At the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of handsome, lightning-fast racers won the hearts and minds of a bicycling-crazed public. Scientists stud...
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Apr 02, 2008
Mike
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Major Taylor was a black racing phenom from Indianapolis in the world of white bike racing at the turn of the 20th century. Who knew bicycle racing was so big...thousands of people attending races...some of the races lasted six days! This would make a great film.
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Jan 24, 2010
Ariah
rated it: 
I'm not usually a fan of history or biographies, but I found the story of Marshall "Major" Taylor fascinating. From the first chapter, the author paints a picture of cycling at right around 1900 that sets the story up in a fascinating light. At that point there were no real spectator sports, no Hollywood, even Broadway hadn't gotten big yet. Cyclist were the biggest celebrities in the world.
Major Taylor, at a time when slavery had only recently been abolished and segregation was More...
Major Taylor, at a time when slavery had only recently been abolished and segregation was More...
Dec 16, 2008
Alicia
rated it:
Marshall Major Taylor was one of the United States most unlikely heroes. During an era of Jim Crow laws and lynching, Taylor managed to rise to the top of America’s favorite new sport to become the “fastest man alive”. Despite racial injustice and setbacks, he never lost his dignity, moral virtue or his love for the sport of bicycle racing. This is a classic underdog story detailing the life of a little known American hero.
Jan 09, 2010
Cat
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This book is a fascinating glimpse of a time when "wheelmen" were the rock stars of the day! Also a case study of a good christian man in a dirty business, a case study in remaining above the fray, and just striving for personal excellence. A must read for studies of African American History at the turn of the Century. A man who ignored bigotry, and rose above hatred to do what he loved.
Feb 15, 2010
Neil
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Exciting race descriptions (and painful crash details); a good picture of racism in American athletics 60 years before Jackie Robinson; I'm glad to finally have some background on Major: now when I race the George Street annual, I'll have something to talk about.
Sep 30, 2010
Liz
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This book is fantastic. Major Taylor is a fascinating character, and the writer (from my hometown of Beverly) is really interested in cycling and the turn of the 20th century in general. It's great how he manages to convey a lot of suspense despite the fact that we know how it ends (or I did, anyway).
Major Taylor, for those who don't know, was a bicycle racing superstar when the modern bicycle was first invented. Not only was he the fastest man on two wheels, he was African Americ More...
Major Taylor, for those who don't know, was a bicycle racing superstar when the modern bicycle was first invented. Not only was he the fastest man on two wheels, he was African Americ More...
Aug 27, 2010
Mark
rated it:
An incredible story of America's first internationally famous sports figure, Major Taylor. Todd Balf crafts a rich tale of America circa 1900 and the spectator sport that once dominated the country, cycling.
Nov 01, 2009
Lumberjuan
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Amazing that this story isn't better known in the public conscious. The epic rivalry between McFarland and Taylor is described in bristling prose. Considering how important cycling was at the turn of the 20th century - the original Madison Square Garden was a velodrome! - and that to all extents and purposes Major Taylor was the first international sports superstar, it seems bizarre that so little of this is known.
Jul 03, 2008
I'm not especially interested in bicycle racing (though I love bicycling), but this looks like a compelling book about Major Taylor (Chicago has a Major Taylor bike trail, and I wanted to know about the person it's named for).
Jun 09, 2010
Michael
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It seems likely that most people who don't know or care that much about the history of cycling wouldn't find this as interesting as I did, but I liked it.
Aug 20, 2008
Meg
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Inspiring and informative; the prose is a bit overwrought at times, but ultimately the story makes up for it. Unbelievable tenacity.
Jun 24, 2008
John
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Good story mired by really cumbersome, speculative writing. Balf succeeds in kicking this horse to death and far beyond.
May 06, 2008
Travis
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"His cycling was an expressino of something beautiful and true and honest in a world that was decidedly otherwise." -p.88.
Mar 13, 2011
Diener
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Interesting story about a forgotten, yet important, time in the history of cycling, and the history of America.
Apr 08, 2008
Hardeep
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Very interesting book- gives history of track racing. Never realized that it was once such a big thing.
Sep 22, 2008
Dick
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Story of the great days of bike racing. Not well written, but a good story
Aug 10, 2008
Clive
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Amazing history of America's first great cyclist, perhaps greatest ever.
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