Overview

For a half-century, the Sheik terrorized fans and foes, becoming wrestling's most feared villain. Yet away from the ring, Ed Farhat was a veteran, family-man and businessman whose real life was shrouded in mystery. For the first time, Blood and Fire tells the whole story. 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.

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9781770415805

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Reviews

I have never learned more about any pro wrestler from any single book than I did from the tour de force that is Blood and Fire. The veil of secrecy the Sheik shrouded his life and career in has been lifted by Brian Solomon's painstaking research. A book on pro wrestling's most mysterious figure has never been attempted; now that one has finally been written, it can be followed. Like its subject, this book is one of a kind. Wrestling fans should read it twice. -- Jim Cornette, Wrestling Personality and creator and host of the Jim Cornette Experience Podcast

It's hard to think of many wrestling fans who wouldn't find something of interest here, but for anyone with an affection for the territorial era or character work, it's a must. -- Pro Wrestling Books This book is truly a must-read for wrestling fans, a great tribute to one of the most hated heels in wrestling history. -- Shelf Life For its unprecedented coverage and gripping storytelling, 'Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik' is the best biography of a pro wrestler. -- The Wrestling Estate Replete with eye-catching photos and meticulously researched, the narrative is as keen and captivating as its subject. This is a must-read for wrestling fans. -- Publishers Weekly starred review I have never learned more about any pro wrestler from any single book than I did from the tour de force that is Blood and Fire. The veil of secrecy the Sheik shrouded his life and career in has been lifted by Brian Solomon's painstaking research. A book on pro wrestling's most mysterious figure has never been attempted; now that one has finally been written, it can be followed. Like its subject, this book is one of a kind. Wrestling fans should read it twice. -- Jim Cornette, Wrestling Personality and creator and host of the Jim Cornette Experience Podcast

The book is not only a well-researched and well documented description of the Sheik's life both in an [sic] out of the ring, but it is a nice illustration of the wrestling industry at the time territorial companies were ruling the day ... This is a book that any wrestling fan should read, whether a fan of that era, during the boom in the 1980's when wrestling became a part of pop culture, or even the current version which bears some resemblance to the Sheik's more outlandish schemes. -- Sports Book Guy blog It's hard to think of many wrestling fans who wouldn't find something of interest here, but for anyone with an affection for the territorial era or character work, it's a must. -- Pro Wrestling Books Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik by Brian R. Solomon is as near perfect a pro wrestling book as has ever been written ... This book is highly recommended for any fan of professional wrestling that wants to learn of a forgotten time period pre-1980's or even gain a deeper insight into Michigan during this time period. -- Lion Cub Job Search blog Replete with eye-catching photos and meticulously researched, the narrative is as keen and captivating as its subject. This is a must-read for wrestling fans. -- Publishers Weekly starred review I have never learned more about any pro wrestler from any single book than I did from the tour de force that is Blood and Fire. The veil of secrecy the Sheik shrouded his life and career in has been lifted by Brian Solomon's painstaking research. A book on pro wrestling's most mysterious figure has never been attempted; now that one has finally been written, it can be followed. Like its subject, this book is one of a kind. Wrestling fans should read it twice. -- Jim Cornette, Wrestling Personality and creator and host of the Jim Cornette Experience Podcast

Author Information

Brian R. Solomon is an educator and the author of several books on sports and entertainment. He is a regular contributor to Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Inside the Ropes, and the co-host of the PWI Podcast. For seven years, he was an editor for WWE. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and son.

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