- Vince Fahey

Talk about a book coming out of the chute feuled by controversy... Within a week of his book's release, Ole Anderson, half of the famed and feared Minnesota Wrecking Crew, wrestler, booker, owner, and now author of his new autobiography, Inside Out, had old-school wrestling fans talking in fevered pitches. 

Most old-school fans have come to know that Ole is simply.... Ole.  He's a brash, outspoken individual who won't take guff from anyone.  This book, in Ole's own words, does nothing to dissuade that opinion.  However, it does at least give you some insight into why he is like he is.  Does that necessarily make his demeanor correct?  Maybe not.  But instead of not having a clue why Ole is, the reader is given a really in-depth look into the life of Ole Anderson and his career in professional wrestling.  And make no mistake... it is a fascinating look.

The book opens with the usual pre-wrestling history of Ole Anderson, nee Alan Rogowski.  Ole tells us of his formative years as he grows up during the 1950s, and how he finally came to be involved in pro wrestling with the help of Verne Gagne.  The book takes off from there as Ole discusses his debut in wrestling, his brief time in the Calgary territory and then moves onto discussing what would bring Ole his earliest and greatest fame, teaming with Lars and Gene Anderson as part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.  As Ole leads us through his life, he takes opportunities to relay thoughts and opinions on other wrestlers like Johnny Valentine, Lou Thesz, Ric Flair, Bill Watts, and much more.  He discusses his experiences and activities of the day-to-day grind of a pro wrestler who worked during the days pre-Vincent K. McMahon and the era of Hulkamania, and it is those sections of the book where the real interest lies.

Ole literally schools the reader on how it was to be a worker during the hey-day of both the Crockett and Georgia promotions.  He brings us closer to the inner workings of the business side of pro wrestling than any other book has previously.  Mind you, while this book isn't what I would term a "kiss-and-tell" sort of book, where Ole slams people left and right, he doesn't shy away from his opinion of certain workers.  Where it shines though is how open Ole is about how it was to book and promote a territory.  You want details?  Ole shares them... what the paydays were like, how money was collected, how promoters cheated the boys, it's all here, and it's all fascinating.

I could go on and on here, but it's easier to say, read this book.  Any old-school fan who wants an inside look at the business of pro wrestling will not regret it.  Is Ole harsh?  Yeah... but as I read this, I felt that I was getting the real deal.  He wasn't romanticizing anything....  Ole has always been someone unafraid to say things as he saw them... so why bother to lie throughout this?  I don't feel he does.  For anyone wanting to look past the gruff and abrasive exterior of Ole Anderson, this is a book you must read.  It is completely engrossing and utterly engaging, and is a worthy and necessary addition to any wrestling fans library.