Kings of Strength

David L. Chapman, a Seattle-based independent scholar, has written many books and articles on physique photography, sport history, gender studies, film and popular culture. He worked on the translation of Edmond Desbonnet’s massive French history for more than three decades.

“Desbonnet’s The Kings of Strength is an invaluable work, an encyclopaedia for historians interested in physical culture, sport history, gender studies and LGBTQ histories. Covering some of the best-known strength athletes (male and female) of the time, Desbonnet’s work is thoughtful, entertaining and highly informative.”—Conor Heffernan, University of Texas at Austin; “David Chapman’s translation of The Kings of Strength, with his introduction and commentary on its wealth of vital visual material is a ground-breaking and invaluable addition to the growing list of important publications on the male body. One of the first books to internationalise sport, The Kings of Strength gives many insights into French society and history- it inspired a number of artists to reconsider and focus on the male body. This book also contributes to the history of the body and demonstrates how professional athletes marketed themselves, while providing both artists and the medical profession with modern ideals of the ‘perfect’ body--and giving insight into the often-hidden erotics of the male body.”—Anthea Callen, professor emeritus, The Australian National University, Canberra; “The first history about feats of strength, and personalities involved in such, were not written in English, but in various European languages, where generally it is agreed such activities began--at least in an organized manner. David Chapman's translation, coupled with his knowledge of the involved characters, has the potential to change the marketplace, and introduce to many followers of strength, knowledge which has been dormant for over a hundred years. It could become the Rosetta Stone of Strength books.”—Joe Roark, webmaster of IronHistory.com and former historian of the International Federation of Bodybuilding.

• Table of ContentsPreface and AcknowledgmentsEdmond Desbonnet and His Times: An Introduction to The Kings of StrengthA Fascination with Strength: How the French Were Restored to Their MusclesThe Kings of Strength: A History of All Strong Men from Ancient Times to Our OwnPrefaceFirst Part: Physical Strength in AntiquitySecond Part: Physical Strength in the Middle AgesThird Part: Physical Strength in Modern TimesFourth Part: Contemporary Athletes of the Nineteenth CenturyFifth Part: Modern Athletes: Nineteenth and Twentieth CenturiesThe Super Athletes: The Demigods of AthleticsAppendix A: Weightlifting Terms and Metric ConversionsAppendix B: Letter from Edmond Desbonnet to Professor Louis AttilaChapter NotesBibliography of Desbonnet WorksBibliography of Monographs and ArticlesIndex