BOOK REVIEW: JR BENSON'S EXTREMELY STRANGE
By Peter Staniforth on 5/28/2008 10:51 AM
BOOK REVIEW
"Extremely Strange" by
J.R. Benson
Honesty? In THIS business? It doesn't
come around too often, sadly. Take it from me, someone who's gone from
writing, to managing, to promoting shows; and still juggles all three -
Honesty is a rarity in professional wrestling. But this book, and JR Benson
himself; epitomise the word honesty.
Some wrestling books see the author
tell some truth, but suited to them. Some wrestling books see the author tell
no truth, and entirely suited to them. And yet, this book sees JR Benson
clearly call it entirely how it went down, and unafraid to hide a thing. And
for that, even if you were to not agree with the content, the lifestyle
choices, or anything in the book; he deserves your respect.
It's a book that will leave you
openmouthed. Even those of us who are quite cynical to life, and the wrestling
business, will be left shocked and surprised at some of the stories and
happenings that all make up part of a life story that unlike some; really did
justify being told.
What many will find interesting, is
that JR has some very serious beliefs on professional wrestling, and the
business itself; and despite what people may think of 'hardcore' and 'deathmatch'
wrestlers themselves, JR Benson proves what some of us have known for a very
long time. And that is that a lot of times out of ten, the guys who
work this style of wrestling are the most literate, and genuinely nicest guys
in the business.
I genuinely recommend this book on
every possible level. I would say, mind you, that the easily offended need to
either avoid it, or that you'd need to be at least warned that a good portion
of book can and will offend. But with that in mind, I would suggest a trip to www.jrbenson.com
and picking up a copy of the book from the man himself. Or, it can be
ordered from merchandise-orders@jrbenson.com
at the price of $18.00 and $4.50
shipping and handling.
