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The fastest bicycle rider in the world;: The autobiography of Major Taylor
{ 15.34 x 23.59 cms} Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden Leaf Printing on round Spine (extra customization on request like complete leather, Golden Screen printing in Front, Color Leather, Colored book etc.) Reprinted in 2018 with the help of original edition published long back [1928]. This book is printed in black & white, sewing binding for longer life, Printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, we processed each page manually and make them readable but in some cases some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume, if you wish to order a specific or all the volumes you may contact us. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions. - english, Pages 448. EXTRA 10 DAYS APART FROM THE NORMAL SHIPPING PERIOD WILL BE REQUIRED FOR LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. COMPLETE LEATHER WILL COST YOU EXTRA US$ 25 APART FROM THE LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. {FOLIO EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE.} Complete Title :-The fastest bicycle rider in the world The story of a colored boy's indomitable courage and success against great odds 1928, Marshall W. Taylor
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1928
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 8, 2022
At the start of the 20th century in the US, track bicycle racing in velodromes was rivaled only by baseball for popularity and by boxing for lucrativeness. All of the professional sports drew a strict color line, with White and Black athletes in their own leagues, if Blacks could play at all. The traditional narrative is that this line was first crossed in boxing, by Jack Johnson. However, more than a decade before the Johnson-Jeffries fight in Reno, Major Taylor actually became the first Black professional athlete to win both American and world championship titles.
This autobiography covers Taylor's entire career, including the many struggles he faced due to prejudice from White racers and officials as well as difficulty in finding lodging and dining open to Blacks as he travelled to events, even in California and the northeast. Taylor contrasts this with the much more favorable treatment he found in Europe and Australia. Throughout his professional racing career, he enjoyed great support from fans and the press worldwide and he won vast sums of money.
While the subject is fascinating, there is perhaps more detail than needed in the form of lengthy quotes from newspaper articles giving accounts of specific races. I imagine when track cycling was still a popular sport, it would have been interesting to fans to have these descriptions. Sadly, track cycling is little know in the US today though it still exists as an Olympic sport and it enjoys some popularity in Europe. Up until the 1930s, great crowds attended pro cycling races at venues such as Madison Square Garden.
Major Taylor doesn't talk much about events after retiring from cycling and he devotes relatively little space overall to his personal life. One anecdote he does give of his retirement years is meeting former president Teddy Roosevelt, who had followed his cycling career with great admiration. This gives an idea of what a different time it was in terms of the sport's popularity. It's hard to imagine any recent US president being able to name a professional cyclist other than perhaps Lance Armstrong.
This autobiography covers Taylor's entire career, including the many struggles he faced due to prejudice from White racers and officials as well as difficulty in finding lodging and dining open to Blacks as he travelled to events, even in California and the northeast. Taylor contrasts this with the much more favorable treatment he found in Europe and Australia. Throughout his professional racing career, he enjoyed great support from fans and the press worldwide and he won vast sums of money.
While the subject is fascinating, there is perhaps more detail than needed in the form of lengthy quotes from newspaper articles giving accounts of specific races. I imagine when track cycling was still a popular sport, it would have been interesting to fans to have these descriptions. Sadly, track cycling is little know in the US today though it still exists as an Olympic sport and it enjoys some popularity in Europe. Up until the 1930s, great crowds attended pro cycling races at venues such as Madison Square Garden.
Major Taylor doesn't talk much about events after retiring from cycling and he devotes relatively little space overall to his personal life. One anecdote he does give of his retirement years is meeting former president Teddy Roosevelt, who had followed his cycling career with great admiration. This gives an idea of what a different time it was in terms of the sport's popularity. It's hard to imagine any recent US president being able to name a professional cyclist other than perhaps Lance Armstrong.
March 16, 2023
I wanted to read this for the book club, but didn’t finish in time and I regret not going to the book club. I really enjoyed this autobiography! I expected it to be stuffy and with stilted old-fashioned language and to find the reiteration of races boring, but Taylor really brought it to life and I was really into the races and following every stroke. I wish there was more about his life outside of bicycling: his wife and daughter, and his life after bicycling, but I still really liked reading this and would recommend.
September 19, 2024
As a work of literature, it's not the absolute most gripping read. The thorough description of rather repetitive race recaps could easily overwhelm a less interested reader. That said, there are some rather excellent individual lines that can stir the spirit.
"I was a pioneer, so I had to blaze my own trail."
I only wish Major had written more about his family; we hear little of his parents who were evidently quite influential on him, nor do we hear of his siblings. He neglects to give the details of meeting and marrying his wife that would be expected of a modern memoir.
From a historical perspective, this book is amazing. Major Taylor was not just the first black world champion in any sport, he was the first super-star of American and International sport. He was, in a sense, the first modern professional athlete. And he did it while facing all the adversity you can imagine from an era where vicious racism was the everyday norm.
"I was a pioneer, so I had to blaze my own trail."
I only wish Major had written more about his family; we hear little of his parents who were evidently quite influential on him, nor do we hear of his siblings. He neglects to give the details of meeting and marrying his wife that would be expected of a modern memoir.
From a historical perspective, this book is amazing. Major Taylor was not just the first black world champion in any sport, he was the first super-star of American and International sport. He was, in a sense, the first modern professional athlete. And he did it while facing all the adversity you can imagine from an era where vicious racism was the everyday norm.
October 22, 2020
Great historic stories from an unknown champion
I chose this book to get more knowledge of Major Taylor after seeing the Hennessy commercials. I was certainly impressed in the way he described how he dealt with racial prejudice and used it as inspiration to not only be a better cyclist but a better man. We can all learn from his humility and love of people. As a cyclist and a history buff, this book was right up my alley. The detailing of the races , although interesting became a bit redundant. The stories of how he dealt with prejudice and mistreatment were always enlightening. Book is long but I’m glad to have read it and recommend it, particularly to history buffs.
I chose this book to get more knowledge of Major Taylor after seeing the Hennessy commercials. I was certainly impressed in the way he described how he dealt with racial prejudice and used it as inspiration to not only be a better cyclist but a better man. We can all learn from his humility and love of people. As a cyclist and a history buff, this book was right up my alley. The detailing of the races , although interesting became a bit redundant. The stories of how he dealt with prejudice and mistreatment were always enlightening. Book is long but I’m glad to have read it and recommend it, particularly to history buffs.
April 12, 2023
It is hard to believe in this day and age that a Black Sportsman could be treated so badly.
He was always true to his beliefs of fair play, and took the good with the bad without complaining.
A real role model for the younger generation.
Also, it was a very inspiring book because of what he achieved through track racing in many Countries.
A true Champion beyond doubt.
He was always true to his beliefs of fair play, and took the good with the bad without complaining.
A real role model for the younger generation.
Also, it was a very inspiring book because of what he achieved through track racing in many Countries.
A true Champion beyond doubt.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews