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36th out of 111 books
—
57 voters
Showdown at Shepherd's Bush: The 1908 Olympic Marathon and the Three Runners Who Launched a Sporting Craze
by
David Davis
The epic clash of an Irish-American, Italian, and Onondaga-Canadian that jump-started the first marathon mania and heralded the modern age in sports
The eyes of the world watched as three runners—dirt poor Johnny Hayes, who used to run barefoot through the streets of New York City; candymaker Dorando Pietri; and the famed Tom Longboat—converged for an epic battle at the 190...more
The eyes of the world watched as three runners—dirt poor Johnny Hayes, who used to run barefoot through the streets of New York City; candymaker Dorando Pietri; and the famed Tom Longboat—converged for an epic battle at the 190...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
June 19th 2012
by Thomas Dunne Books
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An engaging and engrossing tale of the 1908 Olympic Marathon. I am no athlete, but I have always been fascinated by people who can push their bodies to the extreme, as is the case in the modern-day marathon. It was surprising to read about the downright dangerous training and running practices of the day, including administering alcohol and coffee during a run, as well as doping the runners to stimulate and push their bodies just that much farther. It was also heart-breaking to read about one of...more
Disclaimer, I'm a friend of David Davis, but he did not solicit me to write this review.
With London hosting the Olympic Games for the third time, I thought this book would be a good way to find out about the biggest event of that games, the marathon race.
The 1908 Olympic marathon finished in a great deal of controversy as unheralded Italian Dorando Pietri appeared to have a comfortable lead on the field as he came into the Olympic stadium (a stadium which hosted ALL the events for the Olympics,...more
With London hosting the Olympic Games for the third time, I thought this book would be a good way to find out about the biggest event of that games, the marathon race.
The 1908 Olympic marathon finished in a great deal of controversy as unheralded Italian Dorando Pietri appeared to have a comfortable lead on the field as he came into the Olympic stadium (a stadium which hosted ALL the events for the Olympics,...more
As usual, let me preface this review by saying that I'm an ardent runner and running fan.
I greatly enjoyed this book and gave 5 stars primarily because I learned a lot of new things about 'The Marathon' but more importantly because this book clarifies and refutes a lot of inaccuracies about the 26.2 mile race. Some of these inaccuracies were repeated again this summer during the 2012 London Olympics! I must confess that I have not cross-referenced the claims made in this book yet - although the...more
I greatly enjoyed this book and gave 5 stars primarily because I learned a lot of new things about 'The Marathon' but more importantly because this book clarifies and refutes a lot of inaccuracies about the 26.2 mile race. Some of these inaccuracies were repeated again this summer during the 2012 London Olympics! I must confess that I have not cross-referenced the claims made in this book yet - although the...more
The 1908 Olympics in London stands out for many reasons. It is considered the first truly modern Olympics that featured its own specially built stadium. It presented the first version of what would later become the Winter Games. It saw the first African American to win a medal. It was also influential in the development of marathon racing, marking the course at 26.2 miles and creating the event’s first superstars.
Read my full review at http://thecelebritycafe.com/reviews/2...
Read my full review at http://thecelebritycafe.com/reviews/2...
Again, surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I'm starting to sound like a cynic. It's just that I come into most books with such a low expectation that I am almost always pleasantly surprised.
So I found this facinating because of the impact the Olympics have had on our society and much of the world. Well, at least from this book's perspective. I enjoyed this book, but like most books, I find that it's all about timing in our lives.
So I found this facinating because of the impact the Olympics have had on our society and much of the world. Well, at least from this book's perspective. I enjoyed this book, but like most books, I find that it's all about timing in our lives.
Having run my first marathon last year I enjoyed reading the history and significance of this great event. I felt that the author did an excellent job building suspense and momentum leading up the famous 1908 Olympic marathon, and the post marathon boom. Filled with historical information about the founding of the modern Olympic games and the significance of the 1908 London games the timing for the book could not be better. I recommend it as a great summer read for anyone looking forward to the...more
This book was more about the early history of marathon running than about the 1908 Olympic race. It tracks three main protagonists in the years leading up to the 1908 Olympic race. The stories of how these men (and others) prepared for these races and the conditions they ran under were fascinating. I think anybody interested in the history of the Olympic movement would find this a rewarding read.
May 18, 2012
Bill Tillman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
britian,
culture,
history,
indian,
kindle,
netgalley,
native-american,
non-fiction,
reference,
sports
Wow, this novel has it all. Mystery, suspense a true tale about the birth of modern day distance running. Based around the 1908 Olympic marathon with a heart stopping finish, you will remember this novel for years to come.
Having a son who is a runner prompted me to read this book. I enjoyed learning the stories of the men who ran in the early Olympics and it was fascinating to hear the history of the Olympics.
Follows in the tradition of Major by Todd Balf but doesn't quite fill those footprints; still a fun, engaging read.
I really enjoyed this book. If it is a topic your interested in, I would say it is a must read. There was so much valuable information about more than just that race but the Olympics, marathons, and sporting events of the early 20th Century.
Such an interesting time - the start of the modern Olympics and marathon running. The book was chock full of interesting facts, but it was a slow, heavy read. No regrets.
A fascinating look at the modern marathon and the three runners who competed for gold at the 1908 London games. Some of the stories about the post-Olympic re-matches were a little dull and went on unnecessarily. A good Olympic year read.
Timely per London Olympics, interesting how media, money, politics trumped Olympic ideals and British sense of fair play.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Though I am not a runner I do now have a deeper understanding of the sport and why so many people decide to pick it up.
Interesting historical account. Not my particular cup of tea however.
Jun 13, 2013
Jen
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Megan
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Weston High School Library
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David Davis, known for his keen sense of humor and lyrical style, has written several titles in Pelican's Night Before Christmas Series, including Redneck Night Before Christmas, Trucker's Night Before Christmas, and Nurse's Night Before Christmas. His books Ten Redneck Babies and Jazz Cats were both named to the Children's Choice Top 100 List. A finalist for the Texas Golden Spur Award, Jazz Cats...more
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Jun 19, 2012 08:40am