Review: Four Horsemen: A Timeline History By Dick Bourne

Four Horsemen: A Timeline History
Dick Bourne
Create Space, 2017
Paperback

Dick Bourne's Four Horsemen: A Timeline History was released in the spring of 2017. For those with an interest in the history of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling / Jim Crockett Promotions, Bourne's Mid-Atlantic Gateway is a key resource for preserving and accessing information concerning the territory's history. This is Bourne's sixth release pertaining to the history of the Carolina based promotion and its successor World Championship Wrestling. Some of Bourne's previous releases include: Big Gold, Ten Pounds of Gold and The Minnesota Wrecking Crew.  All titles are available through Amazon and The Mid-Atlantic Gateway.

Review: Crazy Like A Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later By Liam O'Rourke

Crazy Like A Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later
Liam O'Rourke
Create Space, 2017
Paperback

Liam O'Rourke's Crazy Like A Fox is a retrospective biography of the late Brian Pillman. After a brief run in professional football, Pillman entered the pro wrestling ranks in Calgary. His career featured a successful, turbulent tenure in WCW, a short and memorable stint in ECW and a relatively short but high profile run in the WWE that was cut short by his untimely death in 1997. His stellar in-ring work was instrumental in laying the ground work for the rise of WCW's light-heavy and cruiser-weight divisions. For many fans, however, it is Pillman's work out side the ring, his dedication to his craft, his unique and effective manner of conducting business, his determination in the face of adversity that makes Brian Pillman so intriguing. Liam O'Rourke's Crazy Like A Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later is the first long-form biography of Pillman. It is O'Rourke's first book. O'Rourke is also a host on Squared Circle Gazette Radio.

Review: Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed To Hear From A Pro Wrestling Production Company Owner By Sean Oliver

Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed To Hear From A Pro Wrestling Production Company Owner
Sean Oliver
Amazon Digital Services, 2017
Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

Author Sean Oliver is the co-owner of Kayfabe Commetaries where he also serves as host of the majority of the company's releases. The "face" of the shoot interview standard bearer, Oliver offers his experiences at the forefront of a growing company in a relatively new off-shoot of the pro wrestling industry. In Kayfabe, Oliver relates his thoughts and memories of dealing with some marquee names in the pro wrestling industry as well as promoters, producers, promoters and fans of the product. This is Oliver's first book.

Released: Struttin' & Cutting By Brutus Beefcake & Kenny Cassanova

Struttin' & Cuttin' by Brutus Beefcake and Kenny Cassanova (co-author of Kamala Speaks) is now available for order via Beefcake's website. The book covers Beefcake's career, his near-fatal parasailing accident and his life since his departure from the main stream wrestling scene.

Review: Season's Beatings By John Cosper

Season's Beatings: Holiday Greetings From Wrestling's Golden Age
John Cosper
Create Space, 2017
Paperback

Eat, Sleep, Wrestle's John Cosper has released Season's Beatings: Holiday Greetings From Wrestling's Golden Age. The book is a collection of Christmas messages harvested from a late 1940s California wrestling event program. 

The book is a very unique and enjoyable title. While not a typical wrestling book, - it is essentially promo shots with Christmas messages from wrestling personalities - it is a great choice for those looking for a short form coffee table book, those with an interest in the era or looking for a unique - but well compiled - title in the pro wrestling genre.

Review: Looking At The Lights: My Path From Fan To A Wrestling Heel By Pete Gas With Jon Robinson

Looking At The Lights: My Path From Fan To A Wrestling Heel
Pete Gas, w. Jon Robinson, Adam "Edge" Copeland (Foreword) & John Bradshaw Layfield (Foreword)
Sports Publishing, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook

Pete "Gas" Gasparino's Looking At The Lights is the story of one of the most atypical members of the WWE Attitude Era roster. A non-wrestler with a "regular job," Gas instantly became a high profile WWE personality when he appeared as a member of Shane McMahon's "Mean Street Posse" at the height of the Attitude Era. Despite having no previous training and no designs of joining the WWE Roster on a full-time basis, Gas (along with Rodney and, later, Joey Abs) remained roster mainstays for over a year. This is Gas' first book.

Released: The Titan Trilogy: The History of the WWF From 1995 to 1997 by James Dixon & Justin Henry

The Titan Trilogy: The Story of the WWF from 1995 to 1997 was released in mid-December. This book book is an anthology featuring the extremely detailed and entertaining releases Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered & Titan Screwed. Each title gives great insight into the events, personalities and backstage climate of a calendar year in the WWF. Reviews of Titan Sinking and Titan Shattered are available on this site.

The Titan Trilogy is available at Available at Amazon US CA UK

Released: Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed To Hear From A Pro Wrestling Production Company Owner By Sean Oliver

Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed To Hear From A Pro Wrestling Production Company Owner

Sean Oliver

Create Space Independent Publishing, 2017

Paperback, Ebook

In late November, Kayfabe Commentaries co-owner and host, Sean Oliver, released Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed To Hear from A Pro Wrestling Production Comapny Owner. Kayfabe Commentaries' collection of shoot interviews including Timeline, Guest Booker & Back To The Territories are among the best produced and most popular in the industry. Oliver's book gives readers a look behind the production - good, bad and ugly - of these industry leading releases.

Kayfabe is available in Paperback and Ebook formats on Amazon US CA UK

Review: Second Nature: The Legacy of Ric Flair & The Rise of Charlotte By Ric Flair & Charlotte Flair

Second Nature: The Legacy Of  Ric Flair & The Rise Of Charlotte
Ric Flair & Charlotte Flair w. Brian Shields
St. Martin's Press, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook, Audiobook

Ric Flair is widely considered to be the greatest performer in the history of professional wrestling. A veteran of the territorial era, a multiple time world champion with over four decades as in-ring performer, Flair's career is one of the most storied in the industry's history. Charlotte Flair is one of Ric Flair's four children. A successful high school and college athlete before entering the wrestling industry, Flair has become one of wrestling's premier talents and a key figure in the elevation of the WWE's women's division. Essentially a dual autobiography, Second Nature alternates between Ric Flair's life at the end of his full-time career and his adjustment away from the limelight as a main event player and Charlotte's life growing up as the daughter of a top star in the professional wrestling industry and her entry and into the same business. This is Ric Flair's second book after To Be The Man (2004). This is Charlotte Flair's first book.

Released: Wrestling Dreams By Colt Cabana and Erica Weisz

Wrestling Dreams by Colt Cabana with Illustrations by Erica Weisz was released on November 8. This title is geared toward young readers, however, if Cabana's trademark wit is present, the book is very likely to appeal to all ages.

Wrestling Dreams is available in Hard Cover and Ebook formats at Amazon US CA UK

Notice: Cuttin' & Stuttin' By Brutus Beefcake & Kenny Cassanova Available for Pre-Order.

Cuttin' & Struttin' by Brutus Beefcake and Kenny Cassanova is now available for pre-order via Beefcake's website. The book is due for a late December release.

Released: Saint Mick: My Journey From Hardcore Legend To Santa's Jolly Elf

Mick Foley released his 11th book Saint Mick: My Journey From Hardcore Legend To Santa's Jolly Elf on October 17. The book chronicles Foley winding down his in-ring career and his personal experiences throughout his mission spreading Christmas cheer under the guise of Santa Claus.

From Amazon:

From beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author and WWE Hall-of-Famer Mick Foley comes a Yuletide tale like no other. After a lifetime of putting his body on the line to entertain his dozens (and dozens!) of fans, the Hardcore Legend is paying the price - physically and emotionally. When the final bell on Mick's career tolls, not in the ring, but in a neurologist's office, his future seems far from merry and bright. Until Mick is given the chance to become Santa Claus - not dress up, not pretend, but become Santa - allowing him to rediscover the joy of performing. Fully committing to his new mission, Mick details the drastic measures he takes to keep the Christmas magic alive for his young children, as well as the many children he meets in his travels who are in need of some Christmas Spirit. 

Saint Mick: My Journey From Hardcore Legend To Santa's Jolly Elf is available in hardcover and ebook formats at Amazon US CA UK

Review: No Is A Four Letter Word: How I Failed Spelling But Succeeded In Life by Chris Jericho

No Is A Four Letter Word: How I Failed Spelling But Succeeded In Life
Chris Jericho, Paul Stanley (Foreword)
Da Capo Press, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook

Chris Jericho has been one of the top names in pro wrestling for over two decades. While his in-ring career has been stellar, Jericho is one of the few names from the industry who has made successful transitions into other realms of entertainment. Jericho, as the front man and lead singer for the heavy metal band Fozzy, has toured the world as both a headline act and as supporting performer for many of music's legendary acts. Jericho has also hosted the very popular Talk Is Jericho Podcast on the Podcast One network since 2013. Prior to No Is A Four Letter Word, Jericho penned three New York Times best selling memoirs: A Lion's Tale: Around The World In Spandex, (2007) Undisputed: How To Become The World Champion In 1,372 Easy Steps, (2011) and The Best In The World... At What I Have No Idea (2014). Unlike his previous books, No Is A Four Letter Word is written as a motivational book that, while it contains biographical information, is not strictly an autobiography.

Notice: Crazy Like A Fox - The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman: 20 Years Later By Liam O'Rourke

Liam O'Rourke's Crazy Like A Fox - The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman: 20 Years Later was officially announced earlier this month. This release covers the life and career of Brian Pillman and features interviews with members of the Pillman family, friends and co-workers including: Dave Meltzer, Jim Cornette, Bruce Hart and Raven.  

Crazy Like A Fox - The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman: 20 Years Later is due for a late October release and will be available through most online retailers.  Specific release date(s) and availability will be posted when available.

Review: Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story By Bertrand Hébert & Pat Laprade

Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story

Bertrand Hébert, Pat Laprade, George Toombs (Translation) Paul Vachon (Foreword) Kathie Vachon (Afterword)

ECW Press, 2017 

Paperback, Ebook

Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon is one of the very rare individuals in pro wrestling history that has transcended time. While many younger wrestling fans have never seen one of Mad Dog's matches or promos, his remains a name that is universally synonymous with the pro wrestling industry. Be it his in-ring style, prominence during the territory days, over the top character, appearances outside of the wrestling industry, Olympic profile, membership in one of the industry's most famed families or the media blitz surrounding a tragic auto accident, Mad Dog Vachon is firmly cemented in the minds of generations of wrestling fans as one of the true legends of the industry. Bertrand Hébert (Accepted) and Pat Laprade (Sisterhood of the Squared Circle) previously collaborated on the 2013 Wrestling Observer Book of the Year: Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs. This English version of Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story was translated from the 2015 French Edition by George Toombs and features a foreword by, brother, Paul "Butcher" Vachon and, widow, Kathie Vachon.

Released: WWE: Absolutely Everything You Need To Know By DK Publishing

DK Publishing's WWE Absolutely Everything You Need To Know was released earlier this week.  The book is a collection of WWE related facts, stories and general trivia.  This release is suitable for ages 10+ and, like the majority of DK's titles, will feature a top notch layout with tremendous photography.

WWE: Absolutely Everything You Need To Know is available in Hardcover format at Amazon US CA UK

Released: Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling By Jim Ross & Paul O'Brien

Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling by Jim Ross with Paul O'Brien - as told to Scott E. Williams - was released today.  The book, one of the most awaited releases of the year, features a foreword by Vince McMahon and an afterword by Steve Austin. Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling is hoped to be a thorough and insightful look at the life and career of one of the industry's most prolific and popular figures.

Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling is available in hardcover and ebook at Amazon US CA UK

Released: 7 Keys to Becoming a Better Performer: A Book For Fellow Pro-Wrestlers by Mike Quackenbush

7 Keys to Becoming a Better Performer: A Book For Fellow Pro-Wrestlers written by Mike Quackenbush was released on October 16.  Quackenbush is the founder of  Chikara Pro where he also serves as trainer, competitor and "Director of Fun." Quackenbush is also a long time independent wrestler and "Apter Mag" contributor.  Quackenbush's in-ring skills, unique perspective and entertaining style have made him one of the industry's most respected names.

"Pro-wrestling is performance art, and trying to occlude that fact for decades has, in many ways, prevented the evolution of the art form. Little has been written about the challenges modern pro-wrestlers face, and the ways in which they engage with audiences. “7 Keys to Becoming a Better Performer - A Book for Fellow Pro-Wrestlers” offers a fresh, frank examination of the skill set every professional wrestler needs to hone, regardless of where they ply their trade." - Amazon 

7 Keys to Becoming a Better Performer: A Book For Fellow Pro-Wrestlers is available at Amazon US CA UK

Released: Second Nature By Ric Flair & Charlotte

Penned by two generations of world champions, Ric and Charlotte Flair's Second Nature was released today.  The book is the story of the pair's personal and professional struggles and successes and the continual evolution of their relationship and how their bond has both defined and inspired them.

Second Nature is available in Hardcover and Ebook formats at Amazon US CA UK and Indigo.

Released: Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story by Bertrand Hebert & Pat Laprade

The English language edition of Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon story by Bertrand Hebert & Pat Laprade was released on September 5, 2017. The book features a foreword by Mad Dog's brother Paul "The Butcher" Vachon and an afterword by his widow Kathie Vachon. As an extremely colorful character - within the confines of in an industry of colorful characters - Mad Dog is expected to be an extremely interesting read. The French edition, released in 2015, was met with near universal acclaim. This edition was published by ECW Press.

Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story is available at Amazon US CA UK and Indigo. UK edition due for release on October 5.