Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture
#PWHS #BookReview #GG #GorgeousGeorge #HumanOrchid #Wrestling #ProWrestling #ToastOfTheCoast #SensationOfTheNation
5/5 Stars
John Capouya a professor of journalism and writing, editor for popular newspapers admits he knew nothing of wrestling, had never seen a match until he became intrigued by the character of George Wagner better known as Gorgeous George. Following the illustrious career of the 'Human Orchid' from his early child hood as best as can be recounted to his days as George Wagner the technically sound good guy, the transformation he undertook to become the 'Sensation of a Nation', Gorgeous George, reaching the pinnacle of his career, money and fame before ultimately falling in to a dangerous downward spiral.
The attention to detail is evident from the beginning of the biography, creating a wonderful picture of a time now almost forgotten, you can just tell how much research must have gone in to the making of this story. No detail is seemingly spared, covering his short amateur career due to his stumbling into the carnival scene, continuing to work his way up the ladder to the professional ranks. George's relationship with Betty is covered through-out the book in depth with insight provided for the book from Betty herself, recalling stories and broken records in the wrestling world as they went along. With an ample amount of time covering his career as George Wagner in Act I, John progresses you to Act II the change into Gorgeous George is captured as the gradual evolution that it actually was, pointing out past wrestlers he had admired all leading to where he would eventually perfect his craft with the help of Betty finding the spotlight and influence a whole generation of people. Capouya takes time to set the scene in America, laying out the impact the character had on the nation, how popular it actually was in comparison to other stars at the time and attempting to give some insight on to the financial situation at that time. Stories and quotes from such stars who have been inspired by G.G. Are featured such as Muhammad Ali, James Brown and Bob Dylan, John recreates the life George lead meeting such celebrities, soon to be celebrities, then swinging 180 degrees taking a glance at his unusual yet effective training methods. During that portion of the book you can't help but get a real sense from the imagery painted by Capouya of how famous and how big a star George really was, thanks to Betty and his creative minds combined, but may-be more importantly being there at the invention of TV, you truly realize why George was quoted as saying "I don't know if I was made for television, or television was made for me." John takes the reader along with the 'Gorgeous One's' wave of success fame and money to the close of Act II. Opening up Act III the final chapter in the book where you join George in his decline from the top of the mountain, the personal demons that latched onto him at the tip of the mountain. Capouya lets you see into George's life on the down swing of fame and fortune guiding you through his final matches and public appearances until the 'Showman's Farewell.'
This story of a professional wrestler who most would agree helped revolutionize the television, arguably defined the blueprints for a villainous character to this day in pro wrestling, captured and inspired a whole nation of people, is everything you could ask for and more in the recounting of the life of a founder of the 'Golden Era' of wrestling. This is not a quick and easy read, it is long due to being very detailed, full of scene setting and information. This is not for the casual fan. However it is for historians across all spectrum’s, anyone interested in the covered cultural period and for any fan of wrestling who is interested to learn about one of the real pioneers of what is now called Sports Entertainment.
The attention to detail is evident from the beginning of the biography, creating a wonderful picture of a time now almost forgotten, you can just tell how much research must have gone in to the making of this story. No detail is seemingly spared, covering his short amateur career due to his stumbling into the carnival scene, continuing to work his way up the ladder to the professional ranks. George's relationship with Betty is covered through-out the book in depth with insight provided for the book from Betty herself, recalling stories and broken records in the wrestling world as they went along. With an ample amount of time covering his career as George Wagner in Act I, John progresses you to Act II the change into Gorgeous George is captured as the gradual evolution that it actually was, pointing out past wrestlers he had admired all leading to where he would eventually perfect his craft with the help of Betty finding the spotlight and influence a whole generation of people. Capouya takes time to set the scene in America, laying out the impact the character had on the nation, how popular it actually was in comparison to other stars at the time and attempting to give some insight on to the financial situation at that time. Stories and quotes from such stars who have been inspired by G.G. Are featured such as Muhammad Ali, James Brown and Bob Dylan, John recreates the life George lead meeting such celebrities, soon to be celebrities, then swinging 180 degrees taking a glance at his unusual yet effective training methods. During that portion of the book you can't help but get a real sense from the imagery painted by Capouya of how famous and how big a star George really was, thanks to Betty and his creative minds combined, but may-be more importantly being there at the invention of TV, you truly realize why George was quoted as saying "I don't know if I was made for television, or television was made for me." John takes the reader along with the 'Gorgeous One's' wave of success fame and money to the close of Act II. Opening up Act III the final chapter in the book where you join George in his decline from the top of the mountain, the personal demons that latched onto him at the tip of the mountain. Capouya lets you see into George's life on the down swing of fame and fortune guiding you through his final matches and public appearances until the 'Showman's Farewell.'
This story of a professional wrestler who most would agree helped revolutionize the television, arguably defined the blueprints for a villainous character to this day in pro wrestling, captured and inspired a whole nation of people, is everything you could ask for and more in the recounting of the life of a founder of the 'Golden Era' of wrestling. This is not a quick and easy read, it is long due to being very detailed, full of scene setting and information. This is not for the casual fan. However it is for historians across all spectrum’s, anyone interested in the covered cultural period and for any fan of wrestling who is interested to learn about one of the real pioneers of what is now called Sports Entertainment.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #2.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #2.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Pop Culture.
Author: John Capouya.
Pages: 304.
Published as Hardback: September 2, 2008.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publications.