Gotch: An American Hero

by Mike Chapman

An historical novel based on the true life story of Frank Gotch, world heavyweight wrestling champion from 1908 to 1915. Gotch was the number one athlete of his era and as well known then as Michael Jordan is today. This book takes the reader on a nostalgic tour of the United States and professional athletics at the turn of the century and shortly thereafter.

Genres: Sports

279 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 1999

Reviews

[Sean Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Chapman's Gotch: An American Hero is a biographical novel about America's greatest legitimate professional wrestler. He has also written full-on biography of the man which is sadly very expensive and rare to find these days so this is probably the definitive book on Gotch.

Wrestling historian Mike Chapman is a former newspaper reporter and looks to have dug up valuable newspaper reports on Gotch's athletic career. The strongest points of this book come from Chapman's descriptions of Gotch's matches, the majority of which were legitimate contests. I assume his descriptions are a blend of reportage and fiction, but this perfectly highlights just how incredible and dangerous a wrestler Frank Gotch was. Maybe a few greats came later but no one could match the speed, agility, conditioning, the physical and mental strength of Frank Gotch during his lifetime.

The book could've had better editing at parts, but this is a book for wrestlers and old school pro wrestling fans and native Iowan Mike Chapman has written a readable and entertaining biographical novel of Frank Gotch.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a nice book, decent storyline and flow. It's a pretty easy read. I think there were things that could have been "fleshed out" more. I wouldn't put this as an outstanding book, but it was nice and it brought Frank Gotch to life during a time (turn of the last century) that is quickly being forgotten.