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The world's fastest man : the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor, America's first Black sports hero Cover Image Book Book

The world's fastest man : the extraordinary life of cyclist Major Taylor, America's first Black sports hero / Michael Kranish.

Kranish, Michael, (author.).

Summary:

"In the tradition of The Boys in the Boat and Seabiscuit, a fascinating portrait of a groundbreaking but forgotten figure--the remarkable Major Taylor, the black man who broke racial barriers by becoming the world's fastest and most famous bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781501192593
  • ISBN: 1501192590
  • ISBN: 9781501192609
  • ISBN: 1501192604
  • Physical Description: x, 365 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First Scribner hardcover edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Scribner, 2019.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliography (pages 343-349) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Acceleration. Birdie takes flight ; The rise of Major Taylor ; The president and the cyclists ; Birdie and Major in Indianapolis ; No such prejudice ; The bicycle craze -- The jump. The rivalry begins ; "Major Taylor's life in danger" ; The fighting man ; A rematch with Eddie Bald ; In pursuit of the championship ; "A race run for blood" ; A black man in Paris ; "The terribly dangerous and beautiful races" ; Voyage of the titans ; The caged bird sings ; "The strain is too great" ; A faraway land ; The changing world -- The finish. "I need your prayers" ; "My last race" -- Appendix 1: Major Taylor's cycling records -- Appendix 2: Major Taylor's training regimen.

Search for related items by subject

Subject: Taylor, Major, 1878-1932.
Cyclists > United States > Biography.
African American cyclists > Biography.

Available copies

  • 1 of 1 copy available at Kenton County.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Covington Branch 796.6092 T244k 2019 (Text) 33126022599769 Adult Nonfiction Available -
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  • Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2019 May

    Journalist Kranish (The World's Fastest Man) weaves the fascinating and interconnected history of the rise and demise of professional cycling with the life story of African American cycling hero Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878–1932), who acquired his nickname "Major" by performing stunt tricks on his bike while in military uniform. Taylor began his racing career in Indianapolis and endured racism in the forms of verbal and physical assaults along with being barred from races. Despite these barriers, Taylor, still managed to amass seven world records by age 26. However, Kranish maintains, the rise of the automobile contributed to Taylor's retirement and the rapid decline of cycling's popularity. Ultimately, a series of poor financial investments left Taylor penniless at the time of his death. Kranish's work complements Taylor's own autobiography, along with Andrew Ritchie's Major Taylor, Todd Balf's Major, and Conrad Kerber and Terry Kerber's MajorTaylor. VERDICT Kranish mixes sports and history, along with the realities of racism, in a valuable addition for all libraries with collections touching on those areas.—John N. Jax, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., La Crosse

    Copyright 2019 Library Journal.
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