Eggshells: Pro Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome

By: Chris Charlton

Narrated by: Dan Lovranski

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Three decades. Hundreds of matches. Countless stories.

With huge global attention and a legacy of significant moments, the Tokyo Dome is inarguably one of professional wrestling’s most iconic venues. Over three decades, 10 different wrestling promotions have staged over 60 shows in the building. Now, Chris Charlton (Lion’s Pride: The Turbulent History of New Japan Pro Wrestling) tells the story of those stories.

From UWF to NJPW, from the biggest gate in Japanese wrestling history to the biggest empty arena match, Eggshells goes show by show and blow by blow. Extensive research uncovers behind the scenes information never before seen in English, and exclusive interviews with Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega and many more reveal insight never before available anywhere. This is an exhaustive but accessible guide that does the "Big Egg" the justice it deserves.

©2018 Chris Charlton (P)2018 Chris Charlton

Book is great, but the narration is god awful.

Great book for any wrestling fan. However the narrator was awful. I know it’s a difficult job, but it’s a big ask to spend 12+ hours with him. His pacing is off, and there are audible swallows, and his voice is grating. So maybe the editor deserves a share of the blame too? It’s a shame that a great book got a shoddy treatment. Just read it, don’t listen to it.

one of my favorite books

loved it! my most listened to book. as a historian and life long wrestling fan i can't praise it enough. This book truly made me feel closer to the Japanese wrestling world

is the Narrator a carnie?

Good luck getting through this one without not wanting to throw your smartphone out the window while driving. I couldn't listen this from one five minutes much narrator who sounds like he's selling something at the carnival! Ridiculous...

Tokyo Dome comes to life

This is a great listen for any die hard wrestling fan. I wish there was a book on any Puroresu as detailed as this one.

Comprehensive story of wrestling in the Tokyo Dome

This book offers a comprehensive history of all the wrestling promotions who have ran shows at the Tokyo Dome over the last 30 years (2019 excluded...obviously). The writer, Chris Charlton, displays in-depth knowledge about his subject and expands upon simply listing the cards and offering match reviews by elaborating on why the matches took place as well as booking plans and the inevitable political scenarios which occurred.

While I enjoyed the content, I felt that Dan Lovranski was a strange choice for the narrator. I appreciate it's a hard job narrating a 13-hour book and I don't want to take away from his efforts, but I found his voice a bit too shouty and aggressive (Sorry, Dan) and quite hard to listen to as I like to listen to audiobooks as I'm winding down in bed at night. I first stumbled upon this book through the author's own supplemental podcast and find his tone more appealing. This is my only gripe.

Please read, do NOT listen

I imagine this is a great read, but the narrator on Audible is awful. It's impossible to listen to his voice. I hate to hate on anyone but that guy's career is not in voice-acting. Had high hopes for this, and honestly couldn't get past the foreword. What a waste.

Wonderful, comprehensive book... awful narration

This book is an incredible history of wrestling in the Tokyo Dome and it leaves no stone unturned. It's truly a great work. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the narration which is as poor as it gets in audio books. It does the book no favours. Definitely try the sample first.