Wrestling Books

I spotted this pocket-sized book on the shelf in the sports section while looking for baseball books. A week later, while in the same store looking for something else, I went over to the sports section, flipped through this book, and just had to have it. It's chock full of pictures (color and b&w) and thumbnail bios of current and former wrestlers, tag-team partners, managers, announcers, and other ring personalities that bring back great memories from my childhood. While excerpted from Pope & Whebbe's "The Encyclopedia Of Professional Wrestling" (2nd Edition), this "field guide" notes that it doesn't include everybody who deserves to be in it due to space constraints. An excellent tribute to the squared circle none the less.

Author Caren Topliff is correct in her assertion that there are not enough resources available to help patients and families faced with spinal cord injury (SCI). Wrestling Back should be applauded for its stark and unembellished storytelling. It is a thought provoking memoir, and very hard to put down. Topliff includes an appendix with contact information for SCI advocacy and treatment resources.

As an able-bodied person, can I imagine my legs not responding to my commands? I try. Can I imagine how permanent the word permanent can be? Wrestling Back is a terrifying first-person account written by the mother of an Olympic-bound college athlete who is permanently paralyzed in a car accident. Topliff's story of her son's struggle to live drives it home that there is a huge family drama behind spinal cord injuries. Even when the patient regains independence, the struggle to accept a new life with physical limits is unthinkable to most of us.

Topliff deserves praise for her painstaking and candid account of the tensions in her family, the medical care her son received, and her exhausting vigilance. It is notable that she spent much of her energy convincing her son to fight for his life yet couldn't always support herself in the same way: her quality of life often seemed depressingly low. Maybe it was the relentless pace and tone in which she wrote the story, with intense focus on the central experience of supporting her son, but I felt drained after finishing the book. It takes a pragmatic and focussed mindset to support someone who has suffered a major trauma. Topliff was as much a survivor as her son, but her efforts took an incredible toll on her.

In a physical sense, the SCI patient (statistically, a young adult) becomes an infant again at the time of the injury, and the mother often builds an exclusive relationship with the born again child, monopolizing the chores of physically caring for that child to the detriment of her family and herself. Topliff exhausted her physical and spiritual self as Larry's primary caregiver. Larry not only went through a rebirth as a quadraplegic, but also a second adolescence. Until he married, his mother lived with him in the same house, sleeping with one eye open and monitoring every aspect of his health. She didn't or couldn't allow her son to be fully independent. While it can't be denied that Larry had many physical complications and needed of a lot of care, is it possible that Topliff, in spite of herself, internalized the stereotype of the helpless disabled child-person in the wheelchair?

Through much of the book I felt Topliff was hoping for unattainable outcomes, for a cure. Perhaps she used hope as a lifeline. Unrealistic hope can be a defense mechanism against facing something that feels unacceptable. It is part of the human condition to long for what you cannot have. For someone whose body has been broken, whose sense of self has been shattered -- this longing for a return to 'normalcy' must become acute and painful, and a mother's instinct would want to relieve that pain.

A telling omission in this very personal story is dialogue with other family members, including Larry. Topliff's emotional journey is a lonely one. She describes expressions in her son's eyes that substituted for words, and she describes a lack of communication in the family. Families often shut down in reaction to this kind of life change, as a way of coping with the trauma. The drama and suddenness of it, the social stigma and the physical and financial burdens can be too much to take in all at once, and can pull families apart. It is uncannily similar to the scenario of facing homosexuality in a family member. Just as noone chooses to be disabled, many homosexual individuals would not choose to be gay, given the choice, because of the stigmas and difficulties it will present them in their lives, from social awkwardness to rejection and discrimination to a reduction of civil rights and on down the line. The new identity of the family member is something the family must learn to accept. If they will achieve closeness, they must learn to embrace it, despite the possible negative reactions of those outside the family.

There is a definite and vast canyon between Before and After a spinal cord injury. The injured person is not the only one to see the moment of their injury as a watershed. Parents have dreams that they project onto their children -- and partners and friends have an image of their loved one as 'able-bodied'. In Wrestling Back, Larry's parents were committed to helping him realize his goal of competing in the Olympics. A successful athlete, Larry's body and physicality were a part of his identity. Not only did friends and family see Larry in this role, he saw himself this way as well. Someone who arrives After the SCI has occurred might not see these Before ghost images so strongly, and could be less likely to have expectations of something different -- at the same time, they may possibly overlook the person who existed before the injury. There is no denying that Larry has changed, and there is no denying that Larry is still Larry.

In the closing paragraph of the book, Topliff explains in a very deliberate fashion the pride that she and her family feel for Larry and his accomplishments (he became a wrestling coach and a father). Her need to state this so explicitly pinpoints one of the most difficult struggles of SCI: the difficulty of acceptance. Prejudices and stereotypes of the disabled exist in all of us: not only in the mind of the public but in the families of the disabled, and most poignantly, within the disabled person him/herself. The preservation of pride in the face of a permanently disabling injury is the most incredible struggle of all.

Caren, i cannot thank you enough for telling your story.

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!!!!

There is so much awesome incredible information in this volume it boggles the mind that two people that never met face to face were responsible for it.

I love the history of wrestling, championship lineages in particular. It amazes me that certain men never held heavyweight gold, like Scott Hall or Owen Hart, and others only in one federation but not another, like Vader or Lex Luger in the WWF. This book doesn't illustrate who was more popular or who had more sway in the thick of things, but who held the titles and that's that.

Yes its outdated, the cutoff date being late 1999, but there's so many foreign and independent histories here its just too easy to get lost flipping through it again and again, years after publication.

Truly a great book that will only be replaced if an updated volume if ever released, but that's unlikely as a rumorued website will be the next iteration. Either way, awesome stuff.

Whether lyricizing for Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest musical or giving words to John Barry's musica as Shirley Bassey belts out the latest James Bond theme, Don Black, a shy kid from a working class London Jewish neighborhood, has lived a magical showbiz life as a lyricist whose songs the whole world sings and enjoys. The book is both a personal story and an examination of exactly what the craft of lyric writing is--when it's good and when it's not--and how Black has added to the artform. From London to Hollywood and back again, his story is one of humility and, it seems, genuine niceness in a realm where sometimes venality and harshness rule the day. A subtitle might be "why GOOD things happen to GOOD people once in a while" and the author, a music writer who knows Black well, really gets inside this talented man's skin. Whether you are an aspiring lyricist or songwriter yourself or just a fan of the music of the past 40 years of popular songs and musicals, you'll find this a satisfying read.

(condensed from my National Catholic Register review):The First Amendment guarantees Americans the "free exercise" of religion. If the law can't interfere with the practice of faith, why have courts ruled that Catholic hospitals must provide abortiofacient drugs? That a landlord cannot refuse to rent an apartment to people living together, despite the landlord's religious objections to non-marital cohabitation? If freedom of religion is a Constitutionally guaranteed right, why can't privately funded manger scenes stand in public places without being diluted, the Christ Child attended by Frosty in the light of a menorah while shepherds tend the reindeers?
If you've wondered why "free exercise" of religion has been taking such a beating at the hands of the courts for the past half century, read this book. Patrick Garry, professor of law at the University of South Dakota, lucidly explains how the courts have warped the First Amendment through their interpretations of its two religion clauses.
Two provisions in the First Amendment are supposed to protect religious freedom: the "no establishment" clause, which bars laws that would give any one denomination a privileged status, and the "free exercise" clause, which was intended to exclude legal interference with religious practice. "Free exercise," Garry insists, has primacy: the Founding Fathers wrote the "non-establishment" clause to protect free exercise by preventing any one church from acquiring a special status, like Britain's Anglican Church. "The first and foremost concern of the framers of the First Amendment was not to create a separation of church and state, but to guarantee religious freedom. And the absence of an established church was just one aspect of achieving freedom of religion."
So how have we gotten into the Constitutional morass we're in, where "freedom of speech" (another First Amendment right) ensures unbridled license to plunge crucifixes into pails of urine in public museums, but a public school teacher cannot wear a cross around her neck because one child might think that the pendant was a subliminal governmental plot to advance religion? Garry demonstrates how, since the 1940s, the courts have inverted the interpretation of the First Amendment, expansively focusing on the non-establishment clause (taken to exclude preference of all religion rather than preference of a religion) to the detriment of the free exercise clause. The courts' interpretation of the non-establishment and free exercise clauses has put the two at loggerheads, suggesting that the more you have of one, the less you can have of the other. This has inevitably led to free exercise being trumped by non-establishment, subjecting religious freedom to all sorts of limits no court would ever tolerate, for example, on freedom of speech. Holocaust survivors must bear with Neo-Nazis marching through their community in the name of free speech, but one atheist's feelings holds veto power over a high school graduation prayer.
Garry just doesn't complain. He offers a positive theory of the First Amendment that recognizes the Constitution as protective of religious freedom in practice: "Under the spirit of the First Amendment, it is better to favor all religion than to risk . . . eliminating a religious presence from the nation's public life. It is better to risk the incidental occurrences of some religious proselytizing than to censor religious viewpoints. Consequently, the government should make it easier to exercise religious beliefs than not." Nor does he remain at the level of pious bromides, instead taking us through the various legal tests and precedents that would require modification to make Garry's view a reality. While the work of a legal scholar, it is highly readable by general readers interested in church-state relations. My sole complaint would be its steep price.

I particularly like this book as it is one of the first books I ever purchased that introduced me to Jewish mysticism. I read to my unbelieving father from this book and even he found it enchanting. The language of Mr. Boteach is equisite. He words these difficult concepts in such a way as to make them understandable to the scripture novice. If you are trying to "witness" to an intelligent unbeliever this is the book I highly recommend. It is especially appealing to the person who believes in an intelligence in the universe, but finds it difficult to call it God. After reading this book, the person will take one giant leap toward a personal relationship with God.

I have had a crush on Shawn Michaels for close to 20 years, and this book gave me insight into the life of the Heartbreak Kid. I laughed and cried and laughed again. This has to be one of the greatest books I have ever read. A true wrestling classic.

Excellent read for any fan of modern day wrestling. The Montreal Screw Job, the birth of Attitude, The Kliq - it's all here - the man who lived through the booming 90's of wrestling. I have read most major wrestling books of the past 10 years and this one is excellent. Shawn Micheals is honest and revealing in this great account of his life. I cannot suggest this high enough. Great book.

This book is really amazing. Once I received it, I couldn't let it down. Like honestly, I think that every Shawn Michaels' fan needs to get this book.
I love Shawn & I am sure you do to. So come on people! Buy the best book ever.

Shaikha =]

A very entertaining read! Shawn Michaels is extremely candid about everything in his career. Leaves no stone unturned as he discusses the cliq, the curtain call, Montreal, the whole deal. A very entertaining read, I haven't been able to put it down.

SHAWN MICHAELS
HEARTBREAK & TRIUMPH

I can still remember when I had first seen HBK on TV as I was a kid, back then he was one half of the rockers. It was at that point that I started liking him and he became my favorite wrestler along side Macho Man Randy Savage. Now many, many, many moons later Shawn remains my favorite as I am still able to have the viewing pleasure to see him on Monday nights on Raw. So when I first learned of this book being released I knew right away I was going to buy it the second it hit the shelves. Needless to say I did just that, and I was not disappointed at all.

The book tells all about a young Shawn [find out his real full name in the book] growing up, his fights with his dad, and of course when he first fell into wrestling. As many now know Jose Latherio was the man that trained Shawn, anybody who watched wrestling in 1996 & 97 knows that as he was HBK's manager. But the interesting thing here is Shawn's early days in wrestling, and his first [failed] attempt in the WWF [WWE for those now]. The story some wrestlers told Vince about Shawn and Marty Jannetty that got them fired from the WWF is pretty funny, even though it was not true. Of course his AWA days are told, Curt Henning & Scout Hall are involved in those chapters. But things get real interesting when he & Marty are finally able to come back to the WWF. It is here that most people remember first seeing him as a part of the Rockers, the story of how they won/lost the tag titles is pretty cool [they fought the Hart Foundation {Bret & Anvil}]. But things get real good when Shawn went solo; I still remember that episode of "The Barber's Shop".

It is here that Shawn goes on to tell about his feud with former partner Marty, and how he discovered Kevin Nash for Vince while watching WCW. Of course from there he comes in as Diesel with Shawn and the rest is wrestling history. This was the beginning of the infamous "Click" in the WWF consisting of HBK, Kevin Nash, Scout Hall, and Sean Waltman [X-Pac]. The stories that are told about this group in particular is one of the major reasons I bought this book, it gets even better when Triple H shows up and joins the group, it's cool how he introduces him self to the crew. Of course the incident that happened to Shawn were he got jumped is discussed, as well as the infamous taboo breaking incident in Madison Square Garden when Nash & Hall were leaving to go to WCW.

After that we are treated to the chapters that involve the Monday night wars, and of course DEGENARATION X. I' am more then positive that a lot of people got this book for these sections in particular. It is cool how we find out how the formation of this group really happened, and how much they really got in trouble behind the scenes. But it was cool to relive some of those moments as I was reading all about them, seeing them over again in my head. Also it is cool to learn more about the programs he was involved in [the feuds], like the ones involving the Undertaker were really cool [GROUND ZERO, HELL IN CELL AT BAD BLOOD]. I was really surprised about some of the things said about Sid, and Vader, even though Shawn apologizes for how he acted towards Vader behind the scenes. Of course other feuds are discussed within these pages like ones with Nash, Jarrett, and Hart among others.

But I' am sure most people bought this book to hear Shawn's side of the story about "THE MONTREAL INCEDENT". Ah yes the infamous day on Canadian land that saw the "screw job" of Bret "The Hitman" Hart. This topic is discussed in full detail which I' am sure people loved, it was real interesting to finally learn who the whole thing came together and how it was plotted out, and then executed. The aftermath is discussed also in this book, but I found something else involving these two to be more interesting. That would be the real life animosity between the two; it is discussed all through out this book in great detail. But if some one was to ask about my take on the whole thing I would say this, "I WAS NOT THERE, I WAS NOT INVOLVED, SO IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO TAKE SIDES".

Things get a little worse for Shawn after that, next we go into the whole HBK vs. Shamrock [Owen's return {R.I.P.}], vs. Taker, and finally Steve Austin. It is here that we learn the New Age Outlawz [Road Dogg & Billy Gunn], and X-Pac were going to join DX anyways after Wrestlemainia, Shawn's being injured had nothing to do with them coming aboard. But after the whole Mike Tyson thing Shawn retires and goes home because of injuries. But Shawn discusses his many on air appearances refereeing, broadcast commentator, and his role as the commissioner of the WWF, and not to mention the short lived NWO. The ladder in particular is cool because that's when he joined the corporation. But things get better for old HBK when he returns for one match only against Triple H in a street fight at Summerslam. It was that match that showed Shawn he could come back, and come back he did. He goes on to talk about him winning the Championship inside the first Elimination Chamber. Of course all matches after that are discussed like his feud with Triple H, and his classics with Kurt Angle.

This book was more than worth the price of getting it, it is a must have for any fan out there. Whether you love or hate The Heartbreak Kid, The Showstopper, The Icon [who can still go], The Main Event you have to respect what the man has accomplished in his life. He is with out a doubt one of [if not the] greatest of all time.

Hulk Hogan, the modern icon of pro wrestling, admits right away the supposed "sport" is rigged, the outcomes of matches predetermined. For that he should be commended. Otherwise, this book isn't that great, it's Hulk Hogan's autobiography telling people he wanted to see how much money they could make off this. Hogan was making like a million dollars a show and when WCW peaked it was a hundred million dollar a year industry. Vince Russo ruined wrestling for good, making Hogan job to people like Billy Kidman, which ended up in Vince McMahon buying WCW for a mere 3 million dollars. His only halfway believable angle with was Zeus in 1989. Brutus Beefcake was blown way out of proportion; he doesn't even mention the near fatal face accident and current blindness. It's marketed at families with no sense of humor. He comes clean on his steroids abuse, which we've all known for years. Hulk Hogan strikes me as someone who took his real life persona too seriously, as a redneck body builder. He admits finally although he's really part French, he is otherwise of descent from a third world country- the blonde Irishman wasn't believable. They should've made Roddy Piper the main guy, inflation wouldn't be so high. Commend Hogan for picking up the ball that was dropped by: Bob Backland, Ultimate Warrior, Lex Luger, Sting, The Giant, Batista...

There is no denying Hulk Hogan's place in pop culture; the charismatic character, along with Vince McMahon then being on top of his game in marketing, made pro wrestling a major entertainment vehicle.

I saw it in the Cleveland, OH, which once had weekly TV tapings and shows, but fell apart literally overnight when popular wrestler Johnny Powers fled the city in the midnight hour, leaving behind unpaid bills and unpaid employees from a series of closed health clubs.

Periodic shows were being run by a number of companies - including the WWF - at the Cleveland Convention Center. But the area caught fire with the WWF's second show at the Richfield Coliseum with the first appearance of Hogan, defending the world title against Jesse Ventura. The show sold out, which became common during Hogan's peak years as the champion face who would pin the bad guy or avenge the "loss" - those Dusty finishes - at the next show.

Like all the books in the WWE catalog, it follows a standard script of bringing the character to real life. I found particularly interesting his dealings with Mr. T and how he got the part in Rocky III (and why Hollywood contracts need to be read and re-read and read some more before signing).

The book may not change the minds of critics who have ravaged him over the years for a lack of technical wrestling ability and for the oftentimes embarrassingly bad movies. But his story is as important as any pro wrestler's from the 1980s to today.

I could go into long detail on his "rationalization" of controversial fixes Hogan was caught up in like steroids, Vince and holding back younger wrestlers through his backstage politics.
However, this one important timepiece Hogan makes pretty much no mention of whatsoever was Starcade 1997 and Sting. He never once admits to having too big of an ego to cleanly lose to Sting/Steve Borden at all in this book. Skirting a well known wrestling feud where his ego was put ahead of "what was best for business" in WCW at the time with Sting automatically negates this book as a TRUE AND HONEST AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Despite the two Star Rating that I gave to this book, This book did have it's good points. I liked how Hogan told the story of how he was a fat little kid who would eventually become the person that put Wrestling on the map. According to Hogan, he was a fat kid. Also his rise through the Wrestling ranks, and how he had to pay his dues before he became the Hulk Hogan we all know today. He seriously thought about giving up Wrestling altogether. Thank god he didnt, otherwise we wouldnt of had such Wrestling Master Pieces like Starcade 1997.


I'm a huge fan of Hulk Hogan, but this book left a lot to be desired.
I know others touched on this, but he says the word "brother" an awful lot, it was like he was cutting a 400 page promo.

I have two main critcisms with this book. The first one is, this isnt a biography really, its more like Hogan trying to protect his massive ego.
Like how he said Warrior wasnt worthy of being the new champion and he was right, He also defended his plan to Win the belt at Wrestlemania 9, 10 seconds after Bret Hart already lost to Yokozuna. Bret Hart couldnt beat Yokozuna in a 15 minute match, but Hogan beat Yoko in like 10 seconds. I dont know how you can defend that but Hogan managed to do it.


My other criticism of this book is, he touched on things nobody cared about. Like his role in Rocky 3, he wrote a lot about that. *yawn*
or his matches with Dennis Rodman as his tag team partner, against Karl Malone and DDP *yawn*

I wanted to hear more about his last years in the WWF/E the creation of NWO and his take on it. And more about the bad blood between him and Savage. But all that is skipped over. All the interesting points in his career are glossed over real quick, or barely mentioned at all.

If you're a fan of Hogan, I reccomend reading it, but if you're not a fan of his Massive Titanic sized Ego, dont read it.

HULK HOGAN ABOY BORN IN VENICE BEACH CALIFORNIA HE STARTED PLAYING BASEBALL IN FLORIDA THEN AFTER A FEW YEARS LATERS HE MET MUTSADA AND BECAME A REALLY GREAT WRESTLER AND HE BECAME THE FIRST THREE TIME CHAMPION THIS BOOK REALLY ENSPIRED ME TO GO FOR MY GOALS AND NEVER QUIT.

Book came wrapped and in perfect condition. It's a present, so i haven't read it, but the transaction went flawlessly.

I love reading wrestling books to gain insight into a business that so little is known backstage. Mick Foley has always given one of the more honest insights, also more down to earth. This one chronicles his journey to ECW's One Night Stand and all the bumps in the road to. Some of the stories he shares with us really touch me when he talks about burn victims and children's hospitals, to his own child choking. Moments like those (and so many more I don't wanna give away) turn this hardcore legend into a true legend. Read this if you're a fan of the business, read this if you just want insight into a man's life with so many connections.

This book is poorly written and very boring. I cannot recommend it.
The book on Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold's books were much more informative and entertaining.
This one was a waste.

Not Mick's best work, but he is still by far, the best author to come out of the WWE. The book itself is well written and gives you insight to how things work in wrestling. The one thing you can always count on is Mick's terrific sense of humor. After reading this, you will see Mick Foley is a big man with an even bigger heart. He truly lets you see his human side.

WWE superstar and hardcore legend, Mick Foley is no stranger to writing. Aside from writing two #1 New York Times bestselling memoirs (Have a Nice Day and Foley is Good), Mick Foley has also wrote multiple children books and fiction novels. Hardcore Diaries is Foley's third volume of memoirs, which has a lot to live up to his two aforementioned autobiographies.

Foley's last book finishes up shortly after he retired from wrestling in 2000. This one covers up until mid 2006 of Foley's life and career. Hardcore Diaries has a unique way of detailing those six years. Instead of starting straight from where Foley last left off, the whole book is wrapped around Foley's involvement in coming up with his One Night Stand 2006 match where he teamed with Edge against Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer.

Every few chapters Foley comes back to this angle on how the creative process runs behind the scenes in WWE and how his initial vision for the storyline went though many political compromises and unwelcome changes. In between the chapters of the creative plan for the ECW angle, a smaller than expected section is devoted to the angles and returns to the ring Foley was involved in the previous six years, and a larger than expected section is devoted to his family and many charity contributions.

This all doesn't come together too nicely. Nothing against Foley's many charity contributions and his commitment to being a family man, but those chapters seemingly went on forever. They are still interesting to read about, but after awhile I forgot I was reading a wrestler's autobiography. They ended up interrupting the flow of the book, as throughout Hardcore Diaries it never felt like it was going in full gear.

I'll give Foley credit for trying something new for this book, but it just didn't work out in the end. With that said Hardcore Diaries is a disappointment and easily ranks as the lowest of his three autobiographies, but it is still better than many other wrestler biographies out on the market right now. If you liked the first two Foley books, you will probably still enjoy this, but to a much lesser extent.

The Hardcore Diaries