Editor's Notes

John Koenig
Stuff I Read

Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors vol. 1 by Randy Roach

I'm extremely impressed with Roach's huge book. As a decades-long collector of books on the topics of nutrition, bodybuilding and strength training, I've waded through so many lengthy pieces of crap over the years, I find it difficult to get excited about many new books. Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors is different. Roach is passionate, knowledgeable and possesses extraordinary patience and research skills. Just what is Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors? It's the first of two massive (526 pp) histories of bodybuilding, encompassing the evolution of modern bodybuilding from physical culture, the politics and organizations, and the in-fighting that, along the way, has shaped the busines. How far we have come from Bob Hoffman's primitive protein supplements in the 1940s and '50s? The lessons learned and not learned provide a fascinating read. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. When I began reading this book, initially, I caught myself editing in my head along the way (a bad habit, I'm afraid). I was wondering if Roach could write well, or if he would spend hundreds of pages making one of my favorite subjects dry and boring. . . similar to what many university press books are like. To my delight, I fell deeper and deeper into the pages, until soon I was totally engrossed. I'd tell myself to slow down, to read with comprehension, so I wouldn't miss any details. Roach has full command of his subject matter, loves it, and brings the world I've tried to live in for decades to life. The many interviews Roach has conducted, and the thousands of books and magazines he's clearly poured over, make my brain hurt when I dwell upon it. The nutritional history of bodybuilding, presented clearly, is fascinating. Only a century ago physical culture and health were the primary focuses of all weight-trainers. The competitive sides of weight-lifting and bodybuilding were in their infancy. Today the situation is reversed; in competitive bodybuilding very little attention is paid to health, and physical culture commands very little of society's time today. I find it difficult to do justice to Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors with a few paragraphs. I'm not saying this is the best-written book ever, and I am confident Randy Roach wouldn't make such a claim. But this is a compelling, insider's study of the cult world we live in. I felt as though I was peering behind the magic curtain into the real world of bodybuilding, weight-training and nutrition. Roach brings to life the business dealings, the behind-the-scenes intrigue, how society viewed and dealt with bodybuilding, and so much more. My words don't do justice to Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors. I didn't want this volume to end, and cannot wait for Volume 2. Just buy the book now. $57.95 paperback, $67.95 hardcover, from www.authorhouse.com or bkorders@authorhouse.com

Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors