Join us for an exciting night with author

Frederick Noland as he discusses hisnew book,

Major Taylor

in conversation with Dru Ryan

to be held at Solid State Books on H St. NE

Tickets with, AND without a book are available here!

Join Frederick Noland as he launches Major Taylor in conversation with Dru Ryan on Thursday, September 10th at 7pm at Solid State Books on H Street in Washington DC.

Noland’s epic, graphic novel biography celebrates the history-making Black American who smashed world records and became a global cycling sensation! Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was one of the greatest American athletes of the early 20th century, setting records in regional bike races as a teen and winning his first world championship by the age of twenty. But Taylor was born in 1878 and came of age during the height of the Jim Crow era. While Taylor found respite racing overseas, he also soon found American-style racism exported internationally to sell tickets. In spite of it all, Major Taylor is a loving tribute to an exceptional American: a man whose integrity and fortitude fuelled his success.

Praise for Frederick Noland’s Major Taylor

“A rousing tribute to an athlete whose star has dimmed over the generations but deserves to shine again.” —Kirkus, Starred Review

“Noland’s meticulous research stands out here, as he formed his basis for Taylor’s character through Taylor’s own words and notes from letters and published interviews. The artwork is gentle, matching Taylor’s personality, with excellent use of color to convey when the reader is engaged with the action or witnessing the passage of time.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“A sports biography and social history that illuminates the costs of excellence in a hostile world. Highly recommend.” —Library Journal, Starred Review

"Lovingly rendered, exhaustively researched...Fred Noland's indie comic style lends itself well to telling Taylor's outsider story.” —Keith Knight, The K Chronicles

"Major Taylor is a work of wonder! Be prepared to be a tandem passenger on Fred Noland’s bike as his storytelling propels you forward.” —Mimi Pond, Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me

Frederick Noland lives in Oakland, California, where he is an avid but unremarkable cyclist and a proud poppa. His specialty is visual storytelling, whether in animation, comics or illustration. Noland’s comics have appeared in the New Yorker and his illustrations have appeared in SF Weekly, Nickelodeon, XboX Magazine, and more.