Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel

Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
by Larry Matysik, Barbara Goodish

Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $9.00
You Save: $10.95 (55%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.20 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Barbara Goodish, Larry Matysik
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-08-15
ISBN: 1550227602
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: ECW Press

Book Reviews of Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel

Book Review: The Legend of Bruiser Brody on paper
Summary: 5 Stars

The legend of Bruiser Brody has finally been documented on paper by the people who knew him by both his personas; First there was Frank Goodish - the gentle giant, caring human being, loyal friend, loving husband, and proud father; And then there was Bruiser Brody - the wild and often controversial wrestler that most of us are familiar with. This combination of distinct characteristics bundled together to create complex and entertaining MAN who was loved by those who knew him personally and admired by fans who knew him professionally - although many greedy promoters knew him as a seven foot tall walking talking headache. Larry Matysik (the voice of St. Louis wrestling, announcer for the famed "Wrestling at the Chase," and author of a wonderful book by the same name) joined forces with Barbara Goodish, the widow of Frank and mother of his only child, Geoff, to boldly present the life and times of Frank "Bruiser" Brody.

With the exception of the big two, WWF and WCW, Bruiser Brody literally worked everywhere on the wrestling planet. He developed one of the most unbalanced reputations in the history of the wrestling industry. Starting out in Texas, then making a name for himself in St. Louis under the guidance of promoter Sam Muchnick, hitting virtually every territory in the country, dominating the wrestling circuit in Japan, and taking advantage of the national exposure by appearing in Verne Gagne's AWA. The road-map of Brody's career literally circled the globe and he did it all with an iron fist and a steadfast commitment to preserving his own character as well as the integrity of the sport. His insistence on getting every penny he earned often left a bad taste in the mouths of unscrupulous promoters, who would inevitably book him again due to one unavoidable principle - Brody could "draw" the fans like no other.

Personally, I have always been very much intrigued by Bruiser Brody. My limited exposure to his matches, and fuzzy low-quality compilation tape left me terribly curious about this mysterious figure that seemingly has the entire wrestling world in the palm of his hand. Very few wrestlers could attract the attention of his audience as well as Bruiser Brody, and perhaps (no I'm pretty sure it is) that's the reason he was able to make so much money in so many territories. Bruiser Brody, sometimes known as "King Kong" Brody (as not to infringe on Dick The Bruiser's notoriety), will go down in history as one of the most all-around fan-friendly professional wrestlers ever - despite what role, heel or face, he was playing.

Thanks to the courage of his widow, Barbara, fans of the legendary Bruiser Brody have been formally introduced to the man behind the wild persona known as Mr. Frank Goodish. This is a book about Frank's early life, football career, pro-wrestling career, his famously firm philosophies, becoming a LEGEND in Japan, and of course the tragic events leading up to his murder in Puerto Rico at the hands of another wrestler who never spent a single day in jail. Also included in this book are touching stories of Goodish meeting his wife while touring New Zealand, and the effect their first child had on his life. Both writers theorize on what the wrestling landscape would be like were it not for Brody's untimely death in 1988.

"BRODY" is a truly fascinating look at a man that captured the imagination of every person fortunate enough to experience a Bruiser Brody match and/or wrestling interview while Brody was still with us on this earth.

Rating: 9 / 10

Summary of Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel

Written by his best friend and widow, this compelling biography of international wrestling superstar “Bruiser? Brody provides an unparalleled look at his life and death. At 6?5? and a muscular 320 pounds, Brody was a giant in the ring who evoked fear in his opponents and respect from the wrestling community. In the geographical segregated wrestling world of the 1970s and 1980s, where each area had its own stars, Brody?s intensity made him one of the few recognized as celebrities across the country. Featuring candid discussions about the nature of wrestling during Brody?s heyday as well as a frank description of his horrific murder and its aftermath, this revealing account illustrates why Brody continues to be one of the most beloved figures in wrestling.

Biographies Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Biographies Books
Caddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story ImageCaddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story
by John Feinstein
Back Bay Books; Published: 2005-05-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops: $15.99
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman ImageWhere Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
by Jon Krakauer
Anchor; Published: 2010-07-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.73
Price in other shops: $15.95
The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) ImageThe Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)
by Lawrence S. Ritter
Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Published: 2010-04-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.32
Price in other shops: $14.99
A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez ImageA-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez
by Selena Roberts
Harper Perennial; Published: 2010-02-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.51
Price in other shops: $15.99
The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World ImageThe Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World
by Jere Longman
Harper Perennial; Published: 2001-04-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops: $14.99
Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life ImageGo For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life
by Mia Hamm, Aaron Heifetz
It Books; Published: 2000-07-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops: $13.99
This Voice in My Heart: A Runner's Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness ImageThis Voice in My Heart: A Runner's Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness
by Gilbert Tuhabonye, Gary Brozek
Amistad; Published: 2007-05-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.88
Price in other shops: $13.99
Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big ImageJuiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big
by Jose Canseco
It Books; Published: 2006-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.50
Price in other shops: $15.99
The Last Season ImageThe Last Season
by Eric Blehm
Harper; Published: 2006-04-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops: $24.95
Hawk : Occupation Skateboarder ImageHawk : Occupation Skateboarder
by Tony; Mortimer, Sean Hawk
Regan Books; Published: 2000; Hardcover; Book
Similar Books and other products
The World According To Dutch ImageThe World According To Dutch
by Dutch Mantell
CreateSpace; Published: 2009-12-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.99
Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness (WWE) ImageCross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness (WWE)
by Dustin Rhodes
World Wrestling Entertainment; Published: 2010-12-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.09
Price in other shops: $16.00
WWE: Greatest Rivalries - Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart [Blu-ray] ImageWWE: Greatest Rivalries - Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart [Blu-ray]
Uni; Release date: 2011-10-25; Blu-ray
Best price: $23.28
Price in other shops: $39.95
Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling ImageWrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
by Larry Matysik
ECW Press; Published: 2005-06-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: $18.95
King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story ImageKing of the Ring: The Harley Race Story
by Harley Race
Sports Publishing; Published: 2006-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.48
Price in other shops: $16.95
Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps ImageUndisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps
by Chris Jericho
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2011-02-16; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.95
Price in other shops: $27.99
Adventures in Larryland!: Life in Professional Wrestling ImageAdventures in Larryland!: Life in Professional Wrestling
by Larry Zbyszko
ECW Press; Published: 2008-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.82
Price in other shops: $19.95
Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link ImageBang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link
by Dewey Robertson, Meredith Renwick
ECW Press; Published: 2006-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.68
Price in other shops: $19.95
The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling ImageThe Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling
Genius; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops: $6.95
The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling ImageThe Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling
by Joe Animal Laurinaitis, Andrew William Wright
Medallion Press; Published: 2011-02-08; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops: $24.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories