Foxcatcher

November 24, 2014
In this disturbing, heartfelt memoir, the life of champion wrestler Schultz plays out against the backdrop of his brother's murder in 1996 at the hands of John du Pont, heir to the du Pont family. An Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion, Schultz drives himself relentlessly toward success, following the example of his older brother, Dave, who is also a gold medalist and world champion. As the brothers struggle after college, they are drawn to Foxcatcher Farms in Pennsylvania by du Pont's promises of financial support and state-of-the-art training facilities. Once there, they find themselves making excuses for the eccentric behavior of the multi-millionaire who writes their paychecks. While the murder casts shadows throughout the book, Schultz's focus remains very much on his dogged rise to wrestling fame. Schultz is honest about his obsessive, insecure nature and the profound sacrifices necessary to be great in a brutal sport. The book is timed to publish with Sony's release of the movie Foxcatcher, which is based on the event, not on Schultz's memoir. Schultz writes about his constant interactions with Daveâtheir shared apartments, his brother's marriage and childrenâyet his brother's life largely takes place offstage. That said, the relationship between Schultz and his more easy-going, older brother is vividly portrayed as one of sibling rivalry and real love.