Meghan McCarthy - Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas

Dedicated to the memory of my grandparents.

To Joseph McCarthy, whose tough Brooklyn boyhood reminded me of Atlass story,
complete with muscle-bound photo on the beach.

To Irene McCarthy, who persuaded the navy sailor to settle in Rhode Island by dazzling
him with her roller-skating moves and who taught me that girls can do sports, too!

A big thank-you to my friends for helping me get through my constant dramas. Youre the
best!

Also thanks to Marion, Sarah, and Tejal, for the help with this book.

Over one hundred years ago, a large steamship sailed to Ellis Island in New York Harbor. It was packed with people eager to come to America to make a better life. On board was a small boy named Angelo Siciliano. He had traveled all the way from Italy and spoke almost no English.

Although Angelo didnt know it yet, he would go on to do great things.

Angelo spent his boyhood in Brooklyn, New York. His waterfront neighborhood was filled with Irish, Jewish, Polish, and Italian immigrants. Life on the streets was TOUGH.

Because of his small size, Angelo didnt stand a chance. On his way home one night, he was badly roughed up by a neighborhood bully. It seemed like he was beating the brains out of me, Angelo said later.

Things didnt get easier for Angelo as he got older. On one beautiful sunny day, Angelo took his date to the beach and a strong, beefy man walked up to him and kicked sand in his face. Angelo was humiliated.

Angelo wished he could do something to stop the bullies. He needed an idea.

After visiting a local museum on a neighborhood field trip, Angelo got that idea. There it was, a statue of Hercules, the most muscular man Angelo had ever seen! Do you think a skinny kid could get like that? he asked his teacher. His teacher suggested that he try lifting weights to grow stronger.

Angelo couldnt afford to buy weights, so he made his own. He used them at home every day, but they didnt work.

Angelo was frustrated. He needed to think, so he went to his favorite thinking placethe zoo. There, he spent hours watching the animals. Thats when he noticed a lion stretching. The muscles ran around like rabbits under a rug, Angelo later remembered. And...

Eureka! Angelo came up with a fitness routine. He realized that the lion was building muscles as he stretched, by pitting one muscle against another. Angelo decided to try the new method for himself.