John 'Squirt' Malone's life seemed like it was destined to be one of hard work, long days, and little reward. In the early nineteen hundreds there were not that many options for a lightly educated son of a cattle rancher. But, when a carnival comes to town John is introduced to the sideshow of professional grappling. Enthralled with the physicality and entertainment of the spectacle he sends off for a correspondence course on how to become a professional wrestler. Three years later John is running away from home at twelve years old trying to live his dream in the questionable world of professional wrestling.

Inspired by and very lightly based on the history of the Goldust trio. The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone is a historical fiction novel that presents the professional wrestling industry from the carnival days to the rise of the first wrestling promotion.