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King of Strong Style: 1980-2014
The life of the internationally famous professional wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura, from his childhood to the International Wrestling Grand Prix championship, and beyond!
Before he became a star of American professional wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura was Japan’s “King of Strong Style.” Follow his life and career from the amateur grappling ranks to the Nippon Budokon, thrill to his matches against such legends as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, his reign as the youngest New Japan Pro-Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, and his success as a mixed martial artist.
Before he became a star of American professional wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura was Japan’s “King of Strong Style.” Follow his life and career from the amateur grappling ranks to the Nippon Budokon, thrill to his matches against such legends as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, his reign as the youngest New Japan Pro-Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, and his success as a mixed martial artist.
344 pages, Hardcover
Published August 7, 2018
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155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 9, 2018
King of Strong Style covers Shinsuke Nakamura's life from 1980 to 2014.
The book has a structure I've never seen before in a wrestling biography. It's basically one long interview, giving it a laid back feel.
Things start off in Shinsuke's childhood. He was a sensitive kid, into drawing and things of that nature before the wrestling bug bit. From there, it's amateur wrestling, MMA, pro-wrestling and unparalleled success as a rookie in New Japan. Nakamura talks about some people he had friction with, making excursions to the United States, Italy, and Mexico. His rivalries with Tanahashi and Shibata are detailed to some extent.
While I like how the interview structure helps the book stay focused, I think a lot of sections would have been better with more detail. Interesting topics are only given a couple sentences. The book also doesn't go into much detail with the actual matches, like Shinsuke and the unidentified interviewer are trying not to break kayfabe.
It's breezy and interesting but King of Strong Style isn't a top tier wrestling book, not for me anyway. Three out of five stars
The book has a structure I've never seen before in a wrestling biography. It's basically one long interview, giving it a laid back feel.
Things start off in Shinsuke's childhood. He was a sensitive kid, into drawing and things of that nature before the wrestling bug bit. From there, it's amateur wrestling, MMA, pro-wrestling and unparalleled success as a rookie in New Japan. Nakamura talks about some people he had friction with, making excursions to the United States, Italy, and Mexico. His rivalries with Tanahashi and Shibata are detailed to some extent.
While I like how the interview structure helps the book stay focused, I think a lot of sections would have been better with more detail. Interesting topics are only given a couple sentences. The book also doesn't go into much detail with the actual matches, like Shinsuke and the unidentified interviewer are trying not to break kayfabe.
It's breezy and interesting but King of Strong Style isn't a top tier wrestling book, not for me anyway. Three out of five stars
August 12, 2018
Honestly could hardly put this down. I was really moved reading about Shinsuke's story. From his struggles as a child, to his determination to become a stronger person through his love of wrestling, to the adversities he faced in his beginning years in New Japan. And through it all he chose to stay the path and do things his way. After reading this my respect for him has shot through the roof!
My only minor complaint was that it was basically a long interview instead of an actual autobiography that I had been expecting before reading it. However Shinsuke's emotions could still be clearly felt in his answers.
My only minor complaint was that it was basically a long interview instead of an actual autobiography that I had been expecting before reading it. However Shinsuke's emotions could still be clearly felt in his answers.
September 4, 2018
Not a bad read, but definitely hindered by the interview style. Lots of sifting needed to get to the good stuff.
February 24, 2021
Annoying format, Nakamura is kinda boring as an interviewee (further proving that many wrestlers should just not write a book), and the information that was discussed just wasn’t accessible. It felt like listening in on a conversation between friends and you sometimes know what they’re talking about but there are times where it’s not eventful and is purely sentimental/nostalgic. Nothing against Nakamura, but this isn’t a great book.
January 18, 2019
Connor Johnson
Mr. Arnold
Period 2
Accelerated English 2018/19
King Of Strong Style: 1980-2014
King Of Strong Style: 1980-2014 is a 2018 semi-autobiographical book written by Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura tells his early life stories, as well as stories of training and wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Through this, he was lucky enough to face such legends as Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Kazuchika Okada. He has performed in highly persteachous events such as Wrestle Kingdom, The G1 Climate, and The Japan Cup. He holds the record for the most and longest reigning IWGP Intercontinental champion, as well as the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The book is written in an interview style, with a question/statement from the interviewer being answered by Nakamura.
In his early years, Nakamura was often involved in amateur wrestling, and basketball. He was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. After falling in love with professional wrestling in his childhood and teenage years, Nakamura began training at the Inoki Dojo. Making his NJPW and Pro Wrestling debut in 2002, he would be called the “super rookie” due to his impressive work ethic and incredible matches. On January 4, 2006, Nakamura would have one of his most high profile matches, in a loss to Brock Lesnar. On February 17th of 2008, Nakamura defeated Kurt Angle (considered to be one of the greatest grapplers, amateur wrestler, and pro wrestler of all time, as well as being an olympic gold medalist) to win the IGF version of the NJPW Heavyweight title, unifying it with the NJPW version. From April of 2009 to his leave of NJPW in 2016, Nakamura would get his signature nickname as the “King of Strong Style”. Strong style is a form of pro wrestling in which participants strive to make hits as hard as possible, usually using forearm head smashes, kicks, and stomps. It is sometimes referred to as “shoot wrestling” which (in some forms) sometimes involves brutal head punches and kicks from one competitor to another. On July 22, 2012 Nakamura captured Hirooki Goto’s NJPW Intercontinental Championship. He would go on to have a record 5 reigns, until leaving NJPW on January 6th of 2016, signing a lucrative World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contact, where he still wrestles.
It is a perfect reflection of Nakamura’s long and illustrious career. The book is an easy read, with Nakamura and the interviewer perfectly weaving a story for all ages in a casual and laid-back manor. An easy 3.5-4 stars is my personal score for this amazing story of a young boy falling in love with his future career at a young age. It is absolutely inspiring and an extremely interesting read for those who are and are not interested in professional wrestling. Nakamura has a charisma about him, with a conversational mood around his speech. Nakamura’s story of his highest and lowest points, of his triumphs and defeats, and most of all his will to continue and win.
Mr. Arnold
Period 2
Accelerated English 2018/19
King Of Strong Style: 1980-2014
King Of Strong Style: 1980-2014 is a 2018 semi-autobiographical book written by Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura tells his early life stories, as well as stories of training and wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Through this, he was lucky enough to face such legends as Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Kazuchika Okada. He has performed in highly persteachous events such as Wrestle Kingdom, The G1 Climate, and The Japan Cup. He holds the record for the most and longest reigning IWGP Intercontinental champion, as well as the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The book is written in an interview style, with a question/statement from the interviewer being answered by Nakamura.
In his early years, Nakamura was often involved in amateur wrestling, and basketball. He was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. After falling in love with professional wrestling in his childhood and teenage years, Nakamura began training at the Inoki Dojo. Making his NJPW and Pro Wrestling debut in 2002, he would be called the “super rookie” due to his impressive work ethic and incredible matches. On January 4, 2006, Nakamura would have one of his most high profile matches, in a loss to Brock Lesnar. On February 17th of 2008, Nakamura defeated Kurt Angle (considered to be one of the greatest grapplers, amateur wrestler, and pro wrestler of all time, as well as being an olympic gold medalist) to win the IGF version of the NJPW Heavyweight title, unifying it with the NJPW version. From April of 2009 to his leave of NJPW in 2016, Nakamura would get his signature nickname as the “King of Strong Style”. Strong style is a form of pro wrestling in which participants strive to make hits as hard as possible, usually using forearm head smashes, kicks, and stomps. It is sometimes referred to as “shoot wrestling” which (in some forms) sometimes involves brutal head punches and kicks from one competitor to another. On July 22, 2012 Nakamura captured Hirooki Goto’s NJPW Intercontinental Championship. He would go on to have a record 5 reigns, until leaving NJPW on January 6th of 2016, signing a lucrative World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contact, where he still wrestles.
It is a perfect reflection of Nakamura’s long and illustrious career. The book is an easy read, with Nakamura and the interviewer perfectly weaving a story for all ages in a casual and laid-back manor. An easy 3.5-4 stars is my personal score for this amazing story of a young boy falling in love with his future career at a young age. It is absolutely inspiring and an extremely interesting read for those who are and are not interested in professional wrestling. Nakamura has a charisma about him, with a conversational mood around his speech. Nakamura’s story of his highest and lowest points, of his triumphs and defeats, and most of all his will to continue and win.
June 25, 2019
Such an interesting look in to a man who we really know nothing about. Shinsuke Nakamura arrived in NXT to much fanfare and anticipation, but there are those who had no clue who he is and why he had all of this hype. This book explains how a boy from Kyoto, Japan became one of Japanese wrestling's biggest stars. He is the wrestling equivalent of Freddy Mercury of Queen meets Jonathan Davis from Korn. He is enigmatic, he is different; simply put, you just aren't as cool as Shinsuke Nakamura. That's ok, I'm not either. Really, no one is. He's on an entirely different wavelength than other people, and this explains how he became that person. Told in a series of interviews rather than a biographical format, this book covers his birth through to the (almost) end of his run as the King of Strong Style in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
This book only got 4 stars from me because sometimes it feels as though there are some editing errors that make things feel a bit disjointed. I can't explain it other than it feels like someone missed the ball when it came to punctuation and grammar, and because of that, there are multiple instances where the answers Shinsuke gives are presented as run-on's that drone.
This book only got 4 stars from me because sometimes it feels as though there are some editing errors that make things feel a bit disjointed. I can't explain it other than it feels like someone missed the ball when it came to punctuation and grammar, and because of that, there are multiple instances where the answers Shinsuke gives are presented as run-on's that drone.
July 26, 2021
Shinsuke Nakamura is one of those wrestlers who has done everything he's set out to do from the start. Making a name for himself as one of the new Three Musketeers alongside Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata, unless you were watching NJPW back in the early 00s, you may not have realized how far ahead Nakamura was to the others. Youngest still to hold the IWGP Heavyweight title after winning it off of Hiroyoshi Tenzan, 3-1-1 MMA record, founder of Chaos, and the King of Strong Style, many American fans who know him for his work in WWE may not be aware of just how incredible Shinsuke's career, amateur and pro, has been. It's fair to say that without him, and Tanahashi and Shibata, the giant of Japanese pro wrestling, NJPW, may have gone the way of the dinosaurs.
This biography, done in an interview-style with photo sections, has biographical recollections and opinions of Nakamura AND a quasi-mystique of kayfabeness. But, to see what Nakamura thought of different opponents, periods of his career, and of the world in general, it's a wonderful read for not only Shinsuke and NJPW fans but for wrestling fans in general.
This biography, done in an interview-style with photo sections, has biographical recollections and opinions of Nakamura AND a quasi-mystique of kayfabeness. But, to see what Nakamura thought of different opponents, periods of his career, and of the world in general, it's a wonderful read for not only Shinsuke and NJPW fans but for wrestling fans in general.
January 6, 2019
It was very inspiring to read Shinsuke Nakamura's book. He made it his goal to become a pro wrestler and used wrestling teams in high school and university in order to give himself experience. The funny thing about it is Shinsuke works extremely hard to obtain his goal and while he surpasses expectations and reaches career milestones faster than most his age, he still feels that he has not learned what he needs to.
The format of this book is very unique. Instead of written in a story format, it is written in an interview format. This format and Shinsuke's story make it hard to put the book down. BTW - the interview was conducted by Yu Suzuki.
I highly recommend this book to pro wrestling fans as well as Japanophiles. It gives a wonderful insight into one of modern Japan's leading past times.
The format of this book is very unique. Instead of written in a story format, it is written in an interview format. This format and Shinsuke's story make it hard to put the book down. BTW - the interview was conducted by Yu Suzuki.
I highly recommend this book to pro wrestling fans as well as Japanophiles. It gives a wonderful insight into one of modern Japan's leading past times.
March 28, 2021
Okay to me there's two books, the autobiography I expected (just from the general format) or the real book. If I grade from my expectations it's a generous 2 stars, one because the book is beautiful, the hardcover and the making of the book makes it a nice book to put on display and another star because it does the job as a biography.
Now for the book how it's it's a generous 4 stars, takes time to get into, it's mostly empty, and the interrogations format makes it harder to follow, too many small questions that you forget in an instant. But overall, Shinsuke Nakamura style shines through and it's an entertaining read, to be a barely above a simple good 3 stars rating. Also the artwork and cover really work in favor of the book.
Now for the book how it's it's a generous 4 stars, takes time to get into, it's mostly empty, and the interrogations format makes it harder to follow, too many small questions that you forget in an instant. But overall, Shinsuke Nakamura style shines through and it's an entertaining read, to be a barely above a simple good 3 stars rating. Also the artwork and cover really work in favor of the book.
July 26, 2019
An exceptionally knowledgeable long form interview covering Nakamura's youth through his later years in NJPW. (Note: This book does not cover his run in WWE if you are looking for that!) Some fantastic personal and pro photos in both b&w and color and some genuinely funny and heartwarming stories about other wrestlers and MMA fighters. The interview format flows well and is a quick read, but I don't recommend it unless you at least have a rudimentary understanding of NJPW because no one slows down to explain who Kota Ibushi, Tanahashi, Yoshi Hashi, Okada, or Minoru Suzuki are for you. Theres really no reason to read this if you don't already know. YEAH-OW!
April 6, 2019
A long interview with Nakamura about his career. The MMA and amateur wrestling stuff is great, but he is strangely kayfabe on his pro wrestling work and speaks in an elliptical manner that is (perhaps) lost in translation. More explanatory footnotes from Viz would help readers like my younger relatives, who know Nakamura only from his WWE run. Interesting, though, and one of the best first person accounts in the transitional period in Japanese combat sports history, from Pride and wrestlers fighting in MMA back to a kind of pure pro wrestling embodied by Okada.
January 20, 2019
I’m a huge Nakamura fan but this was one of the worst wrestling books I have ever read.
First thing it’s not a biography it’s just a massive Q&A session but it’s like it’s just a fanboy asking the questions and nothing real gets asked.
A pointless read which is more 300 pages of sucking up then anything of interest.
First thing it’s not a biography it’s just a massive Q&A session but it’s like it’s just a fanboy asking the questions and nothing real gets asked.
A pointless read which is more 300 pages of sucking up then anything of interest.
March 5, 2019
Almost unputdownable! I completely get people’s complaints about the writing style and format of the book. It can be hard to get used to. However, the story itself is fascinating, charting Nakamura’s life to almost the point where he joined NXT. Incredibly fascinating in particular hearing his thoughts on Kazuchika Oakada and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Overall, just an absolutely incredible read.
Overall, just an absolutely incredible read.
March 16, 2019
Read for WitchAThon 2019 for the challenge "Read a book in a genre you don't normally read."
I will say while I hardly read any biographies I really, really enjoyed this. It was so wonderful to read about one of my favorite wrestler and his origins in the scene. It was a bit weird that the whole of the book felt like a really long interview, but it helped me fly through this.
I will say while I hardly read any biographies I really, really enjoyed this. It was so wonderful to read about one of my favorite wrestler and his origins in the scene. It was a bit weird that the whole of the book felt like a really long interview, but it helped me fly through this.
April 22, 2020
An interview style autobiography that was a little hard to get through. The interview format was a little weak. There were times where I wish they would have expanded upon stories but instead they jumped from topic to topic at a pretty quick rate. Overall, it wasn’t bad and there were some interesting parts with Nakamura having some really fascinating takes on pro wrestling.
June 28, 2021
Book is written as a 300 page Q&A interview translated from Japanese to English.
First half; which covers Nakamura’s upbringing, family, schooling, and his growing love for wrestling is more interesting than the second half; covering his entire career in NJPW and outside promotions, significant moments and matches in his career.
First half; which covers Nakamura’s upbringing, family, schooling, and his growing love for wrestling is more interesting than the second half; covering his entire career in NJPW and outside promotions, significant moments and matches in his career.
August 9, 2025
Nakamura came to WWE long after my fandom. I actually wasn't aware this book is about pre WWE years, over in New Japan. I'll say he did some super cool things. Becoming the IWGP heavyweight champion within a year of his debut then taking that title over to MMA to show pro wrestling is a real force. Also, tagging with Sakuraba against two Gracies is super cool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2018
An interesting read although it loses something in translation. The interview style means the book moves along at a decent pass but it also means often only the surface of Nakamura's story is skimmed. A must read for Nakamura fans, casual fans may feel a little lost at times.
February 1, 2019
An interesting read, even if it's not so much a biography but a very long interview translated into English. It does give a lot of insight into Nakamura's history pre-WWE, even if the format doesn't really go as in depth on a lot of things as possible.
May 14, 2021
I had to stop on page 73. While the interview style for the book is a nice way to make the story stand out, it also takes away a lot of explanation. A lot of things/people are brought up with no link to who they are. I don't know anything about Japan wrestling, so it's all going over my head.
January 30, 2019
More of an extended interview really, but still a great insight into the King of Strong Style's rise through NJPWs ranks. Definitely one for fans
January 31, 2019
Awesome book!
February 8, 2019
If you're looking for an interesting life in the world of wrestling, Nakamura's a good start.
March 8, 2019
If you are a fan of Nakamura you will love this. More of an extended interview than a biography but it manages to work in the way a biography should. Would recommend for any fans of wrestling.
April 21, 2019
Outstanding book. If you want to have a glimpse into the mind of this amazing performer read this book. I was not disappointed at all.
April 25, 2019
Disappointing. Written more or less in kayfabe.
May 20, 2019
Great book! There were tons of pictures and lots of history. I didn't really think I would be a fan of the Q&A format, but it worked out well.
July 5, 2019
Just a collection of interviews with Nakamura, not a full fledged biography.
January 11, 2020
Interesting read, didn't love the interview style, figured out don't really know or love much about Japanese Pro Wrestling,
June 18, 2020
Loved it. Fun to read and loved all the photos included.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews