One Fall [Paperback]

Spencer Baum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2004

With one kick, Joey Hamilton has sent the world of professional wrestling into chaos. In his first World Title match, on national television, Joey botched a simple maneuver, turning a scripted wrestling match into a nightmarish reality.

Now the World Champion is injured and the locker room is in tatters. With the top spot open, veteran wrestlers are jockeying for position, hoping to become the next megastar, and Joey is their target.

With a unique look behind the scenes at America's most violent dramatic art, One Fall shows the world of professional wrestling in its rawest form. It is a world of violence, drug abuse, backstabbing, and desperation. But it is also a world of pride, honor, guts, and most of all, passion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Wrestling fans will have a blast guessing along with the swerves and trying to figure out who everyone is based on, and non-fans will enjoy a good story...Highly recommended. --Scott Keith, InsidePulse.com

...a truly gripping page turner...I literally could not put this book down once I picked it up...a top-tier suspense novel. --411mania.com

The first great pro wrestling novel...a roller coaster ride you'll find exciting to the very end. --Associated Content

About the Author

Spencer Baum lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Julie. One Fall is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595326757
• ISBN-13: 978-0595326754
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,568,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Spencer Baum is the author of the novels One Fall and The Demon Queen and The Locksmith. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Novel for Fans, February 27, 2005

By 

Jesse Roderick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Fall (Paperback)

If you're a pro wrestling fan who likes to read wrestling columns and reviews on the Internet, you must read this book. One Fall is a novel that takes place behind the scenes of a fictional wrestling promotion, where young wrestler Joey Mayhem has burst onto the scene and become an overnight sensation. As we watch Joey climb to the top, we also read along as an Internet columnist uncovers a monumental scandal in the wrestling world. These two plots collide in a thrilling and surprising climax.

In just a few hundred pages, the whole modern world of pro wrestling gets its due. We see the struggle of those starving on the Independent circuit, trying to get their shot. We see veteran wrestlers playing dirty politics as they try desperately to hold onto their fading glory. We see how the Internet, for better or worse, has opened the curtain on the shady behind the scenes dealings of this staged sport.

But my favorite part of the novel is all the nods to the real world of pro wrestling. There are characters in this story who remind us of HHH, Sting, Hogan, Flair, The Undertaker, and Vince McMahon. The plot takes place in an environment similar to the late 90's world of North American Wrestling, where two rival promotions fought over ratings on Monday night television. There's even a wink at the "Internet Wrestling Community" for those who know what they're looking for.

One Fall perfectly captures the essence of pro wrestling, and is obviously written by someone who knows and loves it. I blazed through it and enjoyed every word, and I recommend it highly.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Look at Professional Wresling, October 8, 2004

By 

S. Ward "book worm" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Fall (Paperback)

Knowing nothing about professional wrestling I was amazed at how quickly this book captured my interest. The writer keeps this unusual and controversial subject alive with his unique characters and intriguing plot twists. A must read for all professional wrestling fans and anyone who would like to know more about this sport.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've Been Waiting For This Book, March 6, 2005

By 

Ryan Parson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Fall (Paperback)

As a fan of professional wrestling for many years, I was excited when I heard this book was out there, as I've always thought a novel set in the world of pro wrestling would make for a good read. This novel exceeded my expectations.

I was impressed at how the author created a multilayered plot that brought together pretty much everything that's happened in the real world of wrestling over the past ten years. I was also impressed at the creativity of the story itself, which re-imagined the Monday Night Wars of old as a believable tale of corporate conspiracy driven by politics and ego behind the scenes.

As the plot got cooking, I literally couldn't put this book down, and I read the last half of the book in one big chunk. While I was reading the awesome climactic scene, I kept thinking, why can't WWE put together a story like this for their TV shows?