Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind [Hardcover]

Robert Allyn, Pamela Allyn Gordon Solie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Gordon Solie...Something Left Behind is a tour through the previously unpublished writings of the “Dean of Professional Wrestling Announcers,” the late Gordon Solie. For the first time, short stories and prose from Gordon’s personal writing files are presented along with more than 160 photos from his youth, radio days, stock car racing involvement, and his rise to the top as the premier television wrestling announcer in the world. This is a tribute not only to Gordon, but also to the fans and athletes who shared moments with one of America’s finest broadcasters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

poems, fiction and bio information that shows Solie’s talents weren’t limited to calling action in the ring. --Alex Marvez, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 18, 2005

It’s a good reference - but an outstanding souvenir --Arnie Katz, Pro Wrestling Daily, March 28, 2005

chock-full of quality photographs, many from Solie's personal collection and others taken by top photographers of the day. --Mike Mooneyham-columist for Charleston Post Courier and co-author of New York Times Best Seller “Sex, Lies and Headlocks”, Feb. 20, 2005

About the Author

Gordon Solie was called the “Dean of Professional Wrestling Announcers” by the industry and the “Walter Cronkite of Professional Wrestling” by Entertainment Tonight. He remained host of the award-winning Championship Wrestling from Florida for 27 consecutive years. For 12 of those years Gordon did a second show, traveling to Atlanta each week to film Georgia Championship Wrestling, often the No. 1 show on TBS. Besides announcing for other notable programs such as Continental Championship Wrestling, Pro Wrestling This Week and WCW Pro Wrestling, Gordon won awards for radio editorials and was one of the pioneers of stock car racing on Florida’s Suncoast.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Florida Media, Inc. (March 1, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0976306212
• ISBN-13: 978-0976306214
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Voice of Professional Wrestling.... Gordon Solie, July 10, 2006

By 

Brad from OWW "http://www.onlineworldofwrestl... (Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind (Hardcover)

I consider myself unfortunate to have come along in this world too late to experience the greatness that was Gordon Solie. By the time I was introduced to anything outside of McMahon-land it was too late, Mr. Solie was pretty much retired and out of the spotlight. I heard his name many times, and read about him in magazines all the time. The stories of what he contributed to the wrestling business always made me wonder just what kind of man he really was. It seemed nobody ever had a bad thing to say about him. A few years later, through the miracle of videotape, I did get see and hear the golden voice of professional wrestling work his magic. I was so impressed by his intelligent vocabulary and undeniable ability to get a wrestler or storyline over with the fans. I quickly became a fan of Gordon Solie.

So when I found out that Gordon Solie's daughter, Pamela Allyn, had collaborated with her husband, Robert, to assemble a collection of her father's personal memoirs, short stories, poems, and photos, all laid out in scrap book form, I knew I had to add it to my collection of wrestling books. It is a brilliant journey through the life and career (several of them actually) of wrestling's most respected announcer. In the pages of this book you will learn about Gordon's childhood, his early days in radio, his stint in the Air Force, his experiences with an interesting concept known as "Thrillcade", his love of stock car racing, his career as a pro-wrestling announcer, and on top of all that you will read interesting short stories and poems written about various topics that interested Gordon at the time. One particular short story was the opening chapter of a screenplay Gordon wrote that was so suspenseful I couldn't wait to turn the page.

I would like to thank Robert & Pamela Allyn for sharing Gordon's life with me, and with anybody else who picks up this book to read it. I found it to be more than just a wrestling book, but a scrapbook about the life of a truly wonderful man who meant a lot of things to a lot of different people. Included in this book are a large number of never before seen photographs straight from the Gordon Solie collection, bringing his stories to life with illustration. Every fan of professional wrestling will have Gordon Solie's voice etched in their mind forever, and now they can own a piece of his life.....

Rating: 8/10 Recommended highly for anyone who respected Gordon Solie. That's everybody.

Reviewed by Obsessedwithwrestling.com's Brad Dykens

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Master, December 3, 2005

By 

S. Whitten "avid reader" (micanopy, florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind (Hardcover)

I have had this book for about a year now. I have found myself going back again and again, re-reading this wonderful in-site into the life of a true genius of the commentary profession. It is not what you would expect, Mr. Solie had such a full life, such diverse interests, among them of course, the wide world of wrestling. The pictures of all of his interests are riveting. His writings are poetic, intelligent, and reflect the richness of the time he spent with the passions of his life.
I cannot recommend this book too strongly. If you can manage to find a copy, you will not be disappointed. It is a real treasure.
S. Whitten

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, February 25, 2006

By 

Victor V. Johnson (Ocala, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind (Hardcover)

You don't have to be a wrestling or racing fan

to enjoy this book. If you are, you must have

this book. A fine concise history of the rise

of the sports and Solie's contributions. Lot's

of great photo's of celebrities. Don't just

skim through the pictures, read the insightful

and introspective writings of this remarkable

man. Great stories, poems and essays about

real life and feelings.
V. Johnson, Ocala, Fl.