Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life

by Sweeney Emily, Ken Casey (Foreword)

“Sweeney's forensic research shines through an entertaining book that is a thoroughly delicious slice of Irish-Americana.” — Irish Times  "What makes the story of Murphy’s professional wrestling career so fascinating is the way Sweeney sets the scene for many of his matches...From the booming voice of “Whitey” Kaunfer welcoming cold patrons to the Old Mechanics Building to the sweaty, bloody, and crowded confines of the Boston Arena dressing room, Sweeney does an exceptional job... If you are considering this book for its wrestling content, you will certainly enjoy what you find." —Slam Wrestling Newspapers called him the “the man with the cast-iron toes,” “the best drop-kicker in wrestling,” and “one of the mat game's biggest box office attractions.” But Dr. John “Dropkick” Murphy's legacy extends far beyond the wrestling ring. Decades before the Betty Ford Center became a household name — and long before the band the Dropkick Murphys named themselves in his honor — the phrase going to Dropkick’s meant a person struggling with addiction needed help and would soon get some. This book chronicles for the first time the unbelievable life of Dropkick Murphy, a professional wrestler who put himself through medical school during the Great Depression and then opened Bellows Farm, a one-of-a-kind institution that served as both a facility where elite athletes could train as well as a secluded place where down-on-their-luck alcoholics could go to sober up discreetly. The celebrities who frequented Dropkick Murphy’s farm were many, and numerous professional athletes would go there to focus on their training and work out in his state-of-the-art gymnasium. As a result, Bellows Farm featured an unrivaled and revolving cast of colorful characters who brought it to life. Drawing on years of research and interviews, author Emily Sweeney goes behind the scenes to reveal the untold story of Murphy’s life, his farm, and the legendary events that unfolded there.

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping read! Emily Sweeney masterfully reveals the untold story about Dr. John "Dropkick" Murphy's osteopathic training, the creation of his training and addiction center, and his career as a doctor.

This was also a fascinating story from a historical perspective. Emily Sweeney gives the reader a bird's-eye view into the intriguing life of Dropkick Murphy, a professional wrestler who put himself through medical school during the Great Depression and then opened Bellows Farm (the first of its kind), which served as both a facility where athletes could train and where alcoholics could go to sober up. Dr. John "Dropkick" Murphy's legacy extends beyond the wrestling ring. He was a compassionate man who took it upon himself to help people who had addictions--who were down on their luck and had no place to go.

And . . . the reader discovers the astonishing reason WHY he was nicknamed "Dropkick"!!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life was a fun and quick read. It’s author, Emily Sweeney, deserves high kudos for her years of research and interviews that brought this book.
From the start to the middle of the book we stay tuned into the life of Dr. John ‘Dropkick’ Murphy. But then Dropkick fades into the background. He’s replaced by fighters and celebrities who train at Dropkick sanatorium at Bellows farm. But Murphy himself barely appears. The few times he’s mentioned is simply to remind the reader that this is Dropkick story.
But if you like Boston history and stories about wrestlers and boxers from long ago, this book is worth reading.

[Andy McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. It is so informative telling a detailed story about a man who was a wrestler and then a man who ran a alcoholic recovery place/ gym in rural Acton, MA. It also informs about how the band Dropkick Murphys got their name.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A life long fan of the Dropkick Murphys, I wanted to read this to learn more about the namesake of the band. Good but very minimally about the band. Certainly learned some, but it was mostly early pro wrestling and boxing history.

[Kevin Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, quick read about the real story behind a local legend. Deopkick's life traverses the pre-war wrestling world and morphs into a mid-century tale of health and self-improvement. The draw here is really all the colorful characters and little stories that pepper this life. A fun read.