From field producer for HBO's Andr the Giant Pat Laprade and renowned wrestling historian Bertrand Hbert comes a definitive and exhaustive biography of Andr the Giant ... now in paperback!
"The gold standard for wrestling biographies." -- Wrestling Observer
Is there a way to find truth in the stuff of legend? You may think you know Andr the Giant -- but who was Andr Roussimoff? Through exhaustive research and exclusive interviews with family and friends, The Eighth Wonder of the World offers a comprehensive exploration of Andr's amazing wrestling career and the indelible mark he left on pop culture, including his role in the cult classic film The Princess Bride.
Born in France, Andr worked on his family's farm until he was 18, when he moved to Paris to pursue professional wrestling. A truly extraordinary figure, Andr 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.
This 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. Transporting readers beyond the smoke and mirrors of professional wrestling into the life of a real man, Laprade and Hbert have crafted the most complete portrait of a modern-day mythical being.