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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Wrestler, Great Bio!, May 12, 2004
The first time I saw Jack Brisco wrestle, it was on a rare L.A. TV appearance shortly before he won the NWA title in 1973. I was 10 years old, a novice wrestling fan, and two things immediately impressed me about him: how quick he was in the ring compared to the other L.A. wrestlers (the only wrestler in L.A. who moved at his pace---at least through this ten year old's eyes!--- was journeyman Raul Mata), and how cool it was to see such a pure athlete with long hair! Obviously, I had little understanding of the wrestling biz and the art of working a match, so I could only sum up Jack Brisco by saying "He's way cooler than the rest!" Throughout the years I became better equipped to describe why Jack Brisco was way cooler, and I had great respect for him. Along comes the book "Brisco: The Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Jack Brisco," and now I have even greater respect for him. "Brisco" is one of those books that is a good read whether you are a die-hard wrestling fan or a reader who knows nothing about the pro wrestling business. The catch-phrases and details of the business are explained without going over the novice's head. The book is told in the first person with Bill Murdock as editor. Jack Brisco presents himself as very confidant in his skills, but never goes over the line as a braggart, but as a team player. The list of people he credits with molding him into a successful wrestler, businessman and person is vast. He describes his counterparts honestly, neither deifing or trash-talking wrestlers and promoters. The first example that jumps into my mind is his description of the late Eddie Graham. He credits Graham as giving him his most important boost in his professional career, and his stubborn campaigning to crown Brisco as the next NWA Heavyweight Champion. On the flip side, he made no bones about Eddie pocketing more than his lion's share of his profits, and paying the wrestlers less than they deserved. One of the most moving accounts of people he credits with helping his way up the success ladder comes when he speaks of Joe Scarpa AKA Jay Strongbow. Scarpa took Brisco under his wing like a father. He not only stood up for Jack when wrestlers messed with him, but he also dished out tough love when Brisco was acting out of line. He taught him the art of being a babyface (the hero--- there's more to it than non-wrestling fans realize) and the "babyface comeback." The first thing that pleasantly surprised me in this book came when Mr. Brisco spoke glowingly of Haystack Calhoun. While I have always been a fan of the ace amateur wrestlers and/or shooters, I was always turned off by their closed-window view of what pro wrestling should be. Case in point are two other excellent books, "Hooker" by Lou Thesz, and "Pure Dynamite" by Dynamite Kid, where the authors often sounded dismissive of wrestlers who were not 100% athleticism. I do not mean this to disrespect Lou Thesz or Dynamite Kid, but merely to point out that pro wrestlers are, and always have been, a diverse group of performers, and that the gimmick wrestlers are part of the business. Obviously, he did not laud Calhoun for his wrestling ability, but for his ability to get the fans jazzed when his 600+ frame was about to squash the ring's villains. Brisco also described Haystack Calhoun's optimistic nature and his willingness to spend time giving autographs for the fans. I know I'm probably driving this point into the ground, but it is awesome to see a serious wrestler like Brisco to take note and point out the contributions of a "gimmick wrestler." Brisco describes in detail the complexities of a business many non-wrestling fans see as simple, from the politics wrestlers have to practice and endure to dealings with uncouthe promoters. Like Lou Thesz did in "Hooker," Brisco tells in great detail the stressful schedule he endured after becoming NWA Heavyweight champion, always keeping up on flight schedules, finding time to keep in shape on top of the travel, and racing from state to state to make a title defense. Brisco's best told travel fiasco in the book has got to be the disastrous flight to Alabama when one of the landing gears would not work, and the pilot's neanderthol attempt to repair in front of the passengers! My only complaint? I would love to see this book marketed more aggressively. "Brisco" should be required reading for all wrestling fans, as well as anybody who wants to enter the wrestling biz. This is definitely on my "top 5" list of books on pro wrestling.
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