The World's Fastest Man

The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America's First Black Sports Hero

By: Michael Kranish

Narrated by: David Sadzin

In this “sharp-eyed account of a nearly forgotten African-American sports legend” (Publishers Weekly)—the remarkable Major Taylor who became the world’s fastest bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era—“Kranish has done historians and fans a service by reminding us that such immortals as Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods all followed in Major Taylor’s wake” (The Washington Post).

In the 1890s, the nation’s promise of equality had failed spectacularly. While slavery had ended with the Civil War, the Jim Crow laws still separated blacks from whites, and the excesses of the Gilded Age created an elite upper class. When Major Taylor, a young black man, announced he wanted to compete in the nation’s most popular and mostly white man’s sport, cycling, Birdie Munger, a white cyclist who once was the world’s fastest man, declared that he could help turn the young black athlete into a champion.

Twelve years before boxer Jack Johnson and fifty years before baseball player Jackie Robinson, Taylor faced racism at nearly every turn—especially by whites who feared he would disprove their stereotypes of blacks. In The World’s Fastest Man, years in the writing, investigative journalist Michael Kranish reveals new information about Major Taylor based on a rare interview with his daughter and other never-before-uncovered details from Taylor’s life. Kranish shows how Taylor indeed became a world champion, traveled the world, was the toast of Paris, and was one of the most chronicled black men of his day.

From a moment in time just before the arrival of the automobile when bicycles were king, the populace was booming with immigrants, and enormous societal changes were about to take place, “both inspiring and heartbreaking, this is an essential contribution to sports history” (Booklist, starred review). The World’s Fastest Man “restores the memory of one of the first black athletes to overcome the drag of racism and achieve national renown” (The New York Times Book Review).

Critic reviews

"David Sadzin offers a solid narration that reflects the author's straightforward style in this biography. Marshall 'Major' Taylor was a professional bicycle racer in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Because he was black, he had to battle more than speedy competitors. While he fought bigotry both on and off the track throughout his career, racial prejudice forced him to find his greatest success overseas. Without any false emotion, Sadzin varies his pacing to match the dramatic narrative. Direct quotes are few and are usually short, so Sadzin wisely introduces them with only momentary pauses. Overall, this is an engaging story narrated in an equally engaging way."

Great story rarely told!

Loved the detail and inside perspective on Taylor’s life: a great read for all ages.

before there was Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson

if you don't already know the story of Major Taylor you should read this book. before there was a Jesse Owens a Jackie Robinson or Jack Johnson here was Major Taylor. this book does a wonderful job in describing in unbelievable detail the life and trials of Major Taylor. you don't have to be a cyclist to appreciate the dedication and persistence and determination that major Taylor exhibited in his day. you don't even have to be black to truly understand the importance of Major Taylor. I would highly recommend reading this book is it tells not only a story of Major Taylor but a great historic account of race relations during this. of time.

My Thoghts

excellent
Major Taylor's life
The history of the bike
The histoty of the times
excellent

Important Look at Conquering Racism in a Pyrrhic Way

Major Taylor’s story of his climb to the top of the professional bicycle tours of the world while being forced to encounter horrific racism is both exciting and heartbreaking. This is a glimpse at the turn of the century in the US and in the world. His strength laid in his relentless training and in his religion. Unfortunately for him, the inherent racism of his home city of Indianapolis, his country, and the European continent beat him down badly. This is an important book for this time.

Major Taylor

Truly inspiring life story in a time where I thought to be Black and great was impossible. Another rich classic of overcoming the many hurdles of prejudice and oppression.