A Pictorial History of Muscular Men Around the World, 1895 – 1975
by David L. Chapman with Douglas Brown | PUB DATE: OCT. 2013| 8 x 10 | 352 PP | Paper
Arsenal Pulp Press is pumped to present Universal Hunks: a smart, sexy (and flex-y), visual collection of muscleman from around the globe.
Pop culturist and bodybuilding historian David L. Chapman’s latest book features over 300 images of diverse hunks from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America from 1895-1975. Comprised of photographs, illustrations, advertisements, editorial cartoons, European comic books, Soviet propaganda posters, and other curious ephemera from David L. Chapman’s extensive and one-of-a-kind collection, Universal Hunks revels in our global fascination with those who embody the terms “dreamboat”, “beefcake”, and “hunk.” The book also reveals a surprising preoccupation with bodybuilding, workout culture, and the male Adonis aesthetic in nearly every geographic region, culture, and creed. In Universal Hunks Chapman demonstrates that “getting all buff and stuff” is, in fact, an internationally-shared pursuit.
As with his previous books American Hunks and Venus with Biceps, Chapman blends images, anecdote, and analysis to create a fun, lively, and intelligent tour of the muscular male body in its many erotic, political, and commercial iterations through history, this time with strong international content. The book also includes an illuminating forward by cultural and sports historian Douglas Brown, who provides additional historical and geographical context.
David L. Chapman’s Universal Hunks is a glorious combination of brawn and brains, guaranteed to titillate, captivate, and give your imagination a champion workout.
Download and print your own personal Hunk doll here!
Please read my review of Universal Hunks here.
