Vol I Endorsements

Randy Roach has written an absolute gem in Muscle, Smoke and Mirrors, his history of the nutritional origins of bodybuilding. Highly entertaining, erudite, and right on in its incredible insights into fundamental nutritional wisdom, you’ll find this fascinating book invaluable in building not only muscles and fitness but also lasting health. If you work out, get this book today and read it – it will change your life.

- Ron Schmid, ND
Author of “Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine”
and “The Untold Story of Milk”
www.DrRons.com

MS&M may be the most comprehensive book ever written on the history of bodybuilding. Randy Roach has combined exhaustive research with extraordinary detail to present a piece that is unbiased in nature with regard to how the lifestyle and business of bodybuilding was shaped by the supplement industry and eventually by the use of steroids. Free of judgement but rich in insight, Randy has created a masterwork which chronicles the heroes, the villains, the good, the bad, the ugly and all of the magnificence of this incredible sport. MS&M is a must read for anyone who believes, or ever believed, that the promise of a better body and a better life was possible through the practice of lifting weights.

- Nelson Montana,
Author of “The Bodybuilding Truth”
and “Bottom Line Bodybuilding”

You have done a phenomenal job — and I truly mean that. Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors manages to be BOTH a scholarly tome AND a “page turner”. How did you do it??!! This is going to make you a legend in the industry. Bravo friend!

- Charles Welling,
Author of the forthcoming biography of Rheo H. Blair
rheohblair.blogspot.com

I received the book and haven’t been able to put it down. From what I have read so far it is outstanding. A job well done. Your history is brilliant. I am really enjoying it. This is definitely going to be a big hit among bodybuilders all over the world. Congratulations!!

- Daryl Conant,
Author of “inVINCEable”
www.darylconant.com

The second I held this book in my hand the vibrations just screamed to me what I had told Randy over 3 years ago. This book is in a league of its own!

- Don Howorth
1967 IFBB mr. America

In a word….UNBELIEVABLE! I just got a copy of Randy Roach’s new book Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors and it is amazing. I was in awe of the sheer size of it and the incredible cover, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Randy knows I’m not a big history buff but he has made this book so enjoyable and user friendly that I found myself reading it right away. There’s no doubt this book is going to be a big hit with bodybuilding historians. it will be the only book you’ll ever need when it comes to this topic.

- Fred Fornicola,
Author of “Youth Fitness: An Action Plan For Shaping America’s Kids”
“Dumbbell Training for Strength and Fitness”
www.premierepersonalfitness.com

I really enjoyed this book! Looking forward to volume 2. Randy has told the story with truth and class. This book is the absolute best in bodybuilding. Great job!

- Steve Speyrer,
Classic Anatomy Gym
www.classicanatomygym.com

I’ve never realized what an exquisite writer Randy is. The book is magnificent and while I’m only into the second chapter so far, I did something else I normally don’t do, and that’s I began reading it from the front cover on. From the Dedication right through. Its a superb piece of literature and I wanted to take in the complete experience.

I predict that this book will become an important contribution to our understanding the attraction to exercise and physical culture and its contributions to the formation of human kind as we know it. It has already made me rethink so many things that my head was filled with racing thoughts as I was trying to fall off to sleep.

I have a habit of dog earring pages that I want to go back to later so that I can add them to my knowledge base. I generally end up with a few pages at best in an average book. I have about 6 in the first chapter alone.

I was supposed to walk outdoors this morning but opted for the elliptical machine so that I could continue another 30 minutes into the book. I’m reading it word-for-word, also a first for me, as I loosely subscribe to the Evelyn Wood speed reading techniques to get to the meat of the subject, but realized early that attempting to do so with this magnificent book would be akin to bringing an iPod to the Philharmonic. I am so impressed with the book. I could go on and on. Bravo!!

- Carl Lanore,
Syndicated radio talk show host
www.Superhumanradio.com

I have been involved in the Iron Game for over 40 years now, and that is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is really incredible. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. I highly recommend it!

- Lou Mezzanotte
Industry writer

One mark of a really good writer is his ability to make meaningful transitions from one chapter to the next. I rarely see these connections, especially in nonfiction books. Randy, however, has mastered this technique. His transitions added much to his stories and reports. I am anxious to get into Volume II.

- Ellington Darden, Ph.D.,
Author of “The New High-Intensity Training”
and “The New Bodybuilding for Old-School Results”
www.drdarden.com

To say ‘this is a must read’ is an understatement. I own hundreds of books on the subjects of fitness, anatomy, physiology, etc., but this is one book I am proud to have on my shelf. For over one hundred years, the fitness industry and the history of physical culture have been rife with ambiguity, misrepresentation, broken promises and shattered dreams. To come across a literary work that clarifies a phenomenon that has obsessed millions is a rarity and must not be ignored. Randy Roach has done a stellar job at producing a tome that is both educational and entertaining… no easy accomplishment. The details, structure and flow of the book are so well planned and thought out that it has become and will remain the epitome and standard in physical culture writing. Mr. Roach and his book, Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors, is now part of that history.

- Brian D. Johnston,
President of the International Association of Resistance Trainers (I.A.R.T.)
Author of the “Fitness Science Library”
www.exercisecertification.com

I cannot fully express to you how much I appreciate the Herculean effort it took to create what is a seminal work in our world. You have single-handedly preserved a huge chunk of our collective history. Your vision, tenacity, hard work and love for all of it is just fantastic. I am in awe of your accomplishment and eagerly await Vol.#2.

- John Balik,
Publisher, Iron Man magazine
www.ironmanmagazine.com