Liam O'Rourke
Create Space, 2017
Paperback
Liam O'Rourke's Crazy Like A Fox is a retrospective biography of the late Brian Pillman. After a brief run in professional football, Pillman entered the pro wrestling ranks in Calgary. His career featured a successful, turbulent tenure in WCW, a short and memorable stint in ECW and a relatively short but high profile run in the WWE that was cut short by his untimely death in 1997. His stellar in-ring work was instrumental in laying the ground work for the rise of WCW's light-heavy and cruiser-weight divisions. For many fans, however, it is Pillman's work out side the ring, his dedication to his craft, his unique and effective manner of conducting business, his determination in the face of adversity that makes Brian Pillman so intriguing. Liam O'Rourke's Crazy Like A Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later is the first long-form biography of Pillman. It is O'Rourke's first book. O'Rourke is also a host on Squared Circle Gazette Radio.
Featuring interviews with Pillman's friends, family and colleagues and an impeccable attention to detail, O'Rourke's book is as close to an autobiography of Brian Pillman as possible. O'Rourke's leaves no stone un-turned as he relates a complete cradle to grave story without over emphasizing or understating any key moments of Pillman's life. O'Rourke expertly walks a fine line where he provides context and perspective into Pillman's while neither condemning them nor taking on the voice of an apologist. Pillman is vividly depicted as an admirable, but flawed, individual who through hard work, intelligence and very astute awareness of politics and human nature bucked several systems
Separating fact from fiction is difficult when dealing with professional wrestling. This is especially true when speaking about some of its more controversial or colorful characters. Pillman is certainly one of these. Crazy Like A Fox is so well researched and presented that it is hard to fathom there could ever be a more complete or truthful account of his life and career. This makes the book an invaluable resource for wrestling fans. It also makes for an extremely entertaining book that proves that truth is often stranger than fiction. O'Rourke does not fall into a trap by trying to embellish Pillman's personal characteristics or career accomplishments in an attempt to tell a more entertaining story or to overestimate his subject's importance. He recognizes that Pillman's story can stand alone and needs only be told. Seeing the pro wrestling industry through Pillman's experience is an insightful and compelling bi-product.
This book is highly recommended for all readers. Those looking for a nice light read may not find Crazy Like A Fox an ideal choice, though it is hard to steer anyone away from investing the time in this title.
Featuring interviews with Pillman's friends, family and colleagues and an impeccable attention to detail, O'Rourke's book is as close to an autobiography of Brian Pillman as possible. O'Rourke's leaves no stone un-turned as he relates a complete cradle to grave story without over emphasizing or understating any key moments of Pillman's life. O'Rourke expertly walks a fine line where he provides context and perspective into Pillman's while neither condemning them nor taking on the voice of an apologist. Pillman is vividly depicted as an admirable, but flawed, individual who through hard work, intelligence and very astute awareness of politics and human nature bucked several systems
Separating fact from fiction is difficult when dealing with professional wrestling. This is especially true when speaking about some of its more controversial or colorful characters. Pillman is certainly one of these. Crazy Like A Fox is so well researched and presented that it is hard to fathom there could ever be a more complete or truthful account of his life and career. This makes the book an invaluable resource for wrestling fans. It also makes for an extremely entertaining book that proves that truth is often stranger than fiction. O'Rourke does not fall into a trap by trying to embellish Pillman's personal characteristics or career accomplishments in an attempt to tell a more entertaining story or to overestimate his subject's importance. He recognizes that Pillman's story can stand alone and needs only be told. Seeing the pro wrestling industry through Pillman's experience is an insightful and compelling bi-product.
This book is highly recommended for all readers. Those looking for a nice light read may not find Crazy Like A Fox an ideal choice, though it is hard to steer anyone away from investing the time in this title.
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