Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life

Dr. John "Dropkick" Murphy's legacy extends far beyond the wrestling ring, as his Bellows Farm was a one-of-a-kind institution that served as both a facility where elite athletes could train and a secluded place for down-on-their-luck alcoholics to go to sober up discreetly. This book chronicles the untold story of Murphy's life, his farm, and the legendary events that unfolded there.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Hamilcar Publications

“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 Murphys 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.

Newspapers 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 Dropkicks” 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 Murphys 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.

Dimension: 152 x 228 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781949590647