Title
The World of Lucha Libre: Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity,New
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
The World of Lucha Libre is an insiders account of lucha libre, the popular Mexican form of professional wrestling. Heather Levi spent more than a year immersed in the world of wrestling in Mexico City. Not only did she observe live events and interview wrestlers, referees, officials, promoters, and reporters; she also apprenticed with a retired luchador (wrestler). Drawing on her insiders perspective, she explores lucha libre as a cultural performance, an occupational subculture, and a set of symbols that circulate through Mexican culture and politics. Levi argues that the broad appeal of lucha libre lies in its capacity to stage contradictions at the heart of Mexican national identity: between the rural and the urban, tradition and modernity, ritual and parody, machismo and feminism, politics and spectacle.Levi considers lucha libre in light of scholarship about sport, modernization, and the formation of the Mexican nationstate, and in connection to professional wrestling in the United States. She examines the role of secrecy in wrestling, the relationship between wrestlers and the characters they embody, and the meanings of the masks worn by luchadors. She discusses male wrestlers who perform masculine roles, those who crossdress and perform feminine roles, and female wrestlers who wrestle each other. Investigating the relationship between lucha libre and the mass media, she highlights the history of the sports engagement with television: it was televised briefly in the early 1950s, but not again until 1991. Finally, Levi traces the circulation of lucha libre symbols in avantgarde artistic movements and its appropriation in leftwing political discourse. The World of Lucha Libre shows how a sport imported from the United States in the 1930s came to be an iconic symbol of Mexican cultural authenticity.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is 'The World of Lucha Libre' about? A: 'The World of Lucha Libre' offers an insider’s perspective on lucha libre, a popular form of Mexican professional wrestling, exploring its cultural significance, historical context, and its role in shaping Mexican national identity.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Heather Levi, who spent over a year immersed in the world of lucha libre, conducting interviews and observing events in Mexico.
- Q: What topics does the book cover? A: The book covers various topics including the cultural performance of lucha libre, the relationship between wrestlers and their personas, the significance of masks, and the sport's impact on Mexican culture and politics.
- Q: What is the book's publication date? A: 'The World of Lucha Libre' was published on October 24, 2008.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as a used book in good condition.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 288 pages.
- Q: Is this book suitable for someone new to lucha libre? A: Yes, the book is suitable for newcomers as it provides a comprehensive overview of lucha libre, its history, and cultural implications.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: 'The World of Lucha Libre' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Does the book discuss the influence of media on lucha libre? A: Yes, the author examines the relationship between lucha libre and mass media, including its history with television broadcasting.
- Q: Are there any notable themes explored in this book? A: The book explores themes such as masculinity, femininity, tradition versus modernity, and the political symbolism inherent in lucha libre.