The Strongest Men on Earth: When the Muscle Men Ruled Show Business

Strong men were the pop stars of their day, topping the bill before packed houses with their bizarre and often dangerous stunts. Their photographs sold in the millions and the more popular among them gave private displays of rippling physiques to gatherings of thrilled society ladies willing to pay many guineas to bear witness. The craze began towards the end of Victoria's reign and spread across the world before the outbreak of the Great War. It encompassed larger-than-life characters both on and behind the stage, dazzling displays, bitter rivalries, tragedy and disaster. The Strongest Men on Earth looks at the rise and fall of the body beautiful craze, with each chapter focussing on a particular strong man, showing how each developed and refined their art against the backdrop of Music Halls, Svengali-like managers and an admiring but demanding public. This remarkable book gives a fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of Edwardian social history, sport and show business.