Strongman [Paperback]

Tom Thurston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 16, 2003

This compelling biography of Doug Hepburn, the weightlifter who won gold for Canada in Stockholm in 1953 and at the British Empire Games in Vancouver in 1954, delivers fascinating, first-hand information about an unusual Vancouver athlete and the sporting world of the 1950s and 1960s. In this plain-spoken and moving biography of a strength legend, Tom Thurston captures the story of a Canadian who may have been the strongest man in history. The book traces Doug’s rise to prominence, his temporary fall from grace as he battled alcoholism, and his re-emergence as an advocate for drug-free sport. The author also includes Doug’s unique training schedule for increasing strength without the use of drugs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A poet, storyteller, inventor, philosopher, and the world's strongest man, Doug Hepburn was a unique and genuine Canadian hero." -- Paul Bjarnason, Canadian Weightlifting Champion, 1966, 1970

About the Author

Tom Thurston was born in Creston, British Columbia and grew up on his parents’ fruit farm a few miles from town. Moving to Vancouver for a time, he studied urban land economics. He has a 4th-degree black belt in Teakwood-do and was part of the team that won gold at the 1978 World Championships in Oklahoma City. For many years he was a close friend of Doug Hepburn. In addition to completing the biography of Doug Hepburn, Thurston has written a number of screenplays. He makes his home in Scrapbook, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 295 pages
• Publisher: Ronsdale Press; First edition (August 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553800095
• ISBN-13: 978-1553800095
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much More than a Weightlifting Book, December 5, 2003

By 

Ross Young (British Columbia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strongman (Paperback)

Tom Thurston has done a brilliant job of portraying Doug Hepburn's remarkable life. Hepburn seems to have wanted to be depicted "warts and all" and Thurston's rendering is unflinching.

Born with a club foot and badly crossed eyes, Doug Hepburn had the courage and strength of will to become arguably the strongest natural (i.e. trained without benefit of steroids or other performance enhancers) man in history.

Weight lifters and others who wish to train without risking their health--Hepburn retained his incredible strength into his later years--can use this book as a training manual. It ought to be required reading for young athletes.

But Thurston's book is much more than a training manual, or dry recitation of weights lifted and contests won (although the book has all of these statistics). The raw honesty of its narrative coupled with the astonishing achievments of its subject combine to make it make it a compelling read. It's a page turner as hard to put down as a best selling novel.

And yet it's all true, often painfully so. This is no mere homage or whitewashed "Biography Channel" version of Doug Hepburn's life. Thurston depicts those qualities of spirit which determined Doug Hepburn's greatness as an athlete, while at the same time letting us see those aspects of his life and character which were at odds with his natural gifts and self-determined destiny.

In short, a great read even if you don't care about weight-training, or other athletic achievment at the world-class level, and a must read if you do.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!!!!, May 24, 2004

By 

Gregg D. Schlosberg (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strongman (Paperback)

Hello! I'm a 26 year old weightlifter, and had heard the name Doug Hepburn a few times in strength and bodybuilding magazines. However, I really didnt know much about the man until I purchased this book. I can honestly say, this man's story was inspiring and yet sad at times. It's one of the best reads I've had in a while, and those who are involved in weight training will want to pick up a copy of this book.

I really came away feeling inspired and grateful. With all the hogwash out there written by juiced-up "athletes," it's good to know people like Mr. Hepburn were truly the strongest of the strong naturally and that it IS possible to become strong without chemicals. Had I known of him years ago before his passing, he truly would have been someone I'd want to meet in person.

Also, many thanks to the book's author, Mr. Tom Thurston, who took the time to respond to my letter and answer my questions.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet tales from one of the greats., January 5, 2004

By 

Dale (Vancouver, B.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strongman (Paperback)

Pick it up and I doubt you'll put it down. This book is nothing more than an honest look back at a life lived to the fullest, through ups as well as downs, on and off the lifting platform.
Some nice information on Doug's simple yet effective training methods are included as well.
HAIL DOUG!!!