Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Average Customer Rating:

A phenomenal book by an amazing person....

Customer Rating:

I am a keen runner and stumbled across this book in a bookstore in New York City. After reading the first few pages to give me a taster I couldn't stop and had to get it. Hasten to add I completed the book before I left. Dean is an amazing person, who shows that not only can you hold a respectable job but you can also run for hours during the evening. This book is a motivational tool for runners of all levels, showing that if you want something really badly you can do it. The challenges he puts his body through are phenomenal and are beyond belief to any non-runner. His book gives you the belief that you can do the same and I'm starting my journey along the road.... I don't want to go into too much detail about the contents, but this is easily the best book I've read in a long time. I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver Dean's his second book and can't wait. To any one who is looking for an enthralling read with a great motivational edge this is definitely the book.

Inspirational

Customer Rating:

I know that 'Inspirational' is word which is perhaps a little overused for this book, but nevertheless it is wholly apt. Full of amazing accomplishments described in appropriate detail, the reader feels every elation and pain that Dean goes through. The thing I most loved about this book is that its about a normal chap doing awesome things. Deans story shows that any one of us has the ability to touch the clouds as long as we have the desire and the proper work ethic. Read this book, you'll be glad you did.

One of the most inspirational running books out there.....

Customer Rating:

If you fancy taking up running, or you are currently running and want to push yourself further in either distance or speed I urge you to buy this book. Dean Karnazes explains how we went from "Average Joe", a man with a wife and 2 kids, a demanding job, a relatively inactive lifestyle, to a guy who runs 100 plus miles without blinking an eye lid. This book not only inspred me, but has encouraged me to push my boundaries and hit new Personal Bests in distance and times. A definite must for unfit and fit people alike to encourage you to get out there and take up running. Brilliant Read

Highly Recommended

Customer Rating:

Highly recommended but I think four stars rather than five... Well, I really do think that many endurance athletes will get something out of this book. The style isn't great and the language is not really up there with that of Richard Askwith, and in agreement with another reviewer it is pretty easy reading. But easy reading can be a good thing sometimes! I enjoyed reading this book and I think that there is always something to be gained from understanding another athletes' experiences and perspectives. The quotes aren't great, the format (big font but bigger margins!) doesn't contribute anything positive, but the spirit of adventure is all that this needs to be about. Dean has accomplished some great feats by being well-trained and well-focussed. I think that for any ultra-endurance athlete it is very easy to empathise with his approach, even if we might all prefer to do things differently. He is lucky to have a supportive family, and to have been a good runner since his school days. I do think things came easy for him - far easier than for many - and I'm sure that a lot of people wouldn't like the way he puts down non-ultra-runners (I'm an ultra-runner and I don't like it!). I almost didn't buy the book based on the reviews on the amazon.com site, but changed my mind following advice from a friend. The main complaint is that the book is all about Dean, and he does come across as quite narcissitic at times, but that can be forgiven as it is actually not too often (the photo of him naked at the pole probably didn't need to be included!). Dean has completed the Western States 100-miler (10 times), the death valley ultra, and was one of the first few runners to complete a marathon to the South Pole. I do not think that he is qualified to judge other runners as he does, and he definitely isn't qualified to give advice on nutrition or training programmes (that's what Mike Stroud is for). But, this is definitely the book to read for the general enjoyment of it and perhaps for some inspiration. If you are interested in ultra-marathons, then this is definitely worth a read.

Good read, great man but light...

Customer Rating:

Dean is truley a great runner...totally awesome and perhaps one of the worlds great athletes. What he does and how he does it are amazing. Parts of this book are very funny - taking up running again after a huge night out and running in his boxers and vest for 30 miles or so. Bits very moving - the charity relay run he did solo for the girl who needed a kidney transplant. Bit truely inspirational - how he overcomes obstacles and lets nothing stop him in reaching his amazing goals. Enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it. But...two or three issues stop this being a great book for me. First its very light - read it over a couple of days, could have done with more depth in places. Second its a bit too "american" not not quite right but thats sort of self help look at me approach - did not quite feel real (although I know it is). Finally not sure if its a wise book to follow - pain is good is hardly a mantra that sounds recommendable. So a good read but left me feeling a little light afterwards.