Customer Reviews

Theater in a Squared Circle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

This is a minor book. OK if your hooked on the subject or need to read about Mike Lano. Helps if your not involved in the sport.

I have read almost every book ever done on wrestling, and I have never seen one with so much feeling and emotion. It is so different than everything that has come before it that I can only assume people will either love or hate it. Each and every subject came alive for me and I recommend this to everyone who has ever watched wrestling as historic figures like Killer Kowalski are also part of this. Great stuff.

After a long wait,i was really looking forward to this book. ugg, i thought it was going to be a thick juicy steak about how the THEATER of pro wrestling works, which is very interesting indeed , what i got however, was stale cotton candy, this book has almost NO detail what so ever! & the only parts of the book i actualy liked, the Brian Walsh & Kiler Kowalski stuff, I had already read in the "Wrestling Then & Now" newsletter which author jeff archer is heavily involved with. i do recommend the newsletter, but this book is awful, directionless & made me angry! insider fans will get almost nothing out of it. & i don't think novice fan will either, it has several thumbnail bios of people in the business in various capacities, but what's the point? the book does not make you care about any of the people. the glossary is rife with errors as well. overall this book is a total waste of time & money for all. i thought it was going to be great when i got it. boy,was i wrong. guess i got worked huh?

This book goes beyond the show that we see every week. It talks about things we already know about the WWF, but would rather ignore, and expands like crazy. The history of this soap opera is very detailed. What the main stars do after retirement is also discused.

A human-interest perspective and overall view of the wrestling industry.This look at the business is unique in that it not only looks at various legends and superstars (i.e. Bob Backlund, Killer Kowalski, Psycho Sid, etc.), but it also delves into writers, referees, photographs, journeymen and those trying to break into the industry. I can emphasize that as a fan of the business for some 25 years, most books are just photo collections that perpetuate ridiculous myths and angles. This is a true insider book that admits wrestling is worked, but treats it with respect, love and a sense of history. Rare clips, photos, and artwork enhance this volume. A few too many typos are my only criticism, although this will most likely be cleaned up in subsequent editions. I recommend this book for casual fans as well as hardcores. Bravo to a book that has a lot of heart and really gets you into this once secret industry.

When I picked up a copy of this book I was expecting the usual gossip on superstars that seems to ruin most written works on professional wrestling. But I was happy to find this book goes far beyond gossip and explores those avenues of professional wresling that are most often left out. If you want to learn about the refs, the journalists, the fans, the photographers, or anyone else who makes professional wrestling possible, I highly recommend this book. Wrestling fan or not, there's something in this book for everyone. I suggest the sections on "Killer" Kowalski, Brian Walsh, and Honky Tonk Man.

Great book! It covers all the major aspects of pro wrestling. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in wrestling, whether you're a newcomer or a long-term fan. The July '99 issue of "Wrestling World" magazine sums it up by saying that this book is "the one-and-only book for everyone who appreciates the sport of professional wrestling!" I love all the photos, too.