The World's Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America's First Black Sports Hero

by Michael Kranish

In this “sharp-eyed account of a nearly forgotten African-American sports legend” (Publishers Weekly)—the remarkable Major Taylor who became the world’s fastest bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era—“Kranish has done historians and fans a service by reminding us that such immortals as Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods all followed in Major Taylor’s wake” (The Washington Post).In the 1890s, the nation’s promise of equality had failed spectacularly. While slavery had ended with the Civil War, the Jim Crow laws still separated blacks from whites, and the excesses of the Gilded Age created an elite upper class. When Major Taylor, a young black man, announced he wanted to compete in the nation’s most popular and mostly white man’s sport, cycling, Birdie Munger, a white cyclist who once was the world’s fastest man, declared that he could help turn the young black athlete into a champion.Twelve years before boxer Jack Johnson and fifty years before baseball player Jackie Robinson, Taylor faced racism at nearly every turn—especially by whites who feared he would disprove their stereotypes of blacks. In The World’s Fastest Man, years in the writing, investigative journalist Michael Kranish reveals new information about Major Taylor based on a rare interview with his daughter and other never-before-uncovered details from Taylor’s life. Kranish shows how Taylor indeed became a world champion, traveled the world, was the toast of Paris, and was one of the most chronicled black men of his day.From a moment in time just before the arrival of the automobile when bicycles were king, the populace was booming with immigrants, and enormous societal changes were about to take place, “both inspiring and heartbreaking, this is an essential contribution to sports history” (Booklist, starred review). The World’s Fastest Man “restores the memory of one of the first black athletes to overcome the drag of racism and achieve national renown” (The New York Times Book Review).

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, History, Cycling, Race, Audiobook

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2019

About the author

Michael Kranish is an investigative political reporter for The Washington Post. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Trump Revealed, John F. Kerry, The Real Romney, and the author of The World’s Fastest Man and Flight from Monticello: Thomas Jefferson at War. He was the recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists Award for Washington Correspondence in 2016.

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for The Worlds Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclists Major Taylor (audiobook) by Michael Kranish read by David Sadzin.

This is a really well written biography about an amazing man. Major Taylor became the first African American sports superstar, 50 years before Jackie Robinson. Cycling was all the rage in the late eighteen hundreds and Major Taylor was winning races and setting world records in the track events. He battled his opponents and the racism at the height of the Jim Crow era while traveling the US and Europe. And today he is still considered to be one of the best American sprinters of all time. This a great book for athletes and history buffs.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about Major Taylor was one of the best things I did on the first day of this year!

Starting out life in 1928, Indiana, he soon found all was not going to be easy, and life proved that he would have to fight to the very end of his days.

One thing he found out early as well was that he loved speed. . . and that he was clever with a new trendy machine. . . he was born to ride bicycles. Fast! Very fast! He won races that bested everyone in the world in his sport. He won against all colors, all countries, all creeds, all of them. Did you ever hear of that? I didn't - Major Taylor is a rather cool name. I would have remembered. His photos. . .rather memorable.

Soon he is a celebrity, but soon Major T is slammed up against that world of prejudice, persecution and Jim Crow - all around the world. He had a few years of wealth and prestige - a little - but he had to fight the good fight for all of it.

I'm so glad this book was written - Major wrote his own autobiography, to get his story out - did you ever hear about it? Probably not. History doesn't just come from school text books. It comes from books that are written, are published, and are put on library shelves. If authors are only writing for and to one perspective, or publishers are aiming at one big pocket, or libraries are narrowly selecting who they will provide materials for. . . I'm encouraged to have been able to read of Major Taylor's story, his life, and his victories through a LIBRARY BOOK I checked out. He's part of that huge History Omitted we've got in the back closet. and it's way past time for shining a light on generations of intentional forgetting.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good (enjoyable, informative) piece of biography (and, more broadly, history and sports/cycling history) that also makes a nice contribution to a nice, diverse, growing literature that (effectively, importantly) reminds us how horrific the nation's history is with regard to race (in this case, in particular, between the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement).

If you're not inclined to pick up a book about bicycle racing, may I suggest you consider the book instead as another opportunity to gain familiarity with our oft-ignored history of race and racism. In that context, I might comfortably shelve this book alongside Isabel Wilkerson's monumental Warmth of Other Suns, Gilbert King's Pulitzer Prize winning Devil in the Grove, or maybe even David Grann's stunning Killers of the Flower Moon (although that might be a stretch).

As cycling books go, it's a very different animal ... and, frankly, I don't think Kranish was writing for cyclists, which, admittedly, is a small slice of the reading public. Had he been doing so, I expect there would have been more of a head nod to Nelson Vails, the 1984 Olympian (and, I believe, the first African American to medal is a cycling discipline). For cyclists (or fans) who read cycling history - and more broadly, for cyclists (or fans) that religiously followed Vails, Major Taylor was was a major historical figure and, in many ways, a benchmark.

As cycling biographies go, this reminded me most of Aili McConnon's (to my mind) well-worth-reading Road to Valor (which, of course, covers a different rider, during a later era - the early Grand Tour years ... and, of course, WWII, in a very different setting (Italy)). But the two books are similar in that, while they cover bicycle racing, the biographical subjects become bigger (and more important) than just cycling or riders or racers. And, well, until his autobiographical books (largely written by/with Sally Jenkins) had to be moved from the non-fiction to the fiction shelves, Lance Armstrong - for his important and impressive work in the cancer community - was in a similar circle. But I digress...

I understand why the publisher is marketing the book as in the tradition of Seabiscuit or Boys in the Boat ... and, yes, they are similar in construction and scope and aspiration. And, yes, both Seabiscuit and Boys in the Boat are, arguably, sports history books. But, as much as I enjoyed this book (and recommend it strongly), I'm hard pressed to conclude that it belongs in the same tier. To be clear, the story is compelling, the history is incredibly well sourced and supported by a wealth of research, and the author deserves praise for the work as a whole. But I just don't see the book gaining the popularity of either Seabiscuit or Boys in the Boat - to my mind, it just wasn't as artfully presented, it didn't read quite as smoothly, and, at one level, it was easier to put down (although I did plow through it quite quickly).

Still, I strongly recommend it, and I'm glad I read it.

[Susan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was the way the author told Major Taylor’s story, setting it in context with current events of the day. I’ve read another biography of Major Taylor, but this book goes to great pains to point out the rampant racism that Taylor endured. You cannot read the appalling quotes from articles and speeches of the period without noting how remarkable it was that the Major did not emerge from these experiences as an embittered and angry person. There is no doubt that he was a great athlete who paved the way for other African Americans, but he was also a person of integrity and grace, and for that I respect him even more.

[Maxwell Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that taught me a lot about a man that I've never heard of. lots of great history in this book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Taylor, a top cyclist at the turn of the 20th century. He Was African American and struggled not only to be at the top of his game but defy the racists. That constantly tried to pull him down. Good book.

[Steve Ledoux · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of a great, but forgotten man, who overcame racist America to be a true champion

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the bicycle mania that preceded adoption of the automobile, pervasive racism, and an athlete and man, Major Taylor. There are many races covered, which can get a little repetitive.

[Sue King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good non-fiction read of an athlete you’ve probably never heard of. The achievements of Major Taylor are many and impressive, especially in light of the blatant racism and Jim Crow laws that tried to keep him down.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Jim Crow era story I knew nothing about. Good biography and snapshot into this time in history .

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indianapolis, where I live, celebrates Major Taylor with a huge mural and a velodrome, but I knew practically nothing about him.

I’m grateful for this book to help understand what a life he’d had.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main comment I have is that this is very well done overall as far as how the author shaped the story of Taylor's life he is trying to present, and it is "good read" (so to speak).

The usual pitch for this book always seems to have Taylor as a "forgotten" figure of sports history, but I don't agree with that. First, how many sports stars of 120+ years ago can any of us name? And aside from that, Taylor has had something like three or four other biographies written about him plus at least as many various kinds of children's books.

And then there is Taylor's own autobiography, which is freely available to read on the Internet. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015... copyright was not renewed after 28 years (after 1928 when it was published) so it is now in the public domain. Kranish talks about Taylor's efforts to create and publish this book, but I'm not sure it is clear how much he (and other biographers) rely on Taylor's own book for their work. However Taylor's own book is not an easy read, even if in places it is quite interesting as he describes his thinking during races for example.

The main part of Taylor's life that is presented differently here than in previous biographies is the significance of the growing racism in America during his cycling career. This is not a happy story, but it certainly has significance for us today. There are unmistakable parallels.

As a "utilitarian" cyclist (I use a bike to get to work) I still have some interest in bicycle racing history and the development of racing bicycles. The author describes himself as someone interested in and knowledgeable about cycling; I thought he could have added a few points to clarify certain things for non-cyclists about bicycle racing then, but this is a quibble. I felt I came away with a better understanding of his riding career from this book than some of the previous ones.

[Charles Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read. As an African-American, male, a cyclist, and someone who grew up in the deep south, this book resonated with me on several fronts. Taylor, is truly an American hero. He defied all the stereotypes, the poverty, setbacks, parochialism, and biggest barrier of them all, blatant and unadulterated racism.

Where mere mortals would have capitulated early on, Taylor showed that he in fact was a gift from God to the athletic world and to the African-American race.

If you did not know the setting was in the late 1800s early 1900s, reading about how racism from the despicable Jim Crowe laws to the vitriol espoused by some during that era, you would think and feel like you were in 2019. A lot has changed since then in the advancement of People of Color in the sports arena, but unfortunately many things have not, both within and outside the area of sports.

The author pulls no punches in describing the realities of Taylor’s world and what he had to overcome, to become the fastest man in the world.

This is a good read for anyone interested in cycling history and the tragedies and triumphs of one of America’s unsung sports heroes.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just concluded THE WORLDS FASTEST MAN by Michael Kranish. I wanted to see his presentation at the KCMO Library a few weeks ago but life got in the way.
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I had some knowledge of MAJOR TAYLOR. I got caught up in the Triathlon craze in the late '80s and cycling was 50% of that sport. As a result, I entered a few cycling events with mixed results.
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Cycling was the most popular spectator sport at the turn of the century. Cyclist made more money than baseball players. Major had a considerable influence on Jackie Robinson's entry into MLB as well as Jack Johnson's entrance into professional boxing.
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Major askewed alcohol, nicotine and believed in sessions of lower intensity cycling and walking even though he dominated the sprinting events.
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Remember that during your next WOD. 😁

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly the most powerful of sport’s myths is the claim to equal opportunity, which is obviously limited in terms of access to the field of play, but less obviously so once athletes make it to the field. Michael Kranish’s biography of Marshall Walter (‘Major’) Taylor not only shows how both those myths have a direct impact on an individual athlete but also how they are potently interwoven. Taylor, one of the most high profile cyclists of the late 1890s and 1900s and the only African American at that level, confronted virulent racist attitudes and practices that both sought the exclude him from the sport, and then saw his white opponents collude in efforts to prevent his success. On both fronts he overcame the exclusion, but at considerable cost.

Taylor, Indiana born and raised, was the son of a Black Civil War veteran, who was introduced to cycling early through a childhood friend from a rich White family, who was able to pursue cycling through work in a local cycle shop where he demonstrated a prodigious talent for performance and soon, through those associations, became known to high performance competitive cyclists one of whom took him under his wing. Yet, despite these opportunities, Taylor lived in a world where he promises of post-Civil War Reconstruction were becoming replaced by Jim Crow, by oppression flowing from nativist racism again on the rise in the 1890s and by deep-seated attitudes that were barely suppressed in the north, let alone the south.

As cycling’s organisations imposed a colour bar, promoters recognised his talent and financial impact so signed him anyway, and as much as Kranish has been able to reconstruct his record, allowing for all the uncertainties and inaccuracies of the era, Taylor was a dominant figures in his appearances both in the USA and beyond – he spent two seasons in Europe, focused on France, and made to tours of Australia. In building his narrative Kranish was lucky to have access to Taylor’s scrapbooks, where he kept newspaper stories of his career, and to have interviewed his daughter, who although estranged from her teens after the breakdown of his marriage, provided rich family evidence.

The book is particularly strong on Taylor’s career, in part because of the scrapbooks, in part because of cycling’s very high profile in the 1890s before the automobile took over, but in part also because of the growing quality of scholarship around the sport in that era. This means he is able to tease out tales of rivalry with rich accounts of specific races, including tactics employed. It also means that his account of Taylor’s post-racing life is very sparse as he disappears from the public record, falls into poverty and died homeless during the Depression of the 1930s.

It is a bleak story in some ways of an exceptional athlete who overcame great adversity until it finally defeated him. He has added considerably to early cycling history with a rich exploration of the ways wider racist attitudes pervaded the everyday experiences of athletes, both individually and structurally through the sport’s organisations. It is important that this is the tale of a Northern athlete, reminding us also that while Jim Crow may have been the fullest expression of racial oppression, it found different forms in different places to similar ends powerfully debunking the myth of equal opportunity. Kranish uses contextual material well to paint a picture of the Guilded Age adding the exclusions of class to the social context to depict a society of huge variations and inequalities on several fronts.

Engagingly written, well-paced and without being heavy handed, this is a valuable addition to the literature of the era.

[John Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Major Taylor's story is an amazing one and Michael Kranish tells it well. I suspect a few readers will lament the author's apparent digressions, but they provide the social insights which give us the context necessary to understand how his life unfolded. Taylor became perhaps the world's most well-known and successful bike racer during the late 1890s and early 1900s, despite the considerable roadblocks presented by the dreadfully racist society in which he lived. His life was a roller coaster of bicycle racing and world-wide travel highs confounded by hatred and racist exclusion lows.

What saddens me most is that the racism, not just on the track, but in hotels, restaurants, real estate offices and the news media was the worst in America. Though still presented with challenges at times, Taylor was generally revered in Australia, France, and much of Europe. Bike racing is challenging enough by itself - the rigorous training, the frequent crashes, the unpredictability - but to add the challenges of being the solitary black man in a very white sport takes it to another level.

Beyond his stubborn persistence, Taylor was a smart man and ahead of his time in understanding the importance of proper diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, building strength beyond his legs, and understanding the strategic and mental parts of the sport. And despite the many mean-spirited people and opponents who crossed his path, the people that helped him become the champion he would ultimately be were just as noteworthy. There are many in the book which might be detailed in a longer review, but we must at least mention two: his mentor, Birdie Munger and the love of his life, Daisey. Though white, and a great racer in his own right, Munger never saw a black man, but a great athlete destined to become a champion. And despite some struggles which brought a sad ending to the story, he and Daisey experienced some amazing adventures amidst the many challenges.

This not a story just for bicycle racing devotees, but for those interested in the history of that era, the travel of the times, or readers fascinated by the struggles which so often confront us in the midst of great accomplishments.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Taylor is an inspiring figure. A champion rider who rarely compromised his values. He outworked, outcompeted and outsmarted his opponents both on and off the racing circuit. He took advantage of the opportunities that were presented to him. But the story is the work and effort he put into being a success and how he overcame obstacles to become the best he could be.

It was interesting that the sport of cycling could draw so many spectators in the late 1800s. America was urbanizing and people were starting to have money to spend on entertainment. Other sports were played; baseball was popular, basketball hadn’t been invented, American football was niche, boxing was in its early stages.

Racism is an important part of Major Taylor’s story. He faced racism individually from other riders and from the institutions and terrible Jim Crow laws that were being enacted. He achieved despite the obstacles of a racist system and individuals. The culture of racism in America fueled him to win. There are a lot of books written about the end of reconstruction and how America institutionally became a more racist country. Racism is a part of American history as is the history of men such as Major Taylor.

It was fun learning about the development of the bicycle and how it had an impact on affordable transportation. The bicycle filled a transportation need that bridged the time between the horse and the car. Its still an important mode of transportation in most of the world. The introduction of the bicycle probably had a major impact on the quality of public health because it did create an alternative to horses in large urban areas. I can’t imagine how bad things were in a big city like New York or Boston with all of the horses and piles of manure.

Finally, I admire Jack Johnson the boxer. It was neat learning that Jack Johnson was inspired by Major Taylor.

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally purchased this book on sale because the price was right and I thought it looked interesting. As I looked for something to satisfy the "less than 2022 reviews on Goodreads" prompt for my reading challenge, I realized it was also had the benefit of meeting that criteria. As I finished it this morning, I was saddened this book isn't better known since I feel like many more people should be familiar with the story of Major Taylor.

As the son of a Civil War veteran, he lived a life during a transformational time in America. The hope that the North's victory and reconstruction promised was replaced over the course of his life with the devastating effects of Plessy v Ferguson including Jim Crow laws, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and rampant racism. In the face of this, the fact that Major Taylor was a world champion cyclist, feted around the world, while also battling against immoral tactics, and unequal accommodations is an accomplishment in and of itself. That he was an inspiration for a generation of black athletes who saw in Major Taylor a role model and proof that success, while unjustly difficult, was within their grasp, is definitely worth celebrating.

I also enjoyed the book for the sporting elements as well. I don't know much about velodrome bicycle racing, but found the descriptions of races and tactics engaging. Like any good sports book, there was drama, villains, long odds, and redemption. There may have been enough in a sporting sense alone to write a compelling book, but combine it with the incredible personal story and triumph of Major Taylor, and it was an excellent book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did this man's story go untold for so long? A forgotten legend. You bet he is. How is it that we know all about Jesse Owens, and Jackie Robinson and yet never heard of Major Taylor who was bigger in his time then either Jesse or Jackie was in their time. From 1890-1910 cycling was the most popular sport in the country more so even than baseball and boxing. Through extensive research the writer was able to place the reader in the turn of the twentieth century when the bicycle filled the gap between horse and automobile and bike track racing was the sport of the era. Crowds in the 20,000 to 30,000 range would attend these events. It was helped along by an African American, Major Taylor.

Michael Kranish has given the reader a spectacular recounting of a black cyclist who was the most famous athlete in the world at this time. He set major cyclist records and he dominated the field of bicycle racing, holding both American and World titles in the latter years of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He also had to endure racism and bigotry just because he was black. This did not stop him as he patiently tolerated the hate directed at him stayed committed to his drive of becoming a champion. Michael Kranish has given us a gem of book that you will find hard to put down. Awesome book.

[Dominique King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not normally read about cycling, but reserved this book at my local library at the suggestion of a friend and really enjoyed it.
Major Taylor was not a person I had heard of before, but he really did have an amazing, if not at times...sad, life.
I learned a lot about the early days of cycling and it's real popularity in the pre-automobile era.
The struggles Taylor experienced as he battled not only his fellow bicyclists, but the days of racism during the Jim Crow era, the rise of the KKK during the 1910s and 1920s and Taylor's search to really settle into a life and to provide for his family even as his early cycling fame faded when autos really took over.
The need for speed...and respect...are heavy themes in this book. The book is well worth searching out even if you aren't a cyclist. A love for history (even learning about the not-so-nice parts of our American story) made this story fascinating for me.
Reminded me a bit of stories like Josephine Baker's...where she had to leave the US to find a lot of the recognition and respect she really deserved....as did Taylor did at times,

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times I didn’t think I would finish this book. The author claimed that doing research for it forced him to read “dense” material. I felt that pain. Much of this book is a very detailed (dense) history of the bicycle and the automobile. Parts were VERY interesting though. I could have done without a detailed description of EVERY race in which Major Taylor competed, but as a cyclist and former track runner, I could appreciate many of the tactical descriptions. The racism that Taylor endured during the Jim Crow era? Wow. And I was constantly amazed by his grit and determination. A few days after his worst crash, he had his trainer pull giant scabs off his legs so that he could move freely and race - despite the blood running down his legs. Taylor should be more well known - at the very least in the cycling community - but this isn’t the book to make that happen. (A quick internet search shows that several Major Taylor cycling clubs exist around the country - so there’s that!)

[Kaye McSpadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book -- a well-written and fascinating story of Marshall "Major" Taylor, the first Black sports world champion. I have to admit, I had never heard of Major Taylor before moving to Indianapolis, where Taylor grew up. An extraordinary man and a superb athlete, Taylor took the world by storm during the cycling craze of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A man of tremendous courage and integrity, Taylor persevered despite the many cruelties and barriers imposed by the racism of the time.

I enjoyed this book on several different levels -- not only learning about the man himself (his personal and professional life), but also learning about the history of racism during those years, and also learning about the history/science/strategy of bike racing. Big thumbs up and highly recommended.

P.S. I listened to the audiobook version -- it was very well done and enjoyable.

[Grace Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh where do I start? I can’t believe it’s taken my this long to find this book. As a history of cycling, this book is incredible. I had no idea the bicycle played such a huge role in the emancipation of women and the growth of America. But in addition the the appreciation for where biking came from- it helped me grasp more American history, understand the horrific racism and insane sociopolitical environment of the 1900s from the perspective of Major Taylor, and aspire to have the incredible strength he does- someone who sticks to his morals & beliefs amongst terribly cruel conditions. This man was strong and level headed, kind and giving in the face of so much injustice. He wrote in his journal, right before he died: “throughout life’s great race I always gave the best that was in me. Life is too short for a man to hold bitterness in his heart.” Damn, this book was a necessity.

[Graham Mcmillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary true story of Major Taylor, a black American who reigned as the world champion of cycling in the 1890's, arguably the golden age of cycling.

Apart from his extraordinary athletic ability, the book chronicles the horrific systemic racism of the era which he faced in many areas of his life, even in the more liberal northern states. Only by doing an end run around the racism of the Americas, and earning his laurels in Europe, Canada and Australia, was he able to build a record. Indeed in many places in America he was prohibited from entering competitions, as many racist athletes saw it as a demeaning affront for a white man to compete against a black.

Despite this, Taylor remained true to his values of sportsmanship, and his Christian upbringing. This sometimes cost him dearly, particularly his religious stance of refusing to race on Sundays.

[John Siphers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography about one of the very first Black athletes to gain national (and international) recognition. It’s amazing that today very few people know of his exploits or even his name. Major Taylor’s career is fascinating for both the scope of what he achieved on the velodrome as well as for the persistent struggles against racism pervasive in our country as well as in his sport. The start of his career coincided with the explosion of interest in the bicycle at the end of the 19th century. The descriptions of this bicycle crazy time are interesting and somewhat hard to imagine given our current suburban, car-obsessed culture. Indeed, widespread interest in bicycle racing petered out at about the time the automobile captured the imagination of the public. An excellent read if you enjoy cycling, history, or are just interested in a good story about a true champion.

[Chance Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story. Equal parts triumphant & heartbreaking... Triumphant in Major Taylor’s cycling record is beyond impressive! Heartbreaking in the treatment he received purely due to his skin color. A true Champion in how he handled himself despite fellow racers & society at large. Incredible to hear the scope & popularity of cycling racing during that time period. The added historical references by the author were helpful at giving background to what was happening in Major Taylor’s life and the world at the time. I highly recommend this book to cycling fans, those interested in a perspective on early race relations in the United States as well as Internationally, and history of the the bicycle transitioning to automobile.

[Larry Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read. The author, Michael Kranish, delivers a historical journey in profiling an exceptional athlete of that time; and what a time it is. The tension of racial relationships in the US and the world makes one bristle. I would bet that many were not aware of how popular cycling was during that era and its precursor position to the birth of the automobile. And, Marshall Major Taylor, a world class athlete! One can feel the drive of each of his races. One can only imagine that the challenges that he faced in his life and represented in the book are a very small percentage of what actually happened. I am so glad to have had this book brought to my attention and to now know even more about this great athlete against this point in US history.

[Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but it tended to stray from the main themes of the book; Major Taylor and racism in Major's lifetime. The forays away from the main themes are often interesting but my feeling is that the book could have been considerably shorter.

A note about spoilers: The book includes photographs. My policy has always been to not look at a book's photographs until I have read through the chapter that contains the images. I do this because I want to learn all that I can from the text with the images being just a visual treat. In this book the images contain a bit of a spoiler about Major's final years. I did not enjoy knowing this before reading of it

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good material I here. Taylor's early life was interesting and it was nice to learn something about the early history of bicycle racing. The author also does a good job of describing the racist policies and personal discrimination Taylor had to overcome. On the negative side, the book spent too much time on the specifics of many individual competitions that, in my view, did not add much to the narrative. As I was reading, I reflected on how this story would have been best presented as an execellent magazine article, only to learn in the acknowledgments that this was the original form.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the author discusses the racism at the time and how it fueled and hurt Taylor. He also discusses the political climate and how presidential election affected the racing and bicycle industry. However, the author obviously does not understand the presidential election process with respect to the electoral college. As he calls the electoral college and popular vote misalignment a "quirk" of the electoral college rather than the specific design of the system! Kind of makes me wonder about this Author and whether I trust his other facts, but he does list resources.
other than that the book is interesting