Foxcatcher
A True Story of Murder, Madness and the Quest for Olympic Gold
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4.2 • 12 Ratings
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- £6.99
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- £6.99
Publisher Description
Foxcatcher by Mark Shultz - the story that inspired the major motion picture
Madmen, money, murder.... and wrestling.
The Foxcatcher estate, Pennsylvania, January 1996. Dave Schultz, Olympic gold medallist and wrestling golden boy, is shot in the back by billionaire John du Pont. After a two day siege at the ranch du Pont is finally captured.
It wasn't supposed to end that way. Du Pont had lured to his ranch America's top wrestlers, the brothers Mark and Dave Schultz, with the dream of building a world-class team. But as he grew paranoid and controlling, the brothers realised they were trapped.
No one knows the inside story of Foxcatcher better than Mark Schultz. This book is a searing portrait of the relationship he and his brother had with du Pont, whose catastrophic break from reality led to tragedy.
Now a major motion picture, this amazing story will be enjoyed by fans of Argo, Captain Phillips and American Hustle.
Mark Schultz is an Olympic gold medalist and a national champion in free style wrestling. He lives in Southern Oregon, USA.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this disturbing, heartfelt memoir, the life of champion wrestler Schultz plays out against the backdrop of his brother's murder in 1996 at the hands of John du Pont, heir to the du Pont family. An Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion, Schultz drives himself relentlessly toward success, following the example of his older brother, Dave, who is also a gold medalist and world champion. As the brothers struggle after college, they are drawn to Foxcatcher Farms in Pennsylvania by du Pont's promises of financial support and state-of-the-art training facilities. Once there, they find themselves making excuses for the eccentric behavior of the multi-millionaire who writes their paychecks. While the murder casts shadows throughout the book, Schultz's focus remains very much on his dogged rise to wrestling fame. Schultz is honest about his obsessive, insecure nature and the profound sacrifices necessary to be great in a brutal sport. The book is timed to publish with Sony's release of the movie Foxcatcher, which is based on the event, not on Schultz's memoir. Schultz writes about his constant interactions with Dave their shared apartments, his brother's marriage and children yet his brother's life largely takes place offstage. That said, the relationship between Schultz and his more easy-going, older brother is vividly portrayed as one of sibling rivalry and real love.
Customer Reviews
Foxcatcher
An amazing book, well written, had me captivated, I preferred the book over the movie, as you really get to know the whole story, rather than just the sad story that ultimately led to Dave's death!
Don't waste your money
Awful book, poorly written. Too much detail on the specifics of each and every wrestling bout for the casual sports fan.
Brilliant
I won't go into too much detail but it's by far the best book I've read in ages. Mark and Dave are my heroes!!