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Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780926888012
ISBN number: 0926888013
Label: Ironmind Enterprises
Manufacturer: Ironmind Enterprises
Page Count: 288
Printing Date: December 01, 1993
Publishing house: Ironmind Enterprises
Sale Popularity Level: 44948
Studio: Ironmind Enterprises
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Who knows how many teenagers in the 1960s bought Strength & Health magazine primarily to inhale John McCallum's articles - he taught us to squat, how to achieve sucess through hard work, and how to care for our health as we built size and strength, and the whole time, he entertained us with his stories filled with such characters as the legendary Maurice Jones, the mythical Marvin, and the mountainous Doug Hepburn. Here they are: the full collection of the original John McCallum articles, classic gems. If you were to only buy one book - ever - on how to train, this is it. 288 pp.
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Rated by buyers 
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It amazes me how this book still speaks volumes of information even though it was written so long ago. John McCallum was a master at conveying informative knowledge though a very entertaining medium. The stories of his days with his friend Ollie, his daughter's boneheaded boyfriend Marvin, and the various "gym owners" who dispense sagely advice to the stereotypical "skinny kid" are highly entertaining. What's more, the stories contain timeless advice to get you into the best shape of your life! It amazes me how there really is no new thing under the sun, as McCallum advises the reader to work hard, eat lots of protein, work hard, cut carbs, work hard, make sure to get plenty of nutrition and rest... Did I mention hard work? If you're looking for a no-nonsense approach of how to build a better physique without all the modern fluff and latest whizzbang program, check out this book. This is especially true if you're looking for some advice before the wide use of steroids began. You'll read about the old school greats who accomplished great feats of strength through an all-natural regimen. If you work out or have any interest in bodybuilding/weightlifting, I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of this timeless classic! Kudos to Dr. Randall Strossen for making John McCallum's works available to the newer generation! I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Rated by buyers -
I came to this book quite skeptically, but have been really impressed with it. I put off getting it for a long time because I would rather have straightforward exposition than stories, and I figured that knowledge of effective lifting has changed a great deal since McCallum wrote. I don't think anyone will believe that most of these stories really happened, or at least happened the way they say, but they are fun stories nonetheless, and some truths are most effectively told through fiction. What has surprised me is that McCallum is a very good storyteller, and he has a tremendous sense of sly humor. That said, the stories are broken up with a lot of direct exposition, and I have found it instructive. The criticism that McCallum is writing advertisements for York is partly true but grossly overstated. Many of the entries don't mention York, York products, or even the magazine Strength & Health. I highly recommend this book as a fun and informative read.
Is it dated? One of the other reviewers has said that McCallum was ahead of his time, and I think it would be as appropriate to say that there has been very little progress in lifting theory since McCallum's time. Sure, we know a bit more about nutrition, and we know a bit more about safe and effective exercise technique, but the fundamentals--and I think most of the details--remain the same. What makes this book a gem is not, however, any proprietary insight that McCallum had, but his ability to push the fundamentals, to motivate, and to present things in perspective. Even if one knew all the facts, McCallum's writing would still be useful for tying them together in a meaningful and productive way.
I'm sorry that I put off getting this book for so long. Had this book been one of the very first I had read, my training would have benefitted greatly.
Rated by buyers 
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I got the book and I was not seeing anything revolutionary here, the same old stuff "tricep pushdowns, benching,etc" there isn't anything here that is unique. A lot of these "stories" are of course fake (read Muscletown the story of York barbell) as you will see numerous references to York barbell products (HiProteen and Energol). Its nothing more than stories to sell York products. The stories are very cheesy, and nothing in here is an "article" on lifting as we know it, everything is in a story format. True squats will get you big, but thats pretty much common knowledge. I found absolutely nothing of importance, no mentioning of deadlifts or pressing overhead (overhead pressing is the key to getting big chest as was done in the old days). These are stories as told to a 5th grader. Very dumbed down.
Rated by buyers -
This book is an excellent read for anyone who loves lifting and enjoys a good storyteller. It is a unique book. The book is composed from articles published by the author in Strength and Health magazine from '65-'72. However, it doesn't contain "outdated" material, these are articles that are just as useful now as then, so don't let the era deter, in fact it makes the stories even more interesting sometimes. Many of the training and nutrition principles are basic and have that simple, old fashioned feel to them, but since they work it's irrelevant if they are the "good old way" in contrast to the newest, glittery, hype-ridden methods you see now. Everything in this book is just plain time proven material and so when exactly they were very first written is not very important. The book covers a broad spectrum of training topics, and you'll find many strength, eating, and mass building subjects that will catch your interest in the index; the thing that makes it unique is its informal tone, the info gets to the point at a steady pace without overdoing the explanations behind the info you are trying to get at. The way each topic is explained is story-like and interesting and this book is one of those classics that is useful to both newbies looking for simplicity and quality to the long time lifter who will enjoy reading a refreshing book on stuff he/she already knows, but will just plain find entertaining to flip through and read again and again. Its a good book for any weight trainer's library, though it is not filled with "cutting-edge" material. If you just want to get big and strong, and do it without getting a trainer and a thousand dollars in supplements or make things more complicated then they have to be, or if you already have your training figured out and just want something fun to read that reminds you how simple it can all be just get this book.
Rated by buyers 
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Many of the stories are funny. The sections on mental focus and the effectiveness of breathing squats are helpful but the book doesn't have much credibility. I imagine some if not most of the stories of men gaining 10 to 20 pounds/month are fictitional. John's daughter's boyfriend supposedly gained 38 pounds in 3 months without increasing his already high level of calories, and while doing breathing squats of 25 reps with less than bodyweight.
On the other hand, John often recommends readers work up to squats with 300- 500 pounds, consume 1.5 to 2 grams of protein/lb of bodyweight, and drink ½ to 1 gallon of milk a day.
There's no mention of drugs, prevention of injuries, and genetics (except to say that most top physique measurements are exaggerated). So far no Amazon reviewers have claimed to gain 20+ pounds from the book. John said he bulked up to 300 lbs at 6' and his uncle up to 250lbs but he didn't give their bodyfat percentages. Worth borrowing from the library or a friend but not buying.
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