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

Description

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.

Conrad Kerber and Terry Kerber are both senior partners in a suburban Minneapolis investment firm. Conrad lives in Chanhassen, Minnesota and Terry lives in Deephaven, Minnesota. Greg LeMond is a former professional road racing cyclist. He is a two-time World Champion and winner of the Tour de France three times. He lives in Medina, Minnesota.

"A world champion bicycle racer whose fame was undermined by prejudice." -New York Times "[Major Taylor's] entire life story, deftly recited in all its drama by authors Conrad Kerber and Terry Kerber, is the stuff of legends . . ." -Greg LeMond, from the foreword ". . . Meticulously researched and gracefully written. . . a wonderful ride through a lost world." -MinnPost "An eloquently written story of a forgotten hero whose name should now become known worldwide. This meticulously researched narrative brings back the larger-than-life characters of this forgotten era, highlighting a sport and an athlete that became the daily obsession for millions of Americans, Europeans, and Australians. Major Taylor is a wonderful reading history of track racing in all its glory, trauma, suspense, and heartbreak." -Phil Liggett, NBC cycling commentator and "The Voice of Cycling" "The Kerbers reenact turn-of-the-century events in captivating detail. The racing scenes are like none other in the annals of cycling authorship. It's as if you are there, in the grandstands in 1901, feeling the gripping tension, smelling the saddle leather, seeing the strain of the riders' every pedal stroke. Each breath of the racers becomes yours, charging toward the finish line and unprecedented fame." -Paul Sherwen, NBC cycling analyst and former pro cyclist "Major Taylor is so much more than just a story of a bicycle racer from long ago. It's suspense-packed, page-turning nonfiction that feels like a novel." -Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times bestseller Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive "The fact that the greatest living athlete in the world in 1907 was a bicyclist was enough to capture my attention. The dramatic story-and the heroic fable-that followed kept me turning pages. Major Taylor belongs in the pantheon of great bicycling literature." -Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Zones, and three-time cycling world record holder "Perhaps the most important book ever written about cycling in America. Before Magic, before Ali, before Jesse Owens there was Major Taylor. A person who was truly born to ride! This is a must read by anyone interested in the transcendent power of the bicycle as a vehicle of real freedom. Long may Major Taylor's legend live."-Bob Roll, NBC cycling analyst and former professional cyclist "[Major Taylor's] entire life story, deftly recited in all its drama by authors Conrad Kerber and Terry Kerber, is the stuff of legends . . ." Greg LeMond, from the foreword ". . . Meticulously researched and gracefully written. . . a wonderful ride through a lost world." MinnPost "An eloquently written story of a forgotten hero whose name should now become known worldwide. This meticulously researched narrative brings back the larger-than-life characters of this forgotten era, highlighting a sport and an athlete that became the daily obsession for millions of Americans, Europeans, and Australians. Major Taylor is a wonderful reading history of track racing in all its glory, trauma, suspense, and heartbreak." Phil Liggett, NBC cycling commentator and "The Voice of Cycling" "The Kerbers reenact turn-of-the-century events in captivating detail. The racing scenes are like none other in the annals of cycling authorship. It's as if you are there, in the grandstands in 1901, feeling the gripping tension, smelling the saddle leather, seeing the strain of the riders' every pedal stroke. Each breath of the racers becomes yours, charging toward the finish line and unprecedented fame." Paul Sherwen, NBC cycling analyst and former pro cyclist "Major Taylor is so much more than just a story of a bicycle racer from long ago. It's suspense-packed, page-turning nonfiction that feels like a novel." Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times bestseller Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive "The fact that the greatest living athlete in the world in 1907 was a bicyclist was enough to capture my attention. The dramatic story and the heroic fable that followed kept me turning pages. Major Taylor belongs in the pantheon of great bicycling literature." Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Zones, and three-time cycling world record holder "Perhaps the most important book ever written about cycling in America. Before Magic, before Ali, before Jesse Owens there was Major Taylor. A person who was truly born to ride! This is a must read by anyone interested in the transcendent power of the bicycle as a vehicle of real freedom. Long may Major Taylor's legend live." Bob Roll, NBC cycling analyst and former professional cyclist