Rating: Summary: Good Read, Sad Story Review: I bought this book after seeing the title, The Life and Death of Owen Hart. Instead of getting a a through, informative summary of his life, especially his wrestling years, I was disappointed to find out that a good portion of the book focuses on Martha Hart's very sad and depressing everyday life following the untimely death of her husband. After reading the book, you would think that a lot of the content could have been written days after the tragic event, judging by the overall tone and all the lashing out. (The book was actually written a few years later). Broken Harts is undoubtably the saddest, most depressing book I've ever read. As a big fan of Owen and Bret, I still feel this book should have never been written, let alone published. I'd much rather read a happy story about Owen's life than hear all the depressing details surrounding his dysfunctional family and his untimely death. Do not read at any cost.
Rating: Summary: Way too sad and depressing to read Review: I bought this book after seeing the title, The Life and Death of Owen Hart. Instead of getting a a through, informative summary of his life, especially his wrestling years, I was disappointed to find out that a good portion of the book focuses on Martha Hart's very sad and depressing everyday life following the untimely death of her husband. After reading the book, you would think that a lot of the content could have been written days after the tragic event, judging by the overall tone and all the lashing out. (The book was actually written a few years later). Broken Harts is undoubtably the saddest, most depressing book I've ever read. As a big fan of Owen and Bret, I still feel this book should have never been written, let alone published. I'd much rather read a happy story about Owen's life than hear all the depressing details surrounding his dysfunctional family and his untimely death. Do not read at any cost.
Rating: Summary: I think Owen would be proud of Martha. Review: I read Martha Hart's book about her husband, the late Owen Hart. There were parts in it that made me nearly cry and made me angered at the Hart family and at the actions of the WWE in regards to Owen's death, but overall this was a fantastic book. Some reviewers say that it was "depressing" to read. The reviewers of this books who say that should keep in mind that this was a woman who lost her husband on a wrestling pay-per-view, doing a dangerous stunt that should've never happened in the first place. When I read her book I felt her pain, because to lose someone you loved, shared a life with, and had children with is indeed painful. Also, those who say that she is too bitter towards the wrestling industry and that she had no right to be, obviously have no idea of what they are talking about and are heartless people to say such a thing in the first place. Considering the circumstances in which her husband lost his life, she has every right to feel some resentment. All in all, I think this book was excellent and as a wrestling fan for 22 years I recommend it to anyone.
Rating: Summary: A Brave Legacy Review: I sincerely applaud Martha Hart for this touching and well written tribute to her late husband, Owen Hart. To lose her husband, whom she loved so much and who adored her, and to then have to fight the might of the WWF in order to seek justice for Owen, without the backing of her husband's family (with a few notable exceptions) is testament to her devotion to his memory. Martha Hart is clearly a very brave woman, dedicated to protecting the memory of her husband for the sake of her children and for the sake of their lives together. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her, and nothing but praise for this book, which must have been very difficult to write. Yet it is clearly and thoughtfully written, touching and honest. There are lessons anyone would take away from it.
Rating: Summary: Painful Read... Review: I've read nearly every wrestling book out there. From the WWE produced biographies (Mick Foley's two books, Chyna, Kurt Angle, Freddie Blassie), the WWE produced coffee table books (WrestleMania, Unscripted) to independant looks at wrestling (Pro Wrestling for Dummies, Sex, Lies and Headlocks, WrestleCrap), they all offer varying views on the hobby I am most passionate about. This book, however, sets itself apart for many different reasons. Martha Hart, as part of a promise she made to herself shortly after Owen died, wrote this book under a very heavy heart. I was prepared for that when I started to read it. I also tried to be prepared for a personal attack on the world of wrestling. She definately has a reason for that. However, I was not expecting the level of bitterness she showed to most of Owen's life. There are two different areas to where she spews her hatred: The (at the time) WWF, and the Hart family. In reguards to the Hart family, with the exception of Bret, she paints a dismal picture, most of which senitments she writes Owen shared. She is constantly judgmental of the family that raised Owen. In reguards to the WWF, nothing is sacred. Not one word of good was at all written about wrestling. As a matter of fact, you can see disdain (which seems engrained in her from her childhood) in every paragraph. She regularly refers to wrestlers as "uneducated mucleheads as a whole," and the reader gets the picture that she thinks about the same of the fans. Think, Martha, who is going to buy this book? As for the positives, the behind-the-investigation report of Owen's death is amazingly in depth. However, due to marred facts that run through the book (Owen was never at fault for breaking Steve Austin's neck in 1997, as contrary to video evidence, Al Snow carried a severed woman's head instead of a mannequin head.) I really have questions to the accuracy of it all. The book also allows the reader glimpses of how the family dealt with the death, and the aftermath. Although dripping with bitterness during these parts as well, it is interesting. Overall, it was tough for me to continue reading through some of the backhanded insults that I felt were directed towards myself as a wrestling fan, but I'm glad that I picked the book up. I understand that pro-wrestling is a very different business, but it isn't as disgustingly horrible as Hart paints it out to be. I miss Owen Hart's entertaining in ring work. It saddens me that he leaves behind a family with two little children. I wish Martha nothing but good luck and happy times for the rest of her life, but this book really does nothing but trash wrestling. I reccomend this to Owen Hart fans, or people who hate Vince. Other than that, don't pick it up.
Rating: Summary: Painful Read... Review: I've read nearly every wrestling book out there. From the WWE produced biographies (Mick Foley's two books, Chyna, Kurt Angle, Freddie Blassie), the WWE produced coffee table books (WrestleMania, Unscripted) to independant looks at wrestling (Pro Wrestling for Dummies, Sex, Lies and Headlocks, WrestleCrap), they all offer varying views on the hobby I am most passionate about. This book, however, sets itself apart for many different reasons. Martha Hart, as part of a promise she made to herself shortly after Owen died, wrote this book under a very heavy heart. I was prepared for that when I started to read it. I also tried to be prepared for a personal attack on the world of wrestling. She definately has a reason for that. However, I was not expecting the level of bitterness she showed to most of Owen's life. There are two different areas to where she spews her hatred: The (at the time) WWF, and the Hart family. In reguards to the Hart family, with the exception of Bret, she paints a dismal picture, most of which senitments she writes Owen shared. She is constantly judgmental of the family that raised Owen. In reguards to the WWF, nothing is sacred. Not one word of good was at all written about wrestling. As a matter of fact, you can see disdain (which seems engrained in her from her childhood) in every paragraph. She regularly refers to wrestlers as "uneducated mucleheads as a whole," and the reader gets the picture that she thinks about the same of the fans. Think, Martha, who is going to buy this book? As for the positives, the behind-the-investigation report of Owen's death is amazingly in depth. However, due to marred facts that run through the book (Owen was never at fault for breaking Steve Austin's neck in 1997, as contrary to video evidence, Al Snow carried a severed woman's head instead of a mannequin head.) I really have questions to the accuracy of it all. The book also allows the reader glimpses of how the family dealt with the death, and the aftermath. Although dripping with bitterness during these parts as well, it is interesting. Overall, it was tough for me to continue reading through some of the backhanded insults that I felt were directed towards myself as a wrestling fan, but I'm glad that I picked the book up. I understand that pro-wrestling is a very different business, but it isn't as disgustingly horrible as Hart paints it out to be. I miss Owen Hart's entertaining in ring work. It saddens me that he leaves behind a family with two little children. I wish Martha nothing but good luck and happy times for the rest of her life, but this book really does nothing but trash wrestling. I reccomend this to Owen Hart fans, or people who hate Vince. Other than that, don't pick it up.
Rating: Summary: A self centered book Review: If you are a fan of Owen Hart like i was and thought he was a great guy just by wathching him on T.V, this book isn't really for you. The book completly shattered the idea that every wrestling fans had of him and make Owen look selfish sometime. The problem with this book is the same has it was for the Diana Hart book, she thnik that they were better than anybody else and the could do no wrong. In this book she blame a lot of what happen in their life on the hart family. She also stated that Owen didn't think that Stone Cold Steve Austin was really injured and that why Owen never said talk to Austin about it. So my thinking is that this book is actually written by somebody who still didn't grief the death of her husband and that why this book isn'T worth reading.
Rating: Summary: Good Read, Sad Story Review: Overall I found this book to be a good read. However it is not your typical wrestling book. As a wrestling fan I will never forget the night of May 23,1999. I was saddened to hear that Owen Hart had died due to the fall at the P.P.V. I had always wondered what exactly had happened. This book takes you through every detail leading up to Owens untimely death. I was suprised at how the Hart family is portrayed.... how Owen so desperatly wanted to get away from wrestling...how Owen was unsafely "rigged up" ...and I was most suprised and upset that the show went on that night.
Rating: Summary: Martha's Bitterness Review: The only reason this book will get two stars from me is because Owen Hart is a topic. Martha Hart comes across as a very bitter and spitefull person. We all miss Owen and I can imagine how she feels missing her husband. However, the book is so full of inaccuracies it's not funny. Here are just a few of the outright lies Martha claims in the book:
1. Owen only wrestled for a paycheck (I'm sorry nobody can be as could at their job as Owen was if they are only doing it for a paycheck only. Owen loved wrestling despite what Martha claims)
2. Owen claimed that Steve Austin wasn't really hurt (Not that it was Owen's fault, but Austin darn near broke his neck in that Summerslam match. Accidents happen and it wasn't Owen's fault, however to claim that Owen thought Austin was faking injury is insulting)
3. Bret Hart and Vince McMahon have become friends (While Bret has had concersations with Vince about working in some capacity with the WWF/E, Bret and Vince will NEVER be friends. Martha makes it seem that they are out having beers on a regular basis. Totally incorrect)
4. Owen did not respect his fellow wrestlers (Martha makes it seem as if Owen hated or did not respect pretty much every wrestler he worked with. I'm sorry, Owen would not have been loved, admired and respected by his peers as much as he was, if that same love, admiration and respect wasn't mutual.)
Overall, Martha is still very bitter and she puts the blame on everybody possible, while painting a totally inaccurate painting of Owen and the wrestling business. Martha, we know you are hurting, but don't spew lies to make yourself feel better.
Rating: Summary: Very Real Reality of the Life & Death of Owen Hart Review: This book was written by the widow of Owen Hart. Martha Hart describes life with her husband before and after the tragic fall in May of 1999. Very informative and well written. A must read by all wrestling fans. This is by far the best and most real wrestling book there is.
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