Major Taylor in Australia
by Jim Fitzpatrick
The basis for the 1993 Australian Logie Award winning film |
'Jim Fitzpatrick breaks new ground. His rigorous research and close readings of period accounts offer the reader a vivid portrayal of Taylor the man, and the notorious factors that led to Taylor quitting the sport at the top of his talents'. Peter Nye, author of Hearts of Lions
'A great read … a very nice job of historical setting while keeping the narrative moving at a fast pace'. Ronald A. Smith, Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at the Pennsylvania State University. ‘I found it gripping and insightful and marvellously sad ... a superb piece of work.’ Michael McKernan, University of New South Wales. |
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Jim Fitzpatrick talks about Major Taylor in Australia.
This talk, one of seven given during a U.S. lecture tour, was recorded in Boston in June, 2011, by John S. Allen. Jim Fitzpatrick describes how he came to write Major Taylor in Australia. This video, also by John S. Allen, can be seen on Vimeo, at https://vimeo.com/47833615 |
Marshall W. 'Major' Taylor (1878-1932) broke the American racial barrier in professional bicycle racing in 1896. He was crowned cycling's World Sprint Champion three years later.
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Because of his race as well as his talent, Major Taylor consistently attracted larger crowds than any other cyclist in the world. Taylor was big business in his own right, and was the highest paid and most famous athlete in the world's most popular sport at the time.
The world's richest bicycle race was created in Australia to get him Down Under in 1903. Free of the racial problems in America, it was the most enjoyable tour of his career. |