The Kings of Strength

Erscheinungsjahr 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4766-8724-7
Verlag: McFarland and Company, Inc.

Buch, Englisch, 277 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 880 g

More than a century ago, the barrel-chested strongman in his leopard skins, Roman sandals and carrying an oversized barbell was a common performer in fairs, circuses and vaudeville theaters. in 1911, before this phenomenon had disappeared, French gym owner, journalist and athlete Edmond Desbonnet published a colorful history of these mighty performers. Since he knew and interviewed many of these men and women, Desbonnet was able to put a human face on the strongmen and strongwomen who made their livings by performing spectacular strength stunts for the entertainment of the public. Among these were super-strong athlete Louis Uni, known as Apollon; Eugen Sandow, the mighty Adonis of the stage; the great strongwoman Kati Sandwina Brumbach and many others who entertained audiences by lifting barbells, automobiles, horses and even elephants.

Now translated to English and extensively annotated, The Kings of Strength records and preserves the biographies of more than 200 strength performers and bodybuilders from ancient times up to the early 1900s. The book provides a vital contribution to both theatrical and athletic history, while exploring the universal fascination with strength and muscular physiques.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Desbonnet, Edmond

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Sport | Tourismus | Freizeit Sport Sonstige Sportarten
• Sozialwissenschaften Sport | Tourismus | Freizeit Sport Geschichte des Sports

Über Autor(innen)

David Chapman is a Seattle-based independent scholar who has written many books and articles on physique photography, sport history, gender studies, film and popular culture. He has been working on the translation of Edmond Desbonnet's massive history of professional strongmen for over three decades.