UNIVERSAL HUNKS: A Pictorial History Of Muscular Men Around The World, 1895-1975
– David Chapman (with Douglas Brown) Chapman has produced several photography titles for Canadian publisher Arsenal Pulp Press ( American Hunks, Venus With Biceps) but this latest title is particularly interesting as it offers a global historical survey of muscular men. Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands are featured, as well as China, Southeast Asia, Mongolia, India, Japan, the Middle East, Iran, Israel and several regions in Africa. Even in Europe, Chapman explores beyond the obvious suspects (Great Britain, France and Germany) and features images from Scandinavia, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia. The images include photographs, posters, advertisements, magazine and comic book covers, and even product packaging. As well as comprehensively annotating every image, Chapman also provides additional commentary and history.