Andre the Giant was an entertainment phenomenon who played a large, often-overlooked part in changing the face of the craft he loved forever. And now his extraordinary life is being celebrated in Andre the Giant: A Legendary Life, available at WWE Shop (order your copy now).

This insightful book, two years in the making, chronicles the glory of Andre's whirlwind triumphs, both inside and outside the squared circle, as well as the trials and tribulations that came from the general inconveniences of his size and degenerative illness.

The story remembers the gigantic life force of a man that touched so many others and made the most out of every minute he had, whether as a beloved friend and colleague who hated sleep and loved a good party, a role model for the future of this business, or simply a gentle giant with a heart of gold.

Andre's legacy is colorfully brought to life through heartfelt remembrances by those that knew him best including: Vince, Stephanie and Shane McMahon, Ted DiBiase, Tim White, Howard Finkel, Jack Brisco, Betty Skaaland (wife of one of Andre's closest friends, the late WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland) and many more. But, to limit the story to the personal side of Andre would not encompass all that the "Giant" truly was.

"Overall, I tried to capture what the audience was seeing in the matches and the tremendous performances Andre gave to his fans in addition to the person he was behind the scenes," explains the book's author, Michael Krugman, regarding what he hopes people will take away from the read. "Andre loved this business."

As for Andre's importance to the pre-Attitude Era overall, "it [tends to be] somewhat overshadowed at times," Krugman admits. "He had a tremendous part in bringing wrestling into popular culture, from the gyms all the way to the big time. He brought in kids, women; people that had never watched wrestling before.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend," Krugman laughs, quoting The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. And truer words have never been spoken, since the legendary status of the Eighth Wonder of the World is unprecedented.

The name Andre the Giant still holds the divine providence today that it did on the day he stepped into the ring for his historic battle at WrestleMania III. And the book is a fitting tribute that belongs on the bookshelf of every member of the WWE Universe.