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Customer Reviews (6)

More race description, less history...
Hanc weaves together the history of Antarctic exploration, the running boom of the seventies as exemplified by the Greater Boston Track Club, the founding of the Antarctica Marathon, and his participation in the event in 2005. Perhaps the story would have been more appealing if it had been more descriptive of the 2005 event and less so of the historical Antarctic explorations. However, Hanc does write in his author's note: "...a few moments--come to think of it, maybe even a few miles--of the Antarctica Marathon itself [have been] left a big vague or unaccounted for because I was delirious with pain."

Race Prep
I've read this book twice; once while still hoping to get off the waiting list for the race, the second time, after 3 years on that list, while counting down the weeks to the event.Gathering information is one of the ways to prepare for a race.John Hanc's book is full of information, history, tales of inspiration and practical advice.I'm sure that taking what it says to heart will make my upcoming Antarctica Marathon a successful event.It is probably a good book to give to all my family members who are seriously questioning my sanity!

You Don't have to be a runner to enjoy this book!
The title The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon was intriguing to me.What would possess seemingly sane people to choose this endeavor?John Hanc explains all in this amusing and inspiring tale.

The earlier chapters include a respectful history of marathons and Antarctica exploration highlighting the people who made it happen.You can't help but admire the courage of Scott, Crean, Amundsen and all those early 20th Century explorers.

How will the runners get there?What will they eat?How cold will it be?Do they really need the Home Depot boots?John entertains you detailing all the necessities the runners must bring to participate in the Antarctica Marathon.

All the event organizers, participants and ships's crew are profiled in a way that enables you to like them and cheer them to the finish line.Will Mr. Tan get stuck in the mud?Will the author regret his decision to forego the Gatorade?Will the birds dive-bomb the runners?

The startling photos of Antarctica, taken by amateurs and professionals help you visualize the bleak landscape and the hearty group of participants who ran the marathon.

Although I am not a runner and never intend to be, I enjoyed the look into the psyche and world of the marathon runner.A truly enjoyable book from cover to cover.

Careful About The Global Warming Comments
I haven't read the book but wanted to respond to a comment made during a radio interview with the author.Although the 2005 Antarctica Marathon might have been very muddy, the 2003 Antarctica Marthon was far from it as it was run in 20 degree weather (very windy to boot).I could have only hoped for Global Warming that day.

Anyway, the trip was indeed a great adventure!

Shivers
I was knocked out by what I saw in the Appendix, of all places. Here, the author lists the results of the 2005 Antarctica Half Marathon. Typically names, ages and finishing times don't draw emotion, and William Tan's taking almost six hrs. to complete 13.1 miles would hardly be considered extraordinary. Knowing, however, what preceded his finish -- who he was and how he got there -- sent Arctic chills. Tan is just one member of Hanc's very real cast that moves the author through his own race and through the book. I laughed, too, seeing Hanc's story, since, outside the pain of 19 earlier races, he was otherwise "pampered" until his 10 days bunking aboard the Vavilov. Shopping a big box hardware store for boots that stand up to penguin dung and hitting the floor after missing a ladder rung as he tries to climb down from bed to use the bathroom are the tip of the iceberg. Hanc's writing, despite his experience in the sport, is anything but pleased with self. Anyone who makes it to the STARTing line of a race this remote, though, has every right to be. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

The Making of the President 1976
As other reviewers have said, Witcover picks up in 1976 where White left off in 1972.But Witcover's coverage is less grand than White's.Witcover deals with each primary candidate and the blow by blow of every twist and turn of the campaign.As White's "Making of" series went on he focused less and less on the little events and more and more on his own interviews with the candidates and grand thoughts.Witcover's story is far more focused.With so many primary candidates and such a close election, Witcover's close in coverage is a good fit.

Some of the highlights include:
1. Discussion of the four wild cards in the Democratic race: Humphrey, McGovern, McCarthy, and Muskie.Had any of these four run (as Democrats), the race would have been shaken up greatly.
2. The late entry of Frank Church and Jerry Brown.Given the requirements of a presidential campaign, this tactic would be almost unthinkable now.In 1976, in the case of Jerry Brown, it almost worked.
3. Hearing about the first presidential debates since 1960.These became a model for debates in every subsequent election.

If you have the time, consider giving this book a read for a blow by blow account of the '76 campaign.

Account of 1976 election lacks nuance, human touch
What bothered me most about "Marathon" was that through 700 pages author Jules Witcover never gets underneath the major candidates' skin(Carter and Ford). This book is much more a long newspaper article than a biography of the powers of 1976. There is little depth, but it is heavy on names and numbers. Witcover seems happy to point out seeming inconsistencies in Jimmy Carter's public statements, but as a scholar he never gets to the nuance. I'm still not sure what Gerald Ford ran on in 1976, how could the author leave this out? As a review of 1976, Marathon is barely adequate--and it is a very far cry from quality leisure reading.

Straightforward Political Narrative
Journalist Jules Whitcover gives readers a comprehensive look at the 1976 Presidential campaign.Whitcover aptly describes the events, issues, candidates, and the state of the U.S.A. in 1976. President Gerald Ford was an unelected incumbent whose popularity dipped due to a sluggish economy and his pardon of Richard Nixon.Readers see how this made Ford ripe for a strong primary challenge by Ronald Reagan, and then the underdog in the fall campaign.The author shows how former Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia swept to the nomination over several contenders via adroit primary strategy, luck, and a message of decency and trust.Then the author describes a fall campaign punctuated by mud-slinging, political manipulation, and quite a bit of foolishness.Finally, Carter won narrowly (after losing his big lead in the polls) due largely to his Southern roots and Ford's modest appeal.Readers get a strong feel for politics circa 1976, as well as a look at also-rans like Sargeant Shriver, Nelson Rockefeller, Birch Bayh, Frank Church, Jerry Brown, Henry Jackson, Morris Udall, etc.

Whitcover has written a thorough and very readable political narrative.He doesn't quite match the four MAKING OF THE PRESIDENT (1960-1972) editions by journalist Theodore H. White, but this is a vivid narrative.

Pretty Good, Pretty Good
For those who think Jimmy Carter was a pious Christian and never said a bad thing about anyone, read this book.

For those who think Gerald Ford was right - or wrong - in his pardon of Nixon, read this book.

For those who remember the far left policies of Muskie, McGovern, and Humphrey, read this book.

For those who barely remember Frank Church, Morris Udall, and Fred Harris, read this book.

For those who want to understand how Reagan learned from his 1976 mistakes - particularly in his selection of a running mate - and won four years later, read this book.

In short, if you like politics, read this book.

An underrated classic
Though it is often overshadowed by the author's own later collaborations with Jack Germond (as well as the then-contemporary efforts of Hunter Thompson), Jules Witcover's Marathon is one of the unheralded classic works of the political nonfiction genre.Covering the twists and turns of the rather bizarre 1976 Presidential election, Witcover follows the campaign from the very first stirrings of Jimmy Carter's longshot candidacy at the '72 Democratic Convention all the way to the photo finish that finds the nation faced with a choice worthy of Samuel Beckett -- Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Lester Maddox, or Eugene McCarthy?In between, Witcover provides excellent, insightful coverage of the now-forgotten efforts of such diverse men as the tragically witty Mo Udall, the endearingly spacey Jerry Brown, the bizarrely sympathetic George Wallace, and the deliberately enigmatic Ronald Reagan to take their respective nominations away from these men and change the course of American history.If you ever wondered how America eventually produced a political system that could see everyone from Pennsylvania's hapless Gov. Milton Shapp to Oklahoma's radical former Sen. Fred Harris transformed, however briefly, into a legitimate presidential contender, this is the book for you.Years after it was written and, unfairly, neglected, Marathon stands as one of the best books ever written on the subject of how we occasionally stumble into selecting our nation's leader. ... Read more

Product Description
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: from Marathon to Waterloo is a book written by Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy and published in 1851. This book tells the story of the fifteen military engagements (from Marathon to Waterloo) which, according to the author, had a significant impact on world history.

Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy (1812 – 1878) was a British historian. He was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge and called to the Bar in 1837.He became in 1840 Professor of History at the University of London, and in 1860, Chief Justice of Ceylon, when he was knighted. His best known contribution to literature is his Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World (1851). Other works are Historical and Critical Account of the Several Invasions of England (1852), History of the Ottoman Turks, The Rise and Progress of the English Constitution, and Imperial and Colonial Institutions of the British Empire (1872). - Wikipedia ... Read more

Product Description
Once considered a feat for superhuman athletes alone, the marathon is now within the reach of any ordinary person. Former couch potato and "Runner's World" columnist John Bingham has joined forces with coach Jenny Hadfield to create a plan designed to work for all. In "Marathon Running for Mortals" the reader will find: eight different training programmes to run, run-walk, walk-run or walk the marathon or half-marathon; the advice you need physically, mentally and emotionally; tips to help you customise your training, buy the right shoes and clothing, and eat the best foods; and guidance on common running problems. ... Read more

Product Description
Published to coincide with Marathon's 2500th anniversary, a riveting history of the historic battle

The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. is not only understood as the most decisive event in the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians, but can also be seen as perhaps the most significant moment in our collective history.

10,000 Athenian citizens faced a Persian military force of more than 25,000. A Greek victory appeared impossible, but the men of Athens were tenacious and the Persians were defeated. Following the battle, the Athenian hoplite army ran 26.5 miles from Marathon to Athens to defend their port from the Persian navy. Although they had just run the great distance in heavy armor, the Athenians won the battle and drove the Persian forces from Attica. Greek freedom ensued and the achievements of the culture became much of the basis for Western civilization.

In this comprehensive and engrossing treatment with 27 illustrations and 5 maps, Richard Billows captures the drama of that day 2500 years ago and the ramifications it has had throughout Western history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent Synopsis of Greek History
Most of us have learned of the Battle at Marathon in history classes, but know little of the details of the battle nor the events leading to its onset.This well-written and informative book provides information about events in Greece as well as the Persian Empire that led to this conflict.This is a book for those who are interested in a good synopsis of Greek history as well as learning the details of the battle.Of interest, is the question posed by the author "What might have happened to Western History had the Greeks lost at Marathon?"I found this a difficult book to put down and completed it in two readings.

The Marathon few know of
The history of Marathon is far greater than the Olympic Marathon Run of 1896 and hold such value to what we have today.
In a historical perspective, Marathon is the ancient civilizations version of "Shot Heard Around The World"
Persia was the first civilization to expand by such vastness and find ways of taking down various colonies and nations of past
The Persians seemed to be invincible - that is until Greece became the next target of expansion.
Along with this turning point battle, one man made a incredible footed journey as the communication amongst greek states
That man known as Philippides - he was a real runner, but was only spoken about much later in history recap (Ancient Rome).

The Battle That Started a Movement
As an author who has written two books similarly titled as Richard A. Billows' "Marathon," I might be accused of bias if I reviewed his book badly in hopes Amazon's customers would buy my books rather than his. But my Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide is just that, a book that helps runners complete a run of 26 miles 385 yards and my other book with its one-word title Marathon is a novel that covers the 72 hours leading up to a major marathon race, the fictional Lake City Marathon.

Neither of those two books would have been possible if the Greeks had not won the Battle of Marathon 2,500 years ago. I will be attending the celebration of that victory in Athens, so purchased Billows' book as preparation for the trip. In "Marathon," subtitled "How one battle changed Western Civilization," Billows at least briefly retells the tale of the legendary run by the Greek warrior-messenger Pheidippides (a name I prefer to the also acceptable Philipides). After the battle, Pheidippides ran to Athens, shouting "Rejoice, we conquer," only to die with those words barely out of his mouth. Billows does not believe that story, and neither do I, but why question Greek legends? Do we want to deny Achilles, Ulysses and various other gods and mortals that populate the poems of Homer?

"Marathon," however, is less about the battle and more about the culture in and around Greece for several hundred years leading up to the battle. We learn about the Persian Empire, much gentler than the Ottoman Empire that followed several millenniums, but you wouldn't want to live under their rule if you were Greek. Nor would you want to live under the rule of the Nazi-like Spartans, who brutalized their own people while making war against any neighboring states that got in their way.

Billows lays well the groundwork for the battle. If I have any quibble with his "Marathon," it is that he is forced to rely too often on Herodotus as a main source. Herodotus, who wrote a generation after the battle, is considered to be the father of History. He was the first to fully describe the battle using as his sources people who actually fought in it. Herodotus never wrote about a fatal run by Pheidippides, casting doubt on the legend, which surfaced only 600 years later in the writings of Plutarch and others. Runners should not complain, because the legend of the dying messenger inspired the first "marathon" run at the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896. Without that legend, people would not buy my books.

The most entrancing chapter is the short one devoted to the strategy and tactics that caused the Athenians to win the Battle of Marathon. In approaching the Persian army, Miltiades, the commanding general, stretched his lines by robbing the middle to lengthen the ends, enabling the heavily armored Greeks to swarm upon the Persians from both ends. It was a risky maneuver, one apparently never tried before, because if the middle line buckled, the battle could be lost. But the center held, Miltiades' troops prevailed, and as a result the Greek experiment in democracy also prevailed as it might not have under Persian rule.

Billows argues that if the Persians had conquered Greece in this battle and a later sea battle a decade later, there might be no Parthenon, no Charioteer at Delphi, no philosophers to tell us how to act and think as free citizens. Maybe, and certainly Billows is the respected historian and I a mere trainer of foot-soldiers, but I like to feel that Greek ideas would have emerged even under Persian rule, even if we had to wait for Alexander to push the invaders back a century later. I like to feel that marathons would still be run even without the Battle of Marathon.

Delightful history
This book was a very enjoyable overview of the political / social and military history of Greece during this pivotal time.Although it sometimes felt like a series of lectures cobbled together into book form, I learned a great deal and greatly enjoyed the narrative flow.

Good Stuff
Enjoyed Billows' research and analysis of Marathon; and loved his recommended reading list rather than the usual bunch of footnotes at the bottom of all the pages. Also, I agree with his using Greek-to-English letters for names rather than the Greek-to-Latin-to-English (i.e., Sokrates not Socrates, and Herodotos not Herodotus as neither "C" nor "U" occur in the Greek alphabet.)

Billows writes of 490 BC (Marathon) and 480 BC (Thermopylai) as times when battles could significantly change the course of history. He notes these ancient battles are therefore similar to Waterloo and the Normandy Invasion of WWII, and I think he's right. He also notes that in the last 55 years, military battles in Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. have not been as significant nor as decisive. Throughout Western Civilization, military might and prowess often appear more important than they actually are.

I also enjoyed Billow's reasoning of why the Spartans never showed at Marathon and why they only sent 300 (+servants/slaves) to Thermopylai--the Messenians and other Helots tended to revolt when Spartans left the Pelopennesos. I agree with Herodotos and Billows, the Athenian's victories at Marathon and Salamis (480 BC) really did save more-civilized, southern Greece from Persian dominatrion, while the Spartan-led victory at Plataia (479 BC) was more of a mopping-up operation of the demoralized Persians and their northern-Greek,Babylonian, Assyrrian, Egyptian, and Hebrew allies.

One more quibble, if a military battle like Marathon could change the direction of Western Civilization; what about the discovery (482 BC) of the world-class Athenian silver veins near Lareion? Who was the prospector who discovered the mines, which paid for Thermistokles' +200 Athenian triremes at Salamis. Whose to say military battles were/are more important than economic discoveries? The Athenians of 500-to-400 BC were indeed a special and lucky people.

I recommend Billows' "Marathon" to amateur-Classical-historians like me. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Metric measurements and complicated flavor groupings
This book is filled with pictures of beautiful, colorful food and the chef's personal running tips and eating habits.I found the narration charming.I don't think that Chef Roux used an interpreter, so the text has a few idiosyncracies (e.g., "pet hates").

The chef really has a thing against frozen entrees and other processed foods, but I think they make life easier.Ease of preparation and taste are important, especially when you're trying to fit in school, work, and running and I think The Marathon Chef is lacking a bit in those very important areas.

As for the recipes themselves... they are a little too sophisticated for my tastes.The flavor combinations are unusual, like basil and fruit.Also, the ingredients are measured in grams and milliliters so you'd need to get a kitchen scale to make them.

On the plus side, the bread section is good and so are the fish recipes.If you have time to spare and a sophisticated palate then I would recommend this book to you. ... Read more

Product Description
Take a fascinating look at the personalities and passions of the runners as well as the history and evolution of the Boston Marathon in this centennial race edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Boston Marathon until 1994
The book gets quite tedious towards the end, but the stories about the earliest races, as well as the arrival of women in the 1960s, are very interesting.

Each year's story concludes with a list of the top finishers, which after 1966 included women (although not officially until 1972).The way the earliest women runners dressed (Carol Brady blouses and beehive hairdos) almost merit another star in itself.In an unfortunate twist of fate, Uta Pippig, the German champion featured on the cover, was later stripped of many of her awards when it was discovered that she used performance-enhancing drugs.

Comprehensive Collection of Boston Marathon History--Run on!
I picked this book up while getting ready to run in the 104th running of Boston and it truly heightened the whole experience.It enabled you to pick out the landmarks throughout the course (Kenmore Square, Newton Hills, the 25 mile Citgo Sign, the screaming Wellesley girls/I high-fived one of them, the Brookline cemetery in the netherworlds of the last 5-6 miles) and most of all get a good grasp and appreciation on the history that had run before.

It's amazing what a complete detailed history the author was able to put together and how he was able to pick out a unique individual aspect from each race.What stands out are the American Indians running at the turn of last century with Tom Longboat, Clarence DeMar's dominance in the 20's, Kelly Senior and Junior, Bill Rodgers, Ibrahim Hussein, and Cosmas Ndeti.They are all there with details from the race, details from the runner's lives, details of the victories, and more interesting details of the not quite victorious.What really stands out is the focus on the plight of women runners in the marathon and how difficult it was for them to break the barrier in the 60's to enter the race.Bobbie Gibb, Kathrine Switzer, and Sara Mae Berman were true pioneers and had to face harassment from race officials to even be allowed to run in the prestigious Boston Athletic Association great race.Perhaps my favorite story though is that of Rosie Ruiz in 1980 that jumped the barrier from the ranks of the spectators and ran the last miles and took credit for the women's victory for a contentious period of time. She proved a little mentally unbalanced and to this day swears she won the race.This book captures all those quirky details and puts together a great history of what the 26.2-mile jaunt in Boston is all about.

I hold back giving this 5-stars because the non-runners may not find this book so engaging as myself, but if you care about the sport and especially if you are getting ready to run Boston don't miss picking up this book.Boston only gets more interesting year from year as a South Korean broke the Kenyan dominance last year and maybe just maybe Fatuma Roba will take the laurel wreath away from Catherine Ndereba.

The people of Boston love this race as is evidenced by not a single stretch of the course passing by without throngs of spectators handing you oranges, water, beer.Consequently the rest of the world has caught on to the enthusiasm of the Bostonians, as Boston has become the marathon to run.There is prestige, there is sweat, there is heartache and heartbreak, and there is a wonderful history all captured in this book.Run on.

As satisfying as a marathon PR!
Running fanatics will become as obssessed with reading this book as they are with completing their daily workouts. Derderian combines rich, journalistic descriptions of each year's race with engaging biographies of individual runners -- winners and non-winners alike -- many of whose stories are chronicled across successive chapters. The book should be especially pleasing to those interested in reliving the era of American marathon dominance in the 1970s and 1980s: they'll not only get to read more about Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson, but will also be treated to vivid and inspiring accounts of perennial also rans like Tom Fleming and Patti Lyons Castalano. Equally fascinating are the tales of the Japanese, Finnish, and Kenyan runners who have enjoyed their own periods of preeminence over the years.If you are training for an upcoming marathon, you should definitely keep this volume close at hand for motivation. ... Read more

Product Description
Her Longest Marathon: A Runner’s Race to SurviveLife can change suddenly. A life-long athlete and runner,Joyce Lance, was out doing her morning run in preparationfor an upcoming 20-mile marathon, and nearly lost her lifeafter suddenly being hit by a car at 50 mphOctober 6, 2000, Joyce Lance, a fifty-two-year-old Houstonian, a transplant from the stark heartlands of Minnesota, raised on a pig farm and a survivor of past adversity, was about to face her greatest personal obstacle.At five am, only four miles into her twenty-mile training run, Joyce was hit, head-on, by a speeding car, sending her to the hard, wet, morning pavement, broken, bleeding, and barely alive. So begins her new passage into survival--and an arduous recovery fueled by love, support, and spirit.Her Longest Marathon is an investigational tale written by a medical doctor using hospital charts, police records, interviews, and letters to compose this account of a remarkable woman, assumed dead by an EMS fireman who thought she would make a good organ donor.Rich with inspiration, this book reveals the special courage of an extraoridinary personal reccovery, from the gory accident, to a trauma center’s hours of resuscitation, numerous surgeries, and on to months of physical and mental rehabilitation as seen through the eyes of a son, family, friends, doctors, nurses, and the resiliently disciplined and unwavering faith of Joyce herself. Full of the complexity of human drama, Her Longest Marathon is a compelling tale of inner strength and equanimity. “Because not many people are marathon runners who get hit by a car going fifty miles and hour, my accident is an extreme example of what can happen. I believe I can help others deal with unwanted events in their lives. “ I truly believe that we all have it within ourselves to draw from this inner strength to overcome and conquer the unexpected. “We all have the ability to change and to overcome obstacles.It’s deep within us.We just have to find it inside.” --Joyce Lance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

An Inspiration for All of US
This is a story of true grit. Joyce faces the world as it is and copes with it. Suffering major injuries while training for a marathon, she doesn't look back and worry about what could have been, and she doesn't attempt to fix blame or find a villain. With the support of family and friends, she makes an amazing recovery. Joyce is an inspiration we would all do well to emulate in dealing with problems, large or small.

Her Longest Marathon: A runners race to survive
This was a great book and it really amazed me what Joyce went thru. To forgive the woman who hit her just amazed me. It really makes you think about what we take for granted. To not be bitter about it & no complaining. What a remarkable woman! And I really enjoyed how it had separate chapters from her, her Doctors, her son, her friends. Well done!

"To be the best we can be"
This is the story of a woman from Minnesota,living her life,Until one day her life is changed forever. It is the story of,despite almost impossible odds, she was able to find within herself the ability to not only survive but to evolve into a MOST remarkable woman. And,along the way, she allowed those who cared for her and cared about her to become MUCH better people than they even imagined they could. It's a story that will stay in your mind and your heart for a long time..

Very Inspirational!
What an amazing story!I highly recommend this book to anyone going through hard times.Joyce is an inspiration to us all!

Heroism
This is an amazing story that I am so glad was told. Joyce is an amazing woman with great courage and strength and inspiration. She is a true hero in every sense of the word!! Everyone must read this book!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A different type of book
I appreciated this book for one primary reason it really reaffirmed that we are capable of tremendous things when our mind, spirit and body work in concert.The Marathon Monks have mastered this principle and put it into place over the course of their lifetimes achieving astounding feats of endurance.So if you are seeking out a work that will help you reaffirm the life altering benefits of running and physical activity, this is the book for you.My copy was a former library book, so it was a bit ragged which hampered the overall enjoyment but a nice work all the same.It is pricey, so I would say it should not be a first running book because it does not offer specific instruction but really relies on the reader's interpretation.

Incredible Inspiration
If you are ever dragging to get out for your morning run...the marathon monks will guilt you into calling in sick so you can run all day. This is absolutely one of the single most amazing books I've ever read, and even if it were fiction, it would be incredible.

No words can ever describe the emotions...
No word can ever describe the emotions you will live in the reading of this book. It is sad that no one cared to mention that John Stevens,(the author) is himself a Marathon Monk. (I finished translating this book into French, in 1991)

Aucun mot ne peut décrire les émotions que vous vivrez à la lecture de ce livre. Il est triste que nul n'a fait mention que John Stevens, (l'auteur) est lui-même un moine du marathon. (J'ai terminé la traduction de ce livre, en français, en 1991)

Amazing Human Endurance
This book will shock and amaze!

These monks are so inspirational anyperson facing hardship should read this book to give some perspective tolife.

After running for2 years you finally get to wear your rain hat--if a monk fails to finish his run-- he is supposed to kill himself.

nonike cross-trainers.. they run in straw sandals--

I must read for anymartial artist ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Faith is something you can't see but it lives in your heart
I read this book at my lowest point... I found the authour and now I am writing the screenplay about his life and his book. This is a must read. There is alot of real life stories not in this book thats why I am writing a movie it's unbeleivable his story. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo
Excellent.The author takes you from 450BC to 1815AD describing the key political, social, and military developments in Western Europe.

"God Is On Our Side"
It's no great surprise to me that not a soul has seen fit to review this so-called history and that mine shall be the only review.Indeed, my sole purpose here is to warn other, sane, readers away from it.Creasy's ostensible objective here is to present battles which he regards as pivotal, "from Marathon to Waterloo" as the title states, reminding one of the "modern major-general" Gilbert & Sullivan send up in their comic opera HMS Pinafore.

The foremost problem is that Creasy doesn't write a book here.He quotes other authors at length on the battles and then provides his own, frequently ludicrous, judgment on them.Thus, approximately 80% of the book is not Creasy's at all.The account of Hastings, for example, concerns scarcely a word of his own, save his adjuration to the reader that it was better for England in the long run that the Normans conquered it.And what is Creasy's judgement overall?What sort of writer is he?He is the consummate sanctimonious Victorian (The book was published in 1852) triumphalist WASP historian.All these battles have worked together for the greater glory of England and, especially, for (Creasy's) God.

Here is how Creasy addresses the reader on the eve of Waterloo: "May we hope and believe that many a spirit sought aid from a higher and holier source; and that many a fervent though silent prayer arose on that Sabbath morn (the battle of Waterloo was fought on a Sunday) to the Lord of Saboeth (sic), the God of Battles, from the ranks, whence so many thousands were about to appear that day before His judgment-seat."Amen, and what a lot of tosh!If you can't wait to appear before some imagined eternal "judgment-seat" after being maimed in battle, then, by all means, read this book and then pick your war (There are several in progress at the moment around the world.) and, with the blessing of the "God of Battles",be off with you.

Curiously, Creasy, in his judgment on Tours, intones that we be wary of accounts, "where those details come to us from the annalist of one nation only; and where we have, consequently, no safeguard against the exaggerations, the distortions, and the fictions which national vanity has so often put forth in the garb and under the title of history."

Such an account is Creasy's.
... Read more

Product Description
Build your nest egg, finance your retirement, fund acollege education... Protect your savings against inflation, badtimes, unemployment or injury... Find solid, growing businesses toinvest in... Increase your personal wealth with only modestrisk... For more than forty years, Brad Perry has produced excellentresults like these for his clients by introducing them to the simple,common sense approach to successful investing favored by such giantsas Warren Buffett, John Templeton, Rowe Price, Peter Lynch andothers. Now you can benefit from Perry's rich experience.

With yourpersonal copy of this concise new guide to sensible investing, you'lllearn to focus your efforts on the basic, long-term strengths of goodcompanies. Discover how to locate well-managed businesses, understandmarket trends and cycles, avoid investment fads and risky "can't fail"IPOs. Get priceless advice on picking a qualified advisor. Masterstock statistics and market formulas - and f!ind they aren't verytricky after all. Using easy, proven evaluation methods, you'll findstocks with true staying power and build dramatic wealth without theworry and hassle we often associate with the stock market.

Willtomorrow's market be up or down? Will "Company X" be a moneymaker or aloser? Like the marathon runner, an investor must conquer obstacleswith well-conceived strategies. Thanks to the coaching you'll gainfrom Winning the Investment Marathon, you'll race smoothly past thepack to reach your goal - and profit no matter what thechallenges.

Packed With The Secrets Of Highly Successful Investors!

"Hot tips" that turn into costly disappointments - and how to spotthem

Key moneymaking factors you must look for in a prospectiveinvestment

Risks you take buying stocks - and why these risks arevastly overrated

Popular "market timing" strategies that almostnever work

The pitfalls of short-term, follow-the-crowdstock-picking

Secrets of outg!uessing and outfoxing theprofessional traders

Why You Need Winning The Investment Marathon:

Priceless advice to boost your own portfolio performance

Concisebeginner's introduction to investing for your children or spouse

Perfect gift for clients, friends, family

Order extra copies togive away! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

How risky are stocks?
The main thing I noticed about this book was that its author repeatedly emphasized how great stocks were.He said that if you do it right and study the company, its earnings, and dividend payoffs (instead of the stock price) you'll pick good companies to invest in.After that you'll hold onto the stock for years and years and years, and if you have enough diversification in your portfolio, you'll be sitting pretty in the long term.This book is all about long term investing, and that's why I like it so much.

In addition to promoting the safety of stock investing (if you pick them right and diversify correctly) the author also mentions that bonds aren't all they're cracked up to be.Because of callback features on many of them, it's a lose-lose situation.I think the author suggests something like an 80% stock and 20% bond portfolio ideally, unless you're squeamish about day to day fluctuations.

The intended audience for this book seems to be a more wealthy crowd than the average joe.Most people can't afford a completely diversified stock portfolio, so they have to pick a mutual fund that will choose stocks the way stocks are chosen in this book.That just takes research and help from a reliable financial advisor with a very satisfied clientele.

This book doesn't promise any short term gains and suggests that any books that do are full of bunk.There's no way you'll predict the next huge upsurge in the market.You still have to work your whole life and invest over years and years.That's reality.

The main feature of this book is its surprising emphasis on the relative safety of stocks, as long as you follow the procedures the author suggests and don't sell unless there are problems with the company.I agree with his plan.The problem is you need a lot of capital to implement it and unless you have a lot of time on your hands, you'll need a good financial advisor you can trust to help you along the way.

Disappointed
I was very disappointed with this book.It basic premise is fine, but it would have been better suited for a magazine article - not a book. It is the same tired old stuff, nothing new. Cannot recommend,even to beginners.

Most sensible advice I've seen
This book HITS THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD. It provides the most sensible investment advice I've ever seen -- a sure way to become an investment winner without taking a lot of risk.

A sensible, wildly successfull investment method
This little book is a jewel. It is for the indivdual investor who should absorb and practice its contents. The best book on the subject I have read.1 "In rural Maine, the best compliment one can pay a person is 'he'sreally sensible.'" The same view applies to investing." "Ibelieve the essential factors for success are quite simple. Complexitybreeds confusion and often failure in this seemingly volatile,difficult field." 2"Although stocks do swing widely in price attimes, their trend is what counts: in the long run, every stock's pricerises just about in direct proportion to the growth of the company'searnings and dividends." 3 "It is very importent to analyze thebasics of different businesses and see what their sustainable long termgrowth has been. Past growth does not portend the future. This involvesgathering information and making subjective judgments4 "However,missing a long term growth forecast occasionally is not fatal. Baseballplayers do not get a hit every time at bat. It's the average of theinvestor's decisions that determines success." 5 "The first thingto analyze in any company is its competive position." 6 "Here areare three tests to use to make intelligent stock purchases and sales. Isthe company growing more or less than the typical pattern for the companyand its industry? Is the company's profit margin above or below itshistorical norm? Is the current superior or inferior performance reflectedin an historically high or low valuation?' 7 " Be a sensibleskeptic." 8 " Don't be a sucker." 9 "Spread yourbets." The book finishes up with more pithy advice to have you staythe course. All of the above is illustrated by actual data to prove thecase.

A Solid Reinforcement of Growth Investing Fundamentals
I settled in on my couch for a closer look at this work by one of Babson's finest.By the time I stood up, I had finished it.It provides a solid reinforcement of NAIC (strategic long-term) investing principles.BradPerry suggests a strategy of analyzing companies as business enterprisesand their valuation in the stock market.Complexity breeds confusion - andoften failure - in this seemingly difficult field.Perry presents a commonsense outlook, shaped with healthy skepticism, that demonstrates that thefactors for investment success are actually quite simple, and thatinvestors should focus on some basic principles. ... Read more

Product Description
"A story at once terrifying and inspiring. . . . It is a remarkablehuman document, a neurological epic. A case-history, a physiologicalinvestigation, a detective story and a romance." -- Oliver Sacks

At the age of 19 Ian Waterman was suddenly struck down at work by a rareneurological illness that deprived him of all sensation below the neck.He fell on the floor in a heap, unable to stand or control his limbs,having lost the sense of joint position and proprioception, of that"sixth sense" of his body in space, which we all take for granted. Aftermonths in a neurological ward he was judged incurable and condemned to alife of wheelchair dependence. This is the first U.S. publication of aremarkable book by his physician, Jonathan Cole. It tells the compellingstory, including a clear clinical description of a rare condition, ofhow Waterman reclaimed a life of full mobility against all expectations,by mental effort and sheer courage. Cole describes how Watermangradually adapted to his strange condition. As the doctors hadpredicted, there was no neurological recovery. He had to monitor everymovement by sight to work out where his limbs were, since he had nofeedback from his peripheral nerves. But with astonishing persistenceWaterman developed elaborate tricks and strategies to control hismovements, enabling him to cope not only with the day-to-day problems ofliving, but even with the challenges of work, love, and marriage. ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: New York : H. Holt ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: New York, HoltSubjects: Spanish language -- ReadersNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description
The day of the New York City Marathon brings vast crowds to Manhattan. Some come to run the race. Some come to watch the race. Some come to get drunk and watch the race. And some come knowing full well that there is more than one way to run a marathon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (171)

Perfect Read
This is the perfect sports autobiography. It is a quick read (I finished it in 2 days). Dean pulls you right into the heart of what he is trying to accomplish. His honesty about the pain and hardship that he faces while running is refreshing and makes the reader that much more connected with the story. Ultramarathon Man provides great insight into the world of endurance racing and the mind-frame of what it takes to push one's body to the limit.

Dream to be one like him
I love this book, it's a good read and inspiration.If you are a runner whatever level, you should read this.

Inspiring beyond running!
Awesome book, even if you are not a runner. Definite must read... Ultra inspirational :)

A MUST READ for extreme athletes...and weekend warriors, too
The reader is allowed to be in the author's head, body, world while he transforms himself into a super-athlete. For many who don't find life's normally-accepted challenges stimulating enough, Dean provides a physical outlet. Dean chooses running, and extreme distances at that, but any physically-taxing activity would do.It's fascinating to hear how his mind and body react to such challenges and how Dean chooses to respond.I plan to read this to my 3 children, all athletes of varying degrees, to show them what's physically and mentally possible when you set your mind to it.

Ultramarathon Man : Confessions of an All-Night Runner
I don't feel so strange now when I'm running in the middle of the night. This is an excellent read & a must for any keen runner! ... Read more

Product Description
Marathon Countdown is a complete marathon planning, training and racing guide. Every marathon runner has unique goals, fitness levels and running experience. A single generic marathon training program cannot meet the needs of every runner. Readers of Marathon Countdown will learn how to design and build a marathon training program specifically for their goals and experience levels. Marathon countdown includes the basics of marathon training, a week by week training guide, marathon strength training and much more. ... Read more