“Sweeney's forensic research shines through an entertaining book that is athoroughly 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 WrestlingNewspaperscalled him the “the man with the cast-iron toes,” “the best drop-kicker inwrestling,” and “one of the mat game's biggest box office attractions.” But Dr.John “Dropkick” Murphy's legacy extends far beyond the wrestling ring. Decadesbefore the Betty Ford Center became a household name — and long before the bandthe Dropkick Murphys named themselves in his honor — the phrase going toDropkick’s meant a person struggling with addiction needed help and would soonget some.This book chronicles for the first time the unbelievable life of Dropkick Murphy, a professionalwrestler who put himself through medical school during the Great Depression andthen opened Bellows Farm, a one-of-a-kind institution that served as both a facilitywhere elite athletes could train as well as a secluded place wheredown-on-their-luck alcoholics could go to sober up discreetly.Thecelebrities who frequented Dropkick Murphy’s farm were many, and numerous professionalathletes would go there to focus on their training and work out in hisstate-of-the-art gymnasium. As a result, Bellows Farm featured an unrivaled andrevolving cast of colorful characters who brought it to life. Drawing on yearsof research and interviews, author Emily Sweeney goes behind the scenes toreveal the untold story of Murphy’s life, his farm, and the legendary eventsthat unfolded there.
