Olympic Hero: Pro Wrestler Kurt Angle

Children's Literature

Once an Olympic champion, Kurt Angle has become a star in the world of professional wrestling. As the author points out, Kurt did not feel initially that the world of pro wrestling was the direction he wanted to take when done competing internationally. However, once he saw the work and skill of these sports entertainers, he decided to compete. A. R. Schaefer focuses mainly on Angle's career in the world of sports entertainment, providing little biographical information about the athlete. One problem with the tone of Schaefer's book is that it presents professional wrestling as a real sporting event where the outcome of a match is not already decided. However, the results of professional wrestling matches are preset and it is important for young readers to understand that. Schaefer is able to convey the type of athlete one must be to perform in the ring. This volume, a part of the "Pro Wrestlers" series, might be fun reading about a wrestler's career in the sport, but it does not give much insight into the reality of professional wrestling. 2003, Capstone Press, Orsborn