Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Review of "Breaking Ground"

To end September, I decided to indulge in a quick read about Jackie Robinson with a different slant.  The difference is that this is told from a fan's point of view - not only what Robinson did on the field, but also what he meant to the people of Brooklyn and to a family.  Here is my review of "Breaking Ground."


Title/Author:
“Breaking Ground: How Jackie Robinson Changed Brooklyn” By Alan Lelchuk

Tags:
Baseball, memoir, Dodgers, race

Publish date:
August 26, 2015

Length:
134 pages

Rating: 
3 1/2 of 5 stars (good)

Review:
From the title of the book, I thought that this would be a book that was part biography and part history lesson. The biography would of course be about Jackie Robinson and the history would be about the borough of Brooklyn and how it changed through both the Dodgers and the broken color barrier in baseball that Robinson achieved.

While the book fell short of this, especially concerning the latter point, this is nonetheless a good short read about what Robinson meant to the life of the author. Alan Lelchuk writes some exquisite prose in his description of Robinson and what the man meant not only to the Lelchuk household but also to Brooklyn as a whole.  At times the reader will forget that he or she is reading a book about a baseball player. Robinson seemed to be almost a mythical figure in the eyes of Lelechuk.  While it was certainly refreshingly honest, at times it felt to be more idolatry than factual writing.

While not billed as a baseball book per se, the baseball passages are written well and from the point of view of a fan. Of course, all the baseball involves Robinson in some manner but that doesn’t matter. Because of the special skills Robinson brought to the baseball field, such as his speed, and the excitement rarely seen such as a steal of home plate, the baseball talk is very good. If a person just wanted to talk about Robinson with Lelchuk, these passages are very likely what he would tell that person.

Overall, I felt this book to be an entertaining and quick read about Jackie Robinson, but it lacked deep knowledge or insight to be a truly informative book.  Nonetheless, any reader who wishes to read something quick about one of the most influential athletes whose achievements meant much more to society than they did to just baseball, this is a fine choice.

I wish to thank Mandel Vilar Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.


Buying links:


Sunday, September 27, 2015

Review of "Six Decades of Baseball"

To celebrate another year of life as a sports fan, we recently took a trip to Cooperstown, New York and the Baseball Hall of Fame.  During some of the downtime, I was able to finish this book that was sent to me by the author who is a fellow baseball fan, and it is written from the fan's point of view - which makes the book one that is very enjoyable to read.  Here is my review of "Six Decades of Baseball."



Title/Author:
“Six Decades of Baseball: A Personal Narrative” By Bill Lewers

Tags:
Baseball, memoir, Red Sox, Orioles, fans

Publish date:
November 6, 2009

Length:
396 pages

Rating: 
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:
The best way to start this review is to describe what this book is not.  It is not a professionally researched book on baseball history. It is not a meticulously written account of a particular baseball player, team, personality or season. Instead, it is a collection of stories written from the viewpoint of a longtime fan.  Therefore, this book from Bill Lewers is not the typical baseball book. 

Instead, it is a good read that a baseball fan that has seen many games and has many memories can identify with. Lewers writes about his life as a baseball fan, with several tales about his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He does also write about his visits to Fenway Park with reverence, even though he didn’t live in Boston. There are also plenty of anecdotes about the Baltimore Orioles and Camden Yards since that is the major league team closest to his residence in Virginia. Therefore, if the reader is looking for a fan’s point of view talking about many teams, it won’t be found in this book.

That doesn’t take away the sheer fun I had reading this because it was a conversation, although of course one way, between two fans. Because Lewers is a fan instead of a professional sportswriter or baseball researcher, the stories are those from the fan’s point of view and that is refreshing.  Book like this are not plentiful and to have found one that tells stories about baseball much like ones that I would tell was very entertaining for me.  I highly recommend this book to fellow baseball fans who want to read about stories that a fellow fan experiences.

I wish to thank Mr. Lewers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
While long, the pace of the book is good. The conversational style makes it easy to take breaks in reading the book and when the reader picks it back up, nothing is lost to the reader.

Do I recommend? 
Baseball fans who just want to read something from another fan from the fan’s point of view will love this book.  It is Red Sox and Orioles-centric, with a good amount of Yankee talk as well, but that is mainly because those are the teams he followed.

Book Format Read:
Paperback

Buying links:


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Interview - Aaron Smith

I  recently had the chance to interview Aaron Smith, author of "Thursday Night Therapy" about the book and his participation in the Thursday night basketball that is the subject of his book. He gave some very interesting answers.

------------------------------

1. What motivated you to write about the Thursday night basketball game?

My degree is in journalism and I worked as a sports editor and sports writer in the newspaper industry. I've always been drawn to the human interest stories in sports journalism; I craved writing those types of stories over simply covering and reporting on games. I enjoyed the deeper meaning of sports and how it affected those who play and those who watch the games. When I got involved with this group of guys for Thursday night basketball, I quickly felt how important and how meaningful this tradition was to these guys. Basketball wasn't just basketball. As the group closed in on its thirtieth anniversary, Fran Niehaus, my father-in-law and founder of this game, asked me to start jotting down and recording some stories for the guys to commemorate this long-standing tradition. As I got into the project, it became apparent that turning a few stories into a meaningful book that explored not just the stories from the games but also the psychological and even spiritual side of the weekly tradition would be the way to go.

2. If you were told that your game is a similar style to that of an NBA star, whose game does yours resemble?

Let it be known that I've NEVER been compared to anyone close to the NBA, so it would be pretty difficult to say my game resembles that of any professional basketball player. When I played in high school, I couldn't dribble to save my life. But I could shoot and I could play defense. If teams played zone, my job was to shoot and hopefully get them out of the zone. Other than that, I was only in the game to play defense and try to slow down the other team's best scorer.

The great thing about this Thursday night group is that we all play against each other so often, we know what each other's strengths are and we know how to stop each other. That has forced us to adapt and change our game. I've had to learn how to dribble and drive and finish inside because they've worked toward taking my three-point shot away. It's fun to see how all of our games have changed and adapted over the years. We have short guys who can drive and finish in the paint and we have taller guys who have extended their skills beyond the three-point arc. So to answer your question, my game can be similar to a spot-up shooter like Kyle Korver on some nights and on other nights when I'm forced to drive and finish or drive and pass, I would like to think the style is similar to Paul George, someone who can shoot if he needs to, but looks to drive and create for his teammates.

3. How has participating in the group been therapeutic to you personally?

Playing in this game really has affected my life for a few reasons. One way has been just to offer a release of pent up energy and stress. With three young children and everyday life challenges coming at me constantly, it's so important for me to have a release. This Thursday night game is that release. There is nothing quite like the feeling of running off that stressful energy. Any negative energy that has built up for a week just simply vanishes on the court. I write about that in the book; when I get home from these games, perspective has been altered. Problems that seemed stressful before don't seem that big anymore. Annoyances I may have had with the kids before Thursday night really don't matter after playing hard for three hours. It certainly is a "reset" button, as one sports psychologist puts it in the book.

Secondly, playing in a lot of pick-up games in college and immediately after, I started to hate basketball because of the constant trash talking and overly physical play. The joy of basketball was quickly removed when playing that style of basketball. Playing with this group has renewed my love of the sport. The game is played the right way. There is no trash talk. There are no purposely hard or over-the-top fouls. The game is played with respect for each other and respect for the sport. Early on when I first started playing with this group, I played with the attitude it took to survive random pick-up games. But now, after about 10 years of playing with these guys, my perspectives are back in order. My attitude has changed. The joy is back on the basketball court. I needed that.

4. How do you feel about other games and this type of benefit? Meaning that for those of us who would not be talented enough to join a basketball group like yours, would playing a different sport have the same results?

One of the main benefits of this group is the camaraderie and the friendships. A lot of our lives are spent nurturing professional relationships with clients or patients or bosses or colleagues. The rest of the time is spent nurturing family relationships. Just as important, but lacking in many people's lives, are the relationships with friends. This weekly get-together ensures that we'll have an opportunity each week for male bonding, camaraderie, and spending quality time with our friends. I think it is important and necessary to carve out time to spend with those we call our friends.

It doesn't have to be basketball. For some, it's golf. Or tennis. Or cards. Or simply carving out time to get lunch with friends once a month or so. I would encourage anyone to find their game or their sport or their group and make it a point, a necessity, to get together regularly.

5. Please feel free to share anything else about your book or your basketball group.

I'd just like to thank my father-in-law for inviting me to this game. It has meant a lot to me. And thanks to all those who show up on Thursday nights to play each week. It truly is remarkable that this game has lasted thirty years, and several of the players have played the entire three decades. The guys in their sixties are an inspiration. They make me want to play basketball for the next thirty years.

During my research for this book, it was great to see that we are not alone. There are games all over this country just like this. Some meet on Saturday mornings every week. Others play regularly with the same guys during extended lunch breaks. One of the sports psychologists I interviewed for the book also plays basketball with a group of guys, and that game also has lasted nearly thirty years. And every player in one of these groups talks about the same therapeutic release they get from playing. For me, it has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of this group, and it was an honor to tell their story.



--Aaron M. Smith www.aaronmsmith.com https://www.facebook.com/ThursdayNightTherapy


Monday, September 21, 2015

Review of "Tuff Juice"

Memoirs are becoming one of the fastest growing genres of books, as more and more ordinary people as well as celebrities are writing them.  This is one from a person in the latter group that will be published on October 7 and it one example of a person who escaped the life of gangs and drugs after seeing some of his friends die far too young.  Here is my review of "Tuff Juice" by current NBA player Caron Butler.


Title/Author:
“Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA” by Caron Butler with Steve Springer

Tags:
Basketball, memoir, autobiography, Heat, Wizards

Publish date:
October 7, 2015

Length:
256 pages

Rating: 
3 of 5 stars (good)

Review:
Caron Butler is a real-life success story, proving that one can escape the world of drugs and gangs and become successful in a different occupation. In his case, it was basketball where once he was noticed on the court instead of on the street, he became a huge success.  His story of hope and the power of love from family is his autobiography “Tuff Juice.”

He was born in Mississippi, but spent most of youth in Racine, Wisconsin as his mother and grandmother found good paying jobs by migrating north. However, young Caron got caught up in the thrill of quick money by selling drugs and I found that portion of the book to be the most compelling part of Butler’s story. It portrayed a young man who knew what he was doing was dangerous but yet was still respectful to authority figures.  While that sounds contradictory, it was mentioned several times by both police officers and family members.

That helped Butler turn his life around – people remembered this when he discovered that basketball was his way out of this lifestyle.  The basketball portions of the book read much like other books on the sport. The language used is much like what is on the court, teammates of Butler are praised.  While this portion of the book was not much different than others, the reader will still feel Butler’s pride in how he turned his life around and has become not only a successful basketball player but also a husband and father. This is a good read for anyone wanting to read about a man who really did escape the life of gangs.

I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
It was a fairly quick read, especially once the book switched from his drug dealing days to his basketball prowess. After that point, it was a very fast paced book.

Do I recommend? 
Basketball fans who have followed Butler in his professional career will appreciate this book that describes his troubled childhood and subsequent success on the basketball court.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying links: (links are for pre-orders at time of posting)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tuff-juice-caron-butler/1120360302?ean=9781493011421

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Review of "Big and Bright"

Having read the book "Friday Night Lights" many years ago and enjoying it very much, when I saw that review copies of this book were available, I immediately requested a copy and was very pleased when my request was approved.  Then, I was pleased even more after reading the book and having it exceed my expectations.  Here is my review of "Big and Bright." 


Title/Author:
“Big and Bright: Deep In the Heart of Texas High School Football” by Gray Levy

Tags:
Football (American), high school, society

Publish date:
September 2, 2015

Length:
312 pages

Rating: 
4 1/2 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:
More than 25 years ago, America was introduced to the culture of high school football in Texas in Friday Night Lights. While that book was very popular in the description of one football program, Big and Bright takes that concept and expands it even further.  In this comprehensive book by Gray Levy, football programs from all over the state of Texas are described in great detail.

Levy uses his experience as an educator and a football coach to write about various programs in the state, both in geographic locations and in size. No matter which program he writes about, from Port Lavaca on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Albiline in the central portion of the state, Levy writes about the players, the coaches, the games and the community support for each of these football teams.

Through Levy’s writing, the reader will be caught up in the spirit of the town and understand why the communities will support these young men fervently.  Also, the experiences of the coaches and the players are captured in each town. This was one of the better aspects of the book, especially when Levy writes about what the coaches would be doing not only on game night, but during the week and during school time as well.

Levy’s experience as a coach and educator make his writing very informative for the reader as well. He also shares his opinion on both the education system and coaching frequently in the book.  He does explain why he has these opinions and backs them up with experience or facts as appropriate. One example of this that I enjoyed is when Levy states that he believes that “in general, Texas coaches are less authoritarian than coaches elsewhere.” He then goes on to write about examples illustrating why he believes this. Passages like this make the book very enjoyable to read.

The football passages are detailed, deep and very descriptive. Whether it is a description of the offensive formations, the game action for the week Levy visited the school, or the recap of the season for that program, these sections are rich in description. Football fans that love the game beyond the action on the field and want to know more about the strategy and the “X’s and O’s” will especially enjoy these parts.

This book should be added to the library of football fans of all levels, even if they don’t normally watch high school football. Readers who like books on social interaction and the human aspect of sports or gatherings will also want to read this as well. It was a book that I enjoyed very much and was a very good read.

I wish to thank Taylor Trade Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
This was not a quick or easy read as the story for each school’s football program that Levy wrote about was described in great detail so it required careful reading.

Do I recommend? 
Fans of high school football will enjoy this book as all aspects of high school football programs are covered in each chapter. Readers who have an interest in the sociology of high school football in Texas and how it bonds entire communities will also enjoy this book.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying links:


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Review of "Thursday Night Therapy"

After receiving a message from the author inquiring if I would be willing to review this book, I asked him if the basketball played was organized or if it was more like street ball or pick-up games.  When he responded that this was definitely NOT an organized league, I was very willing to read this one. Sometimes that type of game, not matter what sport, can make for very interesting reading.  That was the case with this book.  Here is my review of "Thursday Night Therapy."


Title/Author:
“Thursday Night Therapy: Thirty Years of Basketball and Camaraderie” by Aaron M. Smith

Tags:
Basketball, memoir, psychology, family

Publish date:
October 14, 2014

Length:
134 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
Every Thursday night, a group of men ranging in age from their twenties to their sixties gather together to play basketball. The game takes place under makeshift lights in the driveway of the founder of this game. While different players may have come and gone, this event has taken place for over thirty years. One of the participants, Aaron Smith who is the son-in-law of the founder of this game, captures the stories and journey of this ritual in “Thursday Night Therapy.”

The reader will learn about many of the players who have spent many Thursday nights over the years doing something that they feel is necessary for their own well-being.  The game helps the men relieve stress, bond together because of this one common activity and also forget about the rest of the world for a few hours. There are several passages in which Smith describes this sensation. As one of the participants in the Thursday night games, he talks about the way he can put aside the outside world and concentrate solely on what is taking place on the court while playing. The reader will feel that as well, placing himself on that driveway while reading about the action taking place.

There are some poignant moments shared as well. One of those passages came when Fran, Smith’s father-in-law and organizer of the Thursday games, lost his mother earlier in the day one Thursday.  With a heavy heart, he told one of the men gathered in the driveway to start the game what happened.  Everyone is offering Fran condolences – then he goes inside to change and plays the game.  Smith’s description of Fran’s play that night tells it all – “Sometimes with tears welling in his eyes and defenders closing in his face, Fran would drill a shot. Three after three. Shot after shot. It certainly was an inspired effort…”

That passage, and similar ones not only about the games but also how the men interact with each other and their families around Thursdays, is what makes this book a joy to read. The reader feels the camaraderie and will understand why this ritual is so important to these men.  It was a heartwarming book and one that was also filled with humor as well as inspiring messages and some good basketball as well.

I wish to thank Mr. Smith for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
Very quick as Smith’s stories and thoughts on the therapeutic value of the Thursday night games blend together well and are easy to read.

Do I recommend? 
This book will be appealing to a broad range of readers, as this is as much a book on friendship, family and the mindset of these participants in the Thursday night games as well as a book on basketball. 

Book Format Read:
Paperback

Buying links:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thursday-night-therapy-aaron-m-smith/1120337461?ean=9781633065604

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Review of "Touchdown Tony"

When I received a message inquiring if I was interested in reviewing this book, it also stated that this book will be tied in with the movie Woodlawn due to be out on October 16.  If the movie is anything like the book, it should be a good one.  Here is my review of "Touchdown Tony."


Title/Author:
“Touchdown Tony: Running With a Purpose” by Tony Nathan

Tags:
Football (American), college, memoir, autobiography, race, Alabama

Publish date:
September 15, 2015

Length:
256 pages

Rating: 
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:
Football fans may know of Tony Nathan because of his college career with the University of Alabama or during his professional career with the Miami Dolphins. Maybe he is recognized because he was on Crimson Tide’s national championship team in 1978 or for his key roles in helping the Dolphins win two conference championships in the 1980’s.  He has also been a coach for the Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.

However, after reading “Touchdown Tony”, one will realize that none of those accomplishments are Nathan’s proudest moments. His story of what he experienced during his childhood and his high school years will make a reader realize how grounded Nathan’s values are to make him the man he is today. He writes about those times, and his times at the University of Alabama, with a great deal of pride. Not necessarily about what he accomplished on the football field, but about the values instilled into him by his family, his coaches and his environment.

His years at Woodlawn High School make for the best reading in the book. This was during the time when integration of schools was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama and there was much tension in the air. Nathan writes about those times with a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t hold any grudges, airs any dirty laundry or complains about what he endured.  Instead he recalls his time at Woodlawn with fondness.  He talks about the excellent relationship he had with Jeff Rutledge, a white quarterback who was a star at a rival school that beat Woodlawn in a championship game. It seemed only fitting that the two of them would later be teammates at Alabama. 

While the book does address the issue of race in the 1970’s, the story that touched Nathan the most was not something in his school or on the field, but observing the interactions of ordinary citizens, both black and white, in the immediate aftermath of the championship game Woodlawn lost. Nathan wrote about observing people interacting with each other in a manner that transcended race. Whether it was congratulating fans of the winning team or consoling fans of the losing team, he felt it was something special to just observe. That was a very unique perspective to look at how people of different races would interact – something I would not expect to find in an autobiography of an athlete.

Nathan also writes of his faith, his family and his love for his wife Johnnie in a manner that the reader will see how grounded he is in his values. Because he developed these values in his younger years, the book concentrates on that portion of his life. While Nathan does write about his years with the Dolphins and as a coach, the bulk of the book is about his years growing up and going to school in Alabama. It is a refreshing account of those times and a book that would be enjoyed by anybody.

I wish to thank Howard Books for providing an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
This was a very quick read as Nathan’s telling of his experience growing up and playing for the high school and college teams was very conversational. It felt like you could be sitting on the porch listening to him reminisce about those times.

Do I recommend? 
This book will be appealing to a broad range of readers.  One doesn’t have to be a football fan to be inspired by Nathan’s enthusiasm for both his life and his faith.  However, the football sections, especially those about his days on the Crimson Tide, will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who follow the game. 

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying links: (pre-order links at time of posting)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/touchdown-tony-tony-nathan/1122403178?ean=9781501118517

Friday, September 4, 2015

Review of "The Luckiest Man"

This is a book that I have had on my Nook for nearly four years, having purchased it soon after getting my first Nook in 2011. So it would be a candidate for TBR Tuesday - but after finishing the book tonight, I didn't want to wait until then to post this review because this is such an outstanding book.  I wanted to make sure that anyone interested in it would find out my thoughts right away as it is one of the best sports biographies I have read.  Here is my review of "The Luckiest Man."


Title/Author:
“Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig” by Jonathan Eig

Tags:
Baseball, history, biography, Yankees

Publish date:
March 29, 2005

Length:
462 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (Outstanding)

Review:
Having not read a book on Lou Gehrig since middle school and wanting to learn more about the man, I picked up this book hoping to learn more about his playing career and how he dealt with the prospect of facing death. Those topics are certainly covered, but there is so much more to this book that it should be on every baseball fan’s list of books to read.

Meticulous research and superb writing make this book one of the most definitive biographies of Gehrig. The reader will learn about the man through many communications he made with doctors, his wife Eleanor and other important people in his life.  The letters he exchanged with physicians at the Mayo Clinic, where his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was first diagnosed, were very moving.  The same goes for his letters to Eleanor, especially the one written to her when he first learns of the disease and is optimistic that he will get better.

Gehrig went to the Mayo Clinic when he noticed how fast his baseball skills were deteriorating in 1939. Both this decline and Gehrig’s outstanding baseball career are covered by superb research and writing as well.  No matter how one analyzes his career, Gehrig is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, yet Eig writes of his baseball prowess without a lot of fawning or exaggeration. The matter-of-fact style made reading about Gehrig’s accomplishments seem even more impressive.

Eig also writes about Gehrig’s personal life in a style that will keep any reader engrossed in the topic. Whether it is about his childhood in which his mother was very protective, the shy young man who did not socialize often with his Yankee teammates, or his marriage at 30 to an outspoken woman, the reader will gain insight into what made Gehrig into the man that he became.

Of course, no discussion about Gehrig can be complete without mentioning the moments that made him a legendary baseball player. Eig sets the record straight on what makes Gehrig seem larger than life. For example, the myth that Gehrig began his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played because Wally Pipp complained of a headache and was replaced by Gehrig is set straight in the book. The streak actually began the previous day when Gehrig appeared as a pinch hitter. Also, Pipp did not complain of a headache that day and instead was benched when manager Miller Huggins wanted to juggle his lineup.  It doesn’t make the streak or the myth any less impressive, but Eig ensures that the correct story about the beginning of the streak is told.

It is this kind of research and writing that make this book one of the best sports biographies available. The reader will truly feel like he or she knows more about the man after reading this and will also have run through a full gamut of emotions when completing the book. One doesn’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this biography. Anyone who wants to learn the complete story of the man should read this book.

Pace of the book:
While I never was able to read large sections of this book in one sitting, it still was a fairly quick read in the total time it took me, especially considering the length of the book and some of the material, such as the medical sections describing ALS.    

Do I recommend? 
Readers who like baseball biographies or even biographies in general, will enjoy this book.  With the in-depth research and narration about each important topic, this book should appeal to a wide range of readers. No matter how a reader has learned about Lou Gehrig, whether through baseball, the movie about his life or just word of mouth, the reader will certainly learn something new about the man.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Nook)

Buying links:

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Review of "Is Wrestling Fixed?"

Okay, I will state this from the start - I realize many people don't consider professional wrestling a "sport" and more a form of "entertainment."  While I understand and respect that, I consider sports a form of entertainment no matter the participants or what the game is.  Some will consider this a sport as well and it can be argued that this is a sport.  While I do consider professional wrestling more entertainment than sport, there are competitive elements in it and books on the subject are found in the sports section of libraries and book stores, so that is what I will do here when reading a book on professional wrestling. This book that will be published in October is one that anyone will like, no matter how that person feel about the "sport."  Here is my review of "Is Wrestling Fixed?"


Title/Author:
“Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken” by Bill Apter

Tags:
Wrestling, professional, memoir, history

Publish date:
October 13, 2015

Length:
280 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
If you have ever watched a professional wrestling show and noticed photographers that seemed to be part of the entertainment because they are so close to the ring, then you have may have seen the author of this book, Bill Apter.  He has been shooting pictures of wrestlers for various publications and websites for over 40 years. He is as well-known in the business as many wrestlers and executives. Therefore, it is safe to say that he has pretty much seen it all when it comes to wrestling and he shares many of his experiences in this book.

There isn’t a true format to this book, such as a timeline or concentration on certain subjects.  It is simply a collection of stories told by Apter about all things wrestling.  These take place mostly out of the arenas and ring, but that doesn’t make the book any less entertaining or informative. If the reader has any interest in professional wrestling, he or she is certain to learn something new here.

Some of the stories will also bring memories back to the reader if he or she followed wrestling in past decades.  While most of Apter’s work experience was with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (now the WWE), there are also stories about wrestlers and personnel from other associations.  As a kid, I followed the American Wrestling Association and reading about names like Vern Gagne and Nick Bockwinkle brought a smile to my face.  This is sure to be the effect on other long-time fans as well.

Apter does include bits and pieces of his personal life, including a touching story about his parents. The vast majority of the book, however, is about his interaction with people in the wrestling business, whether for work or pleasure. No matter who Apter is talking about, the reader will be entertained and informed. An excellent book on the form of entertainment we know as professional wrestling.

I wish to thank ECW Press for providing an advance review copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:
This was a very fast read, as it took me less than two hours. The format of shorter stories, along with plenty of pictures, made this book very easy to read. The light-hearted mood of the book helps in this area as well

Do I recommend? 
Any reader who has interest in professional wrestling, from the 1970’s to the present, will be entertained by Apter’s stories of his long career covering the sport.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying links: (for pre-order at time of posting)


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/is-wrestling-fixed-i-didnt-know-it-was-broken-bill-apter/1121176832?ean=9781770411548