Muscle Beach : Where the best Bodies in the World started a fitness revolution

Rating:
Summary: fun pop-culture history
Review: I find the previous reviews quite biased and agenda-ridden. This is a light-hearted look at the Venice Beach muscle culture, with some great anecdotes. The book's few comments about heterosexuality are, in my opinion, merely to demonstrate that the scene was mixed, and not exclusively the province of stereotypical Muscle Marys. If you have any interest in the history of bodybuilding or Venice Beach, this is definitely up your alley. No pun intended.

Rating:
Summary: fun pop-culture history
Review: I find the previous reviews quite biased and agenda-ridden. This is a light-hearted look at the Venice Beach muscle culture, with some great anecdotes. The book's few comments about heterosexuality are, in my opinion, merely to demonstrate that the scene was mixed, and not exclusively the province of stereotypical Muscle Marys. If you have any interest in the history of bodybuilding or Venice Beach, this is definitely up your alley. No pun intended.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Reading
Review: Living at the beach in Los Angeles, I have a great interest and love of the culture which continues to intrigue and influence the rest of the world. Today's current focus on health and body building largely stems from the Muscle Beach phenomenon. This book puts that lifestyle into historical context in an enlightening and entertaining fashion.

Rating:
Summary: homophobic garbage
Review: Long diatribe explaining how heterosexul the bodybuilders of Muscle Beach were. Sure, she admits, there were a few "fringe" elements swayed by the porno-peddlars to pose semi-nude for the edification of perverts, but most of the bodybuilders were "normal" (her words)and got married! In the year 2002, must we still be subjected to such homophobic garbage? Hey, maybe the "homosexuals" were normal too?

Rating:
Summary: Fun Reading
Review: Marla Matzer Rose's highly readable book beautifully captures the 'slice of life' that was Muscle Beach in its infancy. Especially delightful are the photographs from that period, which wonderfully capture the flavor of the time. Well researched, well written. An excellent read for history and fitness buffs, or for anyone curious about the glorious days of early Los Angeles. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Read!
Review: Marla Matzer Rose's highly readable book beautifully captures the 'slice of life' that was Muscle Beach in its infancy. Especially delightful are the photographs from that period, which wonderfully capture the flavor of the time. Well researched, well written. An excellent read for history and fitness buffs, or for anyone curious about the glorious days of early Los Angeles. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!