Who's The Daddy

When I was a drama teacher in the seventies I often used to start the lesson with the pupils sitting round in a circle playing a warm-up game of which Chinese Whispers was one. The children were often amused by my story about a military commander who passed the message down the line, "We're going to advance. Send reinforcements." When it emerged at the end of the line it had become, "Going to a dance, send three and fourpence."

I read it and have to say it was enjoyable. I wasn't keen on the writing style and the other trivia relating to dates was a distraction. But I have always thought there were a lot of urban myths about the man which were borne out of hatred and it was good to see other perspectives on some of these incidents. I think what we often get are some chinese whispers.

It was also interesting to get a glimpse of his home life too. I would never pretend he was the superstar he was promoted to be, just a guy who had to work, so so many need to.

Not read it, would maybe buy it if it was dirt cheap.

There was discussion at the time that was mostly negative. I didn't buy it until I found it reduced in a charity shop and because the criticism had been so great I was just a little bit pleasantly surprised. Only a bit mind you. But there were, as you say Paul, lots of inaccuracies and it struck me of a book that didn't display any overriding knowledge of wrestling. It's a long time since I read it - I only ventured there once.