The Von Erichs: A Family Album : Tragedies and Triumphs of America's First Family of Wrestling [Hardcover]

Kirk Dooley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although superficial, this saga of a close-knit Texas family that has had more than its share of tragedyone son dead in a childhood accident, another from a sports injury and a third by suicidehas a certain appeal. Dooley (Hidden Dallas) traces the rise of Jack Adkisson, his struggle to carve out a career in sports and his success as professional wrestler Fritz Von Erich, originator of a special grip called the Iron Claw. Also chronicled are the sports apprenticeships of Von Erich's sons Chris, Kevin and Kerry and their decision to join their father in wrestling. The photos are strictly the fare of family albums, and as such are of no interest outside the Von Erich clan.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Pub; 1St Edition edition (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878335935
• ISBN-13: 978-0878335930
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,072,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book but, sadly, not the complete story, January 27, 2004

By 

mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Von Erichs: A Family Album : Tragedies and Triumphs of America's First Family of Wrestling (Hardcover)

This book showcases the "First Family of Wrestling" with hundreds of wonderful family photos, many of which are in full color. They include such things as family vacations, Christmases, birthday parties, proms, baby photos, hunting/fishing trips, as well as wrestling photos. The text covers the history of the Von Erichs, from father Jack Adkisson marriage to Doris Smith (losing his SMU scholarship in the process), to his early wrestling career (the reason for changing his name to Fritz Von Erich is not explained), to the birth of his six sons; five of whom he would outlive. The photographs reveal a happy, close-knit family, but tragedy always loomed.

Fritz's first son, Jackie, drowned after a freakish accident when seven years old. His other sons followed Fritz's footsteps in the wrestling profession. In 1984, third son David, the tall cowboy, was preparing to wrestle for a world title against Ric Flair only to succumb to a ruptured intestine exacerbated by a rare stomach virus while wrestling in Japan. Kerry filled in for his brother and won the championship. Kevin, Kerry, and Mike were the most popular grapplers in the Denton County, Texas based World Class Championship Wrestling during the mid-1980s. The book, however, focuses on their family life and only briefly mentions their wrestling triumphs. Nemesis Gary Hart is pictured once but is not mentioned in the text.

The book ends with Kerry's 1986 motorcycle accident and the 1987 suicide of Mike who suffered a personality change after barely surviving toxic shock syndrome. The book mentions that Kerry nearly lost his foot, of course, we find out later that Kerry did indeed lose his foot and used a prosthetic boot while in the ring. If one watches a post-accident Kerry match, one can see that one foot is stiff and does not flex at the toes. Many fans, however, did not know this until after Kerry shot himself to death in 1993. He had a stint in the WWF (the only Von Erich to do so) but the possibility of jail time for drug charges and the collapse of his marriage was too much for Kerry. His death followed that of youngest brother Chris, another suicide. Such was the so-called "Von Erich curse." As the book points out, Christianity was very important in the Von Erich household and this faith is what keeps second son Kevin strong. He has retired from wrestling and is raising four children, some of whom may follow him in a wrestling career. Fritz passed away in 1997. The book is a wonderful tribute with intimate photos and stories that can make readers believe they know the family. With hindsight, however, it is also an incredibly sad book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars decent book, November 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Von Erichs: A Family Album : Tragedies and Triumphs of America's First Family of Wrestling (Hardcover)

the book was good, but i think certain facts were left out. also certain things were in error (birthdays and date of deaths, for example), but it was very interesting. worth every penny. it was nice to see what kind of childhoods they led, which really were no different from anyone else's. lots of great pictures, including baby pictures.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Von Erichs: A Family Album, November 1, 2011

By 

ClaudiaT - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Von Erichs: A Family Album : Tragedies and Triumphs of America's First Family of Wrestling (Hardcover)

A must have for any fan of the wrestling dynasty von Erich family. Includes exclusive family photos not found anywhere else. Published in 1987, it predates the death of Chris, Kerry, and Fritz.