Reader’s Recommendation: The New Encyclopaedia of Modern Bodybuilding, by Arnold Schwarzenegger

It was a classic in the 80s, it’s mentioned in passing by joking gym channels today, and I think critically for fans of literature The Encyclopaedia of Modern Building -by now improved to a New Edition over the years- it’s an important window into broad society and away from stagnation or a shade of elitism.

This encyclopaedia -which it is- was not collated for no reason, nor is it a work for people with low intelligence or a proclivity for steroids. This was made about the human body, a timeless thing I have found discussed in my life by some of the most intelligent and entertaining people I have known. There is good humour without arrogance, upon the page it’s intriguing, it’s a positive masculine example for the author to repeatedly extol a person upon their merit. I have never seen in another work someone be so liberal with praise for others, and so effectively point out what admirable qualities they cultivated. It is intended for men and women, the young and the old, an evident passion and love for the subject alone can be worth a person picking up reading material.

There is something here I feel is so straightforward and obvious, but worth noting about a work intending to instruct; it’s obvious the author knows about and embodies the topic. It’s the inverse of hypocrisy, the antidote to the ‘diet’ books by malnourished or unhealthy figures, the opposite of the ‘good life’ or ‘motivation’ scam sessions made by those only motivated by vanity or money.

This is most evident as a true encyclopaedia showing the different parts of the human form, for its own sake. The rather hefty size of the book cannot be denied as existing to draw attention from a title. I find guides to nutrition, or the history of bodybuilding would be an article or small book of themselves. This reminds me of the classic encyclopaedias, Reader’s Digests, and nature books that my grandparents kept in their home for half my life. I can, and will happily have this Encyclopaedia, give it to a child to see some of the pictures, and no doubt take several months to read. It is one of those books broad enough in scope, as encyclopaedias are, to enjoy cracking open the contents, looking through and appreciating reading to learn something. Many facts, clearly written in a particular style I think conveys the charisma of the author, someone writing with intention, but is a practical joker and quite socially intelligent by how they have written.

In a world honestly mired in avoiding positive discussions of the human body, who shuns or makes an unhealthy thing of competition and group activity; the Encyclopaedia is something taking one to an earlier time, with aesthetics, stories, personalities famous today. It holds up as entertainment, it is among the best exercise manuals I have ever read, it details the history, habits and lifestyle of bodybuilding, with anatomy lessons, nutritional guides, detailed photographs and diagrams providing as much scientific information as many essays upon biology I have read. It is a weighty book, thick in size, heavy material.

And it exists to grow and define the greatest muscle; the human mind.

Reference:

The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger, A. (With Dobbins, B.). Simon & Schuster Paperbacks. New York, 1998.