The Eighth Wonder Of The World: The True Story of Andre The Giant

Description

Is there a way to find truth in the stuff of legend? You may think you know Andre the Giant - but who was Andre Roussimoff? This comprehensive biography addresses theburning questions, outrageous stories, and common misconceptions about his height,his weight, his drawing power as a superstar, and his seemingly unparalleled capacityfor food and alcohol. But more importantly, The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of Andre the Giant transports readers beyond the smoke and mirrors of professional wrestling into the life of a real man. Born in France, Andre worked on his family's farm until he was 18, when he moved toParis to pursue professional wrestling. A truly extraordinary figure, Andre went on to become an international icon and world traveler, all while battling acromegaly. While his disorder is what made him a giant and a household name, it's also what caused his untimely death at 46. With exhaustive research, exclusive interviews with family and friends, and an exploration of Andre's amazing in-ring career and the indelible mark he left on pop culture, Laprade and Hebert have crafted the most complete portrait of a modern-day mythical being. 'This book does his career and life justice and makes up for a lot of distortion both have suffered through over the years.' - Web is Jericho

Pat Laprade has been involved in pro wrestling for more than 15 years. He was a field producer for HBO's critically acclaimed documentary Andre the Giant. With Bertrand Hebert he co-authored Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs and Mad Dog: The Maurice Vachon Story. Involved in pro wrestling for more than 25 years, Hebert also co-wrote Pat Patterson's biography, Accepted.

"Unlike traditional biographies, we don't just get a chronological recollection of Andre's life, but we also get a fascinating array of discussions that range from his aforementioned and apparently famous flatulence to the curiosity surrounding the size of Andre's genitalia to his lust for life and the ladies and even an entire chapter on acromegaly, the hormonal disorder responsible for Andre's immense size." -- Slam! Wrestling