Wrestling literature is something you still find rather rarely around, especially if you want a full fledged report and not some stories that are more advertising than anything else.
Bob "Hardcore" Holly's book "
The Hardcore Truth" is one of those books (or in this case rather a biography) that is not linked to the WWE and it's probably very high requirements.
About the Book
Author:
Published by:
Date:
ISBN-13:
Price: | Bob Holly (with Ross Williams)
ECW Press
2013
978-1-77041-109-8
19,95 $ |
Abstract:
“How do you like me now?” In the ring and behind the scenes with Hardcore Holly
Long before he became “Hardcore Holly,” Robert Howard was a fighter. From humble beginnings — a boy dominated by his disciplinarian stepfather but fueled by an unquenchable passion for pro wrestling — Bob grew up struggling to make ends meet.
As an adult with a family of his own to provide for, Bob fought in bars for money before finally following his dream of wrestling. From regional promotions all the way to the bright lights of the WWF, from false starts as Thurman “Sparky” Plugg and “Bombastic” Bob to fame as an internationally known superstar, The Hardcore Truth tells the story of Bob’s life including his 16 years working for Vince McMahon.
In this rollercoaster tale of success and frustration, replete with missed opportunities, broken promises, and a broken neck — a story of fast bikes and faster cars, lost loves and wrestling bears, bar fights and betrayal — Bob shares his uncompromised views on the present wrestling landscape with fascinating insights into the world leader in sports entertainment.
- by
ECW Press
Personal Summary
In times where everyone can write things down and spread them over the internet - much like I am doing right now - we tend to forget that things written down in books don't have to be true either. Yet,
The Hardcore Truth is a book that reads itself very authentically and honest, making it easy if not mandatory to believe what has been written down here.
Composed in a very clear style, you follow the life of Bob "Hardcore" Holly, from his youth and his first contact with the local wrestling scene - and how difficult it was to get a foot in the door with the almighty internet not around - over his racing career, to the days spent in WWE and afterwards.
Admittedly, as someone who finds no interest in the racing sport whatsoever, may it be cars or dirt bikes, the reading of these chapters hasn't been a blast, yet the wrestling-related as well as the more personal chapters make up for this.
Holly gives an interesting and - at least to me - unknown insight on the wrestling scene and its beginnings, as well as giving us, the readers, interesting and not well known background data about the life on tour and backstage of the biggest wrestling company in the world. Tidbits about certain coworkers, the collaboration with the office and creatives, and how drug issues, injuries, and personal tragedies are provided from the view of an insider - a view many of us fans wish to have first hand.
Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertacker, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Chris Jericho... In his career, Holly had worked with many still well known athletes - and even more - and for many he has a comment or two in his book. Furthermore, important or noteworthy mile and stepping stones of Hardcore Holly's career and the wrestlers linked to them are addressed.
It was a joy reading this biography - with the small exception of the race chapters, but that's just me - and while it leaves me a bit shocked about ways to handle certain things backstage at the WWE, it was great to get this insight and educate myself a bit more about the wrestling business itself, WWE in particular, and the sacrifices the men and women are making just to provide us with an entertaining show!
