The Pedestriennes

America's Forgotten Superstars

by Harry Hall

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Pub Date Nov 14 2014 | Archive Date Aug 01 2015

Dog Ear Publishing

Nonfiction (Adult) | Sports

Description

"The Pedestriennes: America's Forgotten Superstars" tells the little-known story of a handful of late 19th century female athletes who dazzled America with their remarkable performances in endurance walking. Frequently performing in front of large raucous crowds, pedestriennes walked on makeshift tracks setup in reconfigured theatres and opera houses. Top pedestriennes often earned more money in one week than the average American took home in a year. Newspapers reported on their achievements and interviewed the champions. Their walking outfits became fashion plates, their pictures were sold in stores and they made personal appearances as national celebrities. The pedestriennes' exploits reshaped the country's attitudes about what women could accomplish and established the foundation for modern sports, the revival of the Olympic Games and the suffragist movement.

Advance Praise

“…spellbinding….”
Dick Beardsley, motivational speaker, 2:08 marathoner, co-author of “Staying the Course, a Runner’s Toughest Race,” activist for Dick Beardsley Foundation

“…a fascinating story…”
Kara Thom, author, “Becoming an Ironman”

“…an absorbing account of the redoubtable women walkers…”
Edward S. Sears, author of “Running Through the Ages”

“Harry Hall has done a remarkable job writing a complete history of this forgotten part of American history.”
Francie Larrieu Smith, five-time Olympian, Head Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach, Southwestern University

“Written with a fine sense of putting readers in the arena…”
John Darrouzet, co-writer and producer of “The Contract,” starring Morgan Freeman and John Cusack.