West Coast Bodybuilding Scene: The Golden Era

by Dick Tyler, Dave Draper (Foreword)

A trip through the most unforgettable years of bodybuilding as a handful of restless musclemen catapulted the sport of muscle and might across the globe. Called the Golden Era of bodybuilding, you'll see Bill Pearl as he hands off to Larry Scott, the rise of Dave Draper, Sergio Oliva, with Don Howorth and Frank Zane in the background and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu emerging in the foreground. Dick Tyler writes of the Muscle Beach gossip, Vince Gironda's gym and many more feature columns from the late '60s and early '70s. You'll love this one! Nonfiction, as recorded by a journalist on the scene. Packed with 160 photos; this book is nicely indexed by individual names. Foreword and captions by Dave Draper.

Genres: Biography

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[S.L. Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread for me. I love bodybuilding bios! It was a bit hokey but thoroughly enjoyable if you're into this kind of thing.

[Beau Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic insight into a subculture most people know very little about. Sure, the media runs stories about bodybuilders on a semi-regular, but those stories only focus on steroid users and other negative aspects of gym life.

Not all of us are steroid users, not all of us are competitive bodybuilders. Most of us are regular Joes who just want to keep our bodies in good condition (and hopefully stave off the effects of old age for just a little longer - because sitting on your arse, drinking beer and watching TV aren't going to help you achieve that goal).

If you have any interest in the history of bodybuilding (and the interesting characters who helped shape it), then do yourself a favor and buy this book.

[Kenn Staub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is essentially a selection of columns/articles by Dick Tyler which appeared in the late 60s'/early 70s' muscle magazines and features some truly great pictures of the "classic" old school bodybuilders (the "Blonde Bomber", Dave Draper, wrote all the captions). Though at times the articles seem dated, it is a glimpse into an era when bodybuilding came of age and we see the baton being passed from the likes of Steve Reeves, Larry Scott, etc. to Arnold, Franco, Frank Zane, Sergio Oliva. The pictures are very cool...you can see how the physiques of yesterday were more athletic and realistic as opposed to the size warfare which the sport is experiencing today. Definitely not for everyone, but if you are a fan of the sport it should be considered a most read