☰

Biographies & Memoirs

Ethnic & National

African-American & Black

Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being

Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being

The story of a man who transcended the handicaps of race to become Americaâ€™s first African American mega sports celebrity

At the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of lightning-fast racers won the hearts and minds of a bicycling-crazed public. Scientists studied them, newspapers glorified them, and millions of dollars in purse money were awarded to them. Major Taylor aimed to be the fastest of them all.

Taylorâ€™s most formidable and ruthless opponent-a man nicknamed the "Human Engine" was Floyd McFarland. One man was white, one black; one from a storied Virginia family, the other descended from Kentucky slaves; one celebrated as a hero, one trying to secure his spot in a sport he dominated. The only thing they had in common was the desire to be named the fastest man alive. Finally, in 1904, both men headed to Australia for a much-Âanticipated title match to decide who would claim the coveted title.

Major is the story of a superstar nobody saw coming, the account of a fierce rivalry that would become an archetypal tale of white versus black in the 20th century, and, most of all, the tale of our nationâ€™s first black sports celebrity.

Country	USA
Author	Todd Balf
Binding	Paperback
Brand	Balf, Todd
EAN	9780307236593
Edition	Reprint
ISBN	0307236595
Label	Broadway Books
Manufacturer	Broadway Books
MPN	9780307236593
NumberOfItems	1
NumberOfPages	320
PartNumber	9780307236593
PublicationDate	2009-01-27
Publisher	Broadway Books
ReleaseDate	2009-01-27
Studio	Broadway Books

You might also like...

Major Taylor: The Inspiring Story of a Black Cyclist and the Men Who Helped Him Achieve Worldwide Fame

Major Taylor: The Inspiring Story of a Black Cyclist and the Men Who Helped Him Achieve Worldwide Fame

Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist

Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist

Major Taylor: The Extraordinary Career of a Champion Bicycle Racer

Major Taylor: The Extraordinary Career of a Champion Bicycle Racer

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

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