Venus with Biceps: A Pictorial History of Muscular Women

This book is a worthwhile visual chronicle of the changing attitudes towards women's strength and muscularity and the evolution of "fitness" as a category over the last two centuries. The materials were derived from the private collection of author David L. Chapman, who is known primarily for his books of photography of male bodybuilders. Although the Forward includes a snapshot of South African track and field athlete Caster Semanya, recently at the center of a controversy regarding gender, the book's primary content ends with the 1980's. So you will not find Chinese Olympic weightlifters, CrossFit athletes or the current crop of steroid-enhanced Ms. Olympias here.The commentary is somewhat superficial and politically liberal, but the illustrations and photos are fascinating and speak for themselves. Particularly interesting are old illustrations of the untested, unscientific, hare-brained notions that male "experts" once promulgated regarding what constituted exercise and how that exercise should be adapted for the fragile female form.Overall the pictures help to mitigate the sexist bunk that women can't be strong, muscular and beautiful, a point of view that is now thankfully atrophying.

As a long admirer of athletic ladies I found the book fascinating especially the old time pictures of circus woman, strong woman and at the ending chapter the bodybuilders. It takes the stereotype that woman are the weaker sex and throws it out the window. I found it refreshing, If you like muscular woman this is the book for you.

Purchased this as a gift for a power lifting girlfriend. She loved it! The history is fascinating. It's amazing how many exercises are still used today. An educational fun book!

As a woman in fitness, I appreciated the history of women with muscle.I loved all these pictures and enjoy reading the book.

Omg this book is really funny. Great if you have a female lifter in your life :)

My husband loves female muscle. I bought this for him for Valentines and he loved seeing all the history of female bodybuilding.

Perfect book to add to any collection of strength and exercise books. Worth the purchase and reading. Great pictures. Very interesting.

Awesome gift for a strongwoman in your life!

A fascinating look at the strong women and female bodybuilders of the 19th & 20th century. The photos are great and it is fairly informative yet still feels a bit flat. It's almost as if someone with a bit of a fetish decided to put the book together. This would have been fascinating to have more in-depth looks at the women themselves. Still a nice book but not nearly as good as Women Aviators.

Inspiring! Educational and entertaining read with fantastic images. Reinforces the need for positive role models and education in our society's attitude towards strong women.

Such a beautiful and esthetic book, well documented with amazing photos that show women's evolution over the last century. Furthermore, it makes you realize the stregth it took for these women to pursue their personal dreams has help women be who they want to be. Kuddo's to these ladies!