Rating: 
Summary: Good Beginner Book
Review: The book is excellent for beginners in that it outlines what the proper way to gain size and strength are. You could summarize most of the book (rather lengthy at over 400 pages) by saying strength and size changes will occur with an abbreviated workout of about 20 sets per week (basic compound movements), using good form, with adequate rest, and good nutrition. As this counters most of what's seen in today's gyms, it should be very helpful to someone just starting out. The appeal of this book is that it is by a regular guy, not a professional bodybuilder. (it is also a criticism, see below) However, intermediate bodybuilders may not get too much out of this. Use of proper form, reduced training volume, intensity cycling, importance of nutrition/rest, and the use of small increments when increasing weights are not new concepts to anyone who has been lifting and making gains for 4 or more years, so they may only get a few tips out of the book. A book I would recommend for a non-beginner would be Fred Hatfield's "Hardcore Bodybuilding - A Scientific Approach".The major criticism I have of the book is unfortunately the example. He mentions that he is no "arm chair" quarterback, and being able to deadlift 400lbs for 20 reps certainly proves this point. He spends the first third of the book discussing the importance of proper form and abbreviated workouts. Yet, when he mentions the chapter on how he did the aforementioned lift, he admits to using poor form and rushing the workouts. The results? Although he makes the lift, he spends the next 3 YEARS recovering from the event, to the point he cannot even pick up or play with his small children, let alone run or lift. The next several chapters are devoted to how he overcame those injuries, although not permanently. (chiropractors will love this chapter while osteo* workers/doctors will not) So, although he shows how strong you can be as a typical hardgainer, he does not prove it can be done using what HE says in the book as he used an approach not unlike what's seen in gyms today. The reader is left wondering if a 400lb deadlift for 20 reps could have been done with the workouts he himself recommends.
Rating: 
Summary: Great resource for novices and hardgainers
Review: I refer to this book frequently.It is geared towards men who have difficulty building mass,however,I have incorporated a lot of the advice in my training as a female bodybuilder and weightlifter.It is very easy to read,and written well.I'd recommend it to anyone who is struggling to put on mass.
Rating:
Summary: Keep adding plates
Review: Thanks to Stuart, I keep adding a little weight and my deadlift is over 350 pounds now. He is honest about the injuries and mistakes, and takes on the "live on supplements" philosophy of the newstand.
Rating:
Summary: Ignores the KISS Principle
Review: Progressive resistance weight training is ridiculously simple: Lift more weight this workout than you did the last. Choose safe lifts. Perform them correctly. Get plenty of rest and good nutrition. Lift more weight this workout than you did the last. Weight trainers want a magic bullet: Pre-exhaustion, breakdown sets, periodization, giant sets, active rest, yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah. In the prequel to this book ("Brawn"), Stuart McRobert gave the simple truth about weight training with little fanfare. "Beyond Brawn" gives more of the same, but dresses it up with needless complexity. This needless complexity may sell books, but it won't build muscle. Remember the KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) principle. Apply it to your weight training. Two of McRobert's other books will tell you all you really need to know. "Brawn" will give you the basics. "The Insider's Tell All Handbook on Weight Training Technique" will tell you how to perform the basic exercises safely. Remember that progressive resistance weight training is ridiculously simple: Lift more weight this workout than you did the last. Choose safe lifts. Perform them correctly. Get plenty of rest and good nutrition. Lift more weight this workout than you did the last.
Rating:
Summary: Could be the only Bodybuilding book you will ever need!
Review: This book is fantastic.Stuart McRobert details the information you actually need to be sucsessfull in your training. After reading this book and tailoring my traing to its guidlines I put on 15 pounds of muscle in 3 1/2 months, and this is my 9th year training. Read Brawn as well, it is precise in showing the excersices to do, outside factors, ways to improve recovery.... This book made a positive change in my life, inside the gym as well as out.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: This is, without a doubt, the best book I've ever read on the principles, practice, and philosophy of bodybuilding. This should be required reading for anyone lifting iron. While there is a minor flaw that Mr.McRobert repeats himself a bit, this book is still packed with more valuable info and insight than you'll find anywhere else. I wish I'd had this book 30 years ago!
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Brawn
Review: I have been at the iron game for several years. This is a no non-sense book for those uninterested by the typical inspirational stories found in most of today's fitness writtings. No BFL no steriod mumbo jumbo, just straight weightlifting insight.
Rating:
Summary: WOWSERS!
Review: I wish I had this book 12 years ago. This might be the most important workout book ever. Most other books have a little writing about how many sets of what exercises, with a ton of steroid monster pictures to motivate you. I'm half way thru this book, and so far I've only found two pictures - and this book is almost 500 pages! If you are into working out, or are just thinking about it, you MUST get this book. Unlike most other bodybuilding books, it will get you thinking, get you motivated, and get you on the right track to actually making gains.
Rating:
Summary: The only bodybuilding book you will ever need...
Review: Stuart McRobert has written a book that applies to the 95% of the bodybuilders out there..those of us called "hardgainers". After suffering through years of failure because of reading books by genetically gifted and drug assisted champions, as well as following the instructions of local uninformed personal trainers, my body was battered and broken. After suffering a back and leg injury I was ready to give up. After reading this book and utilizing the sane and wise advice, I have excelled beyond what I had ever expected. If you love weights...buy this book!!!! You will not regret it! I wish I had it years ago.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended for every "hard gainer"!
Review: This is a great book for anyone interested in improving their physique, especially after failing in convential methods. However, the book will be sometimes hard to understand for anyone not previously exposed to weight training and familiar with a lot of the terms and procedures involved. Also, the author keeps stressing the need for correct technique throughout this book, but never gives details on technique for even the major exercises. In my opinion it is necessary to also buy "Insider's tell-all handbook to weight-training technique" by the same author to make full use of "Beyond Brawn".
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