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Spiritual Journey of Joseph L. Greenstein: The Mighty Atom
Book by Spielman, Ed
236 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 1979
7 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 4, 2016
This is, hands down, THE most gripping, interesting biography I've ever read.
Granted, I haven't read all that many, but the story of Joe Greenstein made me go "holy shit" every 5 minutes as I was devouring the book. Literally couldn't put it down.
Full disclosure: 99% of everything you'll read inside this book will seem completely made-up. And yet there's ample evidence corroborating all of these wild tales.
E.g. Joe was shot in the head from 30 feet away with a .40 caliber handgun and survived (the bullet didn't even penetrate his skull).
He held back a plane trying to take off - twice. Planes were way shittier back then, but it's still impressive as hell.
He could bite nails in half, and his teeth were none the worse for wear, which baffled the dentists of the day to no end.
He beat 20 neo-Nazis (well, not very "neo", as it was a long time ago) within an inch of their lives - all by himself.
In short, this is an amazing biography - not necessarily due to the talent of the author (no offense, Mr. Spielman), but because of the mystery and the raw personal power of Joe Greenstein, who was an equally imposing character in life as he is on paper.
If you're interested in the mighty men of old, and their feats of strength, buy this book. Joe Greenstein was the last great strongman, and perhaps the best of them all.
Granted, I haven't read all that many, but the story of Joe Greenstein made me go "holy shit" every 5 minutes as I was devouring the book. Literally couldn't put it down.
Full disclosure: 99% of everything you'll read inside this book will seem completely made-up. And yet there's ample evidence corroborating all of these wild tales.
E.g. Joe was shot in the head from 30 feet away with a .40 caliber handgun and survived (the bullet didn't even penetrate his skull).
He held back a plane trying to take off - twice. Planes were way shittier back then, but it's still impressive as hell.
He could bite nails in half, and his teeth were none the worse for wear, which baffled the dentists of the day to no end.
He beat 20 neo-Nazis (well, not very "neo", as it was a long time ago) within an inch of their lives - all by himself.
In short, this is an amazing biography - not necessarily due to the talent of the author (no offense, Mr. Spielman), but because of the mystery and the raw personal power of Joe Greenstein, who was an equally imposing character in life as he is on paper.
If you're interested in the mighty men of old, and their feats of strength, buy this book. Joe Greenstein was the last great strongman, and perhaps the best of them all.
September 8, 2009
Biography of an incredible man who became one of the greatest strongmen in performance history. The first half is an amazing story and excellently written. The second half sort of fizzles, which is unfortunate in the story of a man still able to perform all of the same feats at 80 that he could in his 20s. The copy I borrowed was simply called "The Mighty Atom", and I'm not sure I like the apparent re-titling in later editions. There is certainly a great emphasis on the concept of mind over matter, but spiritual isn't really the word I would apply to Greenstein's life (at least in this telling). I enjoyed the book, and would certainly recommend it, but in the end it fell short of the glowing praise it had been handed to me with.
January 23, 2014
I attended a strongman exhibition in my neighborhood, and after the show, I do what I usually do: I ask the performer for his bible, so I can learn and know. He said it was this book, so I read it. The book is not written in the Queen's English, and the author's fawning and slobbering and hyperbole cloud the proceedings and make one question the veracity of some of the stories. However, facts are facts, and this is simply the story of a marvelously incredible, integrity-filled, driven, survive-at-all-costs, hardscrabble, principled-to-the-max human being. He must have escaped death at least 9 times! I am inspired. The writer saves his best writing for the last 3 pages, the coda of the Mighty Atom's life. I think I can duplicate a feat or two. Here goes nothing.
June 12, 2022
"The Spiritual Journey of Joseph L Greenstein" is an inspirational story about a sickly poor child living in Sovalk Poland who emigrated to America to become one of the world's strongest men in the world. Joseph Greenstein was a three-and-a-half-pound premature child who was not supposed to live beyond his 18th birthday due to an asthmatic condition and other medical problems. When he was 14 years of age Joseph visited a traveling circus where he met Volanko, a circus wrestler, who taught him proper diet, breathing and an exercise regimen. Joseph traveled with Volanko for 18 months and returned to Poland in complete health and married his childhood sweetheart, Leah. Shortly afterwards, he emigrated to America where he worked at various menial jobs and wrestled professionally. In 1914 Joseph was shot in the forehead but the bullet reportedly did not enter his skull. This experience sparked Joseph interest in mental powers associated with strength which led to his numerous arrays of strongman feats
Joseph Greenstein story is that of a humble man who stood five foot four inches weighing 145 pounds who had to endure insurmountable obstacles of poor heath, poverty and antisemitism to become the Mighty Atom, 20th century strongman. He serves as a beacon of hope for all of us with his strength of will and spirituality that deep down all of us have a hidden great potential. I would highly recommend this book.
Joseph Greenstein story is that of a humble man who stood five foot four inches weighing 145 pounds who had to endure insurmountable obstacles of poor heath, poverty and antisemitism to become the Mighty Atom, 20th century strongman. He serves as a beacon of hope for all of us with his strength of will and spirituality that deep down all of us have a hidden great potential. I would highly recommend this book.
March 5, 2023
E' la biografia di uno degli ultimi strongman della storia. Gli strongman giravano coi circhi itineranti insieme alla donna baffuta, il nano, i ballerini quando ancora non esisteva la televisione. Joseph Greenstein, nato in Europa a fine 800, debole e malaticcio scappa con uno dei suddetti circhi sotto l'ala protrettice di un altro uomo forzuto che gli insegna i segreti dell'allenamento, della nutrizione e dello spirito. Torna dopo più di un anno trasformato. E da qui inizia la sua avventura negli stati uniti, fatta di stenti e di gloria, di successi e di cadute, Ma sempre speranzosa.
Il libro consigliato da praticamente tutti è stato il mio sogno proibilto per anni: costa ancora abbastanza, ma è sceso dai 400 e passa dollari di qualche anno fa.
Finalmente l'ho letto: Posso ben capire come questo libro, tanto per l'ambientazione quanto per la forza del personaggio, sia diventato l'ispirazione per moltissime persone che lo considerino il loro libro preferito di sempre. Probabilmente se lo avessi letto negli anni 90 (quando è uscita l'ultima edizione) sarebbe stato anche uno dei miei.
Lo trovi su amazon qui: https://amzn.to/2YPy2dg - Se lo vuoi prendere ti consiglio di portare pazienza qualche mese e aspettare che esca l'offerta per prendere una versione usata con stato "very good" - te la cavi con 30-40 $
https://youtu.be/1rxS4NzqIfE
Il libro consigliato da praticamente tutti è stato il mio sogno proibilto per anni: costa ancora abbastanza, ma è sceso dai 400 e passa dollari di qualche anno fa.
Finalmente l'ho letto: Posso ben capire come questo libro, tanto per l'ambientazione quanto per la forza del personaggio, sia diventato l'ispirazione per moltissime persone che lo considerino il loro libro preferito di sempre. Probabilmente se lo avessi letto negli anni 90 (quando è uscita l'ultima edizione) sarebbe stato anche uno dei miei.
Lo trovi su amazon qui: https://amzn.to/2YPy2dg - Se lo vuoi prendere ti consiglio di portare pazienza qualche mese e aspettare che esca l'offerta per prendere una versione usata con stato "very good" - te la cavi con 30-40 $
https://youtu.be/1rxS4NzqIfE
December 26, 2023
Fantastisk read! Inspiring in a realistic way that changes how I think about goals and inner strength. Out of print but this should ABSOLUTELY be reprinted! I got it on an interlibrary loan. Ask your local library if they can get it in for you!
May 4, 2017
One of the best books I have ever read.
October 29, 2022
A fascinating life story. I just loved Joe.
December 7, 2013
A tiny review and a slightly longer comment.
Review: I loved this book!
Comment: In The Collected Stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer, there is a marvelous short story called "A Day in Coney Island." The story contains a paragraph wherein the narrator/protagonist describes the scene on the Coney Island board walk. It contains these lines:
"A half naked man with a black beard and hair to his shoulders hawked potions that strengthened the muscles, beautified the skin, and brought back lost sexual potency. He tore heavy chains with his hands and bent coins between his fingers."
Though this short story is fiction, Singer often bases his writing on things he's experienced and done. My strong suspicion is that Singer actually saw and, in this story, is recording his actual recollections of Joseph L. Greenstein, The Mighty Atom!
Review: I loved this book!
Comment: In The Collected Stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer, there is a marvelous short story called "A Day in Coney Island." The story contains a paragraph wherein the narrator/protagonist describes the scene on the Coney Island board walk. It contains these lines:
"A half naked man with a black beard and hair to his shoulders hawked potions that strengthened the muscles, beautified the skin, and brought back lost sexual potency. He tore heavy chains with his hands and bent coins between his fingers."
Though this short story is fiction, Singer often bases his writing on things he's experienced and done. My strong suspicion is that Singer actually saw and, in this story, is recording his actual recollections of Joseph L. Greenstein, The Mighty Atom!
August 24, 2012
this is a rather terribly written story of a super-interesting dude. a real life super-hero old-fashioned wackadoodle who lived through crazy times and had some epic adventures, generally embodying the american dream... an immigrant jew wandering mystic world-traveler circus & vaudeville performer health-guru exercise freak salesman oilman handyman scrapman strongman proto-hippie animal-loving father of ten... he's a completely unique self-made success story.
i just wish the book was a little bit better.
i just wish the book was a little bit better.
Want to read
April 17, 2016In 1981, Allentown PA, I spent many an enjoyable Saturday afternoon hanging out at Steve Novak's Magic Shop , the Magic Den. I recall Joe K and David Z talking about a short strongman the Mighty Atom who performed at the Allentown Fair.
It seems I am not the only one who has fond memories of Steve Novak and this time and place.
http://articles.mcall.com/2007-10-30/...
http://articles.mcall.com/1986-09-04/...
It seems I am not the only one who has fond memories of Steve Novak and this time and place.
http://articles.mcall.com/2007-10-30/...
http://articles.mcall.com/1986-09-04/...
October 28, 2010
Loved this book. An authentic portrayal of a modern-day spiritual journey lived by a not-so ordinary "superman." Joseph Greenstein mastered mind over body. One of the last of the great 20th Century "strongmen," Greenstein's path shows that great feats of strength are achieved more by mental strength than brawn. For those yearning for a modern-day spiritual gem, this book must be read. Utterly inspiring.
October 4, 2008
highly inspirational personal journey
we need this book back in print
we need this book back in print
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews