The Toughest Man Alive

Rating:
Summary: The Toughest Book to Put Down
Review: Gene LeBell's story is one that almost any wrestling fan, martial artist, or movie buff will find very interesting. Written in the first person, I felt as if Gene was an old friend already within the first few pages of my reading. Although he is arguably the toughest man alive, he has a soft heart and focuses on the positive side of people and life in general. Of the many anecdotes in the book, I most enjoyed all the "swerves" (or "ribs" as others may call them) he experienced during his pro-wrestling career. Also, wait till he tells you what his buddy, Vic Christy, did to his own unfaithful wife! Oh, boy... That and many other fascinating tales make this book The Toughest Book to Put Down!

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining!
Review: I first heard of Gene Lebell about ten years ago. I got the chance to watch his videos "Pro Wrestling Finsihing Holds". They had some good moves in them and were done in comdey fashion. Then later reading more about the Martial Arts in particular alot of well known Martial Artist's had nothing but praise for "Judo Gene LeBell". So on to the book.........

This book is very entertaining. This man has done it all. He was a Judo Champion, Pro Wrestler, MA teacher of teachers, commentator for Pro Wrestling, actor, stuntman, and a husband of many wives. His Mom was a promoter for boxing and wrestling in Los Angeles. So even as a youngster he had a very interesting life and rubbed shoulders with many famous people. He was training with Pro Wrestlers at 7 years of age, Ed "Strangler" Lewis being one of them. In this book is stories of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Lou Thesz, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, OJ Simpson, Robert Conrad, James Caan, Burt Renoylds, Clint Eastwood, plus many more. If you can name them Gene probably knows them. Alot of stories in this book are hilarious. Its a very fun book to read. Wrestlers used to play jokes on each other all the time. Very funny, sometimes cruel jokes. You walk away from this book wanting more stories. Gene seems like someone that would be fun to be around. Reading this book is kind of like meeting the man. He goes into some painful details of his life as well concerning his father, and his second wife. He comes off very human in this book. And I want a part 2. Ive read some different biographies but this one was the most interesting by far. The toughest man alive is also the funniest man alive, after you read this book I think you'll agree.

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining!
Review: I first heard of Gene Lebell about ten years ago. I got the chance to watch his videos "Pro Wrestling Finsihing Holds". They had some good moves in them and were done in comdey fashion. Then later reading more about the Martial Arts in particular alot of well known Martial Artist's had nothing but praise for "Judo Gene LeBell". So on to the book.........

This book is very entertaining. This man has done it all. He was a Judo Champion, Pro Wrestler, MA teacher of teachers, commentator for Pro Wrestling, actor, stuntman, and a husband of many wives. His Mom was a promoter for boxing and wrestling in Los Angeles. So even as a youngster he had a very interesting life and rubbed shoulders with many famous people. He was training with Pro Wrestlers at 7 years of age, Ed "Strangler" Lewis being one of them. In this book is stories of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Lou Thesz, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, OJ Simpson, Robert Conrad, James Caan, Burt Renoylds, Clint Eastwood, plus many more. If you can name them Gene probably knows them. Alot of stories in this book are hilarious. Its a very fun book to read. Wrestlers used to play jokes on each other all the time. Very funny, sometimes cruel jokes. You walk away from this book wanting more stories. Gene seems like someone that would be fun to be around. Reading this book is kind of like meeting the man. He goes into some painful details of his life as well concerning his father, and his second wife. He comes off very human in this book. And I want a part 2. Ive read some different biographies but this one was the most interesting by far. The toughest man alive is also the funniest man alive, after you read this book I think you'll agree.

Rating:
Summary: The Toughest Man Alive
Review: I've been familiar with Gene LeBell for many years. I studied, palled around and even had dinner with his top student Gokor, originally from Armenia. I own several martial arts books written by Gene LeBell. I've been a serious martial arts student and instructor for several years. I've never known whether to take LeBell serious or not. Some of his moves are purely for showmanship. I've watched a few of his videos and he comes across as "goofy" with all the grimmacing and weird facial expressions. Then I've seen him on the cover of several martial arts magazines wearing a "Pink Gi." What's up with that?

I remember Gokor telling me that Gene LeBell was not someone to be taken lightly. He also said he was a "clown." He said he enjoyed clowning around. After reading this book, I have become a Gene LeBell fan. He's is dangerous and he's legit. He was a two time AAU national champion and during those two years he won the overall championship which made him the number one Judoka in the USA. He beat several top contenders to earn that honor. The amazing thing is that he did it two years in a row, and this was before Judo was an Olympic sport. I now wonder if LeBell could have been our first and only Olympic Gold Medalist.

I loved the stories about how he overcame the resentment that several Japanese senseis held towards caucasian Americans after WWII (they were held in internment camps, lost their professions, and property and rightfully so held harsh feelings towards their fellow Americans). He also wrote about being rejected by several Japanese instructors after his decision to go into professional wrestling (he had to find a way to make money and winning amateur titles does not feed a family).

This book will appeal to the serious martial artist as well as the professional wrestling afficionados. I enjoy reading autobiographies and this one did not disappoint me at all.

Oh by the way, I understand his sense of humor and will enjoy going back and rereading the books and I loved the story of the orgin of the "pink gi."

Rating:
Summary: Illegal book
Review: This book was published without Gene LeBell's permission. There is a lot of information missing and a lot of wrong information. Don't waste your money. Also, this book is a complete rip-off because Gene LeBell was never paid any money for it. The full authorized autobiography will be finally released in mid-January.

Rating:
Summary: Fighting for a Living, and Loving It
Review: This excellent bio will please general readers and Hollywood buffs as well as Lebell's faithful following of grappling enthusiasts. Lebell's success in an amazing series of careers demonstrates not only toughness but humor, honesty, and considerable savvy. His hilarious behind-the-scenes stories are mingled with genuine insight into the intersecting, evolving worlds of martial arts, pro wrestling, entertainment, and even L.A. history since the 50's.
Some of the juiciest material concerns Lebell's experiences as an itinerant pro wrestling champ in the untamed 50's, when rowdy fans were sometimes known to inflict stab wounds upon hated wrestlers, and the elaborate, twisted pranks wrestlers played on each other presented nearly as great a hazard to health and sanity. Lebell's career as a stuntman for movies and TV provides material for several more chapters of celebrity-watching enjoyment. Many of the great tough guys of the last 50 years make appearances- Muhammad Ali, Freddie Blassie, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, to name just a very few.
This book is just a lot of fun. Lebell knows how to tell an anecdote and many of them are well-polished indeed; but while "The Toughest Man Alive" is not overly given to introspection, a picture emerges nonetheless of a man who mastered many difficult, even brutal, disciplines yet retained a youthful openness, willingness to learn, generosity, and humor. Here's proof that the big-money, ego-driven worlds of Hollywood and sports ultimately owe their dominance, and what style they still have, to those gifted people like Gene Lebell who work because they love what they do.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Story of a Fascinating Man
Review: When I first saw this book I had never heard of Gene LeBell. I asked a few wrestling and martial arts journalists and they had yet to read it either, so I decided to give it a try.

What I found was a fascinating story of a man from an era in wrestling that isn't heard much (Freddie Blassie's book is the only book I can recall.) Gene LeBell comes off as a likeable, funny guy with some great stories. While the book doesn't have a true "story" to it, it is still very entertaining as it is.

Gene is the probably one of the forefathers of Mixed Martial Arts competitorss and companties such as UFC, Pride and King of Cage. This book is highly recommended to wrestling, Judo, MMA and movie fans. However you should not expect the lambasting of other personalities like so many other wrestling autobiographies tend to do. Gene paints everyone in a favorable light and even those he disagrees with (such as Vince McMahon) he gives the benefit of the doubt for what they have done.