The Eighth Wonder of the World

The True Story of André the Giant

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The Eighth Wonder of the World

By: Bertrand Hébert, Pat Laprade

Narrated by: Graham Rowat

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About this listen

A definitive and exhaustive biography

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 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 World transports listeners 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 to Paris 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.

Bertrand HébertPat LapradeGraham RowatTantor Audio

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I can understand why this book got so much critical acclaim from the likes of Jim Cornette. It really is the definitive story of André the Giant and should be the standard by which all future wrestling biographies are judged. Easy to pick up for a non-wrestling fan due to the extremely detailed writing where everything is placed in context and enough gems that even the most hardcore fan of wrestling will learn something. The references to other biographies and other wrestling books is greatly appreciated giving the text an almost academic feel. I will be purchasing the Mad Dog Vachon book on the back of this work.

However, the narrator is awful. Everything is monotone cheeriness and there is more than one pronunciation error (Tony Skee-a-voni!). The material made the book gripping, the narrator tried his hardest to kill it. I'd really like to see somebody step up and take the mantle of designated wrestling book reader. The voices of wrestling have made a big impact through the years, having a serious name attaching themselves to this role in the future would be fantastic. I'd still highly recommend the audiobook if you're unlikely to purchase the book though.