Customer Reviews

One Fall

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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?

Spencer Baum's command of plot twists, suspense, and character development provides a great read. I was barely acquainted with professional wrestling, but he held my attention all the way through to the last page.

If he can do this well with his first novel, I look forward to his next. Or maybe seeing the screen adaptation of this one.

Since Mick Foley's first autobiographical book reached tremendous success, most pro wrestling books have been biographies about some of the biggest stars. This book is a fictional work (although mirroring some real life situations) and the first real novel in the fiction pro wrestling genre.

'One Fall' centers around young wrestler Joey Hamilton aka Joey Mayhem. Without revealing any important storylines (and there are a lot), Mayhem has a history of being wreckless in the ring and he receives a tryout with one of the "Big Two" promotions, the GWA.

The story takes on twist after twist after a slow beginning. Joey has to put up with mishaps inside the ring and the hostilities the locker room show him. He must deal with a sloppy promoter in Duke Correlli and many other characters who you'll grow your own opinions on.

A sideplot of the book follows internet writer Steve Garcia as he has to compete in the large world of internet wrestling news sites.

Overall, this is a very engaging book and it is hopefully a sign of things to come in a previously untouched genre.

One Fall is a fascinating glimpse into a world I will never experience - professional wrestling. Before reading this novel, I thought of professional wrestlers as simply cardboard cutout characters that filled the cable tv channels for the sleep impaired.

This author changes that view with his three dimensional characters as people you really care about and the emotional, physical and professional turns of their lives. Against this colorful backdrop, a drama unfolds that keeps the reader guessing at every turn. As in every good mystery, I knew there was a plot twist coming and I was sure I knew what it was. For all my smugness, I was delighted to be wrong.

This author delivers on his implied promise to both inform and entertain. I'm eagerly anticipating his next book.

Pro wrestling has hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. It is shown on national television in dozens of countries. It has a long, storied history, both good and bad. And judging by the quantity of wrestler biographies out there, it has a lot of readers in its audience.

But no one has written a really good, credible novel about wrestling. Until now.

One Fall is a fantastic novel that knows wrestling. It is to wrestling what The Natural is to baseball, a great book for fans to read.

Like a great wrestling match, One Fall starts out quiet, but suspenseful, then builds to a crazy climax, where we all can mark out at the twists and turns of the finish. Joey Mayhem, a new wrestler, has shot to the top of the world with a great television appearance. But just when he's about to conquer the wrestling world, an old demon, the reputation of carelessness, comes back to haunt him when he seemingly screws up in a championship match. Meanwhile, a web columnist discovers a conspiracy to bring down the world's largest wrestling league. When he learns how Joey Mayhem's career is the centerpiece of the conspiracy, chaos ensues.

This really is a great story for wrestling fans. It's more fun to read than any of the wrestler biographies, and honestly, is more interesting than anything happening in the WWE right now.

I've been a wrestling fan for almost 12 years so I expected to enjoy this novel. I didn't expect, however, how MUCH I'd enjoy it! A great multi-layered plotline and well-defined characters make Spencer Baum's first novel a must-read, whether you are a wrestling fan or not. I certainly hope this is not his last book. I'd love to read more from this guy. Awesome.

Like other reviewers on here, I was surprised at how good this book is. There have been lots of positive reviews on wrestling web sites since it came out, so I was expecting to enjoy it. I didn't expect to get so completely wrapped up in the story, though. I was absolutely hooked right from the opening chapter, when Joey Mayhem becomes an instant star, and makes a major mistake all on the same night.

What really impressed me was how every detail in all the storylines became significant as the book raced to its finish. There are several plot threads going in the novel, and they all come together in a really satisfying conclusion. This little novel about wrestling is more tightly wound than most thrillers on the bestseller list.

One Fall is well-written, well-informed, and totally entertaining. I'm recommending it to all my friends who like wrestling.

While scrolling through wrestling books this one popped up, mainly because it was free. All I can say is WOW. Tremendous read.