The Wizard of Foz: Dick Fosbury's One-Man High-Jump Revolution

by Bob Welch, Ashton Eaton (Foreword), Dick Fosbury (Primary Contributor)

Track and Field Writers of America's Book of the Year! “Great read! …. Evokes a time and place that many of us remember well, and provides insight for those who came after. ”—Tom Jordan, author of The Story of America’s Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine

In 1968, perhaps the finest US Olympic men’s track-and-field team ever stirred the world in unprecedented ways, among them the victory stand black rights protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos in Mexico City. But in competition no single athlete mirrored the free-thinking ’60s better than Dick Fosbury, a failed prep high jumper who invented an offbeat style that ultimately won him a gold medal and revolutionized the event. No jumpers today use any other style than his.

Yet few know the struggles Fosbury endured to achieve his success, as he and Bob Welch recount in The Wizard of Foz . From the tragic death of a younger brother to nearly dying himself, from flunking out of college to nearly being drafted, Fosbury cleared far more obstacles than a high-jump bar. And even when he had seemingly made the US Olympic Team, he faced a "redo" that nobody saw coming.

This book tells a story of loss, survival, and triumph, twined in a person (Fosbury), a time (the '60s), and a place (a fantasy-like Olympic Trials venue high in the Sierra Nevada) clearly made for each other. It is a story of a young man who refused to listen to those who laughed at him, those who doubted him, and those who tried to make him someone he was not.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a 12-year-old kid in Keizer, OR, and glued to the TV that July 1968 as the Summer Olympics unfolded from Mexico City. I still remember (or BELIEVE that I remember) how the crowd roared when it first witnessed Dick Fosbury float over the high jump bar with his crazy backward flip. I already knew about the unorthodox "Fosbury Flop" -- the guy was a Medford native and athlete at my dad's alma mater, Oregon State -- but most of those at the Olympic Stadium or watching around the world did not.
My friend Bob Welch beautifully recounts the crowd's roar (see Chapter 23) and Fosbury's pursuit of a gold medal in his new book, "The Wizard of Foz." Welch does a brilliant job of contextualizing Fosbury's unlikely accomplishment in light of the times' social and racial unrest, and of tragedy in Fosbury's own family. I was especially impressed with the suspense Welch creates in recounting Fosbury's efforts at the Olympic Trials and again at the Olympics, even though I already knew the outcomes. The book is well-researched as well as -written, and Welch graciously credits Fosbury as his co-author. This is a superb sports book about an unassuming and yet truly revolutionary athlete.

[Richard E. Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wizard of Foz was an outstanding read. Although I never had the honor of meeting him but I watched his jumping career very closely. Raised near his stomping grounds and also a high jumper (staddler) I always wondered what if I’d switched to the flop. I jumped into wood shavings, remember the excitement of landing in a Port-A-Pit, and put tape on my walls so I could visualize my goal each week. I read my Track n Field news religiously eager for the latest news. This is a must if you competed in the late ‘60, wondered how the Fosbury Flop came into existence or you’re interested in reading a Great story about an amazing bold man. Enjoy!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gem of a book...great story, lots of background information on the 1968 Olympics. Fosbury, single-handed, invented a new way to accomplish heights in the high jump. In a single year he went from unknown to Olympic champion. And then, he really never high-jumped again. Fosbury grew up in an all-white community of Medford, Oregon, and found his way into another world and another way of life. His revolutionary high jump style went on to revolutionize the sport and remains the standard after 40 years.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did get to enjoy a moment of star-struck awe when I got to meet both Bob Welsh and Dick Fosbury at an event in Fosbury's hometown of Medford. Welsh did a great job of setting the political and cultural context for the 1968 Summer Olympics, as well as telling Dick Fosbury's story of a life and a passion that drove him to invent a high-jumping style that has revolutionized the sport. Who today does not compete using the Fosbury Flop?

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you think this is all about the Fosbury Flop? Only partially. This is about a young man's struggle with the cards he was dealt, but how he made certain choices that led him on a good path. If you want to know what happened in the '60's, read this book. If you enjoy reading words to the wise, read this book. If you like Bob Welch's writing style (very eclectic), read this book.

[Marv Lee Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written book giving so much insight into the human nature of the subject. The author gave so much more history than one might find possible. One doesn't get inside the subject, but the author certainly takes the reader on the ride with him through what is short part of his life. Perspective on what Fosbury feels important in life is so well summed up.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for an Olympic year. It's just amazing how much track and field talent has its roots in Oregon.

I've read most of Welch's books, and while this one still had his trademark of solid research, it didn't quite captivate me in the same way his other ones have.

[Chip Rigsbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional account of the life of a young Dick Fosbury's revolutionary method of high-jumping. The author was keenly insightful about the extreme challenges that Fosbury overcame to be able to compete in Track and Field before 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

[Barb Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book, opened my eyes to much I did not know about Oregon, track and field, and the history of the high jump.

[Sarah Doubenmier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be a read all high jumpers read! It was a good way to start track season.

[Derek French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to meet Dick in Eugene before he passed away.

[carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome outlier.