Theater in a Squared Circle [Paperback]

Jeff Archer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Grappling Guidebook

For long-term fans, the book offers insight into the background of many past heroes. For new converts to the grappling game, the book enhances the understanding of this great entertainment genre. In short, this is the one- and-only book for everyone who appreciates the sport of professional wrestling! Order yours today! -- Wrestling World, July 1999

From the Back Cover

Professional wrestling has been described in many ways--sport, soap opera, sports entertainment, choreographed gymnastics, and mindless violence.

This book looks at the whole spectrum of professional wrestling, from the standpoint of it being "Theater in a Squared Circle."

-- A condensed history of the mat sport;
-- A look at the heroes and villains from the Golden Age to the present;
-- Promoters, trainers, announcers, referees, fans;
-- Sheet editors, wrestling journalists and artists;
-- Facts and figures.

Includes interviews with Killer Kowalski, the Honky Tonk Man, Lanny "The Genius" Poffo, and many more. Extensively illustrated with photos by Mike Lano, Walter Kowalski, and others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: Colin White & Laurie Boucke; 1 edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888580062
• ISBN-13: 978-1888580068
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,117,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading!, February 5, 2000

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theater in a Squared Circle (Paperback)

Professional wrestling is a part of the American Culture like baseball, basketball, mom and apple pie. Theater in a squared circle is a look into the "sport" many people either love or hate. The book delves into and tries to uncover the mystique of the sport.

Read along through the 450 pages and see how professional wrestling got it start. Take a look at the who's who in the sport from the past to the present. The book is laced with photos and stories of those who have made their living at a sport that most believe is fake.

You'll uncover the real inside story about people like Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, Ric Flair, Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser, Dusty Rhodes and so many more. You'll be treated to a whole new look and a totally different side of the wrestling profession.

Along with the stories is appendices filled with past wrestling singles and tag team champions, a list of wrestlers real names and a listing of the true identities of those masked grapplers. The book is tailor made for the true wrestling fan and the price is meager. Archer has scored a pin fall with this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Waste of a great opportunity, September 1, 2000

By 

Randall Ivey "Randall" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theater in a Squared Circle (Paperback)

As a fan of old time wrestling (i.e., 1970's), I was very much looking forward to this book, with its promise of stories on stars from yesteryear. What I got was a three hundred page tome devoted to obscure figures like Mike Lano and Louie Spiccoli. Fine people all, I'm sure, but hardly seminal. A previous reviewer, in a glowing five star review, stated effusively that the book gives the lowdown on Sammartino, Morales, Kowalski, Flair, etc. Only Kowalski gets any major coverage in what is, admittedly, a very good and entertaining piece(Kowalski's recollections of the massive Haystacks Calhoun's defecatory dilemmas are both hilarious and gruesome). Hardly any mention of the great managers of the past, Albano, Blassie, and The Grand Wizard of Wrestling (now that was a character)or the great lady wrestlers is made. Archer admits the limits of the book himself in an epilogue, but these lapses, and others, are still inexcusable.

Avoid this one if you're looking for a truly in-depth study of the sport's reigning personalities. That book has yet to be written.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book blew a hole in my stereotype about wrestlers!, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Theater in a Squared Circle (Paperback)

As a relative newcomer to wrestling (I say relative, because I used to watch my sweet, gentle grandmother stand up and curse at Haystack Calhoun on Saturday nights!)I found this to be a very fun and informative book about wrestling and the people who participate in the sport. It's a great book for anyone wishing to learn a little more about the sport. Loaded with great photos and even a bit of art!