for real life situations...

Great Submission Wrestling and MMA Grappling Manual
Grappling in MMA is about efficiency and simplicity. Hatmaker is one of those very few 'intellectual' instructors. He isn't as physically gifted as some others and has really studied to get to where he is. This is obvious in his videos, and in this book.

Hatmaker shows basic, high percentage techniques that work. More importantly he shows how string together to create sequences. As I said, MMA is about simplicity. These high percentage techniques work in the fast paced, sweaty environment of MMA. Some of the techniques might be considered a little eager by some standards (eg. Neck Cranks) but are legal in MMA and fair game in the street, as well.

Additionally, Hatmaker's methods are a useful changeup from the usual BJJ based grappling instructionals. Hatmaker weaves the efficiency of Jiu Jitsu with the more physical wrestling base that is so effective in MMA. And, he does it well.

This book is a simple and effective introduction to grappling for MMA and the street. Especially for those who already know how to strike. Hatmaker's materials have certainly helped me in MMA, Brasilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Wrestling. ... Read more

Product Description
In an industry where nothing is real and no one actually wins or loses, the possibilities for manipulation are endless. World Wrestling Insanity sets out to expose the nepotism, backward logic, and power plays that have made World Wrestling Entertainment go round. Alongside many well-known wrestling personalities, author James Guttman uses sarcasm, humour, and hard facts to break down the secrets of Vince McMahon's company and analyze the reasoning behind many of its creative and business decisions. Never before have WWE, the McMahon family, Triple H, and others been held up to the light and examined so closely. Why are some of the shows written as they are? Who has the company's best interests at heart? Who has their own best interests at heart? Could the WWE's errors be nothing more than accidents or are they the product of cold and calculated manipulation? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

waste of time
never have i seen so many words used to describe so littlemaybe after reading Bret Harts book eveerything else pales in comparison but "insanity" was insanely boring

Worst wrestling book I have ever read
This is undoubtedly the most boring wrestling book that I have ever read. 99% of the time the author is giving derogatory statements about everything that the WWE stands for. I found the book so boring that after I had read 2/3 of it I put it aside, however, I do plan to later finish the book

Painfully un-funny
I passed on buying this book for a couple of months, mainly because for twenty bucks it's very thin and it appeared to be yet another book detailing the last decade of WWE shenanigans. After finally picking it up, man I wish that I could get my money back.
Did you ever go to a standup show where the guy tells what he thinks are the greatest finely crafted jokes only to have the audience be completely silent and just not care?
That is this book. There's very little wrestling fact/stories. Just this guy riffing on WWE tidbits of the last 10 years. And did I mention he is SO un-funny? He actually has to write "by the way I was joking about the last sentence!" a ton of times to make sure that the reader knows he was trying to be funny. And to add to the hilarity he adds a bunch of poorly photoshopped pictures spread through the book... HHH with a dunce cap!, HHH as the Mona Lisa, HHH as 80s sitcom star Webster!BWA-HA HA HA!! that's funny stuff! (by the way I was joking about that last sentence)
I'm not sure who this book was written for. Wrestling fans will hate it because it has nothing new or different to offer. Fans of humor books will hate it because it's incredibly not funny. I guess that leaves Guttman's friends and family. I hope your Aunt Ethyl enjoyed it James, because I certainly didn't.

A Great And Enjoyable Read
I know James Guttman from back when he first started writing JG's Raw Insanity Reports when he wrote at Pro Wrestling Torch. His wrestling reviews were both hilarious and spot on. When he informed everyone that he was writing a book, we all waited with baited breathe until it came out. What a wonderful read. James takes you inside the crazy world of WWE and shows you some of the craziness that happens in the wrestling business that we all know and love. For some (like me) who hates the direction in which WWE has turned than this book is for you. Every WWE fan needs to read this book. Great job James!

Rolling on the Floor
I think this is the first book since I was three, that I wanted to read out loud.My boyfriend and I took turns reading out loud.It is a great read for any wrestling fan, especailly those that have become annoyed with the absolutly ridiculaous storylines.He also does a great job of reminding us of the few things they do very well. ... Read more

Product Description

Improve your team's performance with advice from grappling's greatest

Coach Tom Ryan gives you winning drills from his playbook to improve your team's speed, power, and coordination. Also included are essays by powerhouse coaches, champion wrestlers, and former competitors that will show you how to build a solid team and motivate young athletes, teach the fundamentals, and use drills to improve speed, power, and coordination.

Legendary coach and wrestler Dan Gable shows you how to gain toughness and strength from the rigors of wrestling; U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld explains how he used the challenge and discipline of the sport to propel himself into positions of power; and Olympic gold medalist Ben Peterson gives you tips on how to surround yourself with supportive people.

Contributors include:

• John Irving, American writer and former prep school coach
• Terry Brands, U.S. Olympic freestyle coach
• Steve Fraser, U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman coach
• Dennis Hastert, U.S. Speaker of the House
• Stephen Neal, New England Patriots player
• Tricia Saunders, world champion wrestler

Customer Reviews (1)

High-quality wrestling guide
This book contains lots of personal testimonies from experienced coaches past and present, describing how they put together their wrestling programs and inspired their athletes.It's of intrest to wrestlers of all levels, for inspiration and a sourcebook for ideas. ... Read more

Product Description
An introduction to the history and basic techniques of wrestling. ... Read more