Seems like I’ve only been posting book reviews lately…other things ahve been happening, honest!
I just read Percy Cerutty’s book “Be Fit or Be Damned.”
Unfortunately for all of us, this classic is out of print. Why, I have no idea!
According to the All Knowing Wikipedia, Percy was born in 1895 and died in 1975. He was an Australian athletic coach, and coached Herb Elliott, who won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic games.
Now before you go saying “He only lived to be 80, I’m not taking his advice!” realize that 80 is a pretty ripe old age for someone born in 1895 who once battled with cancer – and who actually died of Motor Neurone Disease (called ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease in the US).
His book is about how to live. I think it sums up Cerutty’s “Stotan” (a combination of Stoic and Spartan philosophies) life-philosophy well.
percy picking up a man almost twice his weight, when he was 70!!
Through the “manliness” protocol that was very popular in his era, Percy explains that people (men) should exercise regularly. He gives the why and the how in about as simple and down-to-earth a manner as you would ever want.
Check this book out from your local library (or local university library), or buy it on Amazon used for $25. It’s worth the read!