By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: Court Bauer (@CourtBauer), a protégé of Gary Hart’s, is encouraging fans to contact his book’s co-author about making available an electronic copy of the book.

Last week's Collectibles Column, Steve Austin’s rave reviews, and nostalgic tweets from Court Bauer (@CourtBauer) have more and more fans interested in Gary Hart’s self-published autobiography, "My Life In Wrestling...With A Little Help From My Friends.”

Since the article ran, several readers have commented on the article, sent e-mails, called the PWTorch Livecast, and tweeted about the book. But, surprisingly, increased demand hasn’t led to increased supply.

No new copies of the book have been listed on eBay on the last week, even though sales prices and asking prices have made wrestling fans gasp. Recent auction sales of the book have been in the $200-300 range, but many sellers aren’t willing to let them go that cheaply. Amazon sellers are listing the book at more than $1,000 per copy, and the only available copy on eBay is listed for $750, or best offer.




Even with those inflated prices, wrestling fans who own a copy of the book apparently aren’t in any hurry to get rid of their copies.

“Steve talking up the book definitely elevated interest in both Gary Hart and his book,” Bauer told the Torch. “While the surge in demand increased due to Austin hyping it up, the book unfortunately had already been a victim of price gouging. A year or two ago I myself saw it priced at around $500 to $1,200 on Amazon and eBay. When books with a limited printing sell out and copies are scarce, this can happen.”

Austin, along with Jim Ross, Wade Keller, Bruce Mitchell, Jason Powell of Prowrestling.net, and others have raved about Hart’s book. And now a lot of fans who didn’t get a copy from the first two printings of the book are scouring the Internet and used book stores trying to find a copy.

So, what is it about Hart’s book that brings about such praise from so many respected wrestlers and wrestling journalists?

“It’s not just a book about someone’s journey,” Bauer said of the book’s widespread appeal and acclaim. “It’s a college textbook rich in lessons for wrestlers, aspiring bookers/matchmakers, and promoters. … Some wrestling books are big on sleaze, bitterness, rewriting history or dodge major issues. Gary’s book is not one of those books. It is an honest snapshot of a different time in a very special and unique business.

“Not only do you get valuable lessons, but the book chronicles the journey of a man that started out on the streets of Chicago working for the mob and from there, threading his story through some of wrestling’s most prolific years. Where else can you learn about Jim Barnett, Dallas, Bruiser Brody, presenting talent, Great Muta, Amarillo, WCW’s first creative team, the highs and lows of Jim Crockett Promotions and TBS wrestling, and so much more? It’s a book that truly will enrich your mind.”

Will wrestling fans ever get a chance to buy a third edition or an electronic version of Hart’s book at a more reasonable price? Bauer said the book’s co-author, Philip Varriale, has had discussions about re-publishing the book or making it available electronically, “but by no means is it a lock.” Because the book was self-published, Varriale and Hart’s family paid up front for the book to be published.

Rather than hoping for a third hard copy of the book, Bauer is encouraging fans to contact the book’s co-author, Philip Varriale, on Twitter @PhilipVarriale and let him know just how much of a demand for a book there is.

“Putting out money for a third printing brings some degree of risk, which is why I’ve pushed for an E-book version,” Bauer said, “so if you have a Kindle, Nook or an iPad with iBook, you can still provide unlimited copies to fans on a worldwide basis. They’re still evaluating that option but Phillip seems uneasy that people would want the book on such a format given that it would not have pictures due to rights issues. I’ve assured him that isn’t the case, but perhaps hearing from the fans via Twitter would persuade him to think otherwise.

“Philip is a good dude. Maybe hearing from Torch readers will convince him that there is a market for the book.”

PWTorch Collectibles Specialist Michael Moore can be reached at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MMooreWriter .

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt