Samuel W. Fussell

When I see a book like this I expect one of two things; someone who isn’t really involved in the subject trying to write about what it’s like, or someone who is really involved trying to write. This is an account written by someone who was more obsessed and wrapped up in bodybuilding that most and also writes really well. It’s funny, scary, and really interesting.

When I see a book like this I expect one of two things; someone who isn’t really involved in the subject trying to write about what it’s like, or someone who is really involved trying to write. This is an account written by someone who was more obsessed and wrapped up in bodybuilding that most and also writes really well. It’s funny, scary, and really interesting.

This is a fascinating first hand account of the bodybuilder lifestyle. The author gives a clear summary of all the hard work it takes to achieve a true bodybuilder look and how detrimental it can be for one's health. In "Muscle. Confessions of an unlikely Bodybuilder" Fussel details his own journey from book worm to impressively huge bodybuilder. The reader learns that Fussel's obsession with weight training is in part due to his own insecurity; instead of facing it and dealing with his show more issues he tries to put on an armor of muscle. This he believes will protect him from the outside world as well as his own inner feelings. Only after 4 years of hard work and unhealthy habits including some steroid use does the author realize that bodybuilding is not the cure all he once hoped it would be. When he decides to quit the sport he quickly loses his muscle size and in a matter of weeks is back at square one.
This book gave me a better understanding of the unhealthy aspects of bodybuilding and that anything taking to the extreme isn't beneficial in the long run. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the sport. show less

Dewey decimal = 646