World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire [Paperback]

James Guttman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2006

In an industry where nothing is real and no one actually wins or loses, the possibilities for manipulation are endless. The nepotism, backward logic, and power plays behind the World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) downfall are exposed in this indictment of wrestling's first family. An analysis of the McMahons' poorly written scripts discloses how nepotism and vanity have taken over their creativity, while input from many well-known figures provides details on the complicated and seemingly endless web of manipulation that has led to such questionable behaviors as locker-room hazing and sexual indiscretions. WWE's racist undertones are also discussed, with a firsthand account on how being black affected one wrestler's match with a world champion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A tremendous job combining intensive research, on-point commentary, and a liberal amount of humor...Highly recommended."  —Figure Four Weekly Online, f4wonline.com

About the Author

James Guttman is a columnist for the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter and the author of the weekly JG's Raw Insanity—one of the Internet’s most beloved and controversial weekly wrestling columns. He writes for London Publishing's family of magazines and has launched the wrestling website worldwrestlinginsanity.com. He lives in Plainview, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press (May 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550227289
• ISBN-13: 978-1550227284
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable/Entertaining, June 24, 2006

By 

Allison "Amazin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire (Paperback)

I've read other wrestling books before but found this one stood out. The book found a way to combine humor with wrestling analysis that readers of James Guttman's work have come to apreciate. I was very happy with this book and was more than happy to reccommend it to other people.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and Informative, June 12, 2006

By 

Book Mobile Bill - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire (Paperback)

After so many months of hype World Wrestling Insanity finally came out and I loved every minute of it. I thought that James Guttman did an excellent job of creating a book that is both fun to read and informative at the same time.

As a reader of Guttman's site since it opened, I've come to know what to expect from this book. He lets loose with his opinions and has lots to say about the McMahon family (good and bad). Even if you don't know JG, the description of the book should be enough to tell you what you need to know. With the photoshopped pics on the cover, you can tell right off the bat that you're going to get a book that doesn't take itself too seriously yet still makes a strong point.

From reading the book, many of Guttman's stories appear to be from WWE employees. You don't usually cite inside sources. James isn't a writer from another genre doing a wrestling book. He's a wrestling writer that obviously knows people in the industry. If an inside source gives an author information, the author shouldn't "cite" him I think.

This book was filled with news and humor. If you want a complete overview of WWE with sarcasm and information thrown in then this book won't disappoint.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insanity time capsule, June 11, 2006

By 

Tom "Trapper MD" - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire (Paperback)

The best part of "World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire" is that it will always be there as a look at WWE's craziest and most insane time period. The author uses sarcasm and some really insightful quotes from people in the business to make his points. Years from now, I will be able to look back at this book as a snapshot of this time period in sports entertainment.

I found the best chapter to be the final one where he explains his love of the wrestling industry. I found myself nodding in agreement and even though I have gotten away from watching the WWE tv shows in the last few years this book helped me remember why I love it. And why I stopped watching it at times.

Author James Guttman speaks out to long-time fans and never-been fans all at the same time. It's what makes World Wrestling Insanity such a unique and fun read.