Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Life, Amazing Story!!!
Review: "Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring" by Marsha Erb is the biography of wrestling legend and Hart Family patriarch Stu Hart. It chronicles Stu Hart's life from childhood up to the recent (November, 2001) passing of his wife Helen. In addition to chronicling his life, the story also chronicles a near 60 year history of professional wrestling, Canadian athletics and Canadian history. Overall, this book will appeal to wrestling fans, particularly fans of the Hart family, Stampede wrestling as well as fans of a great life's story. The travails and tribulations that Stu Hart overcame throughout his life, including his humble beginnings on the uncharted prairies of Western Canada are inspirational.

Among the topics covered in Stu's biography:

1. His childhood growing up as a pioneer farmboy on the prairies of Western Canada is a cold tent with his parents and two sisters.

2. His beginnings as an athlete as a teenager.

3. His time spent as an airplane mechanic and as a navy athletic director during WWII.

4. Tons of great stories about old-time wrestling and boxing greats as Stu moves to New York as a young man.

5. Stu's courting of Helen.

6. How Stu and Helen developed the Stampede territory.

7. Raising the 12 Hart kids from birth to adulthood and everything in between.

8. The tragedies of the Hart family.

9. The schism that divides the Hart family today.

Overall, the book is a great chronology of not only Stu's life, but the history of the Hart family, the Stampede territory as well as the history of modern pro-wrestling as well as a history of the development of modern Canada as seen through the eyes of this great, accomplished man Stu Hart. Erb gives a great account of the development of Stu's life from his pioneer days with his parents, through WWII and throughout the mid to late 1900s as he and his family developed Stampede wrestling. The book gives GREAT anecdotes about the HUNDREDS of great wrestlers that trained and/or worked Stu's territory of the years. Wrestling fans will appreciate this book.

In all, Erb weaves Stu Hart's illustrious life story into a great tale starting off from his humble beginnings and ending with one of his greatest accomplishments, being awarded the prestigious Order of Canada award. Stu Hart's life story will leave you amazed. He lived a full life. Amazing story.

Highest Recommendation

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Story of a Legendary Man
Review: Although the WWE has become somewhat redundant and rather boring nowadays, I have to admit that there was a time that I followed professional wrestling quite seriously.

One of my favourite athletes of all time was Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a hero and a role model to a whole generation of wrestling fans, and at one time, the pride of Canada in the squared circle. His brother, Owen, was also amazing in his own right, and I'll never forget the time in 1993 at the Winnipeg Arena when, dressed as the Blue Blazer, he slapped me five as he made his way to the ring. These are some of the reasons I was especially intrigued to learn the story of the patriarch of Canada's first family of wrestling, Stu Hart.

The author, <i>Marsha Erb</i>, a former journalist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Saint John, New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, did an excellent job of telling the story of the unique life and times of this legend.

Stu's life has not been an easy one, from his childhood, where, at times, he was living in a tent in the dead cold of the prairie winters, to his rise to becoming one of the most prominent figures in the wrestling business, to the loss of his youngest son, Owen, his story has just about everything. It is truly an inspirational story of the power of will and determination.

It also documents the less uplifting side of Stu Hart's story, which are the problems that come with living a public life. A lot of the dirt on the infighting within the Hart family, and the tough times they have been through are also documented in this book.

The only real weakness in this book is the fact that the stories sometimes feel a bit rushed, but I would imagine that they would most likely have to be, considering all the tales that a man like Stu would have to tell if only we had the time.

Unfortunately, the book ends on a rather gloomy note, which I will not give away, but some that know the story of the Hart family may have a good guess.

Through and through, this book is enlightening, well put together, entertaining, and should not be seen as something that is written just for sports entertainment fans. It would make a great read for just about anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Writing doesn't match the subject
Review: I've been a fan of the Hart family wrestlers since I was a kid. I have fond memories of watching the Bret Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart on Maple Leaf Wrestling. The story of the Hart family is the story of modern day wrestling. From the small, regional promoters to the advent of the WWF to the steroid abuse to the over the top stunts that got tragically out of hand, there is no aspect of professional wresling that hasn't impacted directly on Stu Hart and his extended family.

His life makes for a fascinating story. It's a shame that Martha Erb's prose is not half as interesting as Stu Hart.

I found her writing style to be overly drawn out and somewhat flat. Too often, I found myself struggling to get through chapters that ought to have been riveting. It would have been much more entertaining if she had simply recorded a few hours of Stu Hart talking and then transcribed it to the page.

Overall, this is a good book, but not as good as it should be.

Rating:
Summary: Writing doesn't match the subject
Review: I've been a fan of the Hart family wrestlers since I was a kid. I have fond memories of watching the Bret Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart on Maple Leaf Wrestling. The story of the Hart family is the story of modern day wrestling. From the small, regional promoters to the advent of the WWF to the steroid abuse to the over the top stunts that got tragically out of hand, there is no aspect of professional wresling that hasn't impacted directly on Stu Hart and his extended family.

His life makes for a fascinating story. It's a shame that Martha Erb's prose is not half as interesting as Stu Hart.

I found her writing style to be overly drawn out and somewhat flat. Too often, I found myself struggling to get through chapters that ought to have been riveting. It would have been much more entertaining if she had simply recorded a few hours of Stu Hart talking and then transcribed it to the page.

Overall, this is a good book, but not as good as it should be.

Rating:
Summary: A family story worth telling
Review: Reading this book, I felt as part of a Canadian explorer's life. The book is as much about a family struggling together, as it is about wrestling in Canada. There are many startling stories, just all about Stu Hart, A toughman in the ring, while at the same time the family's seamstress... You could see the normalcy of the family, in the middle of wrestling's unique environment. Truly a work of love, memorializing a great man. This is a must read to aspiring wrestlers, as they could see the real man behind the gimmick...

Rating:
Summary: This book complete Pure Dynamite and Under the Mat
Review: The Stampede Wrestling years and the history of the Hart family will never completely be told but I will always be intrested in knowing a little bit more and compare it to what is already out there. This book is very informative on the background of Stu and Helen Hart and also very up to date ending with the death of Helen. It's fun to see the author insinuate about the raunchy stories of Under the Mat by Diana Hart. She doesn't say they are not true just not for the public to read about. The only flaw is sometimes you are under the impression that she is telling the story of Stu Hart from the perspective of everyone else because she can't get Stu side of the story. I can't wait to see the version of Bret Hart when is book finally come out. It also help understand Pure Dynamite by Tom Bellington the Dynamite Kid, as you get another look on the same stories even more true for Under the Mat that too few people read. In Under the mat you got the ugly side of wrestling, you are not getting it with Lord of the Ring but you still get one of the most incredible story in the history of wrestling.

Rating:
Summary: Great comprehensive history into the life of Stu Hart
Review: This book is more than just another book about pro wrestling,
or a pro wrestler. It's about Stu Hart, patriarch of the most
successful family in pro wrestling. If you're an avid fan of
pro wrestling, or a casual one, this book is for you. Last
year, Stu's youngest daughter, Diana, released a book about
her family, called Under The Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family.
Amazon, didn't carry the book, and it turned out
that decision turned out to be the correct one, as the
book has been recalled by the publisher, HBFenn, and is
no longer available. The book was the source of bitter
animosity, and led to a lawsuit being filed by Owen's
widow, Martha, about content in that particular book.
Needless to say, this book doesn't delve into the murky
side and shouldn't be a source of controversy like the
aforementioned book was. I am one of the lucky ones
who has a signed copy of this book (author and subject
both autographed the book).
This book describes Stu Hart's upbringing as a poor
Prairie boy, and his subsequent journey into the world of pro
wrestling. He was born in rural Saskatchewan in May 1915.
He endured hardship with his family when his father was
in charge. Jonathan Wong's review for this title provides
an excellent skeletal framework of the book itself.
It does cover his early athletic career as an Olympic
hopeful for Canada's wrestling team, which was cut short
by World War II, and also his days with the Edmonton
Eskimos professional football team in Canada. There is
also discussion of the events that led to the formation
of Stampede Wrestling, and predecessors like Wildcat
Wrestling and Big Time Wrestling, as well as programs,
like Mat Time, which was a preview show shown on Fridays
before the news, and a Sunday TV program as well. It
also discusses the tactics rival promoters used to
try to buy him out. Eventually Stu bought them out.
His relationship with Helen is discussed in vivid
detail, from the courtship to his mother-in-law's
disapproval at first. She felt Helen deserved better.
However, eventually Stu was able to win over Helen,
whom he affectionately referred to as Tiger.
This book talks about the good times and lean times
of Stampede Wrestling, as well as the pivotal role of
a man who would play an integral part of the history
of the promotion, Ed Whalen. Ed Whalen, was originally
considering a career in medicine when he was in
university, but he eventually ended up in journalism,
and his nasal twang and unabashed support for the
babyfaces over heels every time made him a legend.
Discussion of the Bret Hart-Shawn Michaels 1997
Survivor Series match itself, and the circumstances
involved surrounding the aftermath are brought to
the forefront. There is also detailed discusssion
surrounding the events of Owen Hart's death, which
occurred during a May 1999 WWF (as the WWE was
known at the time) PPV, and the ensuing legal
fallout is discussed, as well as Stu's decision to
shut down Stampede Wrestling in 1984.
As Jonathan has pointed out there is friction in
the Hart family. Bruce, Diana, and Ellie are part
of one faction, while Bret heads up an opposing
faction. These factions are with regards how to
deal with Vince McMahon and family after Owen
died. It is also thought that Bruce, who wanted
to revive Stampede Wrestling, was upset at Bret,
who didn't. There is discussion about when the
WWF (as the WWE was known back then) came to
Alberta in 2001 for Monday Night Raw and
SmackDown!, and the 10 minute ovation Stu
received when he was announced in his hometown
in Calgary. Bret opposed his father going to
RAW, based on the bitter animosity.
Other topics discussed include Stu Hart's
legendary Dungeon, and how he made grown men,
many bigger than himself, howl in pain when
undergoing training there. It was also an
effective discipline tool for rearing his
children. Stu is from the old school of
pro wrestling thought...so he is a bit on
the conservative side with a strong moral
fibre. He didn't complain very much even
though he knew he was getting cheated, as
in his dealings with the City of Calgary,
regarding his parcels of land. The Hart
House itself is a topic for discussion.
It's a grand mansion located on the
outskirts of Calgary and sits on an
attractive parcel of land.
Another interesting topic that is discussed is
his relationship with other sports superstars,
especially heavyweight boxers like Joe Louis,
Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey and Rocky Marciano, who
worked with him in some capacity or met him.
The boxer-wrestler debate is brought up again in
this book, but I will let the reader decide in his
or her own mind what would happen.
I would recommend this book over Diana
Hart's book for several reasons. This book is
more accurate, and doesn't really air the
family's dirty laundry, like Diana's
tell-all book last year. Finally, you will
be able to get this book, while Diana's book
has been recalled.
This book delves into Stu Hart the man
at all levels: promoter, wrestler, husband
and father, and distinguished recepient of
the Order of Canada. The book ends with
discussion of Helen's passing and the
memorial service, and how Stu and Helen's
cat deal with it after she died. It's a
pretty fitting end to the book.