The Kings of Strength: A History of All Strong Men from Ancient Times to Our Own

Edmond Desbonnet published a book in 1911 that documented the history of strongmen and strongwomen who performed strength stunts for entertainment, including Louis Uni, Eugen Sandow, and Kati Sandwina Brumbach. The book, translated to English and annotated, provides a contribution to theatrical and athletic history and explores the universal fascination with strength and muscular physiques.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

More than a century ago, the barrel-chested strongman clad in 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.

More than a century ago, the barrel-chested strongman clad in 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.

Weight: 834g
Dimension: 178 x 255 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476687247