Major:
A Black Athlete, A White Era, and the Fight To Be the World’s Fastest Human Being
by Todd Balf
GV1051 .T3 B35 2008
New Book Island, 2nd floor
Ahh, the first day of classes for the summer. Some of you might be taking/teaching these courses, some of you may not. This week’s featured book will appeal to both researchers and pleasure readers.
Balf, former editor of Outside magazine, takes on the story of Marshall Major Taylor, a man that aspired to be the “World’s Fastest Human Being.” The author chronicles not only the life of the athlete, but also the surrounding time period. The turn of the twentieth century saw the world riveted with cycle racing, with large crowds and full stadiums watching six-day events. Taylor not only faced his opponents on the track, but also faced discrimination and segregation due to the color of his skin. Major tells his story as America’s first black sports celebrity.
