This was a fine book, however, it was an easy to digest nostalgia read. Following the formula of listing moments, Good Old JR gives us the low down onThis was a fine book, however, it was an easy to digest nostalgia read. Following the formula of listing moments, Good Old JR gives us the low down on the business of professional wrestling. In chronological order Jim Ross gives us the calls that have defined him and he uses each one as a prompt to provide commentary on the business or insight into life. Was a quick listen. Fun to revisit all the wrestling I've heard called from my favorite announcer. By Gawd!...more
This week I’ve been indulging in some well needed baseball nostalgia. Posnanski writes with a wide-eyed childlike wonder and love for the national pasThis week I’ve been indulging in some well needed baseball nostalgia. Posnanski writes with a wide-eyed childlike wonder and love for the national pastime. Included are stories I had heard (Ted Williams refusing to sit out the last game of the 1941 season) and some I hadn’t (Don Larson probably pitched his World Series perfect game horribly hungover). There were also so many moments included that I had got to watch live. (Sid Bream in ‘92 NLCS, Joe Carter’s World Series walkoff in ‘93, and of course the 2016 Cubs) I laughed, I cried, I remembered. It was perfect nostalgia. Highly recommend for baseball fans....more
Grabbed this book as part of my Audible subscription and ended up enjoying it more than I anticipated. Part travelogue with stops along the way to divGrabbed this book as part of my Audible subscription and ended up enjoying it more than I anticipated. Part travelogue with stops along the way to dive deeper into aspects of American history that the towns and regions brought to mind. The charm started wearing off about 2/3rds into the book, though, right around the time they got to Cairo, Illinois. Still, glad I read this to remind myself the impact the Mississippi has had on the trajectory of America. ...more
My rating may be more personal affection for the subject matter, I’ve loved Pearl Jam for decades now, but Hyden does a masterful job expanding the peMy rating may be more personal affection for the subject matter, I’ve loved Pearl Jam for decades now, but Hyden does a masterful job expanding the perspective on them. Through this book I really became aware of how captured in amber most of the music of my youth is to me. Pearl Jam was the albums Ten, Vs., and the singles I heard on rock radio. There is more to them as a band and it was great nostalgia to see the trajectory from grunge superstars to legacy band. I’ll probably look up more of Steven Hayden’s work from this....more
I need to write a review later when I have the time, but I say no one has ever had quite the read on the American psyche that The Good Doctor had. ReaI need to write a review later when I have the time, but I say no one has ever had quite the read on the American psyche that The Good Doctor had. Reading his voice on how the 21st century started makes me sad that we didn’t have him around for the last few years. ...more
A dense and well researched examination of how American society fashioned a culture that enabled Trump rather than rebuking him. If there is an equallA dense and well researched examination of how American society fashioned a culture that enabled Trump rather than rebuking him. If there is an equally researched answer to this I’d like to see it. ...more
Another entry in the genre of book by candidate running for office. Normally, a good one is three stars at best but I bumped this one up to four becauAnother entry in the genre of book by candidate running for office. Normally, a good one is three stars at best but I bumped this one up to four because of two reasons. First, I enjoyed the narrative frame; a travelogue to all 120 KY counties. When I was a graduate student at UK I had a professor say of all the states he had lived in KY was unique because it operated and thought of itself as a confederation of local counties instead of one state. It’s true and all that local pride is on display in the characters that Matt and Chris encounter. It is a fun ride to roll into the next county, find someone to talk to, and note the local flavor. Repeat. When the locals give their take on “the state of the world” , however, the book veers into hearsay territory. That’s a brittle frame to hang policy arguments onto but can be quite amusing to read.
Second, (and also spoiler alert) the shocking plot twist at the end when Matt decided not to run. What audacity! To not run after writing a campaign book. That’s good comedy.
We have a great Commonwealth here (not a state) and this book is as thorough a tour as you can get from an author with genuine affection for it. Raise a glass of bourbon....more
This book is less an autopsy of the WCW and more like a commentary track for the slow motion video of a controlled destruction. It contains a significThis book is less an autopsy of the WCW and more like a commentary track for the slow motion video of a controlled destruction. It contains a significant portion of week to week reports on booking, tv ratings, and show gates from the outside point of view of a couple pro-wrestling fans. However, these numbers do show how the promotion swelled and crashed from the mid to late 1990’s.
For me it was fun to relive the Monday Night Wars and see what happened after I stopped watching WCW. However, I can see how a non pro-wrestling fan might get limited enjoyment from this book. The authors tend to appreciate their own caustic wit too much for me. Also, the number of pointing and laughing at moments of incompetence seem to encourage the reader to do the same.
The book has little inside industry insight but, if you’re interested in seeing pro-wrestling from the perspective of fans, I’d recommend. ...more
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