Supplement companies front their endorsed pro bodybuilders to attract impressionable wallet-carrying customers to their booths. Some are in shape for the show, some are not competing and sport waist-lines as wide as their shoulders, all with thousands and thousands of dollars of health-robbing, shall we say, not over-the-counter supplements coursing through their veins. Then there are the countless amateur gym rats trying to imitate their not so worthy heroes. Scampering about the expo they're not as interested in meeting the iron celebrities as attracting attention to their own skin-tight polyester shirted syringe pierced arms. And then there are the women. Fitness models and pro bodybuilders alike flank the booths in such numbers to make the mayor of Sodom blush. Quoting a friend, "There's enough collagen and silicone here to raise the Titanic." Even the pros of old are there primarily to sell their wares. Children and adults alike freeze at the site of a legend, not blinking, heart rates rising waiting in line to buy a picture. Don't get me wrong, for someone who loves the fitness industry (if you have a strong conscience) it is a fun place to spend a weekend once a year. But, you can still walk away more cynical than you came due to the heightened awareness of commercialism at any cost, egomania, and the steroid and pseudo soft porn side of the sport. Yet, when you look hard enough, you can always find a few diamonds and this is what keeps me coming back.

I was working in my Genetitec booth with my staff and three of our endorsed athletes, WNBF Drug-Free World Champion, Dave Goodin, WNBF World Fitness Champion, Kim Lipman, and Canadian Champion, Terry Lynn Bartch. Dave Goodin called me over to introduce me to a friend of his. I shook hands with the polite, tan gentleman who appeared to be in his fifties. He and Dave continued in their conversation as I stood, pretending to be interested. About three seconds later my mind repeated, "Dave Draper. Did he say, 'Dave Draper?' THE Dave Draper?" I instantly recognized his face and blonde hair though I hadn't seen a picture of him more current than probably 25 years. I wormed my way into the conversation with Dave, Dave, and Laree Draper to find out that he owns a gym in California, still loves to train, has a monthly on-line newsletter, and just published a book. What really struck me, however, was Dave himself. He was quiet, polite, smiling, the picture of health, incredibly articulate, and very "normal." I have since communicated with him and his lovely wife, Laree via email and they have given me permission to not only review his book, but to publish excerpts from it and his newsletter. Before I get started, let me say that you will be in for an incredible treat the more you get to know Dave and Laree. You can go to www.davedraper.com to subscribe to their free newsletter and peer into their lives a little more.

Brother Iron Sister Steel begins as it should, with an autobiographical chapter that allows you to acquaint yourself with Mr. America, Dave Draper. His early adult life is familiar territory to me. A hunger for training and a passion for improvement led him to devote all his spare time to the gym. With no science to affirm training styles or protocols, he was part of the experimental generation that pioneered bodybuilding for everyone who comes after. Like most with genetic potential in his era, he found himself at the side of Joe Weider and competing at the highest events in the land. His story diverges into a dark decade of obscurity but he reemerges with faith and purpose and a chance to build the life he wanted.

Mr. Draper combines an inspiring look into the history of bodybuilding through his eyes with the technical information from a life of training and nutrition experience that the hard-core reader expects. A rare differential from books written by bodybuilders is that his wit, intelligence, and genuine personality makes it a fun read for anyone who works out in a gym regardless of their knowledge or perception of bodybuilding subculture. It is incredibly rich in practical wisdom and a most poetic parallel between training and life. This philosophical thread binds the training exercise, style, and protocol tightly into a work that keeps you smiling as you read.

As you can already suppose, I heartily recommend Brother Iron Sister Steel for everyone; you can go to our on-line store to purchase it. As a matter of fact, after re-reading parts of it this morning during cardio, let me say I think it's the best book on the subject of bodybuilding I have ever read. I just told a friend on the phone that it should be required reading for anyone who works out. Dave is also working on a new book on nutrition that will be very readable and practical. Don't forget to sign up for his newsletter! www.davedraper.com.