{"product_id":"major-a-black-athlete-a-white-era-and-the-fight-to-be-the-worlds-fastest-human-being-9780307236593","title":"Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being","description":"The story of a man who transcended the handicaps of race to become America's first African American mega sports celebrity \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of lightning-fast racers won the hearts and minds of a bicycling-crazed public. Scientists studied them, newspapers glorified them, and millions of dollars in purse money were awarded to them. Major Taylor aimed to be the fastest of them all. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTaylor's most formidable and ruthless opponent-a man nicknamed the \"Human Engine\" was Floyd McFarland. One man was white, one black; one from a storied Virginia family, the other descended from Kentucky slaves; one celebrated as a hero, one trying to secure his spot in a sport he dominated. The only thing they had in common was the desire to be named the fastest man alive. Finally, in 1904, both men headed to Australia for a much--anticipated title match to decide who would claim the coveted title. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eMajor\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of a superstar nobody saw coming, the account of a fierce rivalry that would become an archetypal tale of white versus black in the 20th century, and, most of all, the tale of our nation's first black sports celebrity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTODD BALF is the author of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller T\u003ci\u003ehe Last River \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Darkest Jungle\u003c\/i\u003e. He is a former senior editor for O\u003ci\u003eutside \u003c\/i\u003emagazine.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Crown Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50844274327826,"sku":"9780307236593","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a763cea5-53e1-482e-9b3e-5f449d58b544.jpg?v=1737315515","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/major-a-black-athlete-a-white-era-and-the-fight-to-be-the-worlds-fastest-human-being-9780307236593","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}