The T-Library Thread

Hey guys, following my recent purchase of several bboks, I thought I’d be good if we had a thread discussing the muscle books we have, listing their pros and cons, what they are about, subjects covered etc.

So I’ll start here with Coach Thibaudeau’s two books: The Black Book of Training Secrets, and Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods.

Both are very good, dense in info but well explained. Coach Thibaudeau has a comprehensive approach to many methods that are very theoretical, but always take the time to make sure its well understood. He lists both studies and personal experience as reference, so research on a given topic is easy. What I really like though, is the coach’s unique way of structuring is infos, slowly building it up in a comprehensive, organised, and logical system. It really helped me put things in perspective, kinda like in his 'continuum’article serie. Its probably the single best book which puts so much emphasis on reader comprehension that I’ve encountered so far.

On the down side, it’s better if the trainee has previous experience before cracking open these books. The stuff they explain might be understood, but it’s always easier if one has both under-the-bar knowledge and some physiology background. No need for a PhD, but knowing the basic stuff helps a lot

Going down my list of ‘books-in-my-library’ next are Pavel Tatsouline’s
Power to the people
Naked Warrior
Bullet proof abs
Superjoints
Relax into stretch

I know he is a bit ‘persona non grata’ around here since his ‘pantie sniffing’ comment, but still, he has several books on the market and they were among the first I bought after conquering my fear of online order and got them from amazon.

All of them have valuable information, some to various degree, but one thing I can say is that he really is filling his books out with chatter. These five books, 3 on strenght and 2 on flexibility, could really have been slapped in two books, one on each subject. The quality of content notwithstanding, Pavel can stretch a topic longer than he can stretch himself, and that’s a lot.

But still, I like them. They presented some cool new stuff on neural inhibiton/disinhibition (sp) that can be used in strenght/flexibility training. Not many western coach presents such a vast AND practical knowledge in that area. If you’ve ever read one of is article, you know about his style and the way he likes to presents his info. He’s pretty much the same in his books, calling the reader “comrade” and his writing style carries an almost conversational tone.

If you like that neural stuff a wrote about, than Naked warrior his you best bet. He presents the bulk of his info in it, as well as some interesting variations and progression of push-up and pistols (one-legged squat) His abs book is also decent and worth reading, as he present an approach to abs strenght that seems to be gaining approval in the strenght coaching community, and gives detailled explanation on some exercises that’ll kick your ass. Relax into stretch was also a good one, with some of his neural tricks applied to flexibility. Pretty neat. But Power to the people wasn’t, in my mind, worth the price. He does bring some new data to the table, but not enough compared to Naked warrior. Kinda what he left out in the latter in fact, and he use it to pimp his program. Now I’m not a training genious, but a combo of deadlift and side press as your only exercises? The interesting part revolves around the periodisation he presents, but any T-Nation reader can do a search and learn as much here, and more.

Superjoints was also one I wouln’t have bought, had I known. Good book, but not anything I could figure, nothing really new in the info dept. and a routine with few unknown exercises to one who got ten years of martial arts training under his belt. For that matter, I think the info would’ve been more useful if combined with what’s in Relax into stretch, but its just me

Don’t apoligize for liking Pavel. If someone here feels like being a big pussy and complaining about it, ignore him.

Now, on to the question…

Strongest Shall Survive by Bill Starr

-Excellent. So far ahead of it’s time that it’s amazing. Still one of the best books ever written on training.

Science and Practice of Strength Training.

-Some like Supertraining better as a text, but I still love this book. Covers just about all you’ll need to know.

The Keys to Progress by John McCullum

-Pussy modern era “bodybuilders” will call this outdated…They miss the point. Bottom line is, McCullum preached harder than hard work…something that many have yet to figure out.

Managing the Training of Weightlifters

-Anther one that is great from a scienc-y perspective. Actually, any of the classic Soviet-texts are great.

good thread. My T-Library currently is CT’s Theory and App. Siff’s Supertraining. NSCA essentials and Poliquin’s Prinicples and Winning the Arms race

Hey Cazzo, thanks for the support, but its not so much apologizing as setting the record straight. But you’re right about the pussies :slight_smile: You mentionned Bill Starr’s Strongest shall survive, and I heard much good being said about it. Anytihng else, critique, comments or pros and cons would be appreciated, as I’m considering buying it. My major concern is, compared to what’s about nowaday, how well did it aged?

As for my next entry, I’ll talk about Ian King’s Book of Muscle. Big coincidence that this one’s mentionned right after Bill Starr, as Coach King’s book also has an old school mentality attached to it. Quite refreshing, I must say. Kinda like a weight lifting 101 crash course. but beyond what any good T-man (and T-vixen) already knows, its always good to be reminded of the basics. It’s also a good opportunity to delve deeper in Ian King’s methodology and lifting philosophy. The book is well illustrated, explanation are good though insufficient to categorised as a true beginner’s book. It’s a good first step if you’re starting you’re journey into the iron world.

Of course girls are gonna go crazy with all the (unnecessary, in my mind) photos of guys flexing in every single page of the book. At least they had a sensible, attainable physique, one I would aim for, instead of puke at, like what you see in most bb rags. Overall, a good book. Especially worth the price if you’re starting you’re journey to a better physique, but nothing new or rocket-science. And that is both a strenght and a weakness, depending on what you’re looking for.

[quote]bigpump23 wrote:
good thread. My T-Library currently is CT’s Theory and App. Siff’s Supertraining. NSCA essentials and Poliquin’s Prinicples and Winning the Arms race[/quote]

Good choice. What’s your feeling about Siff’s supertraining? I already got it, but I first have to plow my way through a couple of others I bought at the same time.

Coach Poliquin is probably the biggest name around when it comes to strength and mass. His influence is profound and has marked everybody even remotely interested in the iron game. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hand on a copie of his Poliquin’s Principles, but I settled for the next best thing, Modern trends in Strenght Training.

Those of you who have read his Manipulating Reps for Gains in Size and Strength article (http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=620430) will find that it’s basically the first part of his book. Rather than an analysis of the aforementionned ‘trends’ Coach Poliquin sets the basics of his method to understand the relationship between reps, sets, load and volume. He also has a tird chapter (the first being about reps and the second about sets) on the most succesful methods he used, with full details and credits to those who developped them. It’s a great piece of work for anyone to pick up, and a good read for those who want to understand how Coach Poliquin works.

Of course the reverse is also true, that although he is one of the greatest training mind of all time, his book is, well, HIS book. Meaning that his philosophy can be great asset, or confuse someone not ready to confront his ideas to those of an expert. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it can be damaging if it mess up your paradigm (ya I know, sounds like a litterary critique. Well, guilty as charged) But its also an invaluable asset to everybody who can understand and apply his methods, and have the necessary experience to do so without getting confuse with what they already know. Great stuff, but potent!

My T-library is quite small.
Complete conditioning for rugby by Dan Luger - excellent book for my sport
Pavels books- enough said
The pursuit of excellence in sports by Terry Orlick - any mental training book may benefit you in regards training or sports competition. Simple things like meditation benefit most people, especially myself who finds it difficult to focus before lifting meets.

Sadly, cant say I have a library. But I only have one book so far:

Dr. Ellington Dardens BowFlex Body Plan. I like it, cause I am new to strength training. He’s an easy read but still packs the book with good basic information and theory behind it. It mostly promotes his known High Intensity training.

So far it’s worked well enough for me. He has a new book out on HIT, I may pick up. When I hit the states again I want to pick up some good Nutrition books and strength training ones.

T-Islander

[quote]Zen warrior wrote:
bigpump23 wrote:
good thread. My T-Library currently is CT’s Theory and App. Siff’s Supertraining. NSCA essentials and Poliquin’s Prinicples and Winning the Arms race

Good choice. What’s your feeling about Siff’s supertraining? I already got it, but I first have to plow my way through a couple of others I bought at the same time.
[/quote]

Excellent book, you learn alot with each page it’s just up to the reader to grasp it It’s defaintly am advanced book but anyone can learn from it. I think the trick is don’t go in expecting to come out of it with a Siff level knowledge. He says alot of interesting things but he also leaves it for the reader to then go back and research and formulate opinions and thoughts. It’s not a book you can just sit down and read, it’s way too much advanced knowledge and each page has to be broken down

It’s more of a reference material, skim through, go to the sections which you find interesting to you. I’d also take notes on it

[quote]Zen warrior wrote:
Coach Poliquin is probably the biggest name around when it comes to strength and mass. His influence is profound and has marked everybody even remotely interested in the iron game. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hand on a copie of his Poliquin’s Principles, but I settled for the next best thing, Modern trends in Strenght Training.

Those of you who have read his Manipulating Reps for Gains in Size and Strength article (http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=620430) will find that it’s basically the first part of his book. Rather than an analysis of the aforementionned ‘trends’ Coach Poliquin sets the basics of his method to understand the relationship between reps, sets, load and volume. He also has a tird chapter (the first being about reps and the second about sets) on the most succesful methods he used, with full details and credits to those who developped them. It’s a great piece of work for anyone to pick up, and a good read for those who want to understand how Coach Poliquin works.

Of course the reverse is also true, that although he is one of the greatest training mind of all time, his book is, well, HIS book. Meaning that his philosophy can be great asset, or confuse someone not ready to confront his ideas to those of an expert. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it can be damaging if it mess up your paradigm (ya I know, sounds like a litterary critique. Well, guilty as charged) But its also an invaluable asset to everybody who can understand and apply his methods, and have the necessary experience to do so without getting confuse with what they already know. Great stuff, but potent! [/quote]

Great review, yes a buddy of mine has it, I need to take a look. I was lucky to buy “Prinicples” off of ebay. as far as Modern Trends, your right it is his thought but everyone has to have an open mind and forumulate for themsleves. Just like we learn from Poliquin, CT, Waterbury and the rest so did they learn. They all went into old school russian info and what not to become who they are

The first training book I ever got was Hatfield’s “Power: A Scientific Approach.”
Some of it is outdated info, but most is still good stuff.

Weight Training for Dummies
-I’m not ashamed. Okay I am. I bought it when I was like 12 give me a break.

Super Squats
-Probably responsible for most of my gained muscle

Dinosaur Training
-I think I’ve read parts of this book dozens of times

Rock, Iron, Steel
-LIFT ROCKS AND IRON STUFF!!!

The Weightlifting Encyclopedia
-Olympic Weightlifting. Dense.

Arnie’s Encyclopedia
-Classic

Arnie’s Education of a Bodybuilder
-Cool

The Way to Live
-Weird

Combat Conditioning
-Hindu squats and Hindu pushups rule.

Combat Abs
-Farmer Burns Stomach Flattener is cool.

Power Factor Training
-I want to kick the scrawny asses of the guys who wrote this and kick my own for believing him.

Spartan Health Regime
-If no T-nation and need one book for nutrition and exercise, buy this.

Supertraining and Beyond Bodybuilding are on their way now.

oh yeah I forgot

Arnolds Education of a Bodybuilder

Arnolds New encycolpeida

Strength Training Antaomy-good basic book

[quote]bigpump23 wrote:
oh yeah I forgot

Arnolds Education of a Bodybuilder

Arnolds New encycolpeida

Strength Training Antaomy-good basic book[/quote]

Good comment on supertraining, it’s on top of my list.

By the way guys, aside from being written by Arnold, what’s so good about his books? Level of knowledge, cool bb stories or both?

I originally bought the encyclopedia because I didn’t know any better. But it’s still a neat book to have and maybe some might find it motivational.

His autobiography I think is a great way to get in the head of someone as success-driven as Arnold. He took “being focused” to a whole new level. As far as his actual life story, I’m sure someone else’s biography would be a lot more complete and accurate.

[quote]Zen warrior wrote:

By the way guys, aside from being written by Arnold, what’s so good about his books? Level of knowledge, cool bb stories or both?
[/quote]

How about Body for Life? The training info is top notch. j/k.

[quote]Zen warrior wrote:
bigpump23 wrote:
oh yeah I forgot

Arnolds Education of a Bodybuilder

Arnolds New encycolpeida

Strength Training Antaomy-good basic book

Good comment on supertraining, it’s on top of my list.

By the way guys, aside from being written by Arnold, what’s so good about his books? Level of knowledge, cool bb stories or both?
[/quote]

Encyclopedia=awesome for seeing movements and all the possiblity, he also covers many different forms of training technique, I feel it’s a must have as alot of us T-Men are a combo of bodybuilders/strength/power guys

Zen-you mention that you have CT’s Black Book, can you go alittle more in-depth about it? either here or by way of PM? I love Theory/Application and I hear black book is more of a combo of bodybuilding/strength/power. People say that Theory/App is better but I know that there is alot to learn in black book