Customer Reviews

Tributes II: Remembering More of the Worlds Greatest Wrestlers (Wrestling Observer)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tributes II is a vast improvement over the original. As much as I enjoyed the first volume of "Tributes," I feel it was riddled with way too many photographs at the expense of the stories. Several of the tributes ---most notably those of Giant Baba and Junkyard Dog--- were edited down from the original appearance in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (not to mention the original "Grassroots" paperback publication of Tributes). In the case of the Junkyard Dog obituary, the omissions took out a lot of the emotion behind the story.

The appearance and text of Tributes II really shines. Dave Meltzer's journalism is every bit as sharp as before, but much less of his written word winds up on the cutting room floor to make room for the umpteenth full page color photo.

For those of you who have never read Dave Meltzer's work before, you will find that The Grim Reaper is often his finest muse. While a collection of obituaries might seem like a grim read to those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the pro wrestling industry, this is far from the case. Dave does an especially good job covering both the glory and complications in the life of a wrestler. You will read about wrestlers who lived long, fascinating lives (Freddie Blassie, Johnny Valentine, Stu Hart), as well as wrestlers who lived fast and fell hard (Davey Boy Smith, Hawk, Curt Hennig). Perhaps the most difficult read is the tribute to Owen Hart, who did not live fast, and whose tragic accident seemed preventable.

Bret Hart writes a particularly moving foreward to Tributes II, where he talks about the love/hate relationship he and other wrestlers had with Dave Meltzer's newsletter when it first became the rage in the mid 1980s. The wrestling community resented Meltzer for spilling the secrets of a tight-lipped industry, but its members were always asking fellow wrestlers if they had a copy of the current issue they could borrow. Hart tells about his own transformation from a hesitant Wrestling Observer reader to a wrestler who realizes that an insider sheet can benefit the wrestlers in an industry where the grapplers often get short changed by unscrupulous players.

A nice bonus is the DVD that accompanies the book, which has Meltzer sharing his thoughts on the wrestlers featured in this edition. When I popped the DVD in, I was expecting a 15 minute "take it or leave it" interview. I was pleasantly surprised to find there was a little over one hour of high quality interview time!

While the previous edition of Tributes is a must read, Tributes II immensely exceeds its depth and quality. If you want to shell out your money on only one edition, "Tributes II" wins by a wide margin.

Really confused. One person wrote a review "Tommy G" admits that he hasn't read the book yet...gives it 5 stars.

Paul Salecker gives it 2 stars, based on his review he didn't read it either. He asks "how did Groilla and Terry Gordy pass" had you read the book IT TOLD YOU! If you write a review at least read the book.

This book is infiitely better than the first. This is not heavily edited and the content is so much better. Not to mention (which is why I know Paul didn't read the book) an exclusive DVD whis is incredible! The DVD alone is worth the book price of $24.95, but is free with the purchase of the book. In the video Dave talks for nearly an hour on all subjects of wrestling. This is clearly a great wrestling book one that every fan will enjoy. If you don't want to read the book just play the video, trust me you will love it...how do i know? unlike Paul and Tommy G I've read the book

Dave Meltzer - through his Wrestling Observer Newsletter - has brought to fans the true business of professional wrestling as seen through the eyes of sources in the corporate boardrooms and the trust he has obtained over the years with wrestlers worldwide.

But pro wrestling has a rich tradition that is oftentimes overlooked or quickly forgotten after a star from yesterday passes away. Some of Meltzer's most powerful writing has been remembering the greats who have passed, as his candid accounts of their lives inside the squared-circle and outside the arena truly brings the legends to life, perhaps for the first and/or last time.

In Tributes II, his second book of profiles from the newsletter, Meltzer includes his articles on Lou Thesz, The Sheik, Johnny Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Rick Rude and Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig, along with an expanded tribute to Andre the Giant.

The forward is written by Bret Hart and the book touches his family in such a tragic way. The lives of his father - Stu Hart - and brother-in-law, Davey Boy Smith, are chronicled by Meltzer, along with a new profile on Bret's brother, Owen Hart, who tragically fell to his death before a sold-out arena and cable TV pay-per-view audience in a risky stunt that went so terribly wrong.

Included in the book is a one-hour DVD where Meltzer provides additional information on the wrestlers. The DVD alone is worth the purchase price.

Each profile is a touching tribute that celebrates the lives of those who entertained with style and class.

I have read Tributes II once in Barnes and Nobles and it was a great read. Professional Wrestling has always lost wrestlers in their prime. This is a perfect example of those we lost to heart failure, overdoses and living the hard life. The exception was Owen Hart, who died very tragically in the ring due to a faulty harness, basically doing what he did best, WRESTLING. As I read the book, and the beautiful tributes by Mr. Meltzer, I shed a few tears and remembered these men we lost as wrestling fans. Two more names can be added to those tributes, as we lost the Big Boss Man in 2004, and Eddie Guerrero in 2005. Although all these men are all in a better place, they never left us, and neither do the memories.

This is the kind of book that makes me pround to be a wrestling fan. Any true fan will love this book. The stories about Andre the Giant,British Bulldog,and Chief Wahoo Mcdaniel are my personal favorites. This is a must have for any Pro Wrestling library.

The content of this book and the writing were great, but the editing was terrible. Sometimes the chapters end abruptly, other times there are terms mentioned that should be elaborated on (how about a glossary of terms?).
I have read Meltzer's news letter off and on in the nineties but I still had troubles w/ some of the terms used. Also confusing was sometimes only the last names of wrestlers mentioned in stories were used.

It would have also been nice for each chapter to include the date of death and approximate date of birth (or age) of each subject, and when the chapter was originally published in the news letter.

Overall this book was very enjoyable, and Meltzer's knowledge and commentary is invaluable, it just would have been nice if a professional editor could have worked to make this book more accessible to the masses, and made the transistion from the news letter more seamless.

great book, although i wished they would have included how, when, and why they died, and other peoples reaction

This is a very good read. Dave Meltzer writes with passion and he also writes with a skill that makes him stand out amongst wrestling journalists today - he has class.

It would be only too easy to write a sensationalist expose of wrestling and to push the seamy side of each wrestlers death but Meltzer takes the high road and produces articles on each wrestler that is a fine rendition of their life.

It is just a pity that this book written in 2004 had to be written at all as so many of the people mentioned passed too young and what is even worse, in the last 5 years there is enough material for Tributes III.

Very well written tributes to some very interesting people in the sports entertainment business. Honest and forthright; this is an excellent collector's item.

A solid, well written work for those interested in the real people behind the characters of wrestling. A well considered foreword from Bret Hart showing how far things have come from the "kay fabe" days.
Mr. Meltzer's book puts a very human perspective on the individuals who punish themselves physically and mentally and the unfortunate toll that befalls some of these athletes/entertainers. A very good read for those with even a casual interest in wrestling.