Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to be the World's Fastest Human Being"At the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of handsome, lightning-fast racers won the hearts and minds of bicycling-crazed fans. Scientists studied them, newspapers glorified them, and millions of dollars in prize money were awarded to them. Major Taylor was fastest of them all. His mounting victories, high virtue, and bullet-like riding style made him a natural enemy to his white rivals, Floyd McFarland most of all. First America, then the world, was riveted by the duel. Finally, in 1904, both men headed to boomtown Australia for a much-anticipated title match to decide who was the fastest man on earth. Major is the story of a superstar nobody saw coming, a classic underdog aided by an unlikely crew: a disgraced fight promoter, a broken ex-racer, and a poor upstate girl who wanted to be a queen. Major Taylor's victories on a bicycle earned him a chance for more fame and fortune--if he could beat a giant named McFarland, he would become a hero to every person in the Gilded Age not getting a fair shake."--Publisher's description (cover p. [4]). |
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Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest ... Todd Balf No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
African American amateur athletes Australia began bicycle race biggest bike Billy Brady Birdie Munger Boston Brady's champion Chicago Club color crowd cycling cyclists Daisy earlier Europe event fastest father felt final finish Floyd McFarland French gear Gilbert Taylor grandstand headline high-wheeler Indiana State Museum Indianapolis Jacquelin jump knew Lance Armstrong later Lawson living looked Madison Square Garden Major Taylor Marshall Taylor match race McIntosh mile motor Munger Negro never newspaper night Paris pedal promoters race circuit racers record reported ride riders rival rode San Jose season seemed Six-Day Six-Day race Southard spectators speed sport sprint sprinter stadium story Street Sunday Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground Team Major things told took Tour de France track turn victory wanted week wheel Wheelmen Worcester world championship would've wrote York young