Worlds To Conquer: The Authorized Biography Of Steve Reeves

This pleasant, easy read BIO filled in the gaps of Steve Reeves life and career! Not that I'd thought too much about him over the years, but one wonders about their past boyhood film heroes. He and Gordon Scott as Tarzan, were the two that kids cheered for when the lights went down and the curtain went up! It the late 1950's that is. Of course they were "B" movies but we didn't know the difference or could care less! They were FUN and that was the point!Now a 70 year old, reflecting back to 1959, going to the Saturday matinee to see action packed adventure story's with a couple of pals and classmates, we were all in agreement that Hercules was the new strong man in town! And he was Spectacular on the Big Screen!His name was Steve Reeves, and I guess for a little while we all thought he was TV Superman's brother! Which got straighten out when in 1959 George Reeves of TV fame committed suicide, all of which was sobering to a 12 year old, that one of our heroes could actually die!Sword & Sandal and Tarzan movies were to turn a corner a few years down the road and go out of style with a new type of action movie, James Bond in fact, and Clint Eastwood in 1964 playing the Man with No name; "For a Fistful of Dollars" and as the movies changed so did the kids.But I never forgot my childhood film heroes and whenever a movie of theirs played on TV I always sat down to watch it all over again with about the same level of fun from the movie house days!I recently at 70 started pumping iron again as a form of senior exercise. No one said I couldn't so I believe I can, ha ha, & set up some equipment to to get started and in doing so, searched for a book to refresh types of exercises and that is when I ran across Mr. LeClaire's Great Bio of my old hero, Steve Reeves!Once it came in the mail, I couldn't put it down and within a few days turned to the last page! All of Mr. Reeves life was unknown to me of course, and so a real treat to see how he progressed, and got into body building and competition and his ambition to make a living in the entertainment field that came to a head with his role as Hercules!His subsequent movies, box office sales, some where Mega Hits that were Biggest Grossing movies of the year! Salaries, girl friends, wife, movie roles and stories, retirement at an early age. love of horses, and finally death are all written about with respect, care and I believe friendship on theauthors part as he lived at the Reeves ranch, over two summers to write this book!I consider this a Lucky FIND! I think I share with my peers the fond memories from youth of those movie going Saturday matinees where we all got introduced to movie heroes and idols that made indelible impressions on our young minds.Steve Reeves came to live again. Live again for an old fan!Thanks Steve for all your entertainment and being a role model and thank you Mr. LeClaire!

If you didn't know Steve Reeves you will become a fan. If you're already a fan you will become much more than just a fan. This is not just a book about a bodybuilder or a movie star. It's about a great man who had obstacles put in front of him since birth and knocked them all down to achieve his goals. He inspired millions to workout and live a healthier lifestyle and still does. I can remember at the age of ten watching HERCULES and from that point on my life was forever changed. There would be no room in it for anything unhealthy. This book is the only Authorized Biography of Steve Reeves, written while he was still alive. My only regret is that I can only give it 5 stars.

I read this book very quickly.....because I was so fascinated by it and also because it read so easily and was put together quite well! I have been a true blue Steve Reeves fan from the first time I saw Hercules on TV as a little boy. He has been my inspiration in so many ways.....this book gave me a rare glimpse into the world of Steve Reeves as a man...a human being......I never wanted the book to end. Mr.LeClaire did a superb job....EXCELSIOR!

Book is interesting however it is full of grammar and spelling errors and parts of it speak as is Reeves is alive, for a new release tenses should have been changed. Overall interesting if you overlook the grammar and spelling errors.

An overall positive take on the late bodybuilder. Reeves was much more than the two Hercules movies might suggest. However, this wasn’t the bio Steve ever approved of. A light, interesting read for the fan.

Without AuthorizationSteve Reeves NEVER AUTHORIZED "Worlds to Conquer" as his official biography. At issue here is the author lacked final approval from Steve prior to the book’s first edition in 1999. Despite the author still promoting it (under its second edition release) as, “The Authorized Biography”, it is definitely not.In a letter, dated May 14, 1993, from Mr. Reeves to the author, it is abundantly clear just the research is being authorized or endorsed then, not the completed book. Put simply, the book couldn’t be officially authorized or approved in 1993 because it didn’t exist. Moreover, the author never received any further communication from Steve (or anyone else) officially confirming the first edition was ever approved. Considering Mr. Reeves died in 2000, to state this revised 2017 second edition is authorized as well, is totally ill-judged. In mainstream publishing, for any authorized biography you need concrete proof that the finished work was approved prior to availability. Without that proof, publishers and authors can be at risk.In 1999, first edition printed copies were sent to Mr. Reeves. Upon his review, Steve was very unhappy with certain areas and insisted, through his representatives, that only when the author incorporates his specific changes, would he authorize the work. Changes included rewriting certain Reeves family information and adding new biographical material written specifically by Steve. The author did not comply, and the book went out “as is” much to Steve’s dissatisfaction. As best evidenced, Reeves’ former partner of 7 years recently confirmed to me Steve’s disappointment with the first edition. Her words underscored that the trust Steve once had with the author was betrayed because of the book’s misrepresentations and inaccuracies. And, she strongly emphasized that the author had no permission or authorization to claim Steve Reeves ever gave his approval.Writing StyleFor credibility, industry publishers ensure that a writer’s work is thoroughly proofed for grammatical mistakes, typos, blatant errors, artwork, conciseness, etc. all prior to release. Unfortunately this book misses on those fronts, which is typical today with self-published works, of which this is one. The text contains frequent errors, in addition to an unusual writing style that intermittently changes from paragraph to paragraph. And although many paragraphs show considerable writing improvement since the book’s first edition, the latest material still needs a comprehensive edit.One example:“do to a blood clot”, “do to his increasing weakness”, “do to the fact that”, “do to the film’s”, “do to our extensive travel schedule”, do to international marketing”, succumbed do to leukemia”, “do to his staying up all night”, etc.Advice: “Due” diligence on a misused word is definitely in order.Paraphrase or Actual Quote?Over 70 times, Reeves’ quotes from the 1999 edition are embellished for this 2017 edition. This is unheard of in the publishing world, and certainly brings into question the legitimacy of the actual biography. An author cannot use literary freedom to enhance a person's actual quote from one edition to the next, even if there’s no change in the overall meaning. To that end, which "Worlds to Conquer" edition (1999 or 2017) contains the actual quote? Here are just a few examples where the original Reeves' quotation was revised:1999 edition, page 66: " I was lying prone on the bench. Bob was working on my neck, Ed was giving me leg curls and I was doing side laterals at the same time."2017 edition, page 87: "I laid prone on the bench, Bob was working on my traps and neck, Ed was working my thighs with one leg curls, and I was working my deltoids with side laterals, all at the same time."1999 edition, page 131: “He was a good, strong guy and he’d be there to help you out. I tried to be there at the right time to help him too.”2017 edition, page 164: “He was a good, strong guy and he’d be there to help you out at any time if he could. I tried to be there in life to help him out as well, and I did.”1999 edition, page 146: “She knew I wasn’t interested in dating her, so after those first couple of weeks, things grew mighty tense.”2017 edition, page 181: “My manager knew I wasn’t interested in dating her, so after those first couple of weeks, matters got worse.”1999 edition, page 169: “Wherever there were ribbons to be cut, I was the guy next to the good-looking girl.”2017 edition, page 201: “Wherever there were ribbons to be cut, I was the guy next with the good-looking girl at the ceremony.”In addition to changing the Reeves quotes from the First Edition, Chris LeClaire took the added insulting liberty of changing old published quotes from Russ Warner, Jack LaLanne, and Cecil B. DeMille. I wonder how Mr. LeClaire was able to get those gentlemen to approve his word changes considering Warner died in 2004, LaLanne in 2011, and DeMille in 1959 (before LeClaire was born). It's simply more fiction from LeClaire, and it's so shameful of him to alter the established quotes of famous people who have passed. It also exemplifies the author's obvious ignorance about basic rules within the publishing industry.MisinformationMisleading and inaccurate information abounds in the pages, especially to film references in Chapters 12 and 13. These obvious errors alone are more proof that Reeves WOULD NEVER PERMIT this book to be published, and that the author failed miserably in his research. A few of the examples include:Page 211 – A reference to Spanish actress Sylvia Lopez (No. She was French and born in Vienna. Her husband was Francis Lopez, a film composer who was part Hispanic. And contrary to what appears on page 212, Sylvia died at age 26, not age 23.)Page 220 – Producer Joseph E. Levine first met Reeves on "The White Warrior" film set the fall of 1959. (No. "The White Warrior" completed filming in late 1958, and Levine made his only Reeves’ movie set appearance on "Thief of Baghdad" in 1960.)Page 221 – As he did in the majority of his films, Reeves performed all his own stunts just as he had in "The White Warrior". (No. Reeves always used a stunt double and was doubled more in this film than any of his films. The hand-to-hand combat in the film’s final few minutes makes this point obvious.)Page 237 – Four times the "Duel of the Titans" character Remus is incorrectly spelled Remos. And the character Romulus is incorrectly spelled Romulos, but luckily only once. And, it’s erroneously stated the twin brothers from Roman mythology were abandoned along the Nile River (in Italy?). It was the Tiber River.Page 239 – "The Avenger" film was shot and released in black and white. (No. None of Reeves’ foreign films were made in black and white. The film’s movie poster promotes the color release as well.)Page 240 – Giorgio Venturini directed "The Avenger". (No. American Albert Band technically directed the film. Venturini produced the film, but is sometimes credited in Europe as the director due to certain government film laws.)Page 242 – Claudio Gora plays Julius Caesar in "The Slave". (No. Ivo Garrani played the part. Claudio Gora played Crassus.)Page 246 – "Sandokan the Great" was released in Paris, June 2, 1966 under the title, "The Shortest Day". (No. "Sandokan" was released in France on December 30, 1964 as "Sandokan, le tigre de Borneo". "The Shortest Day" is an Italian war comedy that parodies the American war movie, "The Longest Day". It was released in 1963 and never featured Reeves.)Page 251 – A photo caption states Reeves retired from films at age 44 in 1969. (No. Reeves retired at age 42 in 1968.)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Finally and unrelated to the film career, page 271 states Reeves was 73 when he passed on May 1, 2000. (No. He was 74.)DisinformationA few times in the book, fabrication definitely tries to trump the truth.On page 270, we see a photo collage dedicated to the Reeves memory as it introduces the final chapter. I hope Flex Magazine does not mind the possible copyright infringement here (Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 106 and 501) as the collage is a “direct lift” from its May 2000 issue (page 178), and credit is not extended. Surprisingly, the author takes even more liberty by inserting a small caption in the collage’s lower left corner showing Reeves lifespan (with a typo) probably in an attempt to claim originality for the entire collage.On page 274, credit is given to a small Montana ceremony the author attended months after Reeves’ death as the “only official” memorial and funeral service. Not true. The “official” Reeves memorial and funeral service occurred at the McLeod Mortuary Chapel in Escondido, CA on Saturday, May 6, 2000. This was an invitation only service for about 100 special guests; people who crossed Steve’s path via family, fitness, entertainment, journalism, or just close friendships. THE AUTHOR WAS NOT INVITED FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. Some of the speakers honoring Steve included actor Richard Harrison, bodybuilding publisher Joe Weider, sports journalist Gene Mozee, and former Mr. America, Reg Lewis. The service was followed by a luncheon at the Lawrence Welk Country Club in Escondido.In addition to coverage by a local San Diego TV station, this event was documented in the following publications:Flex Magazine (August 2000, pgs.178, 185)Ironman Magazine (August 2000, pg.182)Muscle and Fitness Magazine (September 2000, pg.184)Valley Roadrunner Newspaper (Steve’s local paper) (May 10, 2000, pg. A-4)Classic Physique Magazine (spring 2000, Vol. 1, Issue 1)The book, "A Moment in Time, the Steve Reeves Story" (pg. 242)The book, "Steve Reeves, Legends Never Die" (pgs. 218-219)It’s quite odd that this official memorial, which received considerable press in the U.S. and parts of the globe, is NEVER MENTIONED in the biography.On page 274, a person is identified as being the last person Reeves was with in the hospital prior to his death. Not true. Steve’s close friend, business partner, and Steve Reeves International President, George Helmer, was also in that Palomar Hospital room. George, the executor of the Reeves estate, knew Steve for years and was one of the first people Steve contacted about his illness. Not only was Helmer at the hospital daily and witnessed Steve’s passing, he played a key role in arranging the funeral and memorial service later that week. It’s interesting how this fact was overlooked and also how George Helmer’s name appears in the book’s first edition a few times, but deleted for this latest edition.Afterword"Worlds to Conquer" is an example of what happens in the self-publishing arena when the typical editorial checks and balances, inherent to conventional publishing, are not followed. The inaccuracies, weak presentation, and the manipulation of facts yield distraction, if not confusion, to any Reeves admirer. But more important, this purported “authorized” biography exemplifies and embodies a rather inattentive, amateurish, and inaccurate celebrity profile. The legend and the memory of Steve Reeves deserves so much better. For more specific information on why this book was never given final approval by Reeves and the comments that were ignored by the author, read the Blog articles about the book on the Steve Reeves International web site.For a more in-depth and accurate look at the life of Steve Reeves, read George Helmer's excellent and comprehensive biography, "A Moment in Time - The Steve Reeves Story". This book is considered the "only" definitive and complete story of Steve Reeves as it traces Reeves' life from birth until his death in 2000. It features over 350 photos, many of which have never been seen before, in addition to considerable insight into his life by a person who knew him best.Recommended ResourcesFor more about Steve Reeves’ life, the following books are recommended:“A Moment in Time, the Steve Reeves Story” by George Helmer“Building the Classic Physique” by Steve Reeves“Dynamic Muscle Building” by Steve Reeves“One of a Kind” by Milton T. Moore“Power-Walking” by Steve Reeves “Steve Reeves, His Legacy in Films” by Dave Dowling and George Helmer“Steve Reeves, Legends Never Die” by Deborah Reeves Stewart“Images of Steve Reeves” from Steve Reeves InternationalYou may also find of interest the Steve Reeves International Society (SRIS) newsletters,its Classic Physique Magazine (two Reeves’ approved publications), and the DVD, “Steve Reeves: The Man, The Legend”.NOTE:Since this review in February 2018, the author has corrected his book’s CreateSpace file with many of my comments as well as comments from other Amazon reviewers. Unfortunately we will never see incorporated the extensive comments that Steve Reeves himself flagged to the book’s first edition back in the Spring of 2000 just before his death. The author refused Reeves' request to make the additional changes back then; therefore, this is why the book never received "final" authorization from Reeves. But the author wrongly continues to this day to falsely promote the book as being authorized.Lacks Permission to Be PublishedNot considering a celebrity’s “image rights” or “rights of publicity” can lead to legal problems. These rights include the right to prevent unauthorized use of their name, physical or style characteristics, signatures, etc. In short, a celebrity should be able to control how his or her “persona” is commercialized.Just like many celebrities, the name and image of Steve Reeves is protected, owned, and not in the public domain; therefore, it cannot be freely used without permission. Since March 2003, Steve Reeves International (SRI) has owned the exclusive rights to his name and image. Thus, any publication on Reeves produced for public sale must first receive written SRI permission prior to its availability. If published without permission, a compromise must be reached between the negligent party and SRI to avoid any legal proceedings. Beyond the continued falsehood of this book being authorized by Steve Reeves, this second edition NEVER RECEIVED PERMISSION from SRI prior to its availability.

Chris LeClair stayed with Steve Reeves in order to get the details of his life story. Very interesting read for fans of the late great Steve Reeves

Christopher D. LeClair's authorized biography of the one and only celluloid Hercules, Steve Reeves, is absolutely a Twelve Labours of Love for our Unchained Icon!

I HAD SEEN HIM IN FILMD BUT DIDN;T KNOW A LOT ABOUT HIM- WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY

Sin duda es una buena exposición de su vida, con abundantes fotografías desde la niñez, sus primeras poses o posturas de culturista natural, muchas de ellas inigualables en su estilo artístico, también en concursos con otros culturistas conocidos en su época. Despues se repasan una a una todas sus películas realizadas empezando por Athena hasta llegar a la última del Oeste, Vivo para matarte (A long ride from hell), dejó el cine a la temprana edad de 43 o 44 años, retirándose a su rancho en el estado de Montana. El libro describe muy bien el entusiasmo, la voluntad decidida que puso para realizar sus propósitos en el cine, etc. Pienso que podría haber alargado algo su estancia en el cine como actor. Sin duda fue un gran culturista "natural", sin drogas y con algunas poses no igualadas por su estilo. Libro interesante por ser la descripción de un buen culturista y actor que extendió la propagación de este deporte en todo el mundo.

good but not a great read

Very in depth account of this amazing mans life. A thoroughly enjoyable read.