Of Stones and Strength [Paperback]

Steve Jeck (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ironmind Enterprises (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0926888056
• ISBN-13: 978-0926888050
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Train like the Mighty Heroes, December 8, 2004

By 

Miz Storge (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Stones and Strength (Paperback)

In ancient times, the passage of a boy to manhood in his tribe or community was often determined by his ability to lift a large stone, proving he had the strength to bear arms. In this manner the Greek hero Theseus became a man when he could lift a boulder under which his father had placed armor and weapons for him to claim when he reached adulthood. The authors of this book, Steve Jeck and Peter Martin, who are well-known to readers of "MILO - A Journal for Serious Strength Athletes", write of their fascination with the ancient Cluid Clach Fir (Gaelic for 'manhood stones'), especially those found in Scotland where they are known as "the testing stones of the Fianna". They describe the great boulders, weighing several hundred pounds, that can still be found today and the stories behind them - and then go on and lift them! They discuss the modern cultures that still practice stone lifting and Highland Games competitor Steve Jeck includes a weight training program should the reader be inspired to try lifting these famous stones themselves. This excellent book is of interest to students of myth and folklore (particularly Celtic, Scandinavian, Greek and Roman), those of Scottish ancestry and folks interested in strength-training and the exploits of strongmen modern and ancient. For those intrested to learn more, a companion video is available from Iron Mind.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of Strength and Stones, July 31, 2008

By 

Joshua Leeger (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Of Stones and Strength (Paperback)

This is a great overview of Mr. Jeck's journeys, lifting the heaviest strength-stones he can find. I also highly recommend the DVD Kviahellan, which chronicles his journey to Iceland to lift the stone of the same name.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, June 6, 2009

By 

Joseph P. Nicholson - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Of Stones and Strength (Paperback)

I bought this to find out the location/size/history of many of the world's testing stones. It covers them well. It also introduced me to brick lifting. As far as I know it's the only book of it's kind.