Every once in a while, a biography comes along that does more than just recount the dates and achievements of a famous figure; it forces you to look inward. I recently finished Brian R. Solomon’s latest masterpiece, Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon, and the timing couldn’t have been more poignant. Finishing the final pages just before attending a family funeral, I found myself struck by the heavy, beautiful theme of legacy—specifically, how we choose to be remembered.
Solomon has long been a heavyweight in wrestling literature, but this is, without a doubt, his best work yet. It is an extraordinary achievement that manages to entertain while simultaneously cultivating profound introspection.
The Voice of My Childhood
Reading—and listening to—this book was a deep dive into my own nostalgia. I have such fond memories of walking into my neighborhood Blockbuster Video and heading straight for the wrestling section to rent old WWF Coliseum VHS tapes. Whether he was doing the play-by-play or hosting, Gorilla’s signature sound was the heartbeat of those tapes.
I’ll never forget the pure excitement of getting the WWF WrestleMania I-XIII VHS boxset as a kid. I watched those tapes until they were practically worn out. To me, hearing Gorilla call those classic events was just as important as watching the matches themselves. In fact, his voice was so foundational to my sense of comfort that whenever I’d struggle to fall asleep at night, I’d leave the TV on with one of those tapes playing. The “white noise” of a roaring crowd punctuated by Gorilla’s legendary commentary would, without fail, send me off to sleep.
A Masterful Audio Experience
For this review, I listened to the audiobook version on Audible, and I cannot recommend it enough. Brian R. Solomon narrates his own work, and he does a fantastic job. His even pacing and delivery kept my attention throughout, but what really elevated the experience were his impersonations of classic wrestling giants like Howard Finkel and Andre the Giant.
The vocal variety woven into the narrative evoked a wide range of emotions and made clear to me the author’s passion and respect for the subject. It wasn’t just a dry reading of facts; it felt like a living history.
A Masterclass in Biography
Many biographies, especially in professional wrestling, suffer from a “hollow” middle or an unbearably slow start. Usually, the chapters covering the subject’s life before they hit the big time are a chore to get through. That is not the case here. Solomon keeps the reader fully engaged from the very first page, making the “pre-fame” era of Robert Marella just as fascinating as his time as an MSG icon.
The writing quality is top-tier. Solomon tells the narrative beautifully and avoids the common pitfall of relying on endless block quotes to fill space. Instead, the interviews he conducted serve as the perfect accompaniment to the story he laid out in real time, adding texture and voice without ever slowing the momentum.
The Measure of a Man
Through Solomon’s lens, we see Gorilla Monsoon as much more than a powerhouse or a legendary commentator. We see a great man defined by his generosity, his unwavering commitment to his family, and a level of loyalty that is all too rare today.
Reading about Gorilla’s life made me reflect on my own journey. He was a man who seemed to have his priorities in order, yet the book reminds us that we are all, in some ways, a work in progress. It’s rare for a wrestling book to make you want to aspire to be a better person, but Irresistible Force does exactly that.
Final Verdict
This is the best wrestling book I have ever read. From the technical quality of the prose to the depth of the content, it sets a new standard for the genre. Brian R. Solomon should be incredibly proud of what he has accomplished here. He hasn’t just written a book about a wrestler; he has written a book about character.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It is an essential read for anyone who cares about the history of the business or the true measure of a man.
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