Customer Reviews

Strong Man: Vintage Photos of a Masculine Icon

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mainardi's picture book is more than the vintage beefcake photos I'd expected. His introductory essay is a wonderful personal reflection on the power these images had on him as a boy, shaping both his erotic and aesthetic sensibilities for the rest of his life. In that context, the photos become a kind of study in the masculine ideal; any gay man -- and perhaps many straight men and women -- can find in them the sparks to light up distant sense memories and the dim images we buried in our dreams as children: everything from real body builders to guys like our fathers, uncles and brothers, hamming it up in front of a camera on the beach. A really great little book.

Would you like to feel as if you own one of the finest collections of early strongmen photographs? Then, own this book. Not only are the images well chosen and exquisitely reproduced, but also Mainardi has documented the photographers and their subjects with the details that come only from the storehouse of a true collector. His introduction is as intimate as it is informative and thoughtfully written. Mainardi's selection of images, as well as his choice of title holder Jules Bacon to write his forward, anchors this volume far more deeply in the lexicon of physique photography than many of the books being produced today. We look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.

With this book, Robert Mainardi has produced a marvelous and valuable addition to the history of photography and bodybuilding. This slim (but fully packed, nonetheless) volume contains many priceless physique photographs from the late 19th century to the 1950s-60s. Every page astonishes with the variety and quality of the collection that Mainardi has put together over many years. Some photographs are humorous (to our 21st century minds), some seriously dramatic and beautiful, but all are worth more than one look. One or two of the photos are bitter-sweet in the way they capture an earlier, more innocent and trusting time. Mainardi has written an essay, an introduction of sorts, that lays the foundation for why he collects, as well as some background on the field and people in question. I can't recommend this book srongly enough; it is great to own, and great to give as a gift to someone with an interest in photography, bodybuilding or history.

Awesome collection of photos. I started collecting the same a few years ago and am SO glad I found this book b4 it got "rare"... because it will get "rare".
The pics are HIGH quality on good, heavy paper. The construction is strong and the jacket is nice, as well.
The aquisition was very smooth with quick delivery. I'm very pleased with this purchase ;-)

This book was interesting, but I was hoping for more pictures from the 1800s. The muscle men presented had a good selection of body building pioneers and famous names. The pictures of everyday guys strutting themselves, while providing a time capsule of men feeling proud about their bodies, didn't offer anything outstanding in the way of physical development. If you are looking for links in the chain of what would later become beefcake photos and pioneering body builders, you'd like this book. If you are looking for a definitive history with more pictures of Sandow, Atlas, Joe Weider, and Steve Reeves you might be dissapointed.

I was really, really impressed with this book about Strongman covering the period from the 1880's to the 1950's. The reason I was so impressed with these vintage photos of strongman and those aspiring to be strongman is that a lot of these classic photos have not been seen before. This is a fascinating selection of rare cabinet cards and studio portraits by some of the most famous photographers of that time period. You have your Herculean types such as Tony Sansone (my all time favorite), Eugene Sandow, Jack Lalanne, and many others. But what's really fascinating is all the amateur photos & snapshots of anonymous muscular young men that Robert has brought together for us in his book.

There is a very personal foreword by Jules Bacon, Mr. America 1943, who was one of the most handsome & muscular young men of his time. The introduction by Robert Mainardi is a fascinating account of why he started collecting & how his obsession began as a young man.

Any collector of physique photography should not miss having this volume in their collection. It's a must. Council Oak Books has done a beautiful job in printing this book, from the design of the book to the clear photo reproductions. If you like this book be sure and buy Council Oak Books first vintage photo book called "Sailor." Another beautiful book for your enjoyment and collection. Both are highly recommended.