The Black Prince: My Life in Bodybuilding: Muscle vs. Hustle

This was a short but very interesting read. Of course it was a self-serving vanity print, but that is exactly what I wanted to read. My life changed at 10 years old when I saw Robby Robinson on the cover of Muscle Magazine. I had never seen anything like it before.Although it may seem hard to believe that he had as little steroid use as he accounts, it could be possible considering he describes his life long commitment to natural, health eating stemming from his early childhood experience with his mother.His account of Joe Weider is very interesting considering it is totally to the contrast of what Joe Weider wrote about himself in his biography "Brothers of Iron". Joe Weider wrote that one of his big regrets was that he was blind to the steroid use of bodybuilders during the sport's golden era. I find that very hard to believe. Robby states that not only did Joe Wieder know about it, but he was a major catalyst to ensure that all his prized athletes indulged. His account of Joe Weider alone is worth the read.I must admit that I am biased because Robby Robinson was in early idol of mine, but if you were reading the book for any other reason I question why you would even pick it up.If you want to know more about this man I believe this book does a great job of telling his story.Thanks Robby. I appreciate you and your book.

I must say that I have been a true follower of Robby Robinson since the early 1970's and I am really happy to see this book come out to tell how things behind the IFBB truly were. If you had followed Muscle and Fitness since that time, as I did, you always wondered and heavily suspicioned the use and abuse of steriods in the bodybuilding community. Most articles that were in Muscle and Fitness would not neccesarily condone the use of steroids, but they wouldn't admit the fact that they were being used and abused by the majority of bodybuilders in and out of the Weider kingdom. Even with Robby admitting his use, I still have the utmost respect for him and his sincere contribution to the sport of bodybuilding. Genetically, he was and still is truly blessed and is among the very rare who could have most likely and successfuly gone through his career without their use. Unfortunately, due to the apparent pressures from the Weider kingdom, it was difficult to remain in the limelight of Weider success without their use. I also had to give kudos to Denny Gable from this reading, as he obviously was not a bought and paid for bodybuilder in terms of his opinions, but one who was rather an independent thinker and stood for what he felt was right. It was also sad to see the way he was dealt with for being such an independent thinker. It seemed as though from that point of his being nearly exiled from the bodybuilding arena, that his life spiraled out of control and sadly he eventually died at an early age. As a former employee of several months for the Weider Fitness company, I always wondered what took place behind the business doors as bodybuilders came and went from the Woodland Hills complex to discuss business in Joe Weider's office. It always seemed that it was a very controlled and manipulated environment. Along with talking to various individuals that I had met there and after reading Robby's book, many of my suspicions and questions were confirmed. In many ways it is a shame that the truth behind the sport of bodybuilding has had to come forth in the manner that it has, but it is such individuals as Robby Robinson, along with others during his time and before him, who did contribute to this sport out of a motive that was and is very much genuine; that being for the love of the sport. Thanks Robby! You've done yourself and your sport well!

I knew a little about Robby from M&F magazines and Pumping Iron. I've also read his blog a few times. This book is very well written - the beginning about his childhood reminds me of Huck Finn. This was sort of ironic as he touches on racial issues in a setting that is over 100 years post Huck Finn's story.He's able to describe rough situations in his life without sounding bitter while showing how it shaped his life. I respect him for standing up for what he believed him. I believe his experiences growing up prepared him for this as he doesn't seem to be easily bought out.I'm about 85% of the way through. The book makes him seems like a cool guy to hang out with.

I am a former amateur competitive bodybuilder who started in the late nineteen seventies. At that time Robby Robinson was one of the top dogs in pro. bodybuilding. This time period in bodybuilding has always been my favorite time in the history of the sport and Robby has always been one of my favorites.This book covers this period well and Robby also covers his childhood growing up in the south and also his endeavors after the 1970's to the present. I had always wondered what became of him and he documents this well in this book. I appreciated his take on today's bodybuilders where the emphasis is on pure mass and bodyweight, instead of symetry and a small waist which Robby was the epitome of. I highly recomend this book to any fan of bodybuilding or fan of Robby.

Same age as Robby and never ever heard anything bad said about him. Always seemed like a class act and this book proved that he was and still is. As a kid growing up in Toledo, Ohio I was trying to look like the guys in the book but didn't realize that most were cheating. I had my own personal thoughts about what I thought was going on with some of the horrible supplements and protein powders, and training routines put out in the books. Now I find that many of my thoughts and assumptions, due to this honest book, have been substantiated. Here I'm trying to become like these guys but received lies about routines, supplementation, and no mention of drug usage. I worked hard, using descent poundages but only managed winning the city bodybuilding title, with no drugs. Pushed myself hard enough to tear the rotor cuff, both pecs and rip both triceps off following much of the Weider nonsense he had his people make up for Robby and the others. I've always felt cheated but this book helps to release some of my frustration. Just bought another copy and had mailed to my bodybuilding friend. Gary Fineske, Sports Massage Therapist, 14 seasons Dallas Mavericks. God Bless Robby

The story of Robby Robinson, a legend of bodybuilding from the golden era of the sport. Amongst so many faceless bodybuilders of today Robby stands up there with the greats such as Arnold, Franco and Zane. With one of the most memorable physique's, mind blowing biceps with the most outrageous peak and lats literally like barn doors once you have seen Robby you never forget him.The book tells of his very humble upbringing in America's deep south during the 50's and 60's, his struggle with the colour of his skin and the racial tensions he and his family were subjected to during America's segragation of blacks and whites. How Robby was able to believe in himself and never accept he was second class just because of his colour the book describes how he fought to be recognised in a dominant white world. His determination to be a star and to be treat the same as a white man is awe inspiring when you consider the time.The book details his troubled relationships with Arnold and the ruling authority of the sport Joe Weider and definately gives us another perspective of these two people you would not normally here.A fascinating read, not just for bodybuilders but any true sports fan.

Great insight into the life of a young lad growing up in the racist south back in the day doing what he loved (bodybuilding) and the battles he faced along the way to the top in his sport, great book.. amazing read if your into the golden era of bodybuilding and great to read someone's point of view of things back then other than Arnold, Lou n franko's view.. excellent book!

Really enjoyed this book. A a fan of 70s 'golden era' bodybuilding since seeing pumping iron as a teenager n the 80s, I found this a fascinating read and having seen this world.mainly through reading about Arnold, this gave a different view. More than a book about bodybuilding, this looks at poverty, racism, being introverted, and is even a bit philosophical and spiritual. His style of bodybuilding is about health and aesthetics, and the fact he is fit as a fiddle at 70 shows how this is how it should be, not killing yourself with chemicals. I always thought Robbie was the cool one, and this confirmed it.

Very readable book, much, much better than I expected. Interesting views on the Golden Era that I hadn't come across.

Great read, for any body building fan. Especially of the 60-80s era. A true icon and should have won the Olympia on many occasions!