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Legacy of Iron: Clouds of War

Legacy Becomes a Series

At the end of my commentary on Brooks Kubik’s ground-breaking novel about the world of lifting in America before World War Two, I wrote that a sequel is in the works: http://www.cbass.com/LegacyofIron.htm   Well, the sequel is here. What’s more, Kubik is planning a multi-volume series.  

Legacy of Iron did well enough that I am going to do an entire series, moving through the war years and into the 1950s,” Brooks wrote in a letter. “Very interesting years for American weightlifting,” he added. So interesting, in fact, that he’s thinking about a movie or TV series. “Finally—and this sounds crazy, but I’m dead serious—please let me know if you can think of anyone in the movie or television business who might be persuaded…This would be a heck of a way to help put weightlifting on the map with the current ‘young’ generation!”

That would be a very good thing. The current crop of young and not-so-young could learn a lot from wonderful characters such as Uncle Bob Hoffman, John Grimek, Steve Stanko, John Davis and many more of the strongest, most athletic men ever to walk the planet. My bet is they’d enjoy learning how these guys trained and what made them tick.

My dad introduced me to Bob Hoffman’s magazine Strength & Health, which was billed as “The National Magazine for Strength and Super Fitness” when Joe Weider was still operating out of his mother’s front room. I owe Uncle Bob a lot. His editorials awakened me to the health benefits of exercise and wholesome eating. He didn’t have all the answers—and he didn’t always practice what he preached—but he recognized the importance of healthy living. He had me thinking about nutrition when my buddies didn’t have a clue.

I learned to do the Olympic lifts by studying the photos in Strength & Health. Looking back I don’t how I did it, but I became very proficient in the three Olympic lifts from the pages of Hoffman’s magazine. I never had coach. It must run in the family, because my dad taught himself how to high jump and pole vault out of a book.

A friend, Rich Cable from Sacramento, recently send me a pristine copy of the September, 1934, issue of Strength & Health. (That was three years before I was born.) I was blown away by the physiques that appeared throughout this issue. Paging through the 75-year-old magazine was a revelation.

I’ve heard of the three Good brothers, but I had no idea they had such impressive physiques. I found a very lean and well-proportioned Harry Good, on page 8, in a manly pose pulling on a chain in a manner that highlighted his muscular chest, shoulders, and legs.  And there on page 15 was Bill, “America’s greatest Olympic lifter,” sporting a magnificent physique, with intercostals showing, a slim waistline, and quads like a speed skater. Finally, on page 21, I found Walter posing with Hoffman and wife, Rosetta, after a day of fishing. Walter, biceps bulging, is holding the catch of the day, with brother Harry and two other well-known York lifters (Dick Bachtell and Wally Zagurski) along side. Walter Good also appeared on the cover looking mighty powerful.

There were a few more names (Tony Sansone for one) that I recognize. But most of the other faces staring back at me from so many years ago were unfamiliar. What struck me was that almost to a man they had abs to die for. Page after page of athletic and muscular manhood that women would admire and men would want to emulate. These guys were sure as heck onto to something important—decades before anabolic steroids came on the scene.

Brooks Kubik brings these guys to life.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find in Clouds of War:

The sequel you’ve been waiting for

Clouds of War is the second volume in Brooks Kubik’s widely acclaimed Legacy of Iron series featuring Jim Miller, Jack Ryan and the legendary weightlifting champions of the 1940’s. Set in the spring of 1940, Clouds of War takes you back in time to one of the greatest periods of American weightlifting — the six week period from the 1940 Junior Nationals to the Senior National Weightlifting Championships of 1940 – held on May 25, 1940, at Madison Square Garden – in conjunction with the Mr. America Contest.

You’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with lifting legends like Steve Stanko, John Grimek and John Davis as they train hard and heavy, their sites set on smashing world records in the upcoming competition. You’ll have a front row seat as you watch John Terry, Tony Terlazzo, Johnny Terpak, Cass Klosiewicz, Steve Gob, John Davis, John Grimek, Louis Abele, and Steve Stanko as they challenge each other – and the world – to determine the strongest lifters on the face of the planet!

You’ll watch John Grimek try to win an amazing double championship – first place in the Senior Nationals and first place in the Mr. America contest – with a world record in the Military Press to top it off. You’ll stand back stage with Steve Stanko as blood pours from a deep gash in his thumb – as Bob Hoffman urges him to drop out of the competition to save his hand from further damage – and as the Big Champ stands tall, looks Bob in the eye, and tells him he’s not going to quit.

You’ll join the strongest men in America as they watch the world tremble on the brink of total war — as the Nazi hordes sweep across Europe in a brutal blitzkrieg of unstoppable power – as the remnants of the French Army fall back, trapped with the British Expeditionary Force on the shores of Dunkirk – the last remaining hope of a free Europe, their back to the relentless waves, teetering on the brink of utter catastrophe.

You’ll see Jim Miller continue on the road to manhood – and you’ll see what barbell built muscles can do when it’s three on one and a girl’s life is at stake – when a young boy is trapped in a smashed car with flames racing toward the dripping gas tank – or when you’re facing the wrong edge of a sharp blade.

You’ll smile as you see Jim meet a girl – and not just any girl, but THE girl…and you’ll wonder what will happen to them.

It’s spring, 1940. A tough time to be young and in love. A time of danger – a time of hope – and a time for America’s strongest men to step into action.

Volumes one and two of Legacy of Iron are available from us; both are paperback and 300 pages, $24.95 plus $6.60 priority shipping $4.60 media rate. Both volumes are $49.90 plus $7.60 priority or $5.60 media rate.

Order now. If we already have your credit card information and address, you can order by email: cncbass@aol.com . If not, call us at 1-505-266-5858 or fax your order to 1-505-266-9123

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Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236 or street address: 528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, Phone (505) 266-5858, e-mail:  cncbass@aol.com, FAX:  (505) 266-9123.  Office hours:  Monday-Friday, 8-5, Mountain time.  FAX for international orders: Please check with your local phone book and add the following: 001-505 266-9123

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Copyright © 2009 Clarence and Carol Bass.  All rights reserved.