JOHN D. FAIR has authored six previous books, including Muscletown USA: Bob Hoffman and the Manly Culture of York Barbell. He is a retired history professor (Auburn University, Montgomery, and Georgia College & State University) and has competed in nearly eighty weightlifting/powerlifting meets, served on the national AAU weightlifting committee, and judged many physique competitions, including the 1973 Mr. America Contest. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin’s Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports.

• PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Precedents 1. The Greek Ideal2. The Athletic BodyPart 2: The Golden Age 3. The First Mr. America Contests4. The Glory Years5. Multiple Mr. Americas6. Winds of ChangePart 3: Decline and Fall 7. The Arnold Era8. The Sprague Revolution9. Professionalizing Amateurism10. Eclipse of an IconEpilogue and ConclusionAppendix: Mr./Ms. America TitlistsNotesBibliographyIndex

Fair’s book is deftly written and superbly researched. I have little doubt that this volume will remain one of the best sources for both the story of American bodybuilding and the “tragic history” of its most famous contest. (Journal of Sport History)

JOHN D. FAIR has authored six previous books, including Muscletown USA: Bob Hoffman and the Manly Culture of York Barbell. He is a retired history professor (Auburn University, Montgomery, and Georgia College & State University) and has competed in nearly eighty weightlifting/powerlifting meets, served on the national AAU weightlifting committee, and judged many physique competitions, including the 1973 Mr. America Contest. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin’s Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports.

• PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Precedents 1. The Greek Ideal2. The Athletic BodyPart 2: The Golden Age 3. The First Mr. America Contests4. The Glory Years5. Multiple Mr. Americas6. Winds of ChangePart 3: Decline and Fall 7. The Arnold Era8. The Sprague Revolution9. Professionalizing Amateurism10. Eclipse of an IconEpilogue and ConclusionAppendix: Mr./Ms. America TitlistsNotesBibliographyIndex

Fair’s book is deftly written and superbly researched. I have little doubt that this volume will remain one of the best sources for both the story of American bodybuilding and the “tragic history” of its most famous contest. (Journal of Sport History)

JOHN D. FAIR has authored six previous books, including Muscletown USA: Bob Hoffman and the Manly Culture of York Barbell. He is a retired history professor (Auburn University, Montgomery, and Georgia College & State University) and has competed in nearly eighty weightlifting/powerlifting meets, served on the national AAU weightlifting committee, and judged many physique competitions, including the 1973 Mr. America Contest. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin’s Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports.

• PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Precedents 1. The Greek Ideal2. The Athletic BodyPart 2: The Golden Age 3. The First Mr. America Contests4. The Glory Years5. Multiple Mr. Americas6. Winds of ChangePart 3: Decline and Fall 7. The Arnold Era8. The Sprague Revolution9. Professionalizing Amateurism10. Eclipse of an IconEpilogue and ConclusionAppendix: Mr./Ms. America TitlistsNotesBibliographyIndex

Fair’s book is deftly written and superbly researched. I have little doubt that this volume will remain one of the best sources for both the story of American bodybuilding and the “tragic history” of its most famous contest. (Journal of Sport History)