All-Around Men - by Frank Zarnowski (Paperback)

About the Book

After the decathlon was introduced in the 1912 Olympic Games, the All-Around, a one-day, ten-event track and field contest of endurance, speed, and strength was displaced. The lives and careers of 22 of the greatest All-Around men, as well as the history of the event itself, a...

Book Synopsis

The All-Around was a one-day, ten-event track and field contest of endurance, speed, and strength that was the forerunner to the modern decathlon. Its heyday stretched from the American Civil War to World War I during which its champions were generally well known and highly esteemed figures. After the decathlon was introduced in the 1912 Olympic Games, however, the All-Around was soon forced into the background. The event vanished early in the 20th century before it made a brief comeback after World War II, creating an athletic subculture for dozens of athletes who kept it alive until its final demise in 1977.

The careers of these early amateurs are highlighted in biographical sketches of the 22 greatest All-Around men. The book covers the great touring professional Highlander athletes, Donald Dinnie and Princeton's George Goldie, whose careers did much to popularize multi-event contests from the 1860s to the 1880s. Zarnowski also profiles Malcolm Ford, Hollywood cowboy Fred C. Thomson, Avery Brundage (later president of the International Olympic Committee), and the legendary Jim Thorpe. The story of the post-WWII All-Arounder, Bob Richards the "Vaulting Vicar" of Wheaties fame, is also included.

The lives and careers of these men - as well as the event itself - are finally given the treatment they deserve in this richly detailed book, which includes more than 20 photos. It will hold great appeal to sports historians, 19th century historians, and the fans, athletes, and coaches of modern day track and field.

Review Quotes

"I always was interested in knowing where my event, the decathlon, came from. The title 'world's greatest athlete' is usually bestowed on the Olympic decathlon champion. But I have always wondered who earned that title before there was an Olympics? Or before there was a decathlon? Frank Zarnowski's new book, All-Around Men: Heroes of a Forgotten Sport, illustrates that track and field was a thriving and popular sport in the 19th century, and that its versatile "all-around men" were its stars." --Dan O'Brien, 1996 Olympic Decathlon Champion

"The All-Around, a ten-event track and field contest of endurance, speed, and strength, was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1912 and discontinued in 1977. Zarnowski, a professor at Mount St. Mary's College who has served as a commentator for televised track and field events, chronicles the careers of the men who excelled in the event, including the All-Around's most famous athlete, Jim Thorpe. B&w photos and statistical data are included. The book will hold appeal for sports historians as well as fans, athletes, and coaches..." --Reference and Research Book News

"The All-Around, a ten-event track and field contest of endurance, speed, and strength, was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1912 and discontinued in 1977. Zarnowski, a professor at Mount St. Mary's College who has served as a commentator for televised track and field events, chronicles the careers of the men who excelled in the event, including the All-Around's most famous athlete, Jim Thorpe. B&w photos and statistical data are included. The book will hold appeal for sports historians as well as fans, athletes, and coaches." --Reference and Research Book News

About the Author

Frank Zarnowski has served as the color commentator for many televised track and field meets including the 2004 NBC coverage of the Athens Olympic Games. He is a professor of Economics atMount St. Mary's University and the author of five books on the decathlon.