Powerlifting Basics, Texas-Style: The Adventures of Lope Delk (Paperback)

Kelso is able to do several things with that book that have eluded so many others:

1. It is focussed on developing a combination of real strength, size, power, and ability.

2. It stays on path with the common lifts that most folks know and can do, and doesn't go inot the weird and esoteric lifts that are only a distraction to the new and intermiediate lifter (rock lifting, one arm anvil presses, etc.)

3. He does address power rack work in as good a fashion as Brooks Kubik in "Dinosaur Training".

4. He offers lots of routines, but also "teaches" how to design programs and routines for various purposes.

5. He keeps a positive tone that supports the beginning and intermediate lifter, without going into the esoterica of how to train to bench 700 lb., etc.

6. He set the entire book in Texas, God's country and the home of High School powerlifting.

As well, Steve Holman, editor of Ironman magazine, reviewed it in the '97 January issue. He said (and I agree)...

"Since I come from Texas and was a fanatical participant in the Texas powerlifting scene at one point in my life, I devoured Paul Kelso's Powerlifting Basics, Texas-Style in record time. Although I never met any of the characters in his book-at least I don't think I did-there were plenty of folks in my neck of the woods who resembled many of Kelso's colorful acquaintances.

Lope Delk is one of his central characters, a know-it-all good ol' boy in his mid-40s who learns a lot of lifting and life lessons along the way, despite his hard-headedness. For instance, Kelso teaches him the bench shrug, a shoulder-girdle strengthener that builds bench press power. It develops the shoulder roll used by most great benchers, although many don't know they do it.

While the majority of Kelso's book is devoted to training anecdotes and routines, he peppers the pages with real-people views of bodybuilding and powerlifting. For instance, the lady librarian at the university where he worked considered IRONMAN "an anti-intellectual expression of narcissistic testosterone poisoning." Say what? Considering his description of the snooty librarian, we'll consider that a compliment.

This book is full of entertaining scenarios that will have serious lifters going from rolling on the floor with laughter to lapping up loads of solid training advice and programs. It's not just powerlifting though. Kelso leaves no iron stone unturned. He talks about breathing squats, basic bodybuilding, high-intensity training and even supplements: "Back in the '50s we all loaded up on raw milk and peanut butter and soy-based protein powder. We got bigger and stronger. Got gas too."

I'll leave you with one example that's indicative of Kelso's writing style and humor. He said he received a letter from a boy in Calcutta, India, who couldn't gain weight. The boy explained that the people in his village relied on the fish they caught for food. They didn't eat the fish, but traded it for "muhi," a poi-like carbohydrate paste that made up almost their entire diet. Here's Kelso's answer, and the results:

"I suggested he save back and eat a fish a day and explained about protein needs. He tried it awhile and was beefing up until his father caught him and beat him. I wrote a letter to his dad and included a picture of Steve Reeves in some kind of Sinbad outfit and told him that all the sons of the village could look like Steve if they ate a fish a day.

"Pretty soon the entire village was into it and getting healthier. Then I got a letter from a U.S. government agency telling me that I had created an international incident by interfering in the internal affairs of a foreign nation, and my scheme was playing havoc with the local economy and disrupting traditional values. My bodybuilding fisherman explained that the village headman was bought off by the muhi dealers. After a couple of food riots, the young man and his dad proceeded to become what passes for wealthy in the village by bootlegging fish. Shows you what kind of clout I have."

You can only imagine what the Stretch Mark Machine chapter is about. Paul Kelso has created a true iron classic, and you'll enjoy it and benefit from it-even if you've never been to Texas.

Pros: Great powerlifting and bodybuilding info, routines and tales interwoven with colorful, hilarious narration.

Cons: You may chuck everything, move to Seldom Seen, Texas, and start chewing Red Man tobacco when you lift."