“In IRON NATION, Bob Whelan and Drew Israel have compiled a masterpiece text on some of the most intriguing and compelling personal stories, iron game history, and gut-wrenching training routines ever put to paper. If you truly love “hard training” without all of the frills or “pomp and circumstance” so common today, you will love IRON NATION!” --Ken Mannie, Head Strength/Conditioning Coach, Michigan State University *** "Iron Nation is one of the most educational Iron Game books ever written. Fantastic!" --Dick Conner, Powerlifting Coach, (Multiple National Champion), Strength Expert *** "Iron Nation is a fascinating and unique book that will give anyone interested in no-nonsense strength training and muscle-building many hours of enjoyable reading -- and many years of great workouts." --Brooks D. Kubik, Author of Dinosaur Training *** “IRON NATION is an excellent source of information relating to many of the top people in the fitness industry who have given thousands of hours of time and energy into making the iron game what it is today. The contributors have shared what was required ... to obtain their most positive results. My hat goes off to Bob Whelan and Drew Israel for putting this material in an easy-to-read format that is a MUST to those wanting to improve their mental or physical wellbeing.” --Bill Pearl, Former Mr. America and Mr. Universe *** "The book Iron Nation represents a tremendous singular achievement for the authors. It is an impressive and unprecedented collection of training biographies, autobiographies and anecdotes from the ENTIRE realm of progressive resistance exercise training. Such a work is long overdue." --Jan Dellinger, Author of The Dellinger Files *** "As I get older, my respect grows for the history of the Iron Game and those who were part of it. Iron Nation: Passion for Hard Training reads like a Who's Who of individuals who are an integral part of that history. Their stories are extremely informative and - as the title suggests - passionate as well as motivating and entertaining. I highly recommend this book!" --Matt Brzycki, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation & Fitness, Princeton University *** "Many congratulations to you [Bob] and Drew for getting IRON NATION done. I was thrilled that you carried through on that project--and did it so well! This is an outstanding book of training information, inspiration and motivation. The passion for hard training that oozes from many of the articles is infectious, and the accompanying real-life stories and historical reminiscences are fascinating." --Stuart McRobert, Author of Brawn and Numerous Other Iron Game Books, Publisher/Editor of Hardgainer Magazine *** "As what might be considered a kind of 'elder statesman' of the Iron Game (I have been in it and writing about it since the 1960's) I have been both appalled and delighted by that which I have seen transpire in the muscle and strength-building field over the decades. The size-mania, living in the gym, cosmetic-oriented 'appearance training', and of course the damn steroid drug scourge, has appalled me. The work of men like Bob Whelan and Drew Israel, and the occasional literary gems that evolve as a result of the work of these men — such as this new book, IRON NATION, has delighted me. There are few activities as rewarding — mentally, physically, and spiritually — as sensible progressive resistance (barbell/dumbell and similar types of) exercise. And we who love this activity and who wish to see it continue to enrich those seekers-after-personal-strength-and-excellence always celebrate a quality literary contribution to our beloved field. We recommend it highly.”--Bradley J. Steiner, World Famous Weight Training & Martial Arts Writer *** Visit our website and see our many books at PhysicalCultureBooks.com