Customer Reviews

Yours in perfect manhood, Charles Atlas: The most effective fitness program ever devised

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

 

 

Although informative, this book does not present an in-depth review of Mr. Atlas and his life. It's almost as if the authors were writing a comic book story. Atlas is presented in a rather two-dimensional manner. There are some issues of Atlas' life that are just barely touched upon. And some REALLY INTERESTING issues the authors just choose to ignore and not elaborate. The writing is rather amateurish. The examples of photography are excellent. More mention and discussion of Sansone and Grimek should have been included. It was at least helpful in some minor ways for my research.

This is a good book which may (or may not!) have perpetuated the myth of the 97 pound weakling. It is important to note that the author only wrote from the recollections of Charles Atlas concerning this story.

As for the negative comment on the exercises in a previous review; it is true that they are essentially the same today as they were when originally developed. Being so does not make them any less effective. The course is still for sale today helping those who wish to be healthy, self-confident and in the end an 'Atlas man'.

If you are interested in Atlas and his life, this is the only information out there in published book form that I know of. Get it, read it, enjoy it, then pass it along to someone else who cares to be different in this day and age of 'supersize me'.

The book is given four stars due to being too SHORT.

Ever since I was a little kid in the 60's reading comic books-Charles Atlas was both an inspiration,and source of mystery to me.I wondered if he was a real person,or as fictional as the comic books I was reading.Over the years I discovered he was a real man,and this book tells more about his story,which is very interesting and inspiring.He truly lived the lifestyle he preached,and inspired countless people to adopt a healthier lifestyle-myself included.The book has scores of photos of Atlas,and a brief,condensed version of his course.Included are a few letters to Atlas from his pupils.I feel an entire book of letters from his pupils from over the years would make for very interesting reading!

I like many boys in my youth took the Charles Atlas course and therefore was very interested in this book. The book contains exercises out of the course,but instead of telling the truth stays with the fictionalized version of 97 pound weakling who becomes The World's Most Perfectly Developed Man.I was actually disappointed and find the exercises from this course written in 1922 drastically out dated and except for a few exercises where you are pushing one arm against the other no different than you would find in any high school gym class.

This book covers everything about the great Charles Atlas. History, biography and even a look at his famous bodybuilding course.