BRISCO: The Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion
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5/5 Stars
Most newer fans will probably be more familiar with his younger brother, Gerry Brisco. Not that, that is a bad thing in itself, rather it's a a bad thing for those newer fans. Gerry was a very accomplished wrestler in his own right and the newer fans will of course know him from his highly entertaining role as a "Stooge" during the Attitude Era. The reason only knowing Gerry is a bad thing though, is, well, it's because they're only getting half the package that the Brisco's have to offer. Jack excelled in both amateur and professional wrestling winning various titles including the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship. He may not have been "relevant" within the more modern era like Gerry, but, Jack's life story would be just as enjoyable to them as Gerry's. Of course fans who are already familiar with Jack will already know all that. So, let's continue with the review.
It'd be quite remiss of me not to mention that this is actually a re-release with new introductions and an afterword included as well as other information. Why was it re-released? Well, with the help of Crowbar Press more people could get to read this fantastic book and also it was to celebrate forty years since the night Jack Brisco won the aforementioned world title. So, the book starts with three introductions. One by Mike Mooneyham, a new one by Bill Murdock and then the original introduction is also included. A heart warming insight is provided into Jack's relationship with Gerry growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma. We follow Jack through to school and eventually University where he proved to be a formidable force in amateur wrestling. Jack worked extremely hard, literally using any means necessary to get into condition for matches to win the NCAA National Championship. With this he made sure his name would never be forgotten as he was the first Native American to have this distinction. Jack had fallen in love with pro-wrestling before this and he is very open through-out the book about how he had idolized Lou Thesz when he was growing up. The story takes you through his journey into professional wrestling and touring across the country. Building up to become the world champion. Great detail is given on the infamous Dory Funk Jr. tractor incident especially about how Jack feel's on the situation. The whole Funk family get a lot of coverage through-out the pages of this book Finally he would win the world title though and he takes you through grueling life and schedule of a champion providing insight into why he decided to give up the title and how he went about doing so. From here Jack talks about his decision to wind down his career and the business investments he made around this time. He takes us through the big matches he had as well as the eventual success he and his brother, Gerry found as a tag-team. Even when they worked as the bad guys. As a weird turn of events after a career of having next-to-nothing to do with the Northeast of America, Jack actually had his final run in New York and he talks about why he left so suddenly and had no major farewell show or anything. As if his life story wasn't fascinating enough already, Jack then talks about his battle to overcome paralysis from the waist down! The book winds up with Jack's thoughts on modern wrestling. Actually, I lie. That's where the original book finished. This book is furnished by a touching epilogue written by Bill Murdock and an afterword by someone all the modern fans will be familiar with, Adam Copeland who is better known from the WWE as Edge. This is followed by a scrapbook of photos and fliers from Jack's career.
In many ways this book reminds me of Lou Thesz's hooker. Then in turn both books perfectly represent the two wrestlers respectively. While neither is full of jokes or funny road stories, they have their own captivating quality. It's hard to quite give an exact description of what it is that both these books have. It's something in the way they're written. Really, it's that same factor that both men had in their every day presence. The only reason I mention this, is because I'm sure Jack if he were still alive would greatly appreciate the comparison to Thesz's books. And I say it not just because it sounds good, I say it because it's true. No, you're not going to read Jack Brisco's book and end up on the floor feeling as though your sides are going to split from laughing. Nor are you going to get a bunch of disparaging comments and stories that expose other wrestlers. Jack remains a gentleman even in his biography. What you are going to get though is a lesson in wrestling history which is chock-a-block with details that most biographies do not contain. You also get a story of a boy from a small boy from a a country town that truly lived what many people these days would consider "The American Dream." Through hard work and persistence he achieved everything he ever wanted and more. Not only that but, Jack Brisco did it with class and his biography is nothing short of fitting to the man.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of BRISCO.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2020.
Book Review: #27.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of BRISCO.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: Pre-2020.
Book Review: #27.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
BRISCO: The Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
Author: Jack Brisco as told to William Murdock.
Pages: 290.
Published as Paperback: 2013.
Publisher: Crowbar Press.