Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America
#PWHS #BookReview #Ringside
It's not often that you see such a comprehensive treatment of the subject of professional wrestling from someone who does not have a wrestling background. Scott Beekman is a history professor who has written works on various topics, and when he wanted to explore the world of wrestling, he covered it thoroughly with this well-researched work which traces wrestling through its origins to its evolution to what American audiences now know it as. I can speak to my own personal knowledge, as when I was doing the research for my own website, this was the first book I turned to, and I turned to it over and over again. It became my bible.
The first chapter deals with wrestling's early years, from its glory days in Ancient Greece, through the Middle Ages, to its popularity in Europe and America during the 1800s. Various styles would begin to emerge, and several wrestlers would come to the forefront.
Through subsequent chapters, the evolution of pro wrestling in America would continue, from the days of Gotch to the days of the Gold Dust Trio to the Television Age to rise of the WWF. Beekman details this from different perspectives.
In all, an excellent work, and very well recommended.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America.
Reviewer: Julie Hankinson
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #14.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America.
Reviewer: Julie Hankinson
Published: Pre-2019.
Book Review: #14.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America.
Author: Scott M. Beekman.
Pages: 224.
Published as Hardback: June 30, 2006.
Publisher: Praeger.