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Strong as Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth
Little Friedrich Muller was a puny weakling who longed to be athletic and strong like the ancient Roman gladiators. He exercised and exercised. But he to no avail.
As a young man, he found himself under the tutelage of a professional body builder. Friedrich worked and worked. He changed his name to Eugen Sandow and he got bigger and stronger. Everyone wanted to become "as strong as Sandow."
Inspired by his own experiences body-building, Don Tate tells the story of how Eugen Sandow changed the way people think about strength and exercise and made it a part of everyday life.
Backmatter includes more information about Sandow, suggestions for exercise, an author's note, and a bibliography.
As a young man, he found himself under the tutelage of a professional body builder. Friedrich worked and worked. He changed his name to Eugen Sandow and he got bigger and stronger. Everyone wanted to become "as strong as Sandow."
Inspired by his own experiences body-building, Don Tate tells the story of how Eugen Sandow changed the way people think about strength and exercise and made it a part of everyday life.
Backmatter includes more information about Sandow, suggestions for exercise, an author's note, and a bibliography.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2017
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Don Tate
48 books119 followersDon Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. He is also one of the founding hosts of the blog The Brown Bookshelf - a blog dedicated to books for African American young readers with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews. Likewise, Don is a member of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, a grassroots organization created to address the lack of diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, he currently lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and son.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, he currently lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 7, 2024
let's move!
not only move and have body muscles but also develop a healthy mind
not only move and have body muscles but also develop a healthy mind
December 7, 2017
Pair with Mama Africa!, Katherine Erskine's pb bio of Miriam Makeba, to inspire kids to identify historic figures that are meaningful to their own lives. Don Tate competed in bodybuilding contests as a young man - there's a picture of him in the back, all oiled up and flexed - and uses the story of Eugen Sandow to introduce kids to some aspects of the sport's history and mechanics.
Similarly, Katherine Erskine lived in South Africa as a child, and was inspired as an adult to tell the story of singer and apartheid activist Miriam Makeba.
These connections between author and subject provide accessibility to young readers and serve as terrific models for showing how personal interests drive intellectual curiosity.
Similarly, Katherine Erskine lived in South Africa as a child, and was inspired as an adult to tell the story of singer and apartheid activist Miriam Makeba.
These connections between author and subject provide accessibility to young readers and serve as terrific models for showing how personal interests drive intellectual curiosity.
August 14, 2017
Great book for children to think about the role exercise plays in their life! I like the author's note at the end where Don Tate acknowledges that many of the materials about Sandow contradict each other. He shares that his goal for the book was to "tell the story as I think Sandow would have wanted it told".
August 8, 2019
Wonderful biography of a man I’d never of before, Eugen Sandow. Sandow worked to become the world’s first bodybuilder. He also started the first bodybuilder contests. The author was also a bodybuilder and tells his own story in the back.
July 31, 2017
One of the challenges of writing a picture biography is knowing how much to include and how much to leave out, simply because there isn't room for everything. And as Don Tate discusses in his author's note at the end of the book, it becomes even more difficult when only a little it is known about the person and what is known is contradictory or exaggerated. That's the challenge that Tate faced writing about Eugen Sandow (formerly Friedrich Muller). To counteract the lack of knowledge, especially about Sandow's early years, Tate focuses on the most admirable part of the man's life: the importance of physical exercise and good health. That doesn't mean he overlooks the problems or some of the uncomfortable aspects of Sandow's life (such as posing for art classes to help pay the bills and possible trickery during some of his shows). I did appreciate the effort the author/illustrator made to not depict Sandow's full nude form, (even though it's clear that he did pose nude on more than one occasion). I did enjoy reading about some of the competitions that Sandow competed in and his efforts to encourage people to get physically fit. I also really liked the backmatter that Tate included about his own bodybuilding experiences and the controversy's that dogged Sandow's life. This is a well-done picture book biography that would be great for teaching about the challenges of writing biographies as well as what leads certain author's to certain topics.
July 11, 2020
Strong as Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Don Tate. It introduces his readers to one of the first international sports stars in a well-researched biography of bodybuilding strongman Eugen Sandow.
Eugen Sandow (born Friedrich Wilhelm Müller) was a German bodybuilder and showman. Born in Königsberg, Sandow became interested in bodybuilding at the age of ten during a visit to Italy. After a spell in the circus, Sandow studied under strongman Ludwig Durlacher in the late 1880s and he began entering strongman competitions. In 1901 he organized what is believed to be the world's first major body building competition.
Tate's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Tate explores Müller's life as a student, circus performer, and model as he grows into the professional strongman Eugen Sandow. Backmatter includes an afterward on Sandow's life, an author's note, bibliography, and exercises for children. Tate's illustrations of strong crayon-like lines bring definition to the muscles of Sandaw and the dynamic pages.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Skinny and feeble as a child, Sandow was fascinated by the physiques of classical statues, and he parleyed that interest into a career, ditching university to become a circus acrobat before embracing a life as an artist’s model, weightlifter, and performer. At one event in New York City, Sandow's feats of strength led to gasps and faints, though perhaps due to his physicality.
All in all, Strong as Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth is a wonderful biography which sheds light on a fascinating Victorian-era celebrity: Eugen Sandow, who helped usher in competitive bodybuilding.
Eugen Sandow (born Friedrich Wilhelm Müller) was a German bodybuilder and showman. Born in Königsberg, Sandow became interested in bodybuilding at the age of ten during a visit to Italy. After a spell in the circus, Sandow studied under strongman Ludwig Durlacher in the late 1880s and he began entering strongman competitions. In 1901 he organized what is believed to be the world's first major body building competition.
Tate's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Tate explores Müller's life as a student, circus performer, and model as he grows into the professional strongman Eugen Sandow. Backmatter includes an afterward on Sandow's life, an author's note, bibliography, and exercises for children. Tate's illustrations of strong crayon-like lines bring definition to the muscles of Sandaw and the dynamic pages.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Skinny and feeble as a child, Sandow was fascinated by the physiques of classical statues, and he parleyed that interest into a career, ditching university to become a circus acrobat before embracing a life as an artist’s model, weightlifter, and performer. At one event in New York City, Sandow's feats of strength led to gasps and faints, though perhaps due to his physicality.
All in all, Strong as Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth is a wonderful biography which sheds light on a fascinating Victorian-era celebrity: Eugen Sandow, who helped usher in competitive bodybuilding.
March 28, 2018
I remember growing up and reading Archie comic books and many superhero comics. In many of them, there were ads from Charles Atlas about how his program would help 97-pound weaklings bulk up illustrated by comic strip images of before (the bulky bully kicking sand onto the weakling as he was trying to make time with his girl) and after (the weakling bulked up and beating up on the bully, winning the girl). So when I saw the cover of this book, I was hooked -- I had to read it to relive a memory and learn Sandow's secrets (not that I am going to start bodybuilding!).
Don Tate has given us a well-timed picture book biography of this rock star showman, who may very well have inspired Charles Atlas. Starting as a sickly boy, he realized he could exercise his body and build strong muscles. A circuitous route led him to becoming "the strongest man in the world", opening a gym for workouts, and writing for books and magazines to promote "bodybuilding and nutritious eating". Tate's digital artwork is full of fun, whimsy and detail -- the last will bring readers back to see what they missed the first time.
Backmatter includes an interesting "afterword", suggestions of simple exercises for kids, a bibliography of sources, and a personal not. Having seen Don Tate before at conferences, who wudda thunk he had been a prize winning bodybuilder? I believe it because he includes a picture of himself posing to prove it!
Great fun! For ages K-5
Don Tate has given us a well-timed picture book biography of this rock star showman, who may very well have inspired Charles Atlas. Starting as a sickly boy, he realized he could exercise his body and build strong muscles. A circuitous route led him to becoming "the strongest man in the world", opening a gym for workouts, and writing for books and magazines to promote "bodybuilding and nutritious eating". Tate's digital artwork is full of fun, whimsy and detail -- the last will bring readers back to see what they missed the first time.
Backmatter includes an interesting "afterword", suggestions of simple exercises for kids, a bibliography of sources, and a personal not. Having seen Don Tate before at conferences, who wudda thunk he had been a prize winning bodybuilder? I believe it because he includes a picture of himself posing to prove it!
Great fun! For ages K-5
September 3, 2017
When you're short (five feet, one inch as an adult) you grow up hearing your dad say, "She's little but she's wiry." Hearing the pride in his voice made me try harder at everything I did. It wasn't until my late twenties (high school sports for girls consisted of the Girls Athletic Association and Title IX was not a reality until I had nearly finished college) when I started to pursue competitive running. In high school I was a huge fan of the sport, attending the boys' track meets. As a teacher librarian I've not only attended my schools' track meets, but volunteered to act as the official announcer and score keeper.
To be a runner height is not as critical as it is in other sports. Running is something you can build upon every single day even if you start out walking, then fast walking, jogging and then running. When you finally place in a race or beat your personal best time, the thrill is immeasurable. Author illustrator Don Tate's newest title, Strong As Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth (Charlesbridge, August 22, 2017) chronicles the life of a remarkable man, who filled with determination, worked and trained and shared his passion and knowledge with others. He, like so many of us, started out small.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
To be a runner height is not as critical as it is in other sports. Running is something you can build upon every single day even if you start out walking, then fast walking, jogging and then running. When you finally place in a race or beat your personal best time, the thrill is immeasurable. Author illustrator Don Tate's newest title, Strong As Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth (Charlesbridge, August 22, 2017) chronicles the life of a remarkable man, who filled with determination, worked and trained and shared his passion and knowledge with others. He, like so many of us, started out small.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
March 17, 2018
Don Tate's picture of Eugen Shadow, a very strong weight lifter, on the cover, decorated in medals and a leopard wrap, invites the reader to grab it, and read! This biography describes an unbelievable transformation, young Friedrich Muller was a scrawny, and sickly child. But, he was bright, resilient, and enthusiastically played sports in school. What inspired his transformation to become "the Strongest Man on Earth" occurred when his father took him to Italy. In the galleries in Rome, he was fascinated with the sculptures of ancient athletes, especially the Roman Gladiator. That experience guided his career choice of becoming a professional strongman, who traveled around the world showcasing his amazing strength and chiseled body. When he became too old, he opened a gym to train others on how to improve their physique and strength. The Afterward includes a mini biography of his life. A page of illustrated exercises readers can practice to stay physically active, is included as well, and a surprising author's note with a photo of Don Tate and the body builder he became while competing in contests along with his brother. The message he leaves the reader with," a healthy body is necessary for a healthy mind," is an empowering ending. A thorough bibliography is included as well, making this a great choice for student research, AND entertainment.
July 10, 2017
Tate, Don Strong as Sandow: How Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2017. $18.
Eugen Sandow was born Frederich Muller, a sickly, weak boy who almost didn’t survive childhood. Survive he did, though, and he became obsessed with becoming stronger. Before he was twenty, he became not only strong, but also a great showman, moving swiftly to the heights of fame throughout Europe and even in the Unoted States. When he became older, he found other ways to fan the flames of fame, including creating the first body building competition.
To the modern person, the name Sandow means nothing. Even the author of this book admits that much of his history remains unclear. The story, however, is a fascinating read, especially as a look at a time before airplanes, television, and the Internet. The back matter includes a few simple exercises and a long bibliography, including links to Sandow’s own published works. Where this would fit into a child’s interests or into a teacher’s curriculum is a little more difficult.
EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Eugen Sandow was born Frederich Muller, a sickly, weak boy who almost didn’t survive childhood. Survive he did, though, and he became obsessed with becoming stronger. Before he was twenty, he became not only strong, but also a great showman, moving swiftly to the heights of fame throughout Europe and even in the Unoted States. When he became older, he found other ways to fan the flames of fame, including creating the first body building competition.
To the modern person, the name Sandow means nothing. Even the author of this book admits that much of his history remains unclear. The story, however, is a fascinating read, especially as a look at a time before airplanes, television, and the Internet. The back matter includes a few simple exercises and a long bibliography, including links to Sandow’s own published works. Where this would fit into a child’s interests or into a teacher’s curriculum is a little more difficult.
EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
March 21, 2018
Born Friedrich Wilhelm Muller in 1867, he would leave his sickly childhood behind to become Eugen Sandow, the Strongest Man in the World and the father of modern day body building.
This picture book biography presents an interesting story of perseverance and reinvention. In Don Tate’s telling, Eugen Sandow overcame many obstacles to succeed and when he was given roadblocks that would make others quit he devised new ways to achieve new goals for himself and the sport of bodybuilding. While the illustrations were created digitally, they are full of texture, life and movement and add both emotion and humor to the story. Book extras include an Afterword with more information about Eugen, a page of simple exercises for kids to try, an author’s note in which Don Tate discusses his own body building career, and a detailed bibliography. Overall an appealing and interesting read aloud for school age audiences. I would recommend this book for purchase by any public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
This picture book biography presents an interesting story of perseverance and reinvention. In Don Tate’s telling, Eugen Sandow overcame many obstacles to succeed and when he was given roadblocks that would make others quit he devised new ways to achieve new goals for himself and the sport of bodybuilding. While the illustrations were created digitally, they are full of texture, life and movement and add both emotion and humor to the story. Book extras include an Afterword with more information about Eugen, a page of simple exercises for kids to try, an author’s note in which Don Tate discusses his own body building career, and a detailed bibliography. Overall an appealing and interesting read aloud for school age audiences. I would recommend this book for purchase by any public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
September 22, 2017
Every March the Arnold Fitness and Sports Festival is held here in Columbus. Arnold Schwarzenegger comes to town and so do all of the body builders. This would be an awesome book to share with young readers here to learn how one of the earliest body builders got his start. Born in Europe during the late nineteenth century, Eugen Sandow had a different name and was a very weak and unhealthy kid. As he studied about the body and exercised, he became stronger. He pursued body building and became famous. This book has engaging and easy-to-understand text, along with great illustrations. It also has a note at the end in which the author describes how he became interested in body building. The end notes also include exercises kids can do to become stronger. And there is a nice list of resources for further research. This is a terrific picture book biography to have in a classroom library.
June 3, 2017
I received an autographed copy at Book Expo America and I must say this was fabulous! This picture book biography of the father of modern day body-building is inspiring for those that want to become stronger in body as well as mind. I appreciated how health conscious the book was, which was depicted well because Sandow himself was a champion for healthy living. The story is well researched and the references are detailed. Make sure you read the Afterword and Author's Note for a little more perspective.
September 4, 2017
Clear, straightforward text, infused with engaging adjectives gives an overview of Sandow's life.
Full color illustrations follow the text. I would like to know what the 6-star medallion represents that he is shown wearing in a couple of the endpage images.
I found the backmatter equally interesting, especially the explanation of how many details of Sandow's life are not clearly known. Backmatter also includes extensive bibliography and exercises for youngsters.
Reader's could compare contemporary pop figures to learn how they have a public personna and a little known personal life.
Full color illustrations follow the text. I would like to know what the 6-star medallion represents that he is shown wearing in a couple of the endpage images.
I found the backmatter equally interesting, especially the explanation of how many details of Sandow's life are not clearly known. Backmatter also includes extensive bibliography and exercises for youngsters.
Reader's could compare contemporary pop figures to learn how they have a public personna and a little known personal life.
November 30, 2017
The author, who himself had competed as a bodybuilder in the 1990s, had an interesting insight into this quirky personality. Eugen Sandow apparently created his own story as he went, and was more of a showman than an athlete, but as a weightlifter and bodybuilder he left his mark on the world. He helped create exercise devices whose patterns are still used today, and a major bodybuilding trophy is still based on his portrait.
This book is very much an outline, but one that might inspire readers to learn more about this unusual man. A large bibliography guides the reader to more sources.
This book is very much an outline, but one that might inspire readers to learn more about this unusual man. A large bibliography guides the reader to more sources.
January 24, 2018
A colorful picture book about a very little-known historical figure--unless you happen to be a big fan of bodybuilding history, which I was not. Eugen Sandow went from being a skinny sickly kid to turning himself into the "greek statue" of his dreams. He joined a circus, then trained with a showman, changed his name, became a pro, and eventually started the world's first bodybuilding competition, in 1901. The statue they give out at modern bodybuilding competitions is named for him! (Ya learn somethin' new every day...)
April 7, 2018
Tate does an excellent job of winnowing through the often conflicting stories that Eugen Sandow told about himself and what actually happened - not an easy job. The result is engaging, intriguing and unusual. Wonderful illustrations add to the overall conversational, almost confiding tone to the story.
Extensive and interesting back matter that includes more of Sandow's history, and terrific Author's note (and picture of Don Tate in HIS body-building days), simple exercises and a long list of resources.
Extensive and interesting back matter that includes more of Sandow's history, and terrific Author's note (and picture of Don Tate in HIS body-building days), simple exercises and a long list of resources.
June 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book at Book Expo 2017.
This is a really well researched picture book biography on Eugen Sandow. The book covers from Sandow's childhood throughout his life. Not only was Sandow interested in physical health but also eating healthy. I knew nothing about Sandow before this book, I'm really glad I was introduced to this interesting historical figure.
The art work is amazing.
This is a really well researched picture book biography on Eugen Sandow. The book covers from Sandow's childhood throughout his life. Not only was Sandow interested in physical health but also eating healthy. I knew nothing about Sandow before this book, I'm really glad I was introduced to this interesting historical figure.
The art work is amazing.
January 17, 2018
Biographies often focus on world leaders, inventors, or great artists. But young readers are interested in other types of personalities, too. Don Tate has researched the life of Friedrich Muller, who became known later Eugen Sandow - the strongest man on Earth. Sandow's early life is like something out of a Charles Atlas infomercial; he was a weakling as a child, but yearned to become as buff as the Olympic athletes of old. Later, during his university days, he actually ran off and joined a circus. Who wouldn't want to read about someone like that? Friedrich's desire for a better physique motivated him to exercise, pay attention in anatomy classes, and work out with weights until he achieved his goal. His story is one that shows what someone can accomplish with perseverance while working for a dream.
Don's illustrations show the contrast between Sandow's puny young body and his later, sculpted and defined form. Details of period fashions, including the enormous handlebar mustaches, show readers what the world looked like back in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The costumes of the body-building contestants will cause great amusement. Back matter includes an afterword, an historical photo of Sandow, suggestions on some exercises readers might like to try, and even a note from the author - who happens to have experience of his own in bodybuilding.
Picture book biographies are a fun way to explore different periods of history and to learn about role models of all sorts. Readers are lucky to have author/illustrators like Don Tate who create books about historical figures besides the usual few seen on library shelves.
Don's illustrations show the contrast between Sandow's puny young body and his later, sculpted and defined form. Details of period fashions, including the enormous handlebar mustaches, show readers what the world looked like back in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The costumes of the body-building contestants will cause great amusement. Back matter includes an afterword, an historical photo of Sandow, suggestions on some exercises readers might like to try, and even a note from the author - who happens to have experience of his own in bodybuilding.
Picture book biographies are a fun way to explore different periods of history and to learn about role models of all sorts. Readers are lucky to have author/illustrators like Don Tate who create books about historical figures besides the usual few seen on library shelves.
January 1, 2020
Attended a session that Don Tate was a part of at NCTE and knew right away I needed to check this book out. It's wonderful. Helps kids understand that they can change their circumstance with effort and perseverance~ I think I may use it to start the new year in my classroom. Eugen is skinny and frail, but works hard to make himself the strongest man in the world.
Loved this book and now requesting ALL of Mr. Tate's books from my local library!!
Loved this book and now requesting ALL of Mr. Tate's books from my local library!!
August 31, 2017
This was such an interesting biography of a man I'd never heard of before. The focus on working to become strong and physical fitness is really great. Tate does a nice job discussing the fact that records are spotty on what Sandow did and didn't accomplish, that he chose to write this biography the way he believed Sandow would want his story told.
September 22, 2017
Disappointed to see Sandow's childhood body referred to as "weak and puny." The book said that Sandow's father wanted him to be an academic, when he was actually pushed to become a Lutheran minister. Other than those moments, the book was engaging, and it was awesome to read about Tate's history as a competitive bodybuilder.
December 29, 2017
I had never heard of Eugen Sandow, but evidently he was a skinny, sickly child who grew up to be admired in the Victorian era as the strongest man in the world and entrepreneur. I liked the commentary of the author in the back about how the story resonated with his life (the author won a body-building competition, too!) This will be great for boys who aspire to be athletic.
January 5, 2018
This book is about a young man who wasn't always the biggest or strongest as a child, but actually became the strongest man on Earth due to hard work and persistence. The illustrations are wonderful and the story line is engaging.
Don't forget to read the Author's Note, it gives you some extra insight that I found especially eye-opening.
Don't forget to read the Author's Note, it gives you some extra insight that I found especially eye-opening.
September 25, 2017
Loved learning about Eugen Sandow in STRONG AS SANDOW. Tate tells Sandow's story in a way that is not only factual, but inspirational. I also think the way Tate has illustrated this is fantastic. My personal favorite picture is the one with Sandow lifting the piano full of people on page 3!!
November 3, 2017
Huh, very intriguing. The author's note hints at a darker side to the life of the strongest man in the world... I enjoyed reading the other author's note about why he wrote this book. It's an encouraging book for students who are self-conscious about their size!
January 4, 2018
This is a well-written biography of an interesting man. His story helps convey the atmosphere of a time when body building was uncommon. I like the real photo of Eugen in the back of the book that shows what a body builder looks like without steroids.
February 3, 2020
I have to admit that I did not know who Eugen Sandow was before purchasing this book. For those other readers who are also not familiar with him, he is considered the father of modern-day body building.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
April 29, 2021
This is a book about Eugen Sandow, who was a famous body builder back in the 1800’s, early 1900’s.
I LOVE this illustrations - they have that old timey feel to them that is just perfect for this story.
I LOVE this illustrations - they have that old timey feel to them that is just perfect for this story.
July 4, 2017
The biography of the world's strongest man, Eugen Sandow. Extra fascinating to read the back matter, including the personal story of author Don Tate's experiences as a bodybuilder himself!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews