"What a monumental achievement this book is. I was fascinated from the first page. Brian Solomon filled in so many blanks for me and also reintroduced many wrestlers I'd long forgotten about. I'll put it right next to my favorite pro wrestling books ever!" - Bret Hart Features rare photos and a detailed career timeline, exploring Gorilla's groundbreaking contributions to the sport. A crucial figure in the development of what would eventually become the juggernaut known as WWE, Robert "Gino" Marella, better known as Gorilla Monsoon, has never had his whole story told - until now. It's a story that starts with the aspirations of the son of Italian immigrants who becomes a national standout in collegiate wrestling and an Olympic hopeful, then takes an unlikely trajectory through the bizarre world of pro wrestling, eventually landing him in what was then known as the WWWF. From Gino's wrestling days as the rampaging monster who sold out Madison Square Garden and challenged world champion Bruno Sammartino dozens of times, to his pivotal role behind the scenes as part owner and would-be successor to Vince McMahon Sr., to his days as the beloved television commentator who narrated the memories of millions of young fans, Brian Soloman, the author of Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik, has once again crafted the definitive biography of one of the most fascinating characters in pro wrestling history. Gino's name and his voice are etched deep in the memory of wrestling fans the world over. This is his incredible story.

The captivating story of how The Sheik captured the imagination of a generation, conquered the wrestling business, and lost it all in a blaze of flame and glory He was the most vicious, bloodthirsty, reviled villain in the history of the ring. During the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, he drew record crowds everywhere he went and left a trail of burned and bloody opponents in his wake. He was The Sheik: the mysterious and terrifying madman from Syria whose wanton destruction and mayhem are the stuff of wrestling legend. But what those legions of fans screaming for his head never knew was that The Sheik was really Eddie Farhat. From Lansing, Michigan, and the son of Arab immigrants, Farhat served his country proudly in World War II and was fulfilling the American dream through hard work and tireless dedication to his craft. And when he wasn't screaming unintelligibly and attacking his enemies with sharp objects, he was busy being the owner and operator of World Wide Sports, one of the most successful wrestling companies in North America. This is Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik.