Slaphappy: Pride, Prejudice, and Professional Wrestling

by Thomas Hackett and Dina Nayeri

Book Overview

Slaphappy is reporter Thomas Hackett's penetrating look at the world of professional wrestling, for those who love the spectacle and for the sport's skeptics and the uninitiated. Through interviews with wrestlers, promoters, and fans, Hackett explores the full range of issues that swirl around wrestling culture -- fame, masculinity, violence, aggression, performance, and play. Among the lessons of professional wrestling is that deceit is a fundamental...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006019829X
• ISBN13: 9780060198299
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Understanding the larger world of wrestling culture

Here's another excellent wrestling history book for any involved in the sport: SLAPHAPPY: PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING provides not just a history of the sport but a lively, involving survey of America's involvement with pro wrestling. There's a healthy dose of anthropology and critical theory which enhances rather than bogging down the report; and there's a reporter's observation edge to the survey which blends a touch of humor into the mix. The recipe is a perfect formula for understanding the larger world of wrestling culture.

Enjoyable read

Although I am not a wrestling fan I found this book really interesting because it says a lot about not only the world of wrestling but our nations culture. The book is well written and thought provoking.

Fascinating

This is a fascinating study of human behavior and American culture with the venue being wrestling. The author chose the sub-culture of wrestling to illustrate a human interest in celebrity, image, status, and how many buy into the b.s. and fakery of such sub-cultures. His character sketches are warm and moving. He sympathizes with the wrester's struggles to make their dreams come true and making something of their lives. As humans, we all want to contribute in some way to society and feel valued and important. While these wrestlers have good intentions their goals are misguided. This book looks at America's deepest cultural pathologies. The writing is smart and funny. The pictures provide a great visual to the characters of wrestling