The best wrestling book ever written
355139
Wow. Not only is this book packed with information and stories (most of which I did not know before reading this), but it's a truly touching piece of work. You can tell that it was written by people that are wrestling fans at heart, and respect for each one of these legends oozes off the pages. Not only that, but this book brought back memories of my own wrestling viewing as a kid, before I became what is called an 'insider' or 'smark'.
I feel no shame in admitting that at various places in this book, I was actually starting to cry a little myself...
429216
I love this book! By the time it's finished, you KNOW Bobby. He holds nothing back, does not sugar-coat. He tells the details of his life, training, matches, and thoughts along the way. I grew up watching 'rasslin'  on TV with my family. This book of Bobby's brings it all back. The book will have a similar, nostalgic feel for many.
The training, the conditioning required, and hard work to maintain it, carries one through the book in amazement.
Bobby travelled to many countries during his wrestling career. It's interesting to note how differently the wrestlers were treated in various countries.  After a long, international flight, Bobby and the others would still turn out for sparring and limbering before matches, as well as greeting the locals. They did what was asked of them. They are athletes. This is an aspect of the book I liked very much, a respectful look at the art of wrestling.
Pin Me, Pay Me!: Have Boots Will Travel is an up close look at a well-trained wrestler's life.  It's a good read. You'll enjoy it.
3486857
I love this book!  It made me laugh out loud.  I've watched Adam since day 1 in the WWE and been a huge fan of this and Jay "Christian" Reso.  I do think you shoudl read this before you watch his DVD (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/WWE-Edge-A-Decade-of-Decadence/dp/B00120LPPG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">WWE Edge- A Decade of Decadence</a>) to get the background stories on the matches that you will watch.  If you are a fan at all, buy this!
319231
Honest, well written and funny Chris Jericho shows he can wrestle, sing, host TV shows and write. Of course his first book already proved that but he comes back with another great book. The book also gives fans a look at just how hard it was for him to get the WWE Title. It's a must read for any fan of Y2J. I will recommend reading his other two books A Lion's Tale and The Best in The World at What I Have No Idea.
947417
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 =]
4472921
In wrestling, Bob Holly is known as what they call a "mechanic". He had a great look, he work rate was solid, he hardly ever complained, and was a locker room leader. For 15 years, Bob gave his heart, mind, body, and soul to the WWE. Unfortunately, he never made it to the top and he was never given the opportunity to have a main event run. 'The Hardcore Truth' tells an honest, first hand account of how the true inner workings of WWE politics hold back the guys they don't want to 'get over'. It's often been said that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and at the end of reading this book, it's unfortunate that the WWE never did see "Sparky Plugg" as their guy. You won't see a 'best of' Bob Holly DVD and he won't be one of the legends they call back, time and time again. But even with all the bulls*** and politics, one has to agree that Bob Holly had one hell of a run.

This is a must read for all wrestling fans. At times, Bob is brutally honest throughout the book and his pull-no-punches writing style sets an endearing and empathetic tone. Bret Hart said it best years ago that WWE will ride you like a horse and when you're too sick and old to keep going, they will take you out to pasture and shoot you. Bob Holly proves that although that may be the case, his pride would never let give give anything less than 100%. If I ever saw Bob Holly on the street, I would shake his hand and thank him for serving. The business needs more guys like Bob Holly and I am glad he was able to articulate his journey so honestly and eloquently in this book
4086418
A funny feeling came when I finished reading this book; Such a thick book, yet I finished it so soon without having the feeling of rushing through the pages. No, not at all.

Regardless whether you are a pro wrestling fan or not, this is a book you won't regret reading it.

Strongly recommended!
4753562
Excellent book!  One of the top 3 wrestling books I have read.  Very detailed & organized. Bobby Backlund is a credit to pro wrestling who took his role as the WWF champion very seriously and gave credit to his challengers with class & professionalism. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Tom
2185165
If you ever wondered what it would be like to live the life of a famous wrestling personality and if you want to know how the main eventers relate to each other behind the scenes, then this book is for you.
People who are still active in the business have to think twice before voicing their opinions to the public.  They have to depend on the promoters for a paycheck and the fans' attention to warrant their place on the roster.  Cappetta has neither of these concerns to hold him back.  And that is just one of the major differences between "Bodyslams!" and everything else that has recently been published.
The guy who had the least to say on WWF, ESPN and WCW broadcasts certainly makes up for the years when his introductions made ring entrances more exciting and when his victory announcements made the outcomes of matches seem more important then they ever were.  There was a whole lot going on with Gary Michael Cappetta.  At the time, no one ever thought to ask.  In "Bodyslams!" we finally find out.
And while Gary pulls no punches, there is nothing malicious in this book.  Whenever he has something negative to say about an individual (Sic Vicious, McMahon, Bagwell etc.) he either lets us form our own opinions by reporting their words and actions, or fully explains the reasons for his conclusions.  Cappetta lets the readers decide for themselves.
One thing that impressed me throughout "Bodyslams!" is Cappetta's love of wrestling, despite all of the cons and underhandedness that he has seen.  And his respect for the many top stars that he knows comes through loud and clear from the many stories in which Gary expresses his admiration for the many superstars that he has traveled with (Austin, Flair, Steamboat, Sammartino, Eaton, Arn Anderson, etc.).
The format of the book is also something to note.  Quotes from Tennessee Williams, Mike Lupica, James Michener and George Burns in a wrestling book?  Who would have guessed.  Also impressive is a listing of the more than 300 cities in seven countries where he has announced.  And there is a name / promotion / city index so that you can sneak a peek to read about your favorite wrestler, promotion or hometown before getting into the book.
The only disappointment that I experienced with Gary Michael Cappetta's "Bodyslams!" is that ended.  But then again, it could have been a 5,000 page book and I would have felt the same way.
This is must reading for fans of Cappetta, for wrestling fans in general or for outsiders who want to know what makes wrestlers tick and what has made the spectacle of wrestling one of the most lasting and fun forms of entertainment throughout the years.
2197656
Anyone who could think up a hilarious line like Freddie Blassie's "pencil-necked geek" deserves a place in history! Even if you aren't a big follower of Pro-Wrestling, you'll enjoy this book. Why? Because it's pure Blassie,and Blassie transcended wrestling! The book is full of his machine-gun rapid-fire diatribes, body-slam retorts, and bounce-em-off-the-post wisecracks! Here you finally have a book that shows the WHOLE Blassie: showman supreme, talented athlete, and a spieler with the soul of the best Carny ever to walk a Midway. Yes, he WAS 'The King of Men' as he was labeled. Once you start reading it, the book disappears and you are listening to Blassie talk. It's your ticket to join him, (and Andy Kaufman), for dinner---just don't order the quiche!
4280606
Let me first say that Shawn Michaels is the greatest ever bar none. Nobody have been so very entertaining and amazing inside the ring as Shawn Michaels. Heck, HBK came back with a broken back in 2002, and ever since he have been producing Match of the Year every year : 1) HBK vs HHH - MOTY (2002); 2) HBK vs Y2J - MOTY (2003); 3) HBK vs HHH vs Benoit - MOTY (2004); 4) HBK vs Angle - MOTY (2005). Apart from that, HBK have been Wrestler of the Year for 2003 and 2005. Even at this age, he and Angle are considered the best in the industry (Angle himself admitted it in many interviews). One must not confuse his in-ring ability with his outside the ring attitude. I've heard a lot about this book, and all I can honestly say is that my conclusion is HBK have sugar coated some things. But by no means it is a bad book. It covers HBK's journey throughout his life. But the controversial things which Shawn explains are highly doubtful and probably sugar-coated.
3626673
Among 5 best ever written by a wrestler. Packs so brilliance & humor in less than 300 pages. You truly feel the moment, brilliance, sadness throughout the text. Laughed hysterically 2 or 3 times in the first 49 pages. Ashamed I was too immature to seek out his mat work when I was young but truly grateful he wrote this to let me live through his experience.
3144583
This is hands down the best, most detailed wrestling biography I've read.  It is a must-read for any wrestling fan, even if Bret isn't your favorite wrestler.  The precise details about his life, career, and the WWF are rivoting, making you feel like you are a part of the Hart family yourself...I feel like I personally know and understand Bret after reading this book...Highly recommended!
4033902
This is a very well writen book. I wish it was a little longer. It starts off a little slow, giving you a look at the history of pro wrestling. Towards the middle of the book it really picks it pace with the Steroid Trials, and the Monday Night Wars. It takes a look at some of Bishof's mistakes, and how Vince McMahon overcomes them. I was a little disapointed that it briefly mentioned ECW, I would have liked to seen a little more coverage on it. The last few chapters are also a little dry. After reading the exert of the book I bought it. The Owen Hart Death was a really big selling point. The events of his death were pretty astonishing. It also devotes about half a chapter to the Bret Hart screwjob. It also tells why Austin became so famous. This is a really good book, I would recemend it to anyone who is intristed in pro wrestling.
1694564
This is one of the best reads Ive ever had. This book gives lots of info for each wrestlemania including the set up of the show, before the show, during the show and the end of the show. It will also teach you that it is not that easy to choice a location and celerbraties don't come for free. This book has for clear and awesome picture which have never been shown in any other book. If you have a DVD player your in luck because this at the end of this amazing book it also has an Wrestlemania DVD with matches and celebraties.
1237309
College wrestlers have been competing on the mats since 1903. Teams and individuals have been vying for a NCAA championship since 1928.

Thanks to the Herculean efforts of wrestling historian and author Jay Hammond, the facts and major stories from these years are now memorialized in one voluminous book, "The History of Collegiate Wrestling". While the first 25 years of the sport are summarized in just a few pages, every wrestling season from 1928 thru 2005 is covered in its own separate chapter.

As you might imagine, this is not a book to be confused with your page-turning thriller that you take to the beach. But for the true fan of collegiate wrestling, this is a book that you will want to read s-l-o-w-l-y and likely will refer to many, many times for the rest of your life.

Hammond does a good job in avoiding a pure text-book version of College Wrestling History 101. Interesting details about key dual meets, individual matchups, and tournament results - particularly the NCAAs - are sprinkled into the narrative. But what really sets this book apart are the `feature articles' of over 60 individuals and families who have left their indelible mark on the sport.

While profiles of Oklahoma and Iowa-bred wrestlers rightfully take center stage, Eastern wrestling fans will surely take pride in reading the feature stories about local legends, such as Sheridan, DiBatista, Speidel, the Peerys, Eichelberger, Auble, Caruso, Schalles, the Matters and McCoy, amongst others. Hammond found 16 different writers from around the country to author these pieces, which Hammond correctly notes "are an integral part of the book".

In addition to concentrating on the individuals and teams, Hammond cleverly inserts into each chapter the scoring and rules changes that were instituted that year, along with significant coaching changes. Highlights of wrestling activity at the Olympic Games are mentioned in the appropriate Olympic year chapters.

Many readers, I'm sure, will be well satisfied skimming the nearly 400 pages, stopping here and there to read about their favorite wrestlers or memorable seasons. And that's ok. But, for those avid wrestling fans who will take the time to absorb each chapter, they will undoubtedly get a new-found appreciation for the skills and feats of many of the men (and coaches) that stepped on the college mat over the past 100 years.

For instance, you will learn (or perhaps re-learn):
- In 1986, Clarion became the first Eastern school ever to defeat Oklahoma State in a dual meet.
- In 1973, Greg Stroble of Oregon State overcame an early five point move by John Johnson of Northern Illinois to win the 190 pound NCAA title 11-7.
- Oklahoma State's Myron Roderick was a Kansas state high school champion in both tennis and wrestling.
- "Uncle Charlie" Mayser, for whom the gym complex at Franklin & Marshall is named after, started the wrestling programs at Yale, Iowa State, F&M and Iowa high schools.
- Robin Reed, whom Cliff Keen and Billy Sheridan both called "the greatest wrestler they ever saw", wrestled in Oregon State dual meets at two weight classes (135 and 145 pounds) and won every match by fall.

"The History of Collegiate Wrestling" is a fascinating, well-researched book for all serious wrestlers, coaches, officials and fans.  Jay Hammond and his supporting crew win a gold medal for this effort.
297030
I have to say that at first I was skeptical about a Pro Wrestler writing his own autobiography. I had known a lot about Mick Foley and knew that there was probably enough info but I was skeptical about the quality of the  writing. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. This book was  written for everyone. You do not have to be a pro wrestling fan to  understand and enjoy this book. It is a story of a man who lived his dream,  loves his family and just enjoys life and we can all learn from that. The  book was easy to read and very enjoyable. One of the best autobiographies I  have ever read. It is also great because it gives you a look inside pro  wrestling, past all of the stereotypes into the truth. It also lets you see  past the characters into the real person who is Mick Foley. He has opened  the door for other wrestlers to do the same. Mick holds nothing back and  gives you the real deal. I just loved it. A must on your holiday shopping  list. Nice job Mick!