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Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling By Jim Ross w/Paul O’Brien As Told To Scott E. Williams Book Review
If you are a wrestling fan, you should probably know who Jim Ross, AKA Good Ol’ JR, is.
He has been a fixture in wrestling since he started as a referee in 1974, and eventually becoming an announcer/commentator/interviewer/head of talent relations and so much more.
For many, Jim Ross is the greatest wrestling announcer/commentator of all time.
Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling (w/Paul O’ Brien as told to Scott E. Williams, released in 2017) chronicles his life from his early days all the way to 1999 when he returned to wrestling after a second bout of Bell’s Palsy.
Jim has two other books, but this is his first.
And if you are a fan, you will not be disappointed.
JR has a lot of stories, and I think since he has so many stories that it’s fitting he has three books up to this point.
Check out this book. No pun intended, but it is a real Slobberknocker as JR would say.
And I’m glad to say I was able to buy a signed copy!!
All the best always JR.
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The World According To Dutch/Tales From A Dirt Road Book Reviews
Professional wrestler/manager/booker “Dirty” Dutch Mantell has written two books, and is writing a third one.
I am reviewing his first two books here.
Dutch’s first book The World According To Dutch, was released in 2009 and his second, Tales From A Dirt Road, was released in 2010.
Both of these books are not full on autobiographies, per say, but do have many stories from throughout Dutch’s life and career.
If you are a fan of Dutch or just of wrestling in general, then you will love these books.
Tons of great stories, some funny, some serious, but all worth reading.
I should have bought these years ago, but I just had not gotten around to it until last year.
It took awhile to receive them (I bought them from Dutch personally and due to health problems, it took him awhile to send them but most importantly, he’s OK now.) but once I did, I started reading them very quickly.
Both books are great and again if you’re a fan of his or of just wrestling, you will enjoy Dutch’s storytelling and humor very much.
Thank you Dutch for these great books (and thanks for signing them for me!!!!) and I can’t wait for your third book.
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Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark By Cassandra Peterson Book Review
I’ve been a fan of Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) for many years, and I knew she released her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark a few years ago (2021), but I had not gotten around to reading it yet.
I’m sorry it took me awhile to get to it, but once I did, it was hard to keep down.
I wish all books were like that. Hers definitely is.
In her memoir, Cassandra talks about growing up in Kansas and Colorado Springs, getting accidentally burned as a child, becoming a groupie for a brief period (stories about Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, Tom Jones, which is not a flattering story on Tom’s part), meeting Elvis Presley (amazing story), becoming a singer/dancer and later a Las Vegas showgirl, and becoming an actress.
She talks about starting work in The Groundlings troupe, which included Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman), Phil Hartman, Edie McClurg, and others.
And she talks about becoming Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark, in which she became a household name, and many more stories.
Cassandra, like all of us, has had a lot of ups and downs. Some of it is hard to read, but it’s her story. But even throughout the bad times (and the good), her humor stands tall.
She is tough and has not only survived, but thrived.
I’m very glad that she put out this memoir and I’m even more of a fan of hers now.
Thank you for all the entertainment you have given us fans over the decades and you are always appreciated.
And everyone: Please check out this book.
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Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme Book Review
Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme, written by Corey Danna (in collaboration with Sheldon) was released on July 22 of 2022.
Sheldon Lettich wanted to be a cinematographer, but ultimately ended up being a photographer, then a radio operator in Vietnam, then later became a screenwriter and director, just to name a few things.
He ultimately has worked with many movie stars, particularly Jean Claude Van Damme (before he was a star and beyond and ended up being friends with him), Sylvester Stallone, Charlton Heston, and many others.
He’s written and/or directed movies such as Bloodsport, Cyborg, Rambo III, Lionheart, Double Impact, Only The Strong, Legionnaire, The Order, and many others, and even created the play Tracers.
Corey Danna is a fan of Sheldon’s (as am I) and even though Sheldon did collaborate with Corey on this book, Corey is really telling Sheldon’s story.
I think it’s a good book with lots of great stories and information.
My only complaint is there is a lot of repeat information when it’s not necessary.
Having said that, I still liked it and I recommend checking it out.
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Perpetual Conversion By Dave Hofer Book Review
Perpetual Conversion: 30 Years & Counting in the Life of Metal Veteran Dan Lilker, written by Dave Hofer, was initially released in 2016, but went out of print for many years.
However, a second printing was released on October 18 of 2024.
I ultimately got it as a Christmas present.
If you’re a fan of Metal music, you probably at least know the name Dan (or Danny) Lilker.
He is the original bass player of the Thrash Metal band Anthrax. He actually came up with the name Anthrax.
He also is the bassist of S.O.D. (Stormtroopers Of Death), Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, and many other bands.
Danny is a Metal guy thru and thru and has always played heavy music.
This book tells Danny’s tale, and includes many quotes from Danny and many of his bandmates, family, and friends.
Danny has done a lot over the years, and even though he’s not a household name by any means, I think he has a cool story and I recommend reading this book if you can find it. Especially if you’re already a fan.
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My Tribute to My Favorite Wrestler Hulk Hogan (August 11, 1953-July 24, 2025)
As I type this, I’m still processing the passing of Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948-July 22, 2025).
Two days after Ozzy’s passing, my favorite wrestler ever, Hulk Hogan, passed away too.
I had heard for about a month that his health was not well, but I honestly did not believe it.
In the last several years, Hulk Hogan has become someone everyone loves to hate, and fair enough.
I’ve not loved everything he’s done and said by any means.
Having said that, I became a fan of his when I was six or seven years old and he was the reason why I became a wrestling fan.
From 1989-1992, when I first watched wrestling (I sadly went away from it for many years but did get back into it and will forever be a wrestling fan.), Hulk Hogan was everything to me.
I bought into his whole character and he was one of my biggest heroes.
Even when I went away from watching wrestling, I never stopped being a Hogan fan.
And even when I got back into wrestling years later, he was the reason.
Many will forever argue who the “greatest wrestler of all time is”. I have many favorites, but for me, it’s Hulk Hogan.
He was the biggest star, sold sooooooooo much merchandise, and really put his name out there and professional wrestling out there too.
Wrestling was popular wayyyyy before he came along, but when he got really popular, wrestling definitely kicked into a new gear of popularity.
He wasn’t the only reason, but the biggest reason why because again, he put his name out there and put professional wrestling even more into the mainstream.
From 1984-1992 or 93, Hulk Hogan was IT!!
He went into a slight slump in the mid 90s, but when he teamed with Scott Hall (RIP) and Kevin Nash and formed the bad guy wrestling faction New World Order (NWO), Hogan’s popularity soared again.
In 2002, when the NWO attempted to make a comeback, the fans really wanted Hogan to be a good guy again, and that’s what he did.
His popularity, even in 2002, was off the charts.
Some years later, family/domestic issues became forever tabloid news, even to this day.
Like all of us, he was flawed and made mistakes, but for me, the good he did still outweighs the bad.
If you don’t agree, fair enough.
But no matter what, Hulk Hogan, for me, will always be my favorite wrestler and I will be forever grateful and thankful to him.
I sadly never got to see him wrestle in person or meet him (although I did get his autograph a few times via online and at a wrestling show), but I did get to see him at a wrestling pay-per-view in 2011 in Cincinnati.
I’m glad I at least got to see him.
I feel like I need to say so much more, but I’m at a loss.
All I can say is I’ll always be a Hulkamaniac and again, I’ll always love him for all the good that he brought to my life, and especially childhood.
I love you Hulkster!!!!
Rest In Peace and all the best to your family, friends, and fans all over the world.
Hulkamania/NWO 4 Life!!!
All the pictures I’ve included in this post are from my collection of magazines, books, DVDs, toys, and pics of the show I saw him at.
I included pics from the DVD of the show I was at and after thinking my personal pictures I took at the show were lost, I finally found them and have also posted them.
This is not everything that I have of Hogan, but you get the idea that I’m a Hulkamaniac.
Again, I love you Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea)!!!!!
Thank you for making my childhood and life in general better.
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Two Brian Wilson Autobiographies?
The late, great Brian Wilson (June 20, 1942-June 11, 2025) released two autobiographies.
The first, called “Wouldn’t It Be Nice: My Own Story”, was released in October of 1991.
The second, called “I Am Brian Wilson”, was released in October of 2016.
Both are very much worth reading, but both are very different too.
The first one is quite detailed and frankly wild at times.
I believed most of it when I read it, but as it went on, I began to wonder.
I say this because Brian was still under the care of a Dr. Eugene Landy at the time this book was being written.
Also, this book is controversial because Todd Gold, who “Brian” (I put his name in quotes because Dr. Landy supposedly had a big hand in this book too.) told his story to, supposedly plagiarized other sources of biographical information and Brian even disowned the book at one point.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it if you’re a fan and/or just want to know more about Brian.
I truly believe a lot of it is true, but again, did Brian really tell all of this and was Dr. Landy basically telling it instead?
You be the judge.
Now, the second book, which Brian told his story to Ben Greenman, is a lot more positive and still tells the story that is in the first book, but nowhere near as much detail.
However, I believe the second book is really coming more from Brian or he just put more of a filter on himself for this book.
Also, though, since this book was released many years later, Brian tells more of his story about what happened after being under Dr. Landy’s care and about his later albums that he made.
In fact, in this book, he bad mouths Dr. Landy quite a bit, which he did not in the first book.
I think both books are very good and worth reading, but the second book I think gets my vote ultimately as the best one, although the first one has more detail. But I question some of it.
Either way, check them both out and see what you think.
Rest In Peace Brian Wilson. A phenomenal talent.
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Waxing On: The Karate Kid And Me Book Review
Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid 1, 2, and 3, The Outsiders, My Cousin Vinny, Cobra Kai, Karate Kid: Legends and more) released his biography Waxing On: The Karate Kid And Me in 2022.
It’s definitely a biography, but it is not a full on autobiography because even though he touches on his life a fair amount, the majority of the book is about his experiences making the first The Karate Kid movie.
If you are a fan of The Karate Kid, you must read this book.
Ralph tells you everything you want to know about the making of the movie.
He also talks about the other movies and Cobra Kai quite a bit and some of this other movies and shows.
Like I said, it is definitely a biography, but it’s not a full on one.
But it is an amazing and quick read and I love it.
And thank you Ralph for signing it (via Talk Shop Live).
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The Queen Of The Ring Book Review
I saw the movie Queen Of The Ring and enjoyed it, but it made me want to read the book about it.
Called Queen Of The Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend (released in 2009, author Jeff Leen went into a lot more detail about the life and times of wrestler Mildred Burke.
This book talks about how Burke got into wrestling and her relationship with her manager Billy Wolfe, both good and bad.
It talks about various wrestlers Burke faced and knew over the years, holding the women’s championship for many years, eventually getting away from Wolfe and training wrestlers, and so much more.
The movie is very good, but as usual, books cover a lot more, and this book is no different.
I highly recommend it. Even if you are not a wrestling fan, that’s OK. This is a book about a person who wanted to achieve something and she achieved more than she could have ever imagined.
Seek out this book.
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Ric Flair To Be The Man Book Review
Two time WWE Hall of Famer and 16 time (I think 21 time) world champion Ric Flair released his book, To Be The Man, in 2004.
Written by Flair and Keith Elliott Greenberg (and edited by Mark Madden), To Be The Man tells Ric’s story from birth, getting into wrestling, the 1975 plane crash he was in, recuperating from the crash and returning to wrestling, many of the feuds he had with many different wrestlers, title wins, and so much more.
If you are a fan of Ric Flair, you must read this book.
I got my copy signed by Ric when I met him in 2009.
WOOOOOOO!!!!!
