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.amazon.com/Wrestling-Fixed-Didnt-Know-Broken/dp/1770411542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441149677&sr=8-1&keywords=is+wrestling+fixed

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