{Review} FOXCATCHER: THE TRUE STORY OF MY BROTHER'S MURDER, JOHN DU PONT'S MADNESS, AND THE QUEST FOR OLYMPIC GOLD by Mark Schultz

ISBN #: 978-0525955030

Page Count: 320

Copyright: November 18, 2014

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Description:

On January 26, 1996, Dave Schultz, Olympic gold medal winner and wrestling golden boy, was shot three times by du Pont family heir John E. du Pont at the famed Foxcatcher Farms estate in Pennsylvania. Following the murder there was a tense standoff when du Pont barricaded himself in his home for two days before he was finally captured.

Foxcatcher is gold medal winner Mark Schultz’s memoir, revealing what made him and his brother champion and what brought them to Foxcatcher Farms. It’s a vivid portrait of the complex relationship he and his brother had with du Pont, a man whose catastrophic break from reality led to tragedy. No one knows the inside story of what went on behind the scenes at Foxcatcher Farms—and inside John du Pont’s head—better than Mark Schultz.

The incredible true story of these championship-winning brothers and the wealthiest convicted murderer of all time will be making headlines this fall, and Mark’s memoir will reveal the true inside story.

Charlene's Review:

Foxcatcher, which gets its name from John du Pont’s training camp, is a story of the Schultz brothers, and their rise in the Olympic wresting world. Mr. Schultz gives the reader a glimpse of the childhood and family of the pair, along with Marks struggle to find his niche, and the journey of both in competitive wresting.

While the title suggests that this is a story of the events leading up to the murder of Mark’s brother, Dave, most of the book is an introduction to wrestling, as well as a comparison of the boys abilities. It was difficult to stick with it, for me, as I have zero interest in wrestling holds or mechanics. I’m sure some of the background was necessary, but this read as more of a manual.

When the book begins to tell the story of du Pont, and Dave’s murder, it never seems to get past a superficial look at du Pont’s madness. There appeared to be a lot of signs that should have turned the Schultz brothers away from du Pont’s grip, but the search for fame and money seemed to win out, time after time. This is a sad tale of what the need for achievement can do to a life.

I wish I could give this a stellar review, as the heart is definitely there. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. A wrestling fan might. I also feel the title was a bit misleading, as there is very little information on his brother's murder, or du Pont’s illness. I wish Mr. Schultz well in his future, but I wouldn’t recommend his book to the casual reader.


*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.