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 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: 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 to Paris 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, Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hébert have crafted the most complete portrait of a modern-day mythical being.

The Definitive Biography of Pro Wrestling’s Most Beloved Giant

“I have always been fascinated by the legend of André the Giant. Even before I became an avid wrestling fan, he captivated my imagination. His influence will forever be felt well beyond the boundaries of the professional wrestling world, and this book well represents that.” — Kevin Owens, WWE Superstar

“After so many years of lies, half-truths, and exaggerations, Laprade and Hébert have delivered a book full of so many facts that even André the Giant himself would have learned something.” — Greg Oliver, author of The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series

“For his friends, he couldn’t say no. He would have done anything for you. He once told my wife that if we were ever in need, to go to see him. He wanted to give my son a job. This book represents, very well, the career but also the human side of the man.” — Gino Brito, Canadian wrestling legend

“Laprade and Hébert expertly slice through the myth-making that forged the legend of André the Giant, unearthing the reality of André Roussimoff, a man empowered and entrapped alike by the very gifts that defined him. Aptly titled, The Eighth Wonder of the World sweeps readers through the trials, heartbreak, and wonder that forged a pop culture icon like no other.” — Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com

“André the Giant was one of the most fascinating wrestlers of all time, like a fairy tale character come to life, complete with its own mythology. For the past 50 years, people have told stories and written about André the Giant, much of which was fiction. In this book, Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hébert cut through the fiction and, in the end, you find out that the real story of André the Giant was far more fascinating than the myths.” — Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Pat Laprade has been involved in pro wrestling for more than 18 years. He was a field producer for HBO’s critically acclaimed documentary André the Giant. With Bertrand Hébert he co-authored Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s 2013 book of the year 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.

“The gold standard for wrestling biographies.” — Wrestling Observer
“The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant is a must-read for any and all with even a fleeting interest in the wrestling business or the mesmeric André … It’s brimming with information and stories that even the most ardent of wrestling fans will be completely unaware of.” — WhatCulture
“Laprade and Hébert 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 André the Giant. When we compile the list of 20 Best Wrestling Books of the Next 20 Years, this André 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 Hébert 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 André’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 André’s genitalia to his lust for life and the ladies and even an entire chapter on acromegaly, the hormonal disorder responsible for André’s immense size.” — Slam! Wrestling