Review: Damn! Why Did I Write This Book? by Jayson (JTG) Paul

Damn! Why Did I Write This Book?
Jayson (JTG) Paul
Self Published, 2015
Ebook

JTG is best known for his 8 year stint as a member of the WWE Roster as both a singles wrestler and one half of the tag team Cryme Tyme. Damn! Why Did I Write This Book? chronicles the author's WWE tenure focusing, mainly, on his backstage interaction with other talents and management. This is JTG's first book. 

Damn! Why Did I Write This Book? was a surprise release this week. While it did not get the pre-release
buzz that some of the bigger market books do, JTG's debut has generated a lot of internet chatter and is quickly becoming an underground hit.

The book, currently only available in Ebook format, is a short and easy read.  JTG writes in a very entertaining manner that is as self-deprecating as it is attacking. Due to the last vestiges of kayfabe, job security or fear of alienation from "the only game in town," there are very few performers that detail the post 2000 WWE picture with the openness that JTG does.  The recurring theme of the book is that of a young grappler who is frequently subjected to - through his own misdeeds, those of people close to him or through sheer bad luck - the backstage wrath (AKA HEAT) of his peers and superiors.  While many wrestlers present these moments in a "I was right, they were wrong, everyone was out to get me" manner; JTG is far more light hearted and comical as it pertains to his run-ins.  At times he even admits guilt or, at the very least, an unawareness of the industry's often quirky back stage customs. One of the highlights of the book is the author's foreword which is almost a parody of so many of his contemporaries' comments in books and interviews.

There are moments in the book where the author could have delved more into some of the serious issues in and around the industry, but opted not to. For example, in his glossary at the end of the book, the author alludes to a belief in wrestler unions. The author could have spent some time discussing similar more serious topics that are of importance to him.  While not addressing these issues helps maintain a consistent comical tone, the reader misses out on some good first hand accounts and insight. Proportionately, there is also very little about his rise to the WWE and his in-ring career. Hopefully, future works will touch on all of this.  Unfortunately, the book is awfully short and contains a fair bit of grammar and formatting issues. While none are completely destructive to the book's structure, there are enough of them that more than a few will not go unnoticed.  All in all the book could have a more professional look to it. 

If Jayson (JTG) Paul releases further writings - as he suggests he will - they should be, like this book, on most fans' reading lists.  This was an enjoyable and light read.  

	Ebook	Ebook

05/14 Damn! Why Did I Write This Book? is now available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

05/14 Despite the middle of the road star rating, I hope to read more from JTG as he has a very entertaining and refreshing writing style and a unique perspective.  The good parts of this book (the content) is very good, though much shorter than I'd like.  The bad (layout, formatting, image resolution) bring the rating down. The ebook is currently available here for 1.99 US and is definitely worth a look. Also, I highly recommend following the author's suggestions to watch the youtube clips when he says to do so :)

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