Dropkick Murphy

A Legendary Life

By: Emily Sweeney, Ken Casey (Foreword by)

Write A Review

Paperback | 28 September 2023 | Edition Number 1

Sorry, we are not able to source the book you are looking for right now.

We did a search for other books with a similar title, however there were no matches. You can try selecting from a similar category, click on the author's name, or use the search box above to find your book.

"Sweeney's forensic research shines through an entertaining book that is a
thoroughly delicious slice of Irish-Americana."-Irish Times "What makes the story of Murphy's professional wrestling career so fascinating is the way Sweeney sets the scene for many of his matches...From the booming voice of "Whitey" Kaunfer welcoming cold patrons to the Old Mechanics Building to the sweaty, bloody, and crowded confines of the Boston Arena dressing room, Sweeney does an exceptional job... If you are considering this book for its wrestling content, you will certainly enjoy what you find."--Slam WrestlingNewspapers
called him the "the man with the cast-iron toes," "the best drop-kicker in
wrestling," and "one of the mat game's biggest box office attractions." But Dr.
John "Dropkick" Murphy's legacy extends far beyond the wrestling ring. Decades
before the Betty Ford Center became a household name -- and long before the band
the Dropkick Murphys named themselves in his honor -- the phrase going to
Dropkick's meant a person struggling with addiction needed help and would soon
get some.

This book chronicles for the first time the unbelievable life of Dropkick Murphy, a professional
wrestler who put himself through medical school during the Great Depression and
then opened Bellows Farm, a one-of-a-kind institution that served as both a facility
where elite athletes could train as well as a secluded place where
down-on-their-luck alcoholics could go to sober up discreetly.

The
celebrities who frequented Dropkick Murphy's farm were many, and numerous professional
athletes would go there to focus on their training and work out in his
state-of-the-art gymnasium. As a result, Bellows Farm featured an unrivaled and
revolving cast of colorful characters who brought it to life. Drawing on years
of research and interviews, author Emily Sweeney goes behind the scenes to
reveal the untold story of Murphy's life, his farm, and the legendary events
that unfolded there.

Industry Reviews

"The original Dropkick Murphy has long deserved a biography worthy of his legendary life and name, and now he has one-thanks to Emily Sweeney and her wry fascination with all things Old Boston."

-Howie Carr, New York Times bestselling author of The Brothers Bulger and Hitman

"This is not only a stupendous biography of a fascinating, multilayered American hero. It is also a vividly detailed and riveting account of life in mid-twentieth-century America, the world where our parents or grandparents rubbed shoulders with Dropkick."

-Walter V. Robinson, Editor-at-Large at the Boston Globe

"Here is a tale that seizes your attention, and grapples with your soul, from the slam of the ring to the terror of rehab. To steal a phrase from the very gifted Emily Sweeney, it is one 'colossal bully' of a book!"

-John A.Farrell, author of Ted Kennedy: A Life and Pulitzer Prize finalist

"Pioneer, iconoclast, legend. Dropkick Murphy broke societal barriers with the same intensity as he broke choke holds. Author Emily Sweeney examines one of history's most underrated and fascinating characters whose compassionate mission is more relevant today than it ever was before. Sweeney's book is life-affirming and well told!"

-Casey Sherman, New York Times Bestselling author of The Finest Hours and Helltown

"Emily Sweeney is Boston through and through and has emerged as a storytelling force in a city with no shortage of legendary raconteurs. In Dropkick Murphy she has delivered a stouthearted tale of the nexus of sport and recovery, as well as the untold story of one of the godfathers of the working-class fighting spirit that still resonates in Boston today."

-Dave Wedge New York Times bestselling author of Hunting Whitey

"A wonderful cast of characters make this a deeply entertaining read."

-All Sports Book Reviews

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.