Adventures in Larryland - by Larry Zbyszko

(ECW Press)

Reviewed by Brad Dykens  (www.onlineworldofwrestling.com)

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/information/books/adventures-in-larryland

It was a very successful attempt to make the fans hate him, when Larry Zbyszko dubbed himself “The Living Legend” early in his career, stealing the moniker from his famous mentor, Bruno Sammartino.  Sammartino earned the nickname after becoming the most popular wrestler in the Northeast and helping Vince McMahon Sr. build the most successful territory in the world.  Zbyszko may not have been worthy of the title at the time, but he has managed to grow into it nicely over time.  Today, the handle “Living Legend” fits Zbyszko like an expensive custom-made shoe.  Although nobody could match up to Sammartino’s legendary status, Zbyszko did his absolute best to continue the tradition and represent that much-needed reminder that the “old school” mentality is still alive and a worthy of today’s product.

“Adventures in Larryland,” is the fascinating story of Larry Zbyszko’s life as a professional wrestler.  The journey begins with Zbyszko becoming the protégé of Bruno Sammartino, and eventually breaking out of Bruno’s enormous shadow and engaging in one of the WWWF’s most lucrative feuds of all-time.  From there, Zbyszko hit many other territories, most notably the NWA and AWA, before settling into an announcing position with World Championship Wrestling in the 90s.

I think everyone will enjoy this book, but I do have one itty bitty complaint; when I first heard that the “Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko was going to put out a book about his life as a professional wrestler, my initial thought was; “Wow! that is going to be an epic story - 400 pages AT LEAST!”  When my copy of “Adventures in Larryland” arrived in my mailbox I was shocked to find that I had 191 pages of light reading on my hands.  It’s a shame when the people who actually have the illustrious history to fill a HUGE book give the fans 50% of themselves in print.  Meanwhile, bums like Chyna, Goldberg, and Batista, and people with far less experience put out boring 300-400 page books before their career is even finished.  Thankfully, that would be my one and only complaint about this book.  Larry Zbyszko’s book hits on most of the important topics, but barely skims, and sometimes ignores, some of the pressing issues as well.  I’m begging you Larry (and ECW Press), give us Adventures in Larryland 2!

Adventures in Larryland was released by ECW Press for $19.95 (US).  Orders can be placed through their website at www.ecwpress.com

Reviewed by Brad Dykens June 27, 2008