David Shoemaker (1)

have had this book on the shelf for a while. Broke it out after going to Wrstlemania 40 in Philly. Was a great time - and with Sam. This book was fun froma nostalgia standpoint as well as some of the background on the history of wrestling. Lots of old characters/names I recall from watching wrestling when I was a kid. And then a few pages on a lot of them was neat. But the characters I didnt know didnt have the same punch/interest. So I just read about the ones that I remembered and skipped the rest.… (más)

Clear, cogent, brilliantly argued look at pro-wrestling as a struggle between sport and drama, between real life and entertainment, the ultimate encounter with real life being death. Comes from Shoemaker's columns on dead wrestlers for Grantland and at time feels too much like a bundle of columns wrapped in a messy bow of a narrative that doesn't really hold anything together. Minor league complaint though. If you are even the slightest bit curious about pro-wrestling, this is among the best books out there by far.… (más)

With the beginnings of what would be modern professional wrestling, as apposed to Greco-Roman Olympic-style, the author gives the history of sideshow wrestling and it's first headliners, then goes into the top acts, mostly from the 1940's to present day. But this isn't about wrestlers who were just famous, this is a book of dead wrestlers. The focus is on their lives and often too early deaths, often with a connection to their profession. Bruiser Brody was stabbed to death in the locker room, Owen Hart fell to his death while making an entrance to the ring, several wrestlers were found dead from a combination of painkillers and other drugs meant to mask the pain from years of ring work. The author also delves into the topics of misogyny and race in professional wrestling, and the constant fight between the various territories, which Vince McMahon pretty much wiped away.
Fond memories of the Wrestlemania era? You might like this, but it certainly delivers the surprising and often harsh reality of the business backstage.… (más)