I seem to remember a discussion about this on the old Dr. Darden forum, but I can’t recall the name. I seem to remember that the model was picked by the publisher, and that he was featured in other works they published, I think.
I always liked the original High Intensity Bodybuilding with Scott Wilson, more so than the revised new edition cover from 1990. I thought the Super HIT cover was excellent too, featuring future Ultimate Warrior Jim Hellwig.
Does anyone know who the bodybuilder was that was featured on the cover of Massive Muscles in 10 Weeks, holding the apple?
Owen Mckibbin?
I believe the guy on the cover of Massive Muscles in 10 Weeks is Greg Comeaux.
Tim Patterson remembered the name of the bodybuilder with the big arm on the cover of The New HIT. His name is Greg Plitt.
Unfortunately, Greg died in 2015 in a train accident.
For a couple of years, I thought the cover man was Calum von Monger. But Calum was born in 1990, which would have made him 14 when the picture was taken.
Interestingly, Calum and Greg have similar-shaped physiques and looks.
Let’s see more covers!
Wow, didn’t realize I had so many of your books until you lay them all out like that. I have all of them, with the exception of the foreign versions and most of the women specific books. Money well spent though. I have a rather extensive library on training. Met and heard you speak at many seminars and clinics over the years.
Strengthmaster,
That is impressive! Not that I am surprised. Which one did you find most influential?
My favorite cover is probably 100 High Intensity Ways maybe because it was the first Dr. Darden book I bought and read (in 1992 in a mall bookstore - Waldens perhaps?). But I always liked the large, bold yellow and white color title with Phil Hill’s massive arm. The colors just stand out to me.
I also really like The Nautilus Advanced Bodybuilding Book cover with Coe - great arm side view against the blue machine. I recall borrowing this from the local library on multiple occasions (around 1992-1993) as it was not available in local bookstores and this was pre-internet. However, the cover was nearly destroyed from a lot of evident use.
Massive Muscles always stood out to me (big yellow text again).
The High Intensity Bodybuilding cover I always liked too - which I have.
I do own some other Dr. Darden books, but have been meaning to buy some that I am missing which are sold used from Amazon retailers at very low prices. That nostalgia, energy, and excitement these books contain cannot be overstated. They also captured your imagination at a young age even if you knew you would never look like these pros, but what could you attain? Almost an adventure and challenge to achieve your goal. And these were always so well written. These really are classics.
Love that collage-like photo!
This is his pic from 2017 - was still very impressive.
pettersson, The first two I ever bought in the late 70’s: (1) Strength Training Principles and (2) How Your Muscles Work: Featuring Nautilus Training Equipment. The 3rd book was also very influential: Total Fitness the Nautilus Way edited by Dr. Jim Peterson, which was a collection of chapters of articles by Arthur Jones. That motivated me to get Bulletin #1 and #2.
What a physique he had. He was used in the Watchmen movie as Dr Manhattan. Also came across as a very nice guy any time I listened to him. Sad what happened.
100 High Intensity Ways is one of my favorites too, I agree the layout is very good. Interestingly all these years I thought that was Vince Taylor’s arm on the cover, just learned something new. I recall in 89 when it came out, I saw it first in a mall bookstore, believe it was B. Dalton booksellers back in Baltimore where I’m originally from. At that time I had just started getting into lifting. Those were the days, they and Walden’s were everywhere, and I recall standing in many of them browsing/reading his 80’s books (always found alongside Robert Kennedy books and Arnold encyclopedia).
I loved the content of the book too, one of my favorites, it was such a wealth of information, a lot of it unique, and wise tips not directly related to diet or exercise (like suggestions for non strenuous hobbies, or books to read). Great pics throughout too, many of which were not in the mags of the time (as well as the first time I saw a picture of Dr. Darden standing next to a top competitor of the day–Jim Haislop, and holding his own).
Yes, the 100 ways layout was great. Really easy to pick and choose various specializations, etc.
The original Arnold encyclopedia was very impressive. Not just the great, iconic photos of him and bodybuilders from his era, but the exercise demonstrations, descriptions, etc. Even though the routines were of far higher volume than I would ever consider, it was interesting to read none the less. I used to have it, but not sure what happened to it. It might be another book I want to track down for nostaligia.
Ah, yes, the Kennedy books! Such slick gloss photos in so many of those books - lots of fun to browse through. Some of the Weiders books weren’t bad like that either - one in particular I am think about was an “encyclopedia”.
I forgot about B. Dalton.
I miss those days. Sigh.
Vince Taylor’s arm, not Phil Hill’s, was on the cover of 100 High-Intensity Ways. They both had championship biceps and triceps.
You’re right about missing those B. Dalton and Walden Bookstore days. They were awesome.
Dr Darden,
Thank you for all the great books you have put care in writing, it is a pity what happened to the book market and bookstores. Of all your books, which top ten would you recommend as essential to have in one’s library?
