Mad Dog
The Maurice Vachon Story
by Bertrand Hébert; Pat Laprade
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Pub Date Sep 05 2017 | Archive Date May 31 2017
Description
The true story of one of pro wrestling’s most charismatic, feared, and beloved icons
Who was Maurice the man, and who was Mad Dog the character? Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon was a gold medalist, a pro-wrestling legend, and a pop culture icon — but he was also a son, husband, and father. Mad Dog explores Vachon’s career and personal struggles with painstakingly detailed historical research and through both Maurice’s own recollections and those of the people who knew him best.
As a young man, Maurice could have chosen a dark criminal path, but then wrestling and family changed him. Chronicling his slow but steady rise to prominence across America and internationally in some of pro wrestling’s most important territories, this in-depth biography shows how Vachon’s life came to be defined by the words of Mark Twain: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Fiercely proud, motivated, and supremely talented, Vachon’s story is also the amazing tale of how a lifelong make-believe heel became a real-life hero outside of the ring.
With a foreword by his brother, Paul Vachon, and an afterword by his widow, Kathie Vachon.
Advance Praise
Reviews for authors’ previous works
Praise for Accepted:
“That story line is surprisingly wistful, tender, and accessible to all readers . . . Patterson is a very good storyteller, and his tales from the road about well-known personalities such as the fun-seeking Andre the Giant and the forever-young-at-heart Ray Stevens are wonderfully told, and many of the wrestlers’ time-killing pranks are laugh-out-loud funny.” — Publishers Weekly
“Fans of professional wrestling and those interested in LGBTQ rights from the 1960s to the present will find much to enjoy in this book from the first WWE intercontinental champion.” — Library Journal
“It should come as no surprise that Patterson’s penchant for telling a good story in the ring translates to his storytelling ability within the confines of a book. . . For Pat Patterson, wrestling was his life and the greatest thing that ever happened to him. He and co-author Hébert do a sterling job of bringing that out through the pages of a story that’s been long overdue.” — Charleston Post and Courier
“It’s the author’s perspective as a gay man in a world where gay was not a public option that gives the book its real value.” — Montreal Gazette
“A moving story about staying true to one’s dreams, ambitions, and identity – even in the face of improbable odds. Pat Patterson shares a stirring portrait of his rise to wrestling icon and trailblazer for LGBT athletes everywhere. Accepted is yet another display of strength and courage in Patterson’s storied career as one of the world’s most well-known wrestlers.” — Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO, GLAAD
Praise for Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs:
“[Laprade and Hébert] do an excellent job covering the history of one of North America’s richest wrestling hotbeds . . . The ultimate guide to Montreal’s legendary wrestling scene.” — Post and Courier
“An informative and entertaining read for any professional wrestling buff.” — Slam! Sports
Marketing Plan
- Authors are veteran wrestling journalists with extensive media contacts.
- Regular travel across the U.S. for wrestling shows, conferences, and trade shows; the authors have already begun promoting the book at these events.
- Pitching to our extensive list of wrestling websites, columnists, and forums.
- Pitching excerpts and exclusive photos to major media outlets in the American Midwest.
- Dedicated e-blast targeted to our wrestling list.
- Website banner and price promotion.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781770413320 |
| PRICE | CA$22.99 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Featured Reviews
John L, Reviewer
A comprehensive biography of Maurice Vachon, this will appeal to fans of the territorial era.
The book, originally published in French, has been flawlessly translated by George Tombs. It’s well researched and, unlike some bios, the details that are included — particularly about Vachon’s youth — are there to give context and explain Vachon’s character, rather than shoehorned in for the sake of it. The detail is in the stories and accounts where it matters, rather than through excessive inclusion of dates and locations that don’t contribute to the narrative.
It’s also very balanced, presenting Vachon as a rounded character and not being afraid to highlight shortcomings in his family life or his less successful spells in the wrestling business.
It’s perhaps a step below the top-tier historical wrestling biographies such as those of Gorgeous George or Mildred Burke, though that’s more because Vachon’s career was less revolutionary or era-defining than it is the quality of the writing. Even with that said, it’s definitely worth a look if you have any interest in Vachon and his era.
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