Overview

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 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 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 toParis 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.  '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

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9781770414662

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Reviews

In terms of research, this is one of the best wrestling books I've read about a performer. . . The Eighth Wonder of the World shines a light on Andre's passion, his big heart and his genuine love for his peers. -- Every Read Thing blog I consider it to be one of the best books I have read on professional wrestling. -- The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books blog

In terms of research, this is one of the best wrestling books I've read about a performer . . . The Eighth Wonder of the World shines a light on Andre's passion, his big heart and his genuine love for his peers. -- Every Read Thing blog I consider it to be one of the best books I have read on professional wrestling. -- The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books blog

The gold standard for wrestling biographies. -- Wrestling Observer The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of Andre the Giant is a must-read for any and all with even a fleeting interest in the wrestling business or the mesmeric Andre. . . It's brimming with information and stories that even the most ardent of wrestling fans will be completely unaware of. -- WhatCulture Laprade and Hebert have astutely balanced information and entertainment, leaving us with a page-turner when we need it most. There's no better way for wrestling fans to get through social distancing than by reading The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of Andre the Giant. When we compile the list of 20 Best Wrestling Books of the Next 20 Years, this Andre the Giant book is going on top. -- The Wrestling Estate This is a superbly researched piece of work that tries to [unpack] truth amongst the legends. In the world of pro wrestling this is a particularly hard task and Bertrand Hebert and Pat Laprade should be commended for managing to do so while still providing a heartfelt tribute to a man who was larger than life - in all senses of the [word]. -- Tripwire 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

In terms of research, this is one of the best wrestling books I've read about a performer. . . The Eighth Wonder of the World shines a light on Andre's passion, his big heart and his genuine love for his peers. -- Every Read Thing blog

"""Unlike traditional biographies, we don't just get a chronological recollection of Andr�'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 Andr�'s genitalia to his lust for life and the ladies and even an entire chapter on acromegaly, the hormonal disorder responsible for Andr�'s immense size."" -- Slam! Wrestling"

Author Information

Pat Laprade has been involved in pro wrestling for more than 15 years. He was a field producer for HBO’s critically acclaimed documentary André the Giant. With Bertrand Hébert 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, Hébert also co-wrote Pat Patterson’s biography, Accepted.

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