Thrashing Seasons : Sporting Culture in Manitoba and the Genesis of Prairie Wrestling

Horseback wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, glima—long before the advent of today’s WWE, forms of wrestling were practiced by virtually every cultural group. C. Nathan Hatton’s __Thrashing Seasons: Sporting Culture in Manitoba and the Genesis of Prairie Wrestling__ tells the story of wrestling in Manitoba from the pre-Confederation period to the Great Depression. Residents of Manitoba found meaning in wrestling beyond the simple act of two people struggling for physical advantage on a mat, in a ring, or on a grassy field. Frequently controversial and often divisive, wrestling was nevertheless a popular and resilient cultural practice that proved adaptable to the rapidly changing social conditions in western Canada during its early boom period. In addition to chronicling the colorful exploits of the many athletes who shaped wrestling’s early years, Hatton explores wrestling as a social phenomenon intimately bound up with debates around respectability, ethnicity, race, class, and idealized conceptions of masculinity. In doing so, Thrashing Seasons illuminates wrestling as a complex and socially significant cultural activity that has been virtually unexamined by Canadian historians looking at the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. C. Nathan Hatton's Thrashing Seasons Tells The Story Of Wrestling In Manitoba From Its Earliest Documented Origins In The Eighteenth Century, To The Great Depression. Wrestling Was Never Merely A Sport: Residents Of Manitoba Found Meaning Beyond The Simple Act Of Two People Struggling For Physical Advantage On A Mat, In A Ring, Or On A Grassy Field. Frequently Controversial And Often Divisive, Wrestling Was Nevertheless A Popular And Resilient Cultural Practice That Proved Adaptable To The Rapidly Changing Social Conditions In Western Canada During Its Early Boom Period. In Addition To Chronicling The Colourful Exploits Of The Many Athletes Who Shaped Wrestling's Early Years, Hatton Explores Wrestling As A Social Phenomenon Intimately Bound Up With Debates Around Respectability, Ethnicity, Race, Class, And Idealized Conceptions Of Masculinity. In Doing So, Thrashing Seasons Illuminates Wrestling As A Complex And Socially Significant Cultural Activity, One That Has Been Virtually Unexamined By Canadian Historians Looking At The Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries.-- Before The Boom : Wrestling To 1896 -- Manitoba's Pros : Professional Wrestling During The Western Boom, 1896-1914 -- Wrestling With Ethnicity, 1896-1914 -- The Simon Pures : Amateur Wrestling To 1914 -- Grappling With The Great War, 1914-18 -- Professional Wrestling's Golden Age, 1919-29 -- Amateurism Expands : Amateur Wrestling In Manitoba, 1919-29. C. Nathan Hatton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Issued Also In Electronic Format. Horseback wrestling, catch-as-catch-can, glima; long before the advent of today's WWE, forms of wrestling were practised by virtually every cultural group. C. Nathan Hatton's Thrashing Seasons tells the story of wrestling in Manitoba from its earliest documented origins in the eighteenth century to the Great Depression. Wrestling was never merely a sport: residents of Manitoba found meaning beyond the simple act of two people struggling for physical advantage on a mat, in a ring, or on a grassy field. Frequently controversial and often divisive, wrestling was nevertheless a popular and resilient cultural practice that proved adaptable to the rapidly changing social conditions in western Canada during its early boom period. In addition to chronicling the colourful exploits of the many athletes who shaped wrestling's early years, Hatton explores wrestling as a social phenomenon intimately bound up with debates around respectability, ethnicity, race, class, and idealized conceptions of masculinity. In doing so, Thrashing Seasons illuminates wrestling as a complex and socially significant cultural activity, one that has been virtually unexamined by Canadian historians looking at the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. "C. Nathan Hatton's Thrashing Seasons tells the story of wrestling in Manitoba from its earliest documented origins in the eighteenth century, to the Great Depression. Wrestling was never merely a sport: residents of Manitoba found meaning beyond the simple act of two people struggling for physical advantage on a mat, in a ring, or on a grassy field. Frequently controversial and often divisive, wrestling was nevertheless a popular and resilient cultural practice that proved adaptable to the rapidly changing social conditions in western Canada during its early boom period. In addition to chronicling the colourful exploits of the many athletes who shaped wrestling's early years, Hatton explores wrestling as a social phenomenon intimately bound up with debates around respectability, ethnicity, race, class, and idealized conceptions of masculinity. In doing so, Thrashing Seasons illuminates wrestling as a complex and socially significant cultural activity, one that has been virtually unexamined by Canadian historians looking at the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries."-- Provided by publisher