Dusty: Reflections of Wrestling's American Dream

by Dusty Rhodes and Howard Brody

Book Overview

Brings the readers into the back rooms of pro wrestling."--Tampa Tribune

For over two decades of pro wrestling, Dusty "the American Dream" Rhodes dominated the ring. Known for his jaw-dropping antics and bone-crunching skills, Rhodes became one of wrestling's first superstars. In this riveting narrative, Rhodes chronicles his journey through an industry plagued with political infighting, greedy promoters, destructive personalities,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1613210965
• ISBN13: 9781613210963
• Release Date: April 2012
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Stardust

Dusty is a true legend. The problem is he loves to tell you that. He talks about what a star he was in the 70's & 80's outside of wrestling, but no one knows it.He blame everyone else for his wrong doings.But their are not many who have more insight into the wrestling world than the dream. I don't think wrestling would be the same without him.

Stardust Memories

If you were a wrestling fan growing up in the 80's, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes, has to be a fan favorite. I remember tuning in on Saturday nights to watch the "Dream" battle it out against the hated 4 Horsemen. Every week we saw people like Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson and JJ Dillon scheming to put Dusty out of action. And every week we saw the son of a plumber find a way to turn the tables on them. What we as fans never saw was what went on behind the scenes. We never saw Dusty packing into a car with Terry Funk, Dick Murdock, or Magnum TA and showing us the hell they raised driving from one city to another. We didn't get to see the inner working that went on behind the curtain and how one guy received a push and other guys were left to fend for themselves. Dusty Rhodes provides us a glimpse into all this and more with his book. We get to read about the way the WCW was run and led to the slaughter by inept people in charge who cared more about the bottom line and not the fans. We read about the so-called "Dusty Finish" where he would come out the winner of the match only to have the decision overturned by another referee. Dusty also opens a window to his world by talking about his family - both the in-ring family and the home family. There is so much in this book that 254 pages really doesn't do it justice. Included in the book is a photo section with a nice selection spanning Dusty's years on the road, at home, and in the ring. This book could easily have topped 500 pages. As a fan of wrestling and of the Dream, I highly recommend this book. It's a must read in my opinion.

Dusty: Reflections of an American Dream

As you read the book, you realize what great contributions Dusty Rhodes and other wrestlers made to make the wrestling business florish. The cast of characters is fabulous. Dusty's stories about some of the wrestlings greatest characters (before WWF/WWE became the only game in town) is well told. The book is worth the price and as you read it, you realize what a real pleasure it was to watch true showmen at work in a craft that they loved. Unfortunately, WWE and the McMahons, (no matter how entertaining WWE is), have hurt the overall wrestling business as well as killing off most of the small independent markets. Don't wait for the paperback, get the hardcover book. It's a must for any and all wrestling fans. I'm hoping I can get Dusty to someday sign it for me. Many thanks Dusty, for sharing some of your stories with us - Paul Franco

Truly a dream read

This book was one of the best wrestling books I have ever read. This isn't a book about how he ran Crockett or florida or TNA, but just a bunch of cool stories that made me long for the old days. Please do another Dusty, and let's relive the glory days

Great Stories and Insights from a True Wrestling Legend

This book was a really fun read and a good wrestling book too. I figured Dusty would tell some classic stories, which he did, but he also got into a lot of the politics of business. There was some fansinating insight on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling/Jim Crockett Promotions, who called themselves the NWA during the mid-1980s. I was really reminded of how fantastic that promotion was. Dusty shares some great memories of the Road Warriors, Magnum TA, Nikita Koloff, Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen, and the Midnight Express. Tully Blanchard was actually quoted saying... ...[Dusty] was in charge when the tidal wave came, and the one thing Dusty should know is in my opinion he grossly underestimated the ability of himself and some of us. We had the right players. If he would have played it a little differently , maybe the result would have been different. -- Tully Blanchard I give Dusty his props for letting that be in the book because he does get blamed a awful lot for the promotions demise, when, in truth, the NWA had a great run, but just didn't understand marketing like the WWF (which Dusty admits). The stories are crazy. Hearing about Dusty running with Terry Funk, Andre the Giant, Harley Race, and Dusty's best friend, Dick Murdoch, makes you wonder how they didn't get into more trouble than they did. The story with Dusty and Andre drunk in Manhattan, racing horse carriages was priceless. Dusty gives a candid account of his relationship with Dustin. Any fan who remembers Dustin (as Golddust) making fun of Dusty on WWF TV will find this section really compelling. I really enjoy the "Starcade Prime" section, where Dusty shares his fantasy super wrestling card, which was a nice touch. Good book.