Rating: 
Summary: The Master Wrestler
Review: Professional wrestling is caught in a paradox. On the one hand, the matches are not genuine contests but pure performance, with the winner decided by the promoter in advance. On the other hand, though in these days of absurd gimmicks and sensationalism this is difficult to realize, wrestling is a high and difficult art. No one who had the good fortune to see Lou Thesz, usually ranked the foremost wrestler of the past half-century, can be in any doubt on the latter point. Thesz's mastery of technique, together with his phenomenal speed, made him a wrestler of surpassing excellence. As he reveals in Hooker, his skill was carefully honed in years of training. He draws sharply etched portraits of his mentors George Tragos and Ad Santell. He learned from them holds of devastating effect, enabling him quickly to dispatch any wrestler so foolish as to challenge him to a real contest. As Thesz recounts his wrestling career, which lasted from the 1930s to the 1970s, the reader gains a clear impression of his strong character. Thesz is fiercely loyal to his friends. He reacted sharply when Buddy Rogers made a slighting reference to his hero, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and rushed to Lewis's defense. He is a man of strong likes and dislikes. He conceals neither his contempt for those, e.g., Primo Carnera, whom he views as incompetent, nor his admiration for those few who meet his exacting standards. Readers who want an account of professional wrestling by the ultimate insider should immediately secure a copy of this excellent book. Those who do so will encounter a genuine Amercan original.
Rating:
Summary: A book that I couldn't put down.
Review: The man is a legend. But what makes a legend is told in the book with a flair of showmanship, honesty and humor. The A&E Special on " The Unreal World of Professional Wrestling" that was presented on television, owes a lot to this American icon, who informed the public about the state of professional wrestling since the turn of the century in his book. That broadcast relied on this book for the historical content of the broadcast. The historical background set aside, the human side of the last undisputed professional wrestling champion of the world makes for enjoyable reading. Reminiscing on his childhood through the formative years, a trying and sometimes brutal apprenticeship and finally a championship only to meet a host of challenges, this book has it all. Somehow little is left to the imagination, a reader can be transcended into the arena, the gym or a foreign country more than half a century ago while sitting in a chair in the next century. Each chapter has an exciting tale told in a personal fashion, which makes a reader anxious to read the next one. Younger readers can appreciate some of the lessons of life conveyed in a "tongue in cheek" or " as a matter of fact" manner. While older readers can learn more the icon known as "The Only Champ", who dominated for the sport over four decades. When professional wrestling had some legitimacy, the guiding force is revealed within this book. We can only hope that this book will have a sequel. Even if you dislike wrestling, the stories told are worth their weight in gold.
Rating:
Summary: Not Just for Wrestlers
Review: This book comes across very well even if you are not old enough to know of Lou Thesz. You have to come to grips with the fact that most of his matches were fake to one degree or the other, but some were totally real, or even outright fights, and he was a highly skilled wrestler. His sportsmanship comes across loud and clear. I could cheer for this guy however he played it.
Rating:
Summary: Not Just for Wrestlers
Review: This book comes across very well even if you are not old enough to know of Lou Thesz. You have to come to grips with the fact that most of his matches were fake to one degree or the other, but some were totally real, or even outright fights, and he was a highly skilled wrestler. His sportsmanship comes across loud and clear. I could cheer for this guy however he played it.
Rating:
Summary: Wrestling History 101
Review: This book is amazing! On telling the history of professional wrestling its second to none. And the best source for the history of Catch Wrestlers(Hookers), How wrestling went from Carnivals to the big time. And the stages of evolution it went through on the way to the Sports Entertainment its evolved to today. All the greats are talked about in length. Frank Gotch, Ed Lewis, Joe Stecher all the great hookers of yesteryear. This book tells how all the old promoters used to run the Business. Very intersting reading.This book's weak point is in the actually biography of Lou Thesz. Way to much stuff left out. He would rattle on for page after page about Toots Mondt and other promoters. And then throw in a sentence like "I was married for 30 years to so and so. I wished I never met her." And just leave it at that. So he comes out of this book kind of like a cardboard cut out of the good guy he played in the ring. But dont get me wrong this book is awesome and a must read. 5 star supreme, one of the most interesting books Ive ever read. Just dont think that Lou reveals much about his self. Because he dosent. He talks about his 3 sons with just a one liner about he has three sons. Very shallow about his family life. And no pictures. But a great biography of the actual wrestling and behind the scene promotions. And how George Tragos took the son of a Hungarian/German shoe maker and made him one of the most dangerous human beings to ever walk the planet. Must read!
Rating:
Summary: Wrestling History 101
Review: This book is amazing! On telling the history of professional wrestling its second to none. And the best source for the history of Catch Wrestlers(Hookers), How wrestling went from Carnivals to the big time. And the stages of evolution it went through on the way to the Sports Entertainment its evolved to today. All the greats are talked about in length. Frank Gotch, Ed Lewis, Joe Stecher all the great hookers of yesteryear. This book tells how all the old promoters used to run the Business. Very intersting reading. This book's weak point is in the actually biography of Lou Thesz. Way to much stuff left out. He would rattle on for page after page about Toots Mondt and other promoters. And then throw in a sentence like "I was married for 30 years to so and so. I wished I never met her." And just leave it at that. So he comes out of this book kind of like a cardboard cut out of the good guy he played in the ring. But dont get me wrong this book is awesome and a must read. 5 star supreme, one of the most interesting books Ive ever read. Just dont think that Lou reveals much about his self. Because he dosent. He talks about his 3 sons with just a one liner about he has three sons. Very shallow about his family life. And no pictures. But a great biography of the actual wrestling and behind the scene promotions. And how George Tragos took the son of a Hungarian/German shoe maker and made him one of the most dangerous human beings to ever walk the planet. Must read!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This is one of those "I don't want to put this down until I'm done" books. I received it late Monday afternoon and was finished with it by Wednesday morning - and that included long work days in between. Not only a fun read, but for the price, an absolute bargain. Hollywood needs to make a nice period piece from this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best darn wrestling book I ever read!
Review: This is the best book on wrestling I ever read. It really lets you feel what it was like to be part of the wrestling world when Lou Thesz was champion. I highly recommend this book to anyone-even nonwrestlers.
Rating:
Summary: Hooker
Review: This is the best historical book I have ever read about professional wrestling. 'nuff said!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is, hands down, the best Professional Wrestling biography that has been written to date...written by the man many consider to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Lou Thesz. Hooker is now a rarity, especially after the passing of Lou. It's sad that you can't buy the book here, but nonetheless, I have purchased it on another website. There's not much that I can say, or put into words better than what anyone else has said. If you are a casual fan interested in wrestling's history, then this book is for you. If you are obessive about wrestling's history, then this book is for you. One problem: no photos. That hurts the book as a whole, but not too much. It dosen't affect the content. This book is extremely well-written... Mick Foley's "Have a Nice Day" is the only book to compare. Bottom Line -- Lou Thesz, 6x NWA World Champion, First Undisputed World's Champion, plus many more amazing feats, including wrestling for 70... yes, 70 years. If the greatest pro wrestler of all time has written an autobiography...shouldn't logic take over? You decide if you want to buy it. I recommend it. 5 stars. I recommend WrestlingClassics.com - if you wish to purchase it.
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