What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant
A definitive and exhaustive biography
Is there a way to find truth in the stuff of legend? You may think you know André the Giant — but who was André Roussimoff? This comprehensive biography addresses the burning questions, outrageous stories, and common misconceptions about his height, his weight, his drawing power as a superstar, and his seemingly unparalleled capacity for food and alcohol. But more importantly, The Eighth Wonder of the The True Story of André the Giant transports readers beyond the smoke and mirrors of professional wrestling into the life of a real man.
Born in France, André worked on his family’s farm until he was 18, when he moved to Paris to pursue professional wrestling. A truly extraordinary figure, André 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 André’s amazing in-ring career and the indelible mark he left on pop culture, Laprade and Hébert have crafted the most complete portrait of a modern-day mythical being.
Is there a way to find truth in the stuff of legend? You may think you know André the Giant — but who was André Roussimoff? This comprehensive biography addresses the burning questions, outrageous stories, and common misconceptions about his height, his weight, his drawing power as a superstar, and his seemingly unparalleled capacity for food and alcohol. But more importantly, The Eighth Wonder of the The True Story of André the Giant transports readers beyond the smoke and mirrors of professional wrestling into the life of a real man.
Born in France, André worked on his family’s farm until he was 18, when he moved to Paris to pursue professional wrestling. A truly extraordinary figure, André 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 André’s amazing in-ring career and the indelible mark he left on pop culture, Laprade and Hébert have crafted the most complete portrait of a modern-day mythical being.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2020
90 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 18, 2020
The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of Andre the Giant is the biography of Andre the Giant. Duh.
I haven't been taking on many ARCs since shortly before my son but I had to request this one when it popped up on Netgalley. Plus ECW press offered me an ARC so I was double damned.
The book chronicles the life of Andre the Giant, from his birth in France as Andre Rousimoff to his wrestling career to his death in France while in the country to attend his father's funeral.
Hebert did his homework, dispelling some myths about Andre and confirming some others. Andre's time in the various territories is covered, as are his behind the scenes disputes with Dino Bravo and other wrestlers. I knew the bare bones of Andre's life from being a wrestling fan for decades but Hebert took me for a ride. I had no idea Andre was part owner of the Montreal territory with Gino Brito or how often he went to Japan. I also hadn't heard the story of Andre shitting on Bad News Brown during a match in Mexico.
The book is a little removed for my taste but that is to be expected since Andre has been dead almost 30 years at this point. Hebert must have been researching this for a decade or more. Some of the people he talked to have been dead a few years as of this writing.
As with a lot of good wrestling books, I could have used more content with this one. A giant sized book for a giant sized man, if you will. All things considered, I have no complaints.
The Eighth Wonder of the World is a fitting tribute to a legend of the wrestling business. Four out of five stars
I haven't been taking on many ARCs since shortly before my son but I had to request this one when it popped up on Netgalley. Plus ECW press offered me an ARC so I was double damned.
The book chronicles the life of Andre the Giant, from his birth in France as Andre Rousimoff to his wrestling career to his death in France while in the country to attend his father's funeral.
Hebert did his homework, dispelling some myths about Andre and confirming some others. Andre's time in the various territories is covered, as are his behind the scenes disputes with Dino Bravo and other wrestlers. I knew the bare bones of Andre's life from being a wrestling fan for decades but Hebert took me for a ride. I had no idea Andre was part owner of the Montreal territory with Gino Brito or how often he went to Japan. I also hadn't heard the story of Andre shitting on Bad News Brown during a match in Mexico.
The book is a little removed for my taste but that is to be expected since Andre has been dead almost 30 years at this point. Hebert must have been researching this for a decade or more. Some of the people he talked to have been dead a few years as of this writing.
As with a lot of good wrestling books, I could have used more content with this one. A giant sized book for a giant sized man, if you will. All things considered, I have no complaints.
The Eighth Wonder of the World is a fitting tribute to a legend of the wrestling business. Four out of five stars
March 8, 2020
Wrestling fans, young and old alike, know that André the Giant is one of the true legends of the business, but what some may not know was that his match with Hulk Hogan in Wrestlemania III was not the start of his career as he was quite successful for many years prior to that match in which many became familiar with the “Gentle Giant”. This biography by Bertrand Hebert and Pat Laprade is a very complete work telling the life and career of the wrestling icon.
Born André René Roussimoff, the book follows him through his childhood to his various jobs before getting his start in professional wrestling in Paris at age 18. From there, he went on to enjoy success in Japan and the province of Quebec, becoming a big attraction for wrestling fans in the province, most notably in Montreal and Quebec City. His French roots and ability to speak the language helped him tremendously in the province and it provided him exposure to other promoters. One in particular, Vince McMahon Sr, saw André perform and signed him to wrestle for the then-WWF (now WWE). The authors do a commendable job of research and writing about this part of Andre’s life and career as it is not as well known as his later years in WWF and his rivalry with Hulk Hogan.
The story of André’s personal life, which included not only the acromegaly that made him the size that he was, but also his addiction to alcohol, his dislike of certain aspects of the life of a celebrity such as his distaste for flying, and also his lack of a romantic partner for most of his life, is treated with detail but fairness. There is not criticism for these aspects of André’s life and that makes for a terrific and fair read for those readers not familiar with his life. This is also true for the discussion of André and his work in Hollywood and the movies he appeared in, most notably The Princess Bride.
Of course, Andre’s legendary time with WWF and his appeal with fans after his match with Hogan is covered with the same amount of research and detail and fans who are familiar with this part of his career will thoroughly enjoy reliving some of his best matches in sold-out arenas that are described in this portion of the book. It is here where the reader will learn much more about his personal life described above and also his injuries and diseases that would trouble him for the rest of career and his life outside the ring until his death in early 1993.
It should be noted that this book is not only an excellent account of André’s life and career, but also one about the business of professional wrestling. The details behind the contracts, agreements between promoters to let wrestlers perform for several wrestling promoters at the same time and how the matches are determined on how the heels or baby-faces will win in order to gain either maximum followings or ensure that there will be demand for rematches is great reading. This reviewer has read wrestling books from this publisher in the past and every one of them, including this one, cover this aspect of professional wrestling thoroughly and they and the authors should be commended for brining the reader into this world.
Any wrestling fan who remembers André the Giant will want to add this book to their collection. While it is a long read at 550 pages, it is one that is worth the investment of their time to complete. I consider it to be one of the best books I have read on professional wrestling.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Born André René Roussimoff, the book follows him through his childhood to his various jobs before getting his start in professional wrestling in Paris at age 18. From there, he went on to enjoy success in Japan and the province of Quebec, becoming a big attraction for wrestling fans in the province, most notably in Montreal and Quebec City. His French roots and ability to speak the language helped him tremendously in the province and it provided him exposure to other promoters. One in particular, Vince McMahon Sr, saw André perform and signed him to wrestle for the then-WWF (now WWE). The authors do a commendable job of research and writing about this part of Andre’s life and career as it is not as well known as his later years in WWF and his rivalry with Hulk Hogan.
The story of André’s personal life, which included not only the acromegaly that made him the size that he was, but also his addiction to alcohol, his dislike of certain aspects of the life of a celebrity such as his distaste for flying, and also his lack of a romantic partner for most of his life, is treated with detail but fairness. There is not criticism for these aspects of André’s life and that makes for a terrific and fair read for those readers not familiar with his life. This is also true for the discussion of André and his work in Hollywood and the movies he appeared in, most notably The Princess Bride.
Of course, Andre’s legendary time with WWF and his appeal with fans after his match with Hogan is covered with the same amount of research and detail and fans who are familiar with this part of his career will thoroughly enjoy reliving some of his best matches in sold-out arenas that are described in this portion of the book. It is here where the reader will learn much more about his personal life described above and also his injuries and diseases that would trouble him for the rest of career and his life outside the ring until his death in early 1993.
It should be noted that this book is not only an excellent account of André’s life and career, but also one about the business of professional wrestling. The details behind the contracts, agreements between promoters to let wrestlers perform for several wrestling promoters at the same time and how the matches are determined on how the heels or baby-faces will win in order to gain either maximum followings or ensure that there will be demand for rematches is great reading. This reviewer has read wrestling books from this publisher in the past and every one of them, including this one, cover this aspect of professional wrestling thoroughly and they and the authors should be commended for brining the reader into this world.
Any wrestling fan who remembers André the Giant will want to add this book to their collection. While it is a long read at 550 pages, it is one that is worth the investment of their time to complete. I consider it to be one of the best books I have read on professional wrestling.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
July 4, 2021
Such a poorly written book.
February 20, 2020
The Eighth Wonder of the World is the story of the life and career of Andre Roussimoff, better known as Andre The Giant.
Authors Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hebert were not kidding when they labeled this book “a definitive and exhaustive biography”. Through interviews with members of Andre’s family, promoters, Andre’s peers as well as journalists, they truly went to the ends of the earth to get the final word on Andre’s life.
The book takes us from the early days of Andre’s life growing up in Europe and the troubles he faced from a young age with regards to his size (Andre would hit six foot six by age fourteen). It isn’t long before Laprade and Hebert focus on Andre training to be a professional wrestler as he would quickly break into the Parisian wrestling scene and eventually make his way to the UK. His first matches and his initial feuds are detailed as Andre would begin to find himself as a performer.
Andre’s work in Japan with IWE (International Wrestling Enterprise) and his eventual partnership with Antonio Inoki and New Japan Pro Wrestling are explored. It’s believed that this is where he was initially informed of his acromegaly condition although the authors cannot be certain. It’s believed that Andre may have already known about it or that the diagnoses had been lost in translation from Japanese doctors. Generally, although rare, if Laprade and Bertrand are unsure of the true story, they will go to great lengths to present all the information they were able to dig up and make an educated theory.
In the 70s, Andre would be brought into the North American wrestling scene by getting his start in Quebec. One of the best things about this book is the effort the co-authors put into providing context and establishing the various territories before showing the impact Andre would have upon his arrival. Great care is put into showcasing the legendary figures and the business side of the industry in each market Andre would come into. His drawing power in Quebec is historic in producing crowds in the thousands to see him square off in several feuds with his biggest being with legendary opponent Don Leo Jonathon.
As noted above, as the book moves through the years, Laprade and Hebert are constantly attempting to clear up misconceptions or fallacies about Andre’s career. The reason for so many myths about Andre comes down to the fact that at the height of his popularity, the business was still a closely guarded secret. What people would come to know about Andre was limited to what he would tell them. Whether it was an exaggeration or a way to keep kayfabe alive, it's anyone's guess. They make note of Shane McMahon’s comments in the 2018 HBO documentary (of which both were field producers) stating that before Andre made it to the WWWF, he was wrestling in front of crowds in the range of a few hundred people. This was false as Andre had drawn crowds in the tens of thousands. The authors reference attendance figures through Andre’s career to establish his drawing power well before he got involved with the McMahon family.
His career under McMahon Sr in the 1970s shows how McMahon would retain booking rights for Andre and would loan him to other promotions across the world as a special attraction. By utilizing his vast network of associates, McMahon would ensure that Andre would be paid well, while he would retain a booking fee.. Andre’s drawing power was unparalleled but he also had to be wary of how promoters who would look to take advantage of him by either body slamming the Giant - something that was kept for a special occasion - or beating him to boost their own local wrestlers. Vince Sr. would ultimately control creativity when it came to how Andre would be used and honestly, if Andre didn’t want to do something, given his size, he wasn’t doing it.
There is a fair amount of time devoted to his 1980s and early 1990s WWF career here as well as his role in the 1987 film, The Princess Bride. A lot of this stuff has been done to death in documentaries from both WWE as well as outside parties, but it was still interesting. It’s heartbreaking to read about Andre’s health as it degraded rapidly in the mid-80s onward. In the HBO documentary, it seemed like Vince had pushed Andre to compete at WrestleMania III despite Andre’s cavalcade of health issues, but as Bertrand and Laprade note later on, Andre never really wanted to stop wrestling. He would miss the camaraderie with the boys and keeping a busy schedule. I thought the authors did a great job in examining Andre’s career as it began to wind down. To say Andre was limited would be putting it lightly, yet he was still pulling in crowds despite his decreased mobility. The authors spotlight how Andre believed he had more to offer despite his body being an unwilling participant in his ambition.
In terms of research, this is one of the best wrestling books I've ever read about a performer. While they do spend time correcting a few things in the HBO documentary, they are complimentary of it and this book makes a great companion piece to it. Many modern fans may only know Andre from his rivalry with Hulk Hogan in 1987 onward (myself included), where he was nowhere near as agile and quick on his feet as he was in his early days. The Eighth Wonder of the World shines a light on Andre’s passion, his big heart and his genuine love for his peers.
Authors Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hebert were not kidding when they labeled this book “a definitive and exhaustive biography”. Through interviews with members of Andre’s family, promoters, Andre’s peers as well as journalists, they truly went to the ends of the earth to get the final word on Andre’s life.
The book takes us from the early days of Andre’s life growing up in Europe and the troubles he faced from a young age with regards to his size (Andre would hit six foot six by age fourteen). It isn’t long before Laprade and Hebert focus on Andre training to be a professional wrestler as he would quickly break into the Parisian wrestling scene and eventually make his way to the UK. His first matches and his initial feuds are detailed as Andre would begin to find himself as a performer.
Andre’s work in Japan with IWE (International Wrestling Enterprise) and his eventual partnership with Antonio Inoki and New Japan Pro Wrestling are explored. It’s believed that this is where he was initially informed of his acromegaly condition although the authors cannot be certain. It’s believed that Andre may have already known about it or that the diagnoses had been lost in translation from Japanese doctors. Generally, although rare, if Laprade and Bertrand are unsure of the true story, they will go to great lengths to present all the information they were able to dig up and make an educated theory.
In the 70s, Andre would be brought into the North American wrestling scene by getting his start in Quebec. One of the best things about this book is the effort the co-authors put into providing context and establishing the various territories before showing the impact Andre would have upon his arrival. Great care is put into showcasing the legendary figures and the business side of the industry in each market Andre would come into. His drawing power in Quebec is historic in producing crowds in the thousands to see him square off in several feuds with his biggest being with legendary opponent Don Leo Jonathon.
As noted above, as the book moves through the years, Laprade and Hebert are constantly attempting to clear up misconceptions or fallacies about Andre’s career. The reason for so many myths about Andre comes down to the fact that at the height of his popularity, the business was still a closely guarded secret. What people would come to know about Andre was limited to what he would tell them. Whether it was an exaggeration or a way to keep kayfabe alive, it's anyone's guess. They make note of Shane McMahon’s comments in the 2018 HBO documentary (of which both were field producers) stating that before Andre made it to the WWWF, he was wrestling in front of crowds in the range of a few hundred people. This was false as Andre had drawn crowds in the tens of thousands. The authors reference attendance figures through Andre’s career to establish his drawing power well before he got involved with the McMahon family.
His career under McMahon Sr in the 1970s shows how McMahon would retain booking rights for Andre and would loan him to other promotions across the world as a special attraction. By utilizing his vast network of associates, McMahon would ensure that Andre would be paid well, while he would retain a booking fee.. Andre’s drawing power was unparalleled but he also had to be wary of how promoters who would look to take advantage of him by either body slamming the Giant - something that was kept for a special occasion - or beating him to boost their own local wrestlers. Vince Sr. would ultimately control creativity when it came to how Andre would be used and honestly, if Andre didn’t want to do something, given his size, he wasn’t doing it.
There is a fair amount of time devoted to his 1980s and early 1990s WWF career here as well as his role in the 1987 film, The Princess Bride. A lot of this stuff has been done to death in documentaries from both WWE as well as outside parties, but it was still interesting. It’s heartbreaking to read about Andre’s health as it degraded rapidly in the mid-80s onward. In the HBO documentary, it seemed like Vince had pushed Andre to compete at WrestleMania III despite Andre’s cavalcade of health issues, but as Bertrand and Laprade note later on, Andre never really wanted to stop wrestling. He would miss the camaraderie with the boys and keeping a busy schedule. I thought the authors did a great job in examining Andre’s career as it began to wind down. To say Andre was limited would be putting it lightly, yet he was still pulling in crowds despite his decreased mobility. The authors spotlight how Andre believed he had more to offer despite his body being an unwilling participant in his ambition.
In terms of research, this is one of the best wrestling books I've ever read about a performer. While they do spend time correcting a few things in the HBO documentary, they are complimentary of it and this book makes a great companion piece to it. Many modern fans may only know Andre from his rivalry with Hulk Hogan in 1987 onward (myself included), where he was nowhere near as agile and quick on his feet as he was in his early days. The Eighth Wonder of the World shines a light on Andre’s passion, his big heart and his genuine love for his peers.
July 27, 2020
The next in a recent deluge of biographies of the legendary "8 foot tall" giant of the world of pro wrestling and entertainment. Hebert seeks to separate truth from fiction in this all-encompassing biography, but the minutiae of facts and dates often bog down the narrative. The writing won't win any awards, but fans of Andre may want to add this to their collection.
September 19, 2020
Really enjoyed this.
Been a huge fan of André for many years and after watching the documentary wanted to read more in depth about him and his struggles.
He clearly was a deeply floored individual but also had a big heart, he very much was human and died at a young age.
A must for wrestling fans who wants to learn more about one of the true legends of wrestling.
Been a huge fan of André for many years and after watching the documentary wanted to read more in depth about him and his struggles.
He clearly was a deeply floored individual but also had a big heart, he very much was human and died at a young age.
A must for wrestling fans who wants to learn more about one of the true legends of wrestling.
July 13, 2023
I have to admit that I don't get professional wrestling. I don't understand the appeal of something that pretends to be a real sport while winking at the fact that it's really choreographed, quasi-violent theater. The suspension of disbelief required is beyond my capability (I don't mean to judge; it's just not for me). At one point, Hebert actually makes a distinction about fans being lied to in that a fictitious storyline had been altered after the fact...a bizarrely ironic meta moment that seemed lost on the author. Wrestling is really a world unto itself.
That said, a recent re-watch of The Princess Bride inspired me to listen to this audiobook. In watching that great movie it's easy to forget Andre Rousimoff's acting ability in a role that was so well-suited to him, but his talent was honed and proven for years through his regular job. I came to the book with a desire to better understand who Andre really was as a man; unfortunately, it's necessary to wade through a lot of wrestling to get there. The book is clearly targeted to wrestling fans so there's a lot about whatever Killer Vachon did in 1971, etc. and I just don't care. Fortunately, Hoopla permits listening at double speed.
Hebert does do a good job of acknowledging the fictitious nature of wrestling and through his research and interviews, he also seems to have worked hard to address many of the tall tales associated with The Giant. I had trouble with the narrative at first, given the use of unfamiliar wrestling slang (babyfaces and getting over, e.g.), but the writing is solid and the research is exceptional. Hebert is at pains to emphasize that many of the myths were of Andre's own creation, either born from his wrestling storylines or from a desire to prank (something The Giant was famous for). Some of these purport to be true (farting on the set of The Princess Bride); some seem in doubt (drinking 12 beers without relieving himself one day and then drinking another 12-pack and still not relieving himself the next day despite the beer having been laced with diuretics on the set of the $6M Man). The author discusses acromegaly early on explaining its origins and points out that Andre could have chosen to have an operation to remove the tumorous cause of his condition, but that he chose not to because he seemed to think it would make him less special. I found this particularly poignant because he essentially chose his lifestyle and pro wrestling over life itself.
Hebert muses on the nature of celebrity and explains some of the excessive drinking as a need to escape (along with almost constant pain toward the end of Andre's career and life). I realized I'm somewhat ashamed that I was interested in the book because I was thinking of Andre as something of a fairytale curiosity, but Hebert really shines in portraying Andre's humanity and sensitivity. He talks about Andre's difficulties flying (unable to fit in a restroom), getting a cab in Tokyo (having to ride on all fours unable to sit down), or even playing cribbage (needing his opponent to move his pegs when they were too close together). Most sadly of all, he talks about Andre's loneliness and isolation as his health and age forced him to give up what he loved, especially the camaraderie of the locker room. All in all, it's a good biography of an interesting man who had an extraordinary life.
That said, a recent re-watch of The Princess Bride inspired me to listen to this audiobook. In watching that great movie it's easy to forget Andre Rousimoff's acting ability in a role that was so well-suited to him, but his talent was honed and proven for years through his regular job. I came to the book with a desire to better understand who Andre really was as a man; unfortunately, it's necessary to wade through a lot of wrestling to get there. The book is clearly targeted to wrestling fans so there's a lot about whatever Killer Vachon did in 1971, etc. and I just don't care. Fortunately, Hoopla permits listening at double speed.
Hebert does do a good job of acknowledging the fictitious nature of wrestling and through his research and interviews, he also seems to have worked hard to address many of the tall tales associated with The Giant. I had trouble with the narrative at first, given the use of unfamiliar wrestling slang (babyfaces and getting over, e.g.), but the writing is solid and the research is exceptional. Hebert is at pains to emphasize that many of the myths were of Andre's own creation, either born from his wrestling storylines or from a desire to prank (something The Giant was famous for). Some of these purport to be true (farting on the set of The Princess Bride); some seem in doubt (drinking 12 beers without relieving himself one day and then drinking another 12-pack and still not relieving himself the next day despite the beer having been laced with diuretics on the set of the $6M Man). The author discusses acromegaly early on explaining its origins and points out that Andre could have chosen to have an operation to remove the tumorous cause of his condition, but that he chose not to because he seemed to think it would make him less special. I found this particularly poignant because he essentially chose his lifestyle and pro wrestling over life itself.
Hebert muses on the nature of celebrity and explains some of the excessive drinking as a need to escape (along with almost constant pain toward the end of Andre's career and life). I realized I'm somewhat ashamed that I was interested in the book because I was thinking of Andre as something of a fairytale curiosity, but Hebert really shines in portraying Andre's humanity and sensitivity. He talks about Andre's difficulties flying (unable to fit in a restroom), getting a cab in Tokyo (having to ride on all fours unable to sit down), or even playing cribbage (needing his opponent to move his pegs when they were too close together). Most sadly of all, he talks about Andre's loneliness and isolation as his health and age forced him to give up what he loved, especially the camaraderie of the locker room. All in all, it's a good biography of an interesting man who had an extraordinary life.
April 4, 2023
Amazing life! My man was all over the place. Definitely some sad parts and you felt for him with how difficult life could be being that big.
I think if someone had been really into wrestling (I was not at all), this would be a fun book. But soooo much of it is basically just a list of every big wrestling match of his career, so it just kind of got repetitive with not much noteworthy info for long stretches. I do think the growth and development of wrestling all around the world is fascinating, and obviously Andre the Giant was a big part of that, but I honestly mainly know him from the Princess Bride and just general things outside of wrestling.
Good excuse to google things like “Andre the Giant holding a beer can” though. Impossibly huge.
I think if someone had been really into wrestling (I was not at all), this would be a fun book. But soooo much of it is basically just a list of every big wrestling match of his career, so it just kind of got repetitive with not much noteworthy info for long stretches. I do think the growth and development of wrestling all around the world is fascinating, and obviously Andre the Giant was a big part of that, but I honestly mainly know him from the Princess Bride and just general things outside of wrestling.
Good excuse to google things like “Andre the Giant holding a beer can” though. Impossibly huge.
March 28, 2020
An exhaustive look at the life of Andre the Giant, with the focus on separating myth from reality.
I believe this book will be most appealing to those who grew up in the 1980s and, like myself, became a casual wrestling fan at that time. And though my interest in the "sport" faded at about the same time that Andre's career did likewise in the early 1990s, this book is quite comprehensive, covering Andre's career all the way back to the 1960s in Europe. I struggled to get through those early parts of the book, because there were so many different obscure wrestling personalities named that I had never heard of and had no interest in. At some points, the book gets into the weeds a bit, trying to dot every i and cross every t of Andre's career including many of his early matches, with painstaking detail of the outcomes, some of which are very repetitive. I think a more succinct account of those years might go a long way toward keeping the interest of the reader for the "good parts," when Andre and WWF came onto the scene together at the dawn of the 1980s.
And that era of 1980s wrestling is the meat of this book and those parts make for quite an enjoyable read. At that point, I knew most all of the personalities named, and I read with great interest about how some of those wrestlers got along, or didn't, behind the scenes. The author did a great job of revealing Andre's personality in his private life, with information about his family and his closest friends and what their life was like on the road. The chapter on Andre's work in The Princess Bride movie was also fun to read, because of the insights provided by his co-stars from the movie.
Throughout the pages of this book, the author also did a great job of revealing Andre Roussimoff, the person, separate from Andre the Giant, the celebrity wrestler. Andre Roussimoff was a person with feelings, disappointments, triumphs, heartache, and a big heart. He repeatedly had the reputation of going out of his way to take care of the people that he loved, and his legacy with those closest to him is that of a gentle giant above all else. His wrestling career was a means to an end, and that end was to have a way to take care of his friends.
I got lost a bit near the end of the book, as every "last match" was pointed out... his last Royal Rumble... his last ever Wrestlemania... his final match for WWF... the last time he ever wrestled in Japan... his final televised event... the last time he ever wrestled in the United States... the final time he appeared in Quebec. I believe those were all separate events, so Andre had quite a goodbye tour, but I think the point was made that Andre had trouble letting go of his career.
Looking back, I don't recall his demise, although it is portrayed vividly here. I think that in the absence of social media and internet in those days, most fans only saw (and knew) what the wrestling promoters wanted the fans to see and little else. Andre the Giant loved his career and Andre Roussimoff enjoyed having fun with his friends, but he wasn't physically able to continue in either capacity in or out of the wrestling ring. He died alone and unfulfilled. Yet even after reading this work, my lasting memories of Andre the Giant remain as a 1980s icon, still in his prime, and I believe he would be pleased with this work serving as his best biography.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I believe this book will be most appealing to those who grew up in the 1980s and, like myself, became a casual wrestling fan at that time. And though my interest in the "sport" faded at about the same time that Andre's career did likewise in the early 1990s, this book is quite comprehensive, covering Andre's career all the way back to the 1960s in Europe. I struggled to get through those early parts of the book, because there were so many different obscure wrestling personalities named that I had never heard of and had no interest in. At some points, the book gets into the weeds a bit, trying to dot every i and cross every t of Andre's career including many of his early matches, with painstaking detail of the outcomes, some of which are very repetitive. I think a more succinct account of those years might go a long way toward keeping the interest of the reader for the "good parts," when Andre and WWF came onto the scene together at the dawn of the 1980s.
And that era of 1980s wrestling is the meat of this book and those parts make for quite an enjoyable read. At that point, I knew most all of the personalities named, and I read with great interest about how some of those wrestlers got along, or didn't, behind the scenes. The author did a great job of revealing Andre's personality in his private life, with information about his family and his closest friends and what their life was like on the road. The chapter on Andre's work in The Princess Bride movie was also fun to read, because of the insights provided by his co-stars from the movie.
Throughout the pages of this book, the author also did a great job of revealing Andre Roussimoff, the person, separate from Andre the Giant, the celebrity wrestler. Andre Roussimoff was a person with feelings, disappointments, triumphs, heartache, and a big heart. He repeatedly had the reputation of going out of his way to take care of the people that he loved, and his legacy with those closest to him is that of a gentle giant above all else. His wrestling career was a means to an end, and that end was to have a way to take care of his friends.
I got lost a bit near the end of the book, as every "last match" was pointed out... his last Royal Rumble... his last ever Wrestlemania... his final match for WWF... the last time he ever wrestled in Japan... his final televised event... the last time he ever wrestled in the United States... the final time he appeared in Quebec. I believe those were all separate events, so Andre had quite a goodbye tour, but I think the point was made that Andre had trouble letting go of his career.
Looking back, I don't recall his demise, although it is portrayed vividly here. I think that in the absence of social media and internet in those days, most fans only saw (and knew) what the wrestling promoters wanted the fans to see and little else. Andre the Giant loved his career and Andre Roussimoff enjoyed having fun with his friends, but he wasn't physically able to continue in either capacity in or out of the wrestling ring. He died alone and unfulfilled. Yet even after reading this work, my lasting memories of Andre the Giant remain as a 1980s icon, still in his prime, and I believe he would be pleased with this work serving as his best biography.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2020
It's unfortunate that Andre didn't live long enough to write his own story. But then again, he liked to spin a lot of myths about himself to bolster his own legend, so we probably would have not gotten an accurate account of life or career from the man himself.
This is an exhaustive and detailed biography. Perhaps too much so. I was a fan of wrestling in the 80s, and I do have some interest in the small details of the business and the promotions, but there is A LOT of it here, and a lot of it is outside of his time in the WWF. I will admit that there are only so many pages discussing every match he ever had in Japan that I could read before I started skimming a bit.
But when it's good, it's really good. Fans of 'The Princess Bride' movie will enjoy that chapter - and it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to know that he was so proud of the film that he traveled with a VHS copy of it to show people and talk about it with them. It does get a bit sad when his health begins to deteriorate and he just keeps on working, in any way that he can. He didn't want to be forgotten. And it seems in the end he wasn't and won't be.
Despite some of its flaws (and indeed, some hardcore fans might see them as strengths and not flaws), it is still and entertaining and informative biography about a pop culture phenom and a truly one-of-a-kind person.
This is an exhaustive and detailed biography. Perhaps too much so. I was a fan of wrestling in the 80s, and I do have some interest in the small details of the business and the promotions, but there is A LOT of it here, and a lot of it is outside of his time in the WWF. I will admit that there are only so many pages discussing every match he ever had in Japan that I could read before I started skimming a bit.
But when it's good, it's really good. Fans of 'The Princess Bride' movie will enjoy that chapter - and it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to know that he was so proud of the film that he traveled with a VHS copy of it to show people and talk about it with them. It does get a bit sad when his health begins to deteriorate and he just keeps on working, in any way that he can. He didn't want to be forgotten. And it seems in the end he wasn't and won't be.
Despite some of its flaws (and indeed, some hardcore fans might see them as strengths and not flaws), it is still and entertaining and informative biography about a pop culture phenom and a truly one-of-a-kind person.
May 24, 2025
I grew up watching Saturday Morning Superstars. The first Wrestlemania that I saw was number 6, and the first I was aware of was number 5.
This is all to say, that Andre the Giant I knew was the person who walked to the ring with the Bushwackers, and acted in The Princess Bride. He wasn’t mobile, he wasn’t a monster. He was a person who was at the end of his career and left no lasting memory with me.
As I grew, and my interest in the art of wrestling, its history and the story of the people behind the characters grew, so did my understanding of the role Andre played in the sport. This book does a good job explaining his role, through sharing what can only be verified fact— which is hard as the business was very much protected by kayfabe in this era.
I found this first part of the book tedious, but once Andre moved to Montreal, I found my enjoyment increased. I don’t know if this is the fault of the writing, what documentation was available of the periods, or the book starting to bring in characters I was familiar with.
The one thing that was surprising to me, was that Andre was only 46 when he passed. The acromegaly distorted/aged him in a way that I always assumed he was much older when he passed. Of course, as I write this, I’m 44, so the idea of dying at 46 seems super young to me.
The man was a giant, leaving a huge mark on the sport, and culture surrounding wrestling.
I'd give this book 4 to 5 stars for a wrestling biography, but will I read the book I'll read again if given a chance? Likely not.
This is all to say, that Andre the Giant I knew was the person who walked to the ring with the Bushwackers, and acted in The Princess Bride. He wasn’t mobile, he wasn’t a monster. He was a person who was at the end of his career and left no lasting memory with me.
As I grew, and my interest in the art of wrestling, its history and the story of the people behind the characters grew, so did my understanding of the role Andre played in the sport. This book does a good job explaining his role, through sharing what can only be verified fact— which is hard as the business was very much protected by kayfabe in this era.
I found this first part of the book tedious, but once Andre moved to Montreal, I found my enjoyment increased. I don’t know if this is the fault of the writing, what documentation was available of the periods, or the book starting to bring in characters I was familiar with.
The one thing that was surprising to me, was that Andre was only 46 when he passed. The acromegaly distorted/aged him in a way that I always assumed he was much older when he passed. Of course, as I write this, I’m 44, so the idea of dying at 46 seems super young to me.
The man was a giant, leaving a huge mark on the sport, and culture surrounding wrestling.
I'd give this book 4 to 5 stars for a wrestling biography, but will I read the book I'll read again if given a chance? Likely not.
June 28, 2025
This was a pretty good book. Andre the Giant was quite a unique character in and out of the ring. This book details his wrestling career in deep detail; his start in France, gaining fame in Canada and then both the US and Japan. It also talks about his personal life; the few close friendships he had and the limited relationship with his daughter. Unfortunately, the whole thing kind of reads like a very long Wikipedia article; very dry and straight forward. Some of the stories of Andre pulling pranks and other things out of the ring were interesting and, if leaned into a bit more, would have made this book that much better.
August 7, 2025
I was a big fan of WWF as a kid for a few years and Andre was the biggest in the sport for obvious reasons. This was an easy, enjoyable read….that being said, through no fault of the authors, I didn’t learn a whole lot of either anything new, or the answers to the often repeated questions as to actual height, weight, and the real number of beers he actually could drink in one sitting. As said though, this was quick to read and I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. 8/7/25
Addendum: also wanted to say that I was lucky to see him wrestle at the height of his fame….my grandfather took me and I will cherish that memory always
Addendum: also wanted to say that I was lucky to see him wrestle at the height of his fame….my grandfather took me and I will cherish that memory always
December 23, 2024
Overall, it was a good read, but, at times, the book read more like a statistical spreadsheet... too much time was spent discussing his weight and height. Great read about the eighth wonder of the world. Right, Boss?
January 31, 2025
The account of Andre the Giant's life was intriguing. I grew up in the 1980s, and I was amazed at him on TV. His story revealed how simple changes could have lengthened his life, but he didn't want to lose his aura.
July 25, 2020
Excellent. One of the best wrestling biographies. Extremely well researched and detailed.
August 28, 2020
Wish every author researched as much as Bertrand Hébert and Pat Laprade.
May 23, 2021
Great
#beer #beersofinstagram
#beer #beersofinstagram
May 7, 2022
I listened to this one on audible and thought it was great, even though he mispronounced some names here & there. Who doesn't want to learn more about Andre the Giant?
March 15, 2023
I loved it, doesn’t have the wwe taint on it. It’s all factual, and has a lot of sources. It’s a great read into the life of Andre.
August 22, 2023
Outstanding book about The Eighth Wonder of the World.
January 13, 2025
Fantastic authentic biography of the 8th Wonder of the World.
October 13, 2024
Amazing. Very good, in depth look at each stage of Andre’s career. From early on breaking out of France and making the rounds in UK, to Japan honing his craft at playing a heel, to Montreal and of course the mecca MSG. Just a fascinating look at not just the myths and legends surrounding Andre but a great look at the man himself as well. This the quintessential Andre Bio in my opinion and is easily in my top 3 Wrestling books.
July 30, 2025
While there are interesting tidbits, this book doesn't bring Andre to life. It reads like a collection of encyclopedia entries about Andre with long asides for a history of professional wrestling stretching back to the 1800s. An entire chapter is devoted to listing all the different heights Andre was reported to be. It became a drudgery that I failed to finish. DNF.
May 27, 2020
Awesome! A very in depth look at Andre’s life/career. This is a MUST read for any/every wrestling fan!
I think I have read just about every wrestling bio/autobio out there. This one of the better ones out there. May have cracked my top 3
(Foley’s first book and Road Warrior Animal’s book being 1 and 2)
Just read it, you won’t be disappointed!
I think I have read just about every wrestling bio/autobio out there. This one of the better ones out there. May have cracked my top 3
(Foley’s first book and Road Warrior Animal’s book being 1 and 2)
Just read it, you won’t be disappointed!
Read
April 14, 2022For a giant of a book, you cannot go wrong with THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD. The book looks at the amazing life of noted wrestler Andre The Giant. He was born Andre Rene Rousimoff in 1946, and grew up to become one of the most sought after battlers in the squared circle. He went by other rings names such as Giant Jean Ferre, but the main thing was, he was a fan favourite for much of his career, someone who fans flocked to witness, to see if what they had heard about him was true.
There were varying debates about his actual weight and height, but no matter what numbers were bandied about, he was a giant of a man, who lived to entertain people. While the wrestling ring was his main focal point, he had done guest appearances on such network television shows as The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Greatest American Hero, among others. But he may also be best known for his role as Fezzik in the Rob Reiner directed movie THE PRINCESS BRIDE, where he received great praise for his performance of the lovable giant.
The medical condition he was diagnosed with was called Acromegaly, that caused his body to continue growing. His organs expanded, and it slowly caused his body to break down, making it just an effort at times to walk and stand up straight. While the focal point of the book was his long wrestling career, there were also stories about his eating habits, even mentioning there were times when he would drink over one hundred bottles of beer in one sitting.
The book notes the story when Andre and 600 pound plus wrestler Haystacks Calhoun went to an all-you-can-eat buffet for $2 in a US town, where they ate so much the waitress said the owner was out the back crying. Andre told the owner he wanted to pay full price for both meals that were consumed.
Andre wrestled all over the world, quite in demand in Japan, where he was a sight to behold. He did headline in many cities across North America, his biggest battles against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III. The book talks extensively of his matches and the man in general. If you got on his good side, he was a friend for life, but cross him and he rarely forgot.
One must give the authors credit for adding new material to Giant’s mystique with many little known facts, most coming from fellow wrestlers. He died in January 1993 of congestive heart failure, found dead in his hotel bed. It was quite the effort to prepare for an eventual cremation. Wrestlers fans who saw him wrestle live or on television, will appreciate the story of his life, making this book larger than life, about a larger than life superstar.
There were varying debates about his actual weight and height, but no matter what numbers were bandied about, he was a giant of a man, who lived to entertain people. While the wrestling ring was his main focal point, he had done guest appearances on such network television shows as The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Greatest American Hero, among others. But he may also be best known for his role as Fezzik in the Rob Reiner directed movie THE PRINCESS BRIDE, where he received great praise for his performance of the lovable giant.
The medical condition he was diagnosed with was called Acromegaly, that caused his body to continue growing. His organs expanded, and it slowly caused his body to break down, making it just an effort at times to walk and stand up straight. While the focal point of the book was his long wrestling career, there were also stories about his eating habits, even mentioning there were times when he would drink over one hundred bottles of beer in one sitting.
The book notes the story when Andre and 600 pound plus wrestler Haystacks Calhoun went to an all-you-can-eat buffet for $2 in a US town, where they ate so much the waitress said the owner was out the back crying. Andre told the owner he wanted to pay full price for both meals that were consumed.
Andre wrestled all over the world, quite in demand in Japan, where he was a sight to behold. He did headline in many cities across North America, his biggest battles against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III. The book talks extensively of his matches and the man in general. If you got on his good side, he was a friend for life, but cross him and he rarely forgot.
One must give the authors credit for adding new material to Giant’s mystique with many little known facts, most coming from fellow wrestlers. He died in January 1993 of congestive heart failure, found dead in his hotel bed. It was quite the effort to prepare for an eventual cremation. Wrestlers fans who saw him wrestle live or on television, will appreciate the story of his life, making this book larger than life, about a larger than life superstar.
March 4, 2024
Hebert and Laprade cast Andre as a sympathetic figure, and in many ways he should be seen in such a light. Cursed by a disease he had from birth, he was given a hell of a mountain to climb, and not very much time at all to climb it. He did, though, have an out. He could have had an operation that could have stopped the progression of his acromegaly and prolonged his life, but he chose not to.
Andre was, simply put, a presence. I saw him fight at the Boston Garden in the 1980s. Countless times I watched two or four men stand across from each other and duke it out: Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper vs. Junkyard Dog, Hulk Hogan vs. Don Muraco. They were all larger than life men. But when Andre came out...there was nothing like it. His sheer size was unmistakable. You could not help but notice that there was a true giant among us.
The book attacks the myths of Andre's life, many of which he created or perpetuated. I think it's been fun to read it all and think back on "where I was when." Andre wrestled during the kayfabe era, when wrestling still hid behind the curtain of supposed legitimacy. In those days, if a wrestler disappeared for a while but was supposed to remain on the roster (covering an injury, doing a tour of Japan, etc.) their name was kept alive via a storyline, like the time that Killer Khan "broke Andre's leg." Did he? Well, it's safe to say that 99% of us believed so in the moment. The authors explore this story and many others in deep detail.
We're also introduced to the personal side of Andre. The love of his fellow wrestlers was almost universal (strong focus on "almost"). He was seen as a deeply sensitive man who wrestled with his pending mortality. He knew he was going to die young, but didn't want to give up what he did for a living. He could have had the surgery, but feared that if he did, he wouldn't be able to continue his life as a wrestling star.
Acting gave him a few alternative outlets. I had the pleasure of meeting Cary Elwes, star of The Princess Bride, a few years ago, and listening to his tales of Andre on the set of the movie. It seems that no matter where he went, Andre brought good will and left thousands of people with smiles on their faces. I know he did that with me. My memories, 30 years later, many rekindled by this book, are of laughter, awe and fantastic storytelling in the wrestling ring.
Andre was, simply put, a presence. I saw him fight at the Boston Garden in the 1980s. Countless times I watched two or four men stand across from each other and duke it out: Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper vs. Junkyard Dog, Hulk Hogan vs. Don Muraco. They were all larger than life men. But when Andre came out...there was nothing like it. His sheer size was unmistakable. You could not help but notice that there was a true giant among us.
The book attacks the myths of Andre's life, many of which he created or perpetuated. I think it's been fun to read it all and think back on "where I was when." Andre wrestled during the kayfabe era, when wrestling still hid behind the curtain of supposed legitimacy. In those days, if a wrestler disappeared for a while but was supposed to remain on the roster (covering an injury, doing a tour of Japan, etc.) their name was kept alive via a storyline, like the time that Killer Khan "broke Andre's leg." Did he? Well, it's safe to say that 99% of us believed so in the moment. The authors explore this story and many others in deep detail.
We're also introduced to the personal side of Andre. The love of his fellow wrestlers was almost universal (strong focus on "almost"). He was seen as a deeply sensitive man who wrestled with his pending mortality. He knew he was going to die young, but didn't want to give up what he did for a living. He could have had the surgery, but feared that if he did, he wouldn't be able to continue his life as a wrestling star.
Acting gave him a few alternative outlets. I had the pleasure of meeting Cary Elwes, star of The Princess Bride, a few years ago, and listening to his tales of Andre on the set of the movie. It seems that no matter where he went, Andre brought good will and left thousands of people with smiles on their faces. I know he did that with me. My memories, 30 years later, many rekindled by this book, are of laughter, awe and fantastic storytelling in the wrestling ring.
April 11, 2020
Andre the Giant has always been a wrestling personality that people just love hearing about. “Do you have any good Andre stories?” has become a staple of wrestling podcasts and shoot interviews. In comparison to other wrestlers, there have been many books and documentaries completed on the life of Andre the Giant. Many of these are based on stories or other sources where things were exaggerated or “the business” was protected. Many of these sources have made Andre’s career appear that it started and ended with the WWF.
The authors of this book make a great effort to dispel all myths about Andre the Giant and discuss his life, career and legacy form beginning to end. They used multiple sources and do a good job of telling a complete story. They discuss his career and life in France, Montreal, his wrestling career in Japan and his career in the WWF. Andre was one of the biggest wrestling celebrities and his various talk show and tv show appearances are discussed in detail.
The book mentioned a lot of great moments and matches and I enjoyed following along on youtube as I read. I learned that Andre was once very mobile and a great wrestler who used early versions of the tombstone piledriver and the pedigree as finishing moves. I always thought he just used a bodyslam. I learned how Andre declined to get surgery for his Acromegaly and how it impacted his late career and life. I learned about how Andre contributed to the sudden late 80’s departures of Big John Studd and Bam Bam Bigleow from the WWF. I enjoyed reading about Andre’s career post WWF including his early 90s runs in Japan and Mexico. I have never heard of this part of his career.
I feel like I now know everything I could know about the life and career of Andre the Giant. The authors do this in a way that complements the previous documentaries and books on Andre not devalues it. I highly recommend the book to wrestling fans or anyone curious about the career of Andre the Giant.
Thank you to ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The authors of this book make a great effort to dispel all myths about Andre the Giant and discuss his life, career and legacy form beginning to end. They used multiple sources and do a good job of telling a complete story. They discuss his career and life in France, Montreal, his wrestling career in Japan and his career in the WWF. Andre was one of the biggest wrestling celebrities and his various talk show and tv show appearances are discussed in detail.
The book mentioned a lot of great moments and matches and I enjoyed following along on youtube as I read. I learned that Andre was once very mobile and a great wrestler who used early versions of the tombstone piledriver and the pedigree as finishing moves. I always thought he just used a bodyslam. I learned how Andre declined to get surgery for his Acromegaly and how it impacted his late career and life. I learned about how Andre contributed to the sudden late 80’s departures of Big John Studd and Bam Bam Bigleow from the WWF. I enjoyed reading about Andre’s career post WWF including his early 90s runs in Japan and Mexico. I have never heard of this part of his career.
I feel like I now know everything I could know about the life and career of Andre the Giant. The authors do this in a way that complements the previous documentaries and books on Andre not devalues it. I highly recommend the book to wrestling fans or anyone curious about the career of Andre the Giant.
Thank you to ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
As someone who came into professional wrestling later in life, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for both its theatrical brilliance and the very real human drama behind the curtain.
This book lifts the veil on one of wrestling’s most mythologized figures, André the Giant. What I found wasn’t just a towering icon of wrestling lore, but a deeply complex, and heartbreaking, human being.
The book presents an unflinching portrait of André Roussimoff. His rise to fame, his physical condition, and the emotional toll of being a man who literally didn’t fit in the world.
From a young age, André’s acromegaly shaped every aspect of his life. While it did give him a unique and profitable niche in wrestling, it also categorized him, in effect, as disabled.
André’s loyalty to professional wrestling is both admirable and tragic. Despite his worsening health, he pushed himself to keep performing, honoring bookings and keeping kayfabe alive in a way that feels almost self-sacrificial.
He was a cornerstone of wrestling's expansion into mainstream pop culture, especially with his role in The Princess Bride and the iconic feud with Hulk Hogan that led to their legendary clash at WrestleMania III. But the book makes it clear that behind those public moments of triumph was a man who often struggled with loneliness, pain, and with dreams left unfulfilled.
One of the most poignant threads in the book is André’s yearning for a normal life. He wanted to be a father, to be a part of a family, to retreat to a quiet life on his ranch in North Carolina. His daughter, Robin, is only a small part of the story, but her presence shows the tragic divide between André the performer and André the man.
The book also doesn’t shy away from his vices, especially his legendary alcohol consumption. I saw this more as a coping mechanism for the physical and emotional pain he endured daily. His relationships also were complicated. He could be warm and generous, but also moody and standoffish. Bertrand dos a good job of showing how his fame sometimes made genuine human connection difficult.
This is a respectful, and deeply humanizing biography. It neither worships nor demonizes André. Instead, it asks us to see him as a man who lived an extraordinary life under extraordinary circumstances. A man shaped by a world that both adored and misunderstood him.
This book lifts the veil on one of wrestling’s most mythologized figures, André the Giant. What I found wasn’t just a towering icon of wrestling lore, but a deeply complex, and heartbreaking, human being.
The book presents an unflinching portrait of André Roussimoff. His rise to fame, his physical condition, and the emotional toll of being a man who literally didn’t fit in the world.
From a young age, André’s acromegaly shaped every aspect of his life. While it did give him a unique and profitable niche in wrestling, it also categorized him, in effect, as disabled.
André’s loyalty to professional wrestling is both admirable and tragic. Despite his worsening health, he pushed himself to keep performing, honoring bookings and keeping kayfabe alive in a way that feels almost self-sacrificial.
He was a cornerstone of wrestling's expansion into mainstream pop culture, especially with his role in The Princess Bride and the iconic feud with Hulk Hogan that led to their legendary clash at WrestleMania III. But the book makes it clear that behind those public moments of triumph was a man who often struggled with loneliness, pain, and with dreams left unfulfilled.
One of the most poignant threads in the book is André’s yearning for a normal life. He wanted to be a father, to be a part of a family, to retreat to a quiet life on his ranch in North Carolina. His daughter, Robin, is only a small part of the story, but her presence shows the tragic divide between André the performer and André the man.
The book also doesn’t shy away from his vices, especially his legendary alcohol consumption. I saw this more as a coping mechanism for the physical and emotional pain he endured daily. His relationships also were complicated. He could be warm and generous, but also moody and standoffish. Bertrand dos a good job of showing how his fame sometimes made genuine human connection difficult.
This is a respectful, and deeply humanizing biography. It neither worships nor demonizes André. Instead, it asks us to see him as a man who lived an extraordinary life under extraordinary circumstances. A man shaped by a world that both adored and misunderstood him.
November 13, 2020
As a "90s kid", I was introduced to Andre the Giant as the terrifying presence matched up against my childhood hero, Hulk Hogan. Little did I know, of course, that Andre was almost at the completion of his professional wrestling run at that time, having a career that spanned decades before that match. In "The Eighth Wonder of the World", author Bertrand Hebert tells that story.
This book is what I would call a "definitive biography" on its subject. No stone is left unturned as every detail of Andre's life and wrestling career is turned over and meticulously examined. A major theme throughout is the debunking, if you will, of some of the myths that surround Andre. Not in a negative way, but simply to set the record straight.
In one sense, I have a tremendous appreciation for the level of detail that Hebert gives Andre's legacy. It must have taken years of research to put together such a comprehensive compendium, and Andre's life is certainly a worthy/interesting subject for that focus.
In another sense, though, the level of detail can also be a tad overwhelming at times. That, more than anything, is the reason for the four stars instead of the full five. All the minutiae of names, dates, and places can sometimes be difficult to wade through. While I consider myself a fan of pro wrestling, I'm nowhere near the level of fandom it would take to truly appreciate all this "little stuff".
Overall, though, "Eighth Wonder" was a fun read for me that I got through in short order, even despite the density. Andre truly lived a remarkable life, and Hebert captures that in these pages.
This book is what I would call a "definitive biography" on its subject. No stone is left unturned as every detail of Andre's life and wrestling career is turned over and meticulously examined. A major theme throughout is the debunking, if you will, of some of the myths that surround Andre. Not in a negative way, but simply to set the record straight.
In one sense, I have a tremendous appreciation for the level of detail that Hebert gives Andre's legacy. It must have taken years of research to put together such a comprehensive compendium, and Andre's life is certainly a worthy/interesting subject for that focus.
In another sense, though, the level of detail can also be a tad overwhelming at times. That, more than anything, is the reason for the four stars instead of the full five. All the minutiae of names, dates, and places can sometimes be difficult to wade through. While I consider myself a fan of pro wrestling, I'm nowhere near the level of fandom it would take to truly appreciate all this "little stuff".
Overall, though, "Eighth Wonder" was a fun read for me that I got through in short order, even despite the density. Andre truly lived a remarkable life, and Hebert captures that in these pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews