Product Description

Lucha Libre wrestling is nothing short of a phenomenon. Its inescapable visuals have completely permeated the mainstream, and its popularity grows exponentially every year, expanding out from Latin America to hold the entire world in its vise–grip. Dan Madigan will provide the ultimate guide for Lucha fans, in an awesome four–color book that will be undoubtedly informative and incredibly entertaining. Posters, photos, wrestling cards, handbills, mementos will be featured throughout the book. Personal recollections, quotes, stories and memories of Luchador's lives and experiences will provide the backdrop for a completely unique experience in sports.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105593 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-01
• Released on: 2007-04-03
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Though its title might suggest an ironic, kitschy treatment of the hyper-colored world of Mexican wrestling, Lucha Libre, Madigan's work makes it clear from the get-go that his love for the sport is true, mad and deep. Author, screenwriter and wrestling TV producer Madigan (See No Evil) answers frequently asked question, "Okay...What is Lucha Libre?", by taking readers through the basics, describing a sport that mixes "combative art forms...with elements of soap opera and dramatic storytelling, physical comedy, incredible athletics, suspense and intrigue." Though equating past wrestling greats like El Santo and the Blue Demon with celebrated muralists like Diego Rivera and Jose Orozco might seem like a stretch ("their goals just as noble and politically minded....Every kick, leap, and punch was a brush stroke in a masterpiece of storytelling"), full-bleed color photos and gorgeous poster reproductions make it easy to see the art in the sport's wild costumes, over-the-top drama and rich history. As much fun as this book is, the level of detail can overwhelm, as in Madigan's endless parade of Luchadore biographies, too many of which run together for lack of a narrative engine. That said, there's a lot to love here, even for the casually curious, and especially for fans of action photography and poster illustration.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Television production veteran Dan Madigan has been behind the scenes of professional wrestling for some time. A novelist and screenwriter, his film See No Evil was released by Lionsgate in May 2006. He lives in Los Angeles and goes by the Lucha name Baron von Bava.

Customer Reviews

A must own for wresting fans!
Mondo Lucha A Go-Go is without a doubt the most extensive and entertaining book ever written about the world of Mexican wrestling. A must own! Buy a copy right now!

Great basic historical book on lucha libre
Picked up the boook after realizing Madigan's name as someone who once wrote TV for WWE a few years ago. The first thing that hits you when reading the book is the personal attachment from the author as he talks about his personal love for lucha libre. The book is a great historical tool in terms of discussing the beginnings of the sport in Mexico, the necessary figures in the sport and influence of it in American and Japan. Something that's also a fun tidbit is small insert stories about various backgrounds. One of which is the negativity of WWF and McMahon towards lucha libre and mocking overtones until the late 1990s when they had to and even then it was jsut a one time deal (1997). The details of Paul Heyman (Madigan is a big proponent of Heyman, who's called the savior of lucha libre in the U.S.) and his role in bringing guys like Mysterio, Konan, Psichosis, etc. to the States and eventually, them jumping to WCW is a necessary tale. Two things took away from the boook though. First, at some points certain parts drag on and he does come off as a bit repetitive. Another thing, one of which I thought would have really made the book amazing, was if Madigan went into detail about certain specific angles during the years involving El Santo, Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras, etc. I guess he didn't because as he wrote early on about lucha libre, most of the stories are told in the ring, with the wrestling, and not in the same way we're use to it in the U.S. One minor thing that bugged me was the lack of a mention for Mistico (current CMLL wrestler) who is one of the top draws in the world. I figure the book was finished years ago (since Madigan wrote about Juventud, Super Crazy and Psichosis as being a group on WWE TV), so I attribute that to that. Overall, a good book and the pictures (some of which I gather are rare) are fun to go through. If nothing else, a definite much needed book on a topic that isn't well known about currently in the States.

Viva la Mondo Lucha!
Great Book! Lottsa history and current stuff such as Lucha Vavoom. Only in this book will you find a historical and enchanting journey into this very special and unique culture!