Okay, so I’ve been meaning to dive into this “The Iron Claw” book for a while now, and I finally got around to it. I’d heard so much about the Von Erich family and their crazy, tragic story, so I was pretty pumped to get the full picture.
Getting Started
First things first, I had to actually get the book. I hit up the book shop, and picked up a copy. there were many version on the shelfs, and finally I got one with a cool cover.
The Reading Process
I started reading it on my way back home. Man, this thing is dense! It’s not a quick read, that’s for sure. I’m the kind of person who likes to take notes and really digest what I’m reading, so I grabbed my highlighter and a notebook.
I decided to break it down into chunks. I’d read a few chapters, then jot down my thoughts, key events, and any questions I had. This helped me keep everything straight, especially with all the different family members and wrestling details.
- Chapter 1-3: Introduction to the family, Fritz’s early career. Felt pretty slow, but necessary to set the stage.
- Chapter 4-7: The boys start wrestling, the rise to fame. This is where things got interesting!
- Chapter 8-10: The tragedies start… Man, this is heavy stuff. Had to take a break after this section.
I also found myself doing a lot of extra research on the side. I’d look up old wrestling matches on the internet, read other articles about the Von Erichs, just to get a better sense of the context. It really added to the experience.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
This book is a real emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re reading about the excitement of their wrestling careers and the huge crowds, and the next, you’re hit with another devastating loss. It’s heartbreaking, to say the least.
I found myself getting really invested in the family members. I felt for them, I rooted for them, and I cried with them. It’s amazing how much a book can make you feel.
Wrapping Up
I’m still not quite finished with the book, but I’m getting there. It’s definitely been a journey. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one. I’m really glad I decided to pick it up, and I’ll probably have a lot more thoughts to share once I’m completely done.
For now, I’d say if you’re interested in wrestling history, family sagas, or just a really intense story, you should definitely check it out. Just be prepared for a wild ride! and I think I need prepare some tissues before the end.