Customer Reviews

Iron on My Mind

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One of the most fascinating aspects of reading through this latest offering from bodybuilding legend Dave Draper is the degree to which he manages to beguile the reader with his ability to use the language so effectively, with his special soft and winsome sense of humor, on the one side, and his unique way of looking at the world on the other. Sixty-something year old Draper's style is almost child-like in its simplicity and enthusiasm, and that can be quite intoxicating while one is covering subjects that one associates with sweat, struggle, and chasing the pump. Dave Draper is the real deal, and in each of the several dozen short articles included here he demonstrates why his instinctual approach to training and to life itself is so appealing.

After all, Dave was one of the original denizens of Muscle Beach, but he is anything but brain-addled from all his forty or fifty years of pounding steel in Herculean workouts that would leave most of us staggering for our breath and a quick exit home. Draper is actually quite sophisticated, clever, and commanding in his artful use of language to convince, persuade, and cajole all of us ordinary knuckleheads as to how to better achieve our physical and other life goals by applying all of the tips and methods he lays out bit by bit as he progressively educates us in the ways of physical culture. Scorning the more complicated workout routines, Draper advises us to simply get proper nutrition, rest well, and work out intensely, regularly, and systematically to achieve our goals.

Indeed, in a time of much more controversial training approaches being advocated by others, Dave clears the air by suggesting we simply concentrate on the basics and let our consistent attention to details as well as our persistence in applying these rules to make significant improvement. As we read his words, we gradually come to understand his deep faith and his enduring conviction that applying his simple rules not only works to build a terrific body, but is also a wonderful approach for facing life without excuses or complaints. Here is a man that has seen both sides of fame, who strode to the victory platform as Mr. Universe while still in his twenties, who also starred in a movie with the late Sharon Tate, and who chose to withdraw to a quiet life of principle, working out every day and building rustic furniture to make a living.

Draper has come far since those days. Unlike the current crop of bodybuilding stars, who pursue the game for fame and fortune, Draper eschewed both long ago, choosing instead to concentrate on a life of physical culture. Ever since, he has become the elder spokesman for bodybuilding, an acknowledged phenomenon who often lectures, trains, and writes based on a lifetime of bodybuilding experience. As a consequence, he is hard not to take seriously. This is his third book, and it demonstrates both his unusual ability to write well, often and in a most engaging fashion about a variety of personal experiences and subjects that he always manages to relate to the overall subject of physical culture and why pursuing it as a lifestyle will change a person's life for the better. For me, this is a great read, and one I can heartily recommend. Enjoy!

This is the third Dave Draper book following Brother Iron Sister Steel and Body Revival and what an inspirational book it is. Made up from a collection of weekly thought provoking and motivating e mail news letters Mr Draper sends out.

The book is well written, could be read one article at a time day by day or as I did barely putting it down over a long weekend. I would highly recommend it to everyone from the couch potato desiring to "do something" to elite athletes, sports psychologists etc. My personal favourite book of 2005.

The most important ingredient for success in bodybuilding, is MOTIVATION !
Period. The old saying "It's all in the head" applies here too. Especially as we grow in age, our strenght, flexibility, and recuperative power diminishes, so does our motivation. Dave Draper is now in his sixties, so we are in the same boat. I admire his power to overcome laziness, and the zillion excuses we usually find not to train.
Maybe I am biased because I am no longer a young man, but I think people at any age have a lot to learn from experienced bodybuilders.
If you think you MUST train to keep looking young, but have trouble getting the motivation, give Dave's book a try.

IRON ON MY MIND is one of those very rare books dealing with extreme "Iron Head" psychology, not from some academic twit but from a guy who ranked among the best of the body building exponents of the sixties and seventies. I think the book is based on Dave Draper's weekly motivational column (on the web, well worth a visit), sort of a collection of the best. The book deals with the need to exercise, particularly with weights, good nutrition and the all too human psychological bugs that would inhibit us from reaching our performance best. Dave has a some-what unique style of writing that can be funny, witty and of course challenging. This is not a book giving work-out routines or exercises but a book that encourages you to keep at it or just get started. Let's face it, lifting, pushing and pulling heavy weights is an arduous physical activity often done alone. Sometimes you can wonder, "Why am I doing this?" The book is organised in short chapters that are none too difficult to read. I suppose the overall "humanness" of the writing is what makes this such a great book, as it is not about iron men that are steel hearted just mechanically pumping iron 24/7 but it is about the human trial of keeping this activity going through pain, disappointment, potential injury and the blues. We often are forced to live in a drab, grey, mentally compromised world however the pure colour of extremist thought is always refreshing and this book should please its appropriate audience no end.

Another fine book by the Blonde Bomber. I can see why he's considered the most revered name on the subject of bodybuilding. This book along with his other's, would be a great addition to any fitness library. A must read.

This book is AWESOME! It's the kind of book you'll read and want to have around to re-read sections at times.

I have this book in "print" and am buying it in the Kindle version also.

Dave Draper is the best motivational writer in the fitness world today!

Dave's style of writing makes it seem as though he's sitting next to you, telling you a story.

"What Dave? What'd ya say?" SEE, I told you! LOL

Highly Recommend!

Draper's books will inspire you. A meditation on the lifting of weights that engages my mind the way "Zen and the Art of Archery" does. Dave Draper is a world-class weight-lifter with a poet's soul and a writer's pen. For those of us who lift weights but might consider ourselves more intellectual than brawny, Dave Draper's books are the perfect poultice- allowing us to know that there is spiritual insight inside the brain of even the most pumped-up muscle-head. These books let me, a smart, educated, former-weakling, feel like I have a place in the gym.

Dave is like the cool older brother that you always wish you had. Just by reading his words you look up to him. Physically, you want to be like him. And he treats you, the reader,like it's all totally possible for you, you're part of the gang, just keep working and you'll get what you want. It's that simple.

There are plenty of guys who lift weights and tell you how to do it. Draper makes you feel like you're right there with him. Together, you're gonna fight through this thing - this workout- this life together. You're one of Dave's "bombers." Let's see how we're gonna lift this weight and get better (as people, as bodies) today, right now.

If you want to feel good about working out, get this book.

DaveD's collection of stories, articles, and memories are interesting, humorous and motivating!
Highly Recommend!
Dave Draper is the #1 motivation writer in the fitness world.
He lived it!

Dave Draper has a very unique writing style. His glorious abilities shine through, page after page. Colorful, delightful, and informative best describes this work of art. No pictures required. Though, smartly placed black & whites give an authentic accent to each entry. Dave's intellectual persona and wisdom inspire, educate, and entertain the reader. A must-have for all bodybuilders, young or old, man and woman alike. A joy to read.