Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Waxing On
- The Karate Kid and Me
- Narrated by: Ralph Macchio
- Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
An instant New York Times Bestseller!
Since The Karate Kid first crane-kicked its way into the pop culture stratosphere in June 1984, there hasn’t been a week Ralph Macchio hasn’t heard friendly shouts of “Wax on, wax off” or “Sweep the leg!” Now, with Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso in the #1 ranked Netflix show Cobra Kai, he is finally ready to look back and celebrate the legacy of The Karate Kid in cinema, pop culture, and his own life.
The result, Waxing On, is a comprehensive look at the film that shaped Macchio as much as it influenced the world. He shares an insider’s perspective of the untold story behind the scenes—the innocence of the early days; the audition process; his experiences working with Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, and William Zabka; and so much more. He also takes listeners through the birth of some of the film’s most iconic moments, including the creation of the famous crane kick and the touching scenes that revealed Mr. Miyagi’s intriguing backstory.
Ultimately, the book centers on Ralph’s indelible connection to the film itself, focusing on the reason that the characters and themes have endured in such a powerful way, and how these personal experiences have impacted Macchio’s life as well. It brings listeners back to the day they met Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi for the first time, but also provides a fascinating lens into how our pasts shape all of us, and how they can come back to enrich our lives in surprising and wonderful ways.
Critic reviews
“[Macchio’s] down-to-earth writing style suits the behind-the-scenes tales and his heartwarming meetings with fans well… Macchio’s sweet, nostalgic memoir is as family-friendly and instructive as its inspiration.”—Kirkus
“Macchio, star of 1984’s The Karate Kid, produces another feel-good hit with this breezy reflection on his experience making the movie…Macchio writes, ‘The film is a prime example of when Hollywood gets it all right. It teaches and inspires through pure entertainment.’ Fans will find this just as entertaining.”—Publishers Weekly
"Waxing On is a refreshing look into a film that touched our hearts and an era that defined so many of us. Through honest and witty reflection, the reader is plunged back into the unforgettable world of The Karate Kid, and the magic that happens when Hollywood is on point. Macchio shares his unique perspective with humor and humility as well as with surprising relatability. I was a fan before, but now I feel like a friend."—Brooke Shields, New York Times bestselling author of There Was a Little Girl
What listeners say about Waxing On
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brendan O'Neill
- 05-11-23
Miyagi Do forever
loved every minute of this, it really swept the leg.
BONSIA BONSIA BONSIA BONSIA
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alan
- 27-07-23
Fantastic book. Read wonderfully by Ralph Macchio.
A must listen, especially to fans of the karate kid and cobra kai. Read by the man himself, Ralph Macchio.
So much heart, passion and respect throughout the novel. Paying tribute to the late great Pat morita.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dane
- 04-02-23
Great but slightly short.
Great narration, slightly short. Thought there would be more stories during his time on Cobra Kai.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Claire Bradbeer
- 19-11-22
absolutely brilliant!
listening to Ralph Macchio recall the days of The Karate Kid, both it triumphs and tribulations, has been a joy to listen to. Hearing how it has influenced his life from then, to the current arc of Cobra Kai is an absorbing listen. And I dare anyone not to walk down memory lane right along with him. Brilliantly written, and beautifully read by Macchio. A must listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- P.Barnhill
- 05-02-23
Just perfect
The most enjoyable of these type of books for me, for one main reason. Ralph realises exactly what the audience want to hear about and comes in strong right from the beginning. No filler, no fluff, no 1/2 the book backstory on his own life 👌🏼
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Retro
- 15-11-22
Nostalgia served with a slice of Miyagi-isms!
Ralph Macchio narrates his Karate Kid and Covra Kai experiences with wistful fondness, honesty and appreciation. There are many nuggets of great stories from the casting, the sets and the aftermath of everyone’s favourite 80s underdog story but it doesn’t stop there. Hearing Ralph talk about the years after The Karate Kid and how Cobra Kai came to be as well as honour the memory of Pat Morita is a great experience for any fan. A fantastic story, a great listen and all told by the Karate Kid himself. What more could you want?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Callum Mcdonald
- 22-11-22
Ralph Maccio is an Incredible actor and author
I didn't want this to end I was so invested in this like I have never been before. I was picturing every scene so it felt like a movie. thank you ralph
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave
- 24-10-22
Banzai!
From the moment I first watched The Karate Kid in the late 1980’s I was hooked. Daniel Larusso was a person I could relate to, and to this day he is the friend I have never met personally.
As I grew older, I could appreciate the commitment that Ralph had to the role of Daniel, how important that character is to him, but also the entire movie world.
As a genuine fan of Ralph I have been looking forward to this book, and really enjoyed hearing his story, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
Cobra Kai is any fans dream, and Ralph’s acting has had me in tears at certain points, such as when he first visited Mr Miyagi. The ability to keep the legacy going after decades is commendable.
Thank you!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Davie
- 31-10-22
NO MERCY!
I absolutely loved every second of this book and think it's actually better as an audiobook as its narrated by Daniel LaRusso himself - and he does an amazing job. He's honest. We get to learn more about his time in The Karate Kid movies, his personal life growing up, and even about Cobra Kai which I'm so happy about as it's the best show ever made. A really nice companion piece to the Myagiverse (as he calls it) Absolutely worth it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 01-01-23
Just fantastic
Beautifully read, amazingly nostalgic…a true gem. I thoroughly enjoyed this fairly short, but to-the-point book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!