Dan Lurie has done it all, conquering many obstacles throughout his 70-year career to become one of the sporting world's most endearing and multi-talented figures. Growing up in the Great Depression, Dan realized that if he were to make it, he would need
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On the back cover of Heart of Steel, there's a photo of bodybuilding legend and pioneer Dan Lurie losing an arm-wrestling match to the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office of the White House. That shot in a way says it all about Lurie: He's a true American icon, an ambassador of the strength culture, and a guy with a good sense of humor. In Heart of Steel, the reader finds a detailed memoir of one of bodybuilding's most important and enigmatic figures. The main part of the book begins with tales of his Great Depression-era childhood, is followed by stories of his hard-fought ascent through the world of physique competition and promotion, and ends with his White House visit.
Though his name may not to be well-known to the current generation of bodybuilders - due largely to Joe Weider's Orwellian campaign to portray himself as the one and only truly important figure in bodybuilding's evolution - Lurie's account provides a useful education. In this regard, not only for fans of bodybuilding, but for those who are interested in how it got to where it is today, this book is a good read. For fans of bodybuilding's Golden Age, this book is a must-have.
Lurie's dealings with Weider in fact form one of the book's themes, and importantly demonstrate that the latter, in some important respects, is not all that he had built himself up to be. Whereas it could be argued that Weider was little more than a shrewd and ruthless businessman who masqueraded as a bodybuilder, in Lurie the reader finds the "real deal" - a man with the vision and drive to help bodybuilding grow, and with the muscle to back it up. Readers should delight at Lurie's account of challenging Weider to a one-on-one muscle contest - a challenge that famously headlined the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated magazine - and Weider's wise decision to not show up for it. Although many years later Lurie was overshadowed by Weider as a major force in bodybuilding, he was able to emerge with his integrity and scruples intact; something that cannot necessarily be said of Weider.
Yet there's much more to the book than the tale of that rivalry. Joe Weider is but one of the cast of characters in this insider's account of bodybuilding's development from an early stage of innocence into its Golden Age, and then into today's modern period. On top of that, Heart of Steel is also just about Dan: the bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and family man. The late Hunter S. Thompson, had he known him, might have called Lurie's path through life "pure Horatio Alger" - a novel-worthy tale of rags-to-riches success. The difference is that here the reader isn't given a piece of fanciful fiction; he's getting a real-life blow-by-blow, direct from the mouth - and the heart - one of bodybuilding's all-time greats. -- Gordon LaVelle Author of Training for Mass
On the back cover of Heart of Steel, there's a photo of bodybuilding legend and pioneer Dan Lurie losing an arm-wrestling match to the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office of the White House. That shot in a way says it all about Lurie: He's a true American icon, an ambassador of the strength culture, and a guy with a good sense of humor. In Heart of Steel, the reader finds a detailed memoir of one of bodybuilding's most important and enigmatic figures. The main part of the book begins with tales of his Great Depression-era childhood, is followed by stories of his hard-fought ascent through the world of physique competition and promotion, and ends with his White House visit.
Though his name may not be well-known to the current generation of bodybuilders - due largely to Joe Weider's Orwellian campaign to portray himself as the one and only truly important figure in bodybuilding's evolution - Lurie's account provides a useful education. In this regard, not only for fans of bodybuilding, but for those who are interested in how it got to where it is today, this book is a good read. For fans of bodybuilding's Golden Age, this book is a must-have.
Lurie's dealings with Weider in fact form one of the book's themes, and importantly demonstrate that the latter, in some important respects, is not all that he had built himself up to be. Whereas it could be argued that Weider was little more than a shrewd and ruthless businessman who masqueraded as a bodybuilder, in Lurie the reader finds the real deal - a man with the vision and drive to help bodybuilding grow, and with the muscle to back it up. Readers should delight at Lurie's account of challenging Weider to a one-on-one muscle contest - a challenge that famously headlined the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated magazine - and Weider's wise decision to not show up for it. Although many years later Lurie was overshadowed by Weider as a major force in bodybuilding, he was able to emerge with his integrity and scruples intact; something that cannot necessarily be said of Weider.
Yet there's much more to the book than the tale of that rivalry. Joe Weider is but one of the cast of characters in this insider's account of bodybuilding's development from an early stage of innocence into its Golden Age, and then into today's modern period. On top of that, Heart of Steel is also just about Dan: the bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and family man. The late Hunter S. Thompson, had he known him, might have called Lurie's path through life "pure Horatio Alger" - a novel-worthy tale of rags-to-riches success. The difference is that here the reader isn't given a piece of fanciful fiction; he's getting a real-life blow-by-blow, direct from the mouth - and the heart - one of bodybuilding's all-time greats. -- Gordon LaVelle, Author of "Training for Mass"
On the back cover of Heart of Steel, there's a photo of bodybuilding legend and pioneer Dan Lurie losing an arm-wrestling match to the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office of the White House. That shot in a way says it all about Lurie: He's a true American icon, an ambassador of the strength culture, and a guy with a good sense of humor. In Heart of Steel, the reader finds a detailed memoir of one of bodybuilding's most important and enigmatic figures. The main part of the book begins with tales of his Great Depression-era childhood, is followed by stories of his hard-fought ascent through the world of physique competition and promotion, and ends with his White House visit.
Though his name may not be well-known to the current generation of bodybuilders - due largely to Joe Weider's Orwellian campaign to portray himself as the one and only truly important figure in bodybuilding's evolution - Lurie's account provides a useful education. In this regard, not only for fans of bodybuilding, but for those who are interested in how it got to where it is today, this book is a good read. For fans of bodybuilding's Golden Age, this book is a must-have.
Lurie's dealings with Weider in fact form one of the book's themes, and importantly demonstrate that the latter, in some important respects, is not all that he had built himself up to be. Whereas it could be argued that Weider was little more than a shrewd and ruthless businessman who masqueraded as a bodybuilder, in Lurie the reader finds the real deal - a man with the vision and drive to help bodybuilding grow, and with the muscle to back it up. Readers should delight at Lurie's account of challenging Weider to a one-on-one muscle contest - a challenge that famously headlined the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated magazine - and Weider's wise decision to not show up for it. Although many years later Lurie was overshadowed by Weider as a major force in bodybuilding, he was able to emerge with his integrity and scruples intact; something that cannot necessarily be said of Weider.
Yet there's much more to the book than the tale of that rivalry. Joe Weider is but one of the cast of characters in this insider's account of bodybuilding's development from an early stage of innocence into its Golden Age, and then into today's modern period. On top of that, Heart of Steel is also just about Dan: the bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and family man. The late Hunter S. Thompson, had he known him, might have called Lurie's path through life "pure Horatio Alger" - a novel-worthy tale of rags-to-riches success. The difference is that here the reader isn't given a piece of fanciful fiction; he's getting a real-life blow-by-blow, direct from the mouth - and the heart - one of bodybuilding's all-time greats. --Gordon LaVelle, Author Training for Mass
On the back cover of Heart of Steel, there's a photo of bodybuilding legend and pioneer Dan Lurie losing an arm-wrestling match to the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office of the White House. That shot in a way says it all about Lurie: He's a true American icon, an ambassador of the strength culture, and a guy with a good sense of humor. In Heart of Steel, the reader finds a detailed memoir of one of bodybuilding's most important and enigmatic figures. The main part of the book begins with tales of his Great Depression-era childhood, is followed by stories of his hard-fought ascent through the world of physique competition and promotion, and ends with his White House visit.
Though his name may not be well-known to the current generation of bodybuilders - due largely to Joe Weider's Orwellian campaign to portray himself as the one and only truly important figure in bodybuilding's evolution - Lurie's account provides a useful education. In this regard, not only for fans of bodybuilding, but for those who are interested in how it got to where it is today, this book is a good read. For fans of bodybuilding's Golden Age, this book is a must-have.
Lurie's dealings with Weider in fact form one of the book's themes, and importantly demonstrate that the latter, in some important respects, is not all that he had built himself up to be. Whereas it could be argued that Weider was little more than a shrewd and ruthless businessman who masqueraded as a bodybuilder, in Lurie the reader finds the real deal - a man with the vision and drive to help bodybuilding grow, and with the muscle to back it up. Readers should delight at Lurie's account of challenging Weider to a one-on-one muscle contest - a challenge that famously headlined the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated magazine - and Weider's wise decision to not show up for it. Although many years later Lurie was overshadowed by Weider as a major force in bodybuilding, he was able to emerge with his integrity and scruples intact; something that cannot necessarily be said of Weider.
Yet there's much more to the book than the tale of that rivalry. Joe Weider is but one of the cast of characters in this insider's account of bodybuilding's development from an early stage of innocence into its Golden Age, and then into today's modern period. On top of that, Heart of Steel is also just about Dan: the bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and family man. The late Hunter S. Thompson, had he known him, might have called Lurie's path through life "pure Horatio Alger" - a novel-worthy tale of rags-to-riches success. The difference is that here the reader isn't given a piece of fanciful fiction; he's getting a real-life blow-by-blow, direct from the mouth - and the heart - one of bodybuilding's all-time greats. -- Gordon LaVelle - Author, Training for Mass
On the back cover of Heart of Steel, there's a photo of bodybuilding legend and pioneer Dan Lurie losing an arm-wrestling match to the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office of the White House. That shot in a way says it all about Lurie: He's a true American icon, an ambassador of the strength culture, and a guy with a good sense of humor. In Heart of Steel, the reader finds a detailed memoir of one of bodybuilding's most important and enigmatic figures. The main part of the book begins with tales of his Great Depression-era childhood, is followed by stories of his hard-fought ascent through the world of physique competition and promotion, and ends with his White House visit.
Though his name may not be well-known to the current generation of bodybuilders - due largely to Joe Weider's Orwellian campaign to portray himself as the one and only truly important figure in bodybuilding's evolution - Lurie's account provides a useful education. In this regard, not only for fans of bodybuilding, but for those who are interested in how it got to where it is today, this book is a good read. For fans of bodybuilding's Golden Age, this book is a must-have.
Lurie's dealings with Weider in fact form one of the book's themes, and importantly demonstrate that the latter, in some important respects, is not all that he had built himself up to be. Whereas it could be argued that Weider was little more than a shrewd and ruthless businessman who masqueraded as a bodybuilder, in Lurie the reader finds the real deal - a man with the vision and drive to help bodybuilding grow, and with the muscle to back it up. Readers should delight at Lurie's account of challenging Weider to a one-on-one muscle contest - a challenge that famously headlined the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated magazine - and Weider's wise decision to not show up for it. Although many years later Lurie was overshadowed by Weider as a major force in bodybuilding, he was able to emerge with his integrity and scruples intact; something that cannot necessarily be said of Weider.
Yet there's much more to the book than the tale of that rivalry. Joe Weider is but one of the cast of characters in this insider's account of bodybuilding's development from an early stage of innocence into its Golden Age, and then into today's modern period. On top of that, Heart of Steel is also just about Dan: the bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and family man. The late Hunter S. Thompson, had he known him, might have called Lurie's path through life "pure Horatio Alger" - a novel-worthy tale of rags-to-riches success. The difference is that here the reader isn't given a piece of fanciful fiction; he's getting a real-life blow-by-blow, direct from the mouth - and the heart - one of bodybuilding's all-time greats. --Gordon LaVelle - Author, Training for Mass
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart of Steel - A Must Read,
By
This review is from: Heart of Steel: The Dan Lurie Story (Hardcover)
Anyone who lifts weights, be it for personal improvement, to become a better athlete, or have the biggest biceps in the land, owes a debt of gratitude to Dan Lurie. He is one of the pioneers of the fitness movement. If you have never heard of Dan, the best way to learn about him is to read his inspiring story - "Heart of Steel." Dan has done it all, in a storied career that has spanned almost 70 years! In addition to winning the title of "America's Most Muscular Man" three years in row, setting world weightlifting and endurance records, and being a TV star, he also armed-wrestled President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office! How many men have done all these things? Only one - Dan Lurie!
This book will take you from the "ancient" days of bodybuilding right up to the present with many incredible stories in between. In addition, Dan gives his own invaluable advice on training and nutrition which will help you improve your own health and physique. Dan is 86 years young, and walks the walk! Once you start reading. you won't be able to put this book down. Even if you never lifted a weight in your life, this is one book you should have in your library!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definite Read-- Dan Lurie :) A++,
This review is from: Heart of Steel: The Dan Lurie Story (Hardcover)
I got a pre-released copy of this book. It was truly inspirational, i learned so much about the legend Dan Lurie and his amazing feats of strength. It was so incredible to read his life story, couldn't put the book down. Definite MUST READ! I definitely recommend this book to athletes and anyone who wants to be inspired.
"Health is your greatest Wealth!" --Dan Lurie
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Legend Revealed,
This review is from: Heart of Steel: The Dan Lurie Story (Paperback)
Dan Lurie has been curiously, but obviously omitted from bodybuilding history? Why?
Finally, an answer and from the man, himself! Dan Lurie is truly the "Unsung Muscleman"! This book not only re-accounts history, but tells his side of the story. Not a mere "muscle head", but an outstanding bodybuilder, athlete, fitness pioneer, businessman, entertainer, record holder and family man. What a step back in time! Dan even reveals his "secrets" of how he built "America's Most Muscular" physique, without drugs. This book is a must have for any bodybuilder, athlete or fitness enthusiast or anyone interested in an historic account of how one man rose to the top, with everything working against him. You will become inspired!
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