PART I; Chapter 1: The War between Wheelmen and Horsemen; Chapter 2: Zimmie and the Birdman; Chapter 3: All that Remained of a Black Desperado; Chapter 4: Prisoners in a Golden Cage; Chapter 5: Utopia; Chapter 6: The Fighting Showman from the West; PART II; Chapter 7: Six Days of Madness; Chapter 8: Black and white, Darkness and Light; Chapter 9: Guiding Light; Chapter 10: The Boys Would Gladly Make Him White; Chapter 11: The Weight of the World; Chapter 12: Under the Cycle Moon; Chapter 13: And Then There Were None. Chapter 14: Edmond JacquelinChapter 15: "The Messiah"; Chapter 16: The First World War; Chapter 17: The Second World War; Chapter 18: The Last Black Face in America; Chapter 19: Royal Honeymoon; PART III; Chapter 20: Going Down Under; Chapter 21: Lazarus; Chapter 22: My Darling Wife, I Want to Come Home; Chapter 23: Humility; Epilogue; Acknowledgments; Notes; Index; Photo Insert.
Summary:
In the wake of the Tour de France's fallen heroes, the story of one of history's most legendary cyclists provides a much-needed antidote. In 1907 the world's most popular athlete was not Cy Young or Ty Cobb. Rather, he was a black bicycle racer named "Major" Taylor.In his day, Taylor became a spiritual and athletic idol. He was the fastest man in America, and a champion who prevailed over unspeakable cruelty. The men who aided him were among the most colorful to emerge from the era. First there was Taylor's manager, pugnacious Irishman and famed Broadway producer William Brady. Then along came Arthur Zimmerman, an internationally famous bike racer, who gently mentored Taylor when some riders drew the color line and refused to race against him. When hotel and restaurant operators denied Taylor food and lodgings, forcing him to sleep in horse stables and race hungry, there was a benevolent racer-turned-trainer named Birdie Munger, who took Taylor under his wing and into his home. From the Old World came a rakishly handsome, mustachioed sports promoter named Victor Breyer, who lured Taylor overseas for a dramatic, Seabiscuit versus War Admiral-like match race that would be widely remembered a century later.With a foreword by World Champion and three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, this spellbinding saga of fortitude, grace, forgiveness, and a man's unyielding will to win against the greatest of odds is sure to become an classic that will be enjoyed by everyone.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.