Being Patrick Swayze - by Neal E Fischer (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Using the five elements (in Swayzian: tender strength, pure adrenaline, Hungry Eyes, Peaceful Warrior, The Mullet) this fun and clever guide to Patrick Swayze has everything: a Patrick Swayze workout guide, Connect-the-Swayze, Swayze Sutra, Swayze or Philosopher? and much more. A wacky blast of quirky illustrations and mini-essays for Patrick Swayze fans everywhere"--

Book Synopsis

A humorous illustrated guide to the essential teachings of 80s and 90s pop culture icon and legacy, Patrick Swayze, with movie quotes, trivia, essays, exercises, games, activities, and quizzes.

Divided into five elements--Tender Strength (versatility in performances and balance of his unique skill set), Pure Adrenaline (his physicality and death-defying stunt work), Hungry Eyes (effortless sensuality in life and on-screen), Peaceful Warrior (the philosophy behind his characters and their actions) and The Mullet (legacy of the man, the myth, the mullet)--this book is designed to cultivate your mind, body, and soul.

Through the use of movie quotes and cinematic wisdom, physical (Sweatin' Like Swayze; Swayze Sutra) and mental exercises, games, activities (Swayze Pairing Guide), and quizzes, this journey will unlock your Swayze swagger, leading to a more harmonious life. When completed, you'll be impressing friends and strangers alike with your endless knowledge and admiration for one of Hollywood's most likable and underappreciated stars.

For half a century Patrick Swayze has remained in our hearts, on our minds, and the sole reason that any trip to a vacation resort must first start at the dance hall . . . just in case they employ their own Johnny Castle. Embrace these teachings and achieve newfound clarity in all aspects of your life.

BELOVED ICON: Patrick Swayze will forever be an icon, known for his legendary roles in classic and cult favorite movies like Dirty Dancing, Ghost, Point Break, Road House, and more.

THE PERFECT GIFT: Chock full of trivia, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, short essays, and fun interactive content like quizzes, a pairing guide, a Swayze workout, and more, this is the perfect gift for Patrick Swayze fans and anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s.

FUNNY AND INFORMATIVE: Content is humorous, yet still contains biographical information, fun facts about Swayze and his philosophies, and tons of movie trivia.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Written by an award-winning screenwriter and podcaster, and die-hard Patrick Swayze fan.

Perfect for:

- Patrick Swayze fans
- Readers with '80s and '90s nostalgia
- Hollywood pop culture nerds and film buffs
- Fans of Dirty Dancing, Point Break, Road House, Ghost, and Red Dawn

Review Quotes

"Being Patrick Swayze celebrates the late star in all his hip-swaying, heart-fluttering, butt-kicking glory. Anyone who's a fan.will be delighted by this new book." -Yahoo! Entertainment

"Takes readers through the late actor's personal and professional life with behind-the-scenes stories, fun trivia with Easter eggs you didn't know you were missing, fashion tips, quizzes, an official 'Road House' drink menu, advice, and wisdom gleaned from Swayze's roles and passion for the arts."

- Chicago Tribune

"Writer, podcast host, and Patrick Swayze superfan Fischer takes readers on a delightful romp through the actor's career and memorable on-screen moments Brimming with colorful pages, neon-inspired details, and retro fonts that perfectly accent Swayze's 1980s and '90s heyday, this is a beautifully designed work."

- Library Journal

"A fun read, and a great way to remember that there used to be a more complicated kind of man-dare I say, a real man-a man called Patrick Swayze. Neal Fischer's book is a delight to read-a must-have for any serious Swayze fan's library, especially for the price."-Thomas Lennon (Actor, Reno 911, screenwriter, author)

"For all the fans that love the man and characters he portrayed, author Neal E. Fischer has taken a surprising, humorous approach with a slant for the unorthodox perspective of Patrick Swayze's life and career that encapsulates the spirit of a man who lived life fully, whose impact crosses the generational boundaries. A good read that will leave you smiling and fondly remembering a Hollywood legend." -Marshall Teague (Actor, Road House)

"I knew that when Patrick first said, "The love inside, you take it with you," he would change and uplift the world. No one could have said it better. We are all kinder and luckier because of him. This joyful book shows how one man can touch us all and truly celebrates his remarkable life." -Bruce Joel Rubin (Oscar-winning writer of Ghost)

"Patrick Swayze was an artist and a gentleman. His talent was only outweighed by his compassion and love of his craft. Neal Fischer's lovely book is an accurate and fitting tribute to that great man." -Rowdy Herrington (Director, Road House)

"Patrick Swayze was my first jazz dance teacher. He would pull up to my ballet studio on his motorcycle, tight jeans, and leather jacket, and all of us 13-year-old girls would giggle and secretly swoon. [He] was a great teacher and a lovely person....Neal's book is such a wonderful and funny tribute to Patrick." -Melora Hardin (Actress, The Office, Transparent, The Bold Type)

"Reading Neal Fischer's book brought back a lot of fun and poignant memories for me. I'm proud that the song Buddy and I created, "She's Like The Wind," still lives on, and that our names will forever be together. Buddy was a great friend, and I miss him terribly." -Stacy Widelitz (Co-writer of "She's Like The Wind")

About the Author

Neal E. Fischer is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and pop culture fanatic. Directly inspired by Swayze's creative versatility at a young age, Neal cut his teeth as a musician and performer on stage before ultimately transitioning behind the scenes. Neal's credits include the award-winning documentary 10 Mountains 10 Years, narrated by Anne Hathaway; #WhoKilledHeather, an innovative branded web series; and many short films and features screened at festivals around the world. Neal also directs commercials for brands such as Dunkin' Donuts, Wisconsin Lottery, and Cars.com, the latter of which was shortlisted for awards at Cannes Lions.

You can hear Neal's bad impressions and obscure movie references each week on Triviality, a pub-trivia style podcast recorded under the watchful eye of its patron saint of podcasting, Patrick Swayze, whose poster proudly hangs in the studio. He lives in Chicago, IL.