Dorian Yates From the Shadow Hardcover – 27 Feb. 2018

I first encountered Dorian Yates in probably the same way that other bodybuilders did through training magazine features, however, pre-Internet 1990s exposure provided only a snapshot or freeze-frame of what such individuals were all about.Footballers had the benefit of weekly matches, mainstream TV interviews, player profiles and chat show appearances to portray the multi-dimensional aspects of their celebrity-status world. Mr Olympia winners, in contrast, did not and for many Dorian remained a fierce-looking bloke with muscles who won a lot but gave away little. A one-dimensional photo, a short guarded article and a retreat into his Temple Gym dungeon hardly allowed the general public to even know Dorian never mind appreciate what this remarkable British sportsman did... until now.Wind the clock forward 20 years and I'm watching one of my favourite Youtube channels, London Real with Brian Rose. The regular extended interviews featured all the gurus, misfits, thinkers, philosophers, winners, champions, creators, movers and shakers from all arenas of life. The interviews represented time travel allowing many 90s icons the chance to tell the stories that they couldn't during the limited media opportunities that often prevailed during their heyday. One afternoon, to my pleasant surprise, Dorian Yates appeared on London Real and spoke almost uninterrupted for over two hours. What was most amazing about this refreshingly open and honest broadcast (and the many that followed) was how little it had to do with bodybuilding ranging from Mike Mentzer to Ayn Rand and a journey through life that ventured far beyond weightlifting.The book, ‘From the Shadow’, is mainly centered around Dorian's journey through bodybuilding but does include much of what we haven't seen and a very deep insight into not just the mind of a champion but the mind of this particular champion which readers will soon discover is a chasm of difference. Dorian, in his own words, changed the way that winners won. If you can't join them... beat them? He reminds me of snooker's multi-world champion, Stephen Hendry who didn't just want to win but do so by such a colossal margin that it created a vast gulf between him and anyone resembling a creditable competitor. These margins allowed Hendry to win one of his world titles with a broken arm and Yates a Mr Olympia title with a torn arm muscle!The mindset that created an undefeated, six-time world beating Mr Olympia doesn't go away just because he retired from that environment. It lingers and resets itself in readiness of a new vehicle in which to thrive again. One of those vehicles is public speaking and Dorian has much to say. We get a great deal of it in this book and I feel that the best is yet to come as a new and more awakened world materializes.'From the Shadow' is a no-nonsense, to the point, insight into what made Dorian enter the world of bodybuilding, the mindset he developed to be the best and the ups and downs along the way. Like his video interviews it is open and honest and provides the readers with many tools to use on their own journeys whether in sport, work or elsewhere. These valuable lessons will be lost if you're expecting a Hollywood style tale of suspense, drama and hype. The story very much stays on script which is exactly how Dorian won his many titles and suffers little from doing so.'From the Shadow' is blunt, honest, highly informative, inspiring and extremely useful... probably just like the great man himself!Highly recommended. Buy it now.John KeanDiver & Author

Amazing insight in to the life of a legend. His training and life are an inspiration, one person I can gladly call a hero. Well worth a read to all fans of serious bodybuilding!

Even if you’re not into bodybuilding this is a must read. The “Shadow” was Mr. Olympia 6 times. A hardly known fact that a very private British man was the best in world at his chosen sport. Overcoming terrible injuries and changing the sport for ever.I’m not a bodybuilding fan but this is a unique insight to an incredible athlete with a incredible determination and work ethic. He leaves an incredible legacy.

Big fan of Yates. Would recommend this book but it's a bit of a missed opportunity. Could have gone into so much more detail about each year competing, his competitors and personal views as he has in many online interviews. Still worth a read for anyone interested in Yates, bodybuilding or unconventional thought.

Great book if you've got or had an interest in bodybuilding/weight training, fascinating how far a young lad from Birmingham conquered the world in his chosen field.

I was really excited to get this book as I’m a big bodybuilding fan , and love Dorian. I’ve read other bodybuilding books by Mike Mentzer and Arnold.This book is not like them. The quality of the pressing is VERY poor. And the writing is terrible. It’s extremely amateur , and quite embarrassing . I don’t know why Dorian didn’t think he had a story that was good enough to get published because he does! It’s all there.Sadly the writing and quality of binding lets this down. Great photos !

This is a Christmas present which will be enjoyed

Great insight into the legend of Dorian Yates. Just started but seems really well researched and written.