The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes & Icons: Heroes and Icons (Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series Book 4)

Authors Oliver and Johnson have done it again with their latest product "Heroes & Icons". Countless "good guys" are profiled with their backgrounds thoroughly researched and illustrated. The guys profiled include Verne Gagne, Bob Ellis, and Wilbur Snyder (and other exceptional performers from territories all over). Reading through a Oliver and Johnson production is truly a comprehensive history lesson about the professional wrestling business. Their books usually carry articles on the wrestlers from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s - those special characters who entertained prior generations before our time. Anybody who wants to learn more about wrestling history outside their local territory should consider getting all the Oliver and Johnson products - including "Heels" and "Tag Teams". You will surely want to add these products to your wrestling library. Be careful about lending them out because they might not get returned.Review By Richard Vicek, Palos Hills, IL

I liked the more intimate stories of what made these wrestlers so important in the scheme of things in the wrestling world.

Great book with many, many great stories but how can Karl Gotch be omitted??? Seriously, listing the greatest “wrestlers” of all-time and no Karl Gotch.Though short lives in wrestling but where is Bill Goldberg, and Ultimate Warrior? My favorite as a kid, Victor Rivera. Why is CM Punk in this book? CM Punk! ECW publisher that’s why. Bob Backland should be a Top 20 and much higher. The section on Andre was mostly about his drinking and not a good portrayal of him as a wrestler.

This series is by far, the best books written on pro-wrestling. each book provides a great (if short) history of their subject and the bios of each wrestler goes beyond the kay-fabe layer, providing a balance overview of each person. this copy is no different. to me the only criticism that can be made is on their choices. i won't say who shouldn't be there but it would have been nice to see the following included:Billy Red CloudChief White OwlDanny Little BearCowboy Frankie Lanerest of the Von Erich familyAustin IdolCarlos ColonTerry TaylorBrian PillmanIvan PutskiTiger Mask (the original)Argentine ApolloDon CurtisLeo NomelliniBooker TAJ Stylesseveral Mexican & Japanese wrestlers

SHOCKER!!!! I did not pick up this huge book for 2 months. Now I can't put it down. A great priceless gift for your grandpa or grandma if they were wrestling fans. They will love you for it. 547 pages packed with priceless pictures and endless stories on every wrestler you have EVER seen or not seen. A virtual Encyclopedia on ALL WRESTLING ORGANIZATIONS EVER! The internet is great but it can't compete with this book.

As with the other books in this series, this is a great book for young and old fans alike. The author obviously respects the business and goes into great detail about some of the most well known stars as well as some that a lot of modern fans are probably not familiar with. If you're looking for a pro wrestling book that has much more substance and heart than your typical WWE propaganda, look no further.

I LOVED this book....and all the history of the "baby faces" from each decade ! He does a great job with so many wrestlers, each having their own summary page about themselves and their careers. THICK !! Lots and lots of wrestlers identified and reviewed...well worth the money, and a fun read throughout !

Great list of heroes and icons for the most part. My only criticisms are listing heels like Dory Funk JR. and omitting all Japanese wrestlers. Surely Inoki, Baba, or even Rikidozan could be listed instead of heels.

It's good, but compared to the Heels book it seems pretty light - EG, Bruiser Brody is a fascinating figure but his story is only a few pages long. There seems less pictures in this, and shorter bios. It's still good - really good - but I was a bit disappointed.

A fine book replete with many well-remembered and long-forgotten characters of the pro-wrestling world.