The first biography of the legendary track coach, and founder of Nike, who had an unparalleled impact on the sport of running
During his te... read full description
During his te... read full description
reviews
Jan 25, 2010
Nate
rated it: 
In a sense, this three-star rating is an average: for those in the first group, this book may well merit four or five stars, but to the general audience (non-athletes in particular), the book would be of little to no interest. But if you fall into one of the former categories (runner, coach, or Nike fan), read on for a quick recap of the book's salient aspects.
First of all, I have to commend author Kenny Moore (former Oregon runner coached by Bowerman, and later Oregon MFA graduate) fo More...
First of all, I have to commend author Kenny Moore (former Oregon runner coached by Bowerman, and later Oregon MFA graduate) fo More...
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Feb 04, 2010
Russ
rated it:
Bill Bowerman was the head coach of the University of Oregon track team for 20-some years, but he was so much more than that. He was an innovator, an inventor, a philanthropist, a war hero. Kenny Moore ran on Bowerman's teams, and he wrote this biography of Bowerman and his world. Few are more qualified for such a task than Moore, being both a writer and a former Bowerman-coached athlete.
Even if you think you know Bill Bowerman, after reading this book you learn that you know very More...
Even if you think you know Bill Bowerman, after reading this book you learn that you know very More...
Feb 24, 2009
Nick
rated it: 
Bio of extraordinary Oregonian Bill Bowerman. I didn't realize how much his life touched the lives of so many around the world, including me. Pioneer ancestors, politics, track & field, the running boom, professional running, the Cascade Runoff, Nike, Without Limits (a movie about Steve Prefontaine) and even Rajneeshees were all influenced, if not intimately shaped, by Bowerman. An incredible man who got the most out of life.
I think that this book can be enjoyed on many levels - trac More...
I think that this book can be enjoyed on many levels - trac More...
Nov 29, 2009
James
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I was overcome with emotion as I finished this book this morning; Moore has done a rare thing. He has humanized his "old coach," a legendary, mythic figure, and he has placed him in the context of his time (WW2 to the 90's), place (Oregon), and family (beloved wife Barbara, three children). I loved the focus of the book on Bill Bowerman the man and the coach, yet I still feel like he exists in a swirl of mystery and shade. His quips and retorts are legendary, but his warmth and inte
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Jan 10, 2012
Dave
rated it:
3.5 stars.
The good: Bowerman is a character. Kenny Moore takes the reader through years of Bowerman anecdotes and those anecdotes are laced with dozens of famous and not-so-famous runners. I couldn't help wanting to have been tested and coached by Bowerman. This book made me appreciate Eugene, Hayward Field, and the Prefontaine Classic even more.
The not-so good: Kenny Moore is a great choice for a biographer of Bowerman, but I found his occasional switches to first person nar More...
The good: Bowerman is a character. Kenny Moore takes the reader through years of Bowerman anecdotes and those anecdotes are laced with dozens of famous and not-so-famous runners. I couldn't help wanting to have been tested and coached by Bowerman. This book made me appreciate Eugene, Hayward Field, and the Prefontaine Classic even more.
The not-so good: Kenny Moore is a great choice for a biographer of Bowerman, but I found his occasional switches to first person nar More...
Jun 27, 2008
Jeffrey
rated it:
A note on the rating: If you are a reader from the great big world of readers, the quality of this book rates at three stars. But if you are a reader that also happens to be a competitive runner or cross-country and/or track and field enthusiast then this book rates at five stars and might very well be the best one on our passion's subject. For the average reader, you might be in awe that Bowerman experienced and did all that he did, but there is a chance you won't find the deep investigations i
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May 13, 2008
Paul
rated it:
A great book for anyone interested in the history of track and field. The first few chapters are a little slow, as we learn of Bowerman’s early life, family, early career, and military service. But the history runs fast and thick after that. Most interesting, of course, are the chapters dealing with the legendary Steve Prefontaine and the 1972 Olympics in Munich. But also fascinating are those dealing with Bill’s search for the perfect shoe, and the founding, along with ex-athlete Phil Knight, o
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Oct 01, 2007
Bob
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Quite simply, this is the best biography I have ever read. The names, places, and events may be unknown to many but I worked for a running publication for 12 years and was indirectly associated with many of the prominent individuals.
Bill Bowerman was descended from a line of true American pioneers. He was an American hero during WWII and again during the Munich games, safeguarding not only his athletes, but the Olympic spirit as well.
This book brought tears to my eyes as More...
Bill Bowerman was descended from a line of true American pioneers. He was an American hero during WWII and again during the Munich games, safeguarding not only his athletes, but the Olympic spirit as well.
This book brought tears to my eyes as More...
Jan 24, 2011
Wils
rated it:
True story of Bill Bowerman, and amazing track coach in Oregon that trained many kids that broke records and went on to the Olympics, including Steve Prefontaine. Pulled this book our on the bus and turns out the guy sitting across from me had trained with Bowerman and we had an amazing conversation! Great NY moment, all because of this book.
May 19, 2011
Adam
rated it: 
Really enjoyable for a memoir. Fans of Oregon and Bowerman and Pre and Nike and good man with integrity will like this book. It's long winded at parts and has more technical data than the average person would like, but for runners it's very intriguing.
Jun 24, 2009
Suzy
rated it:
This is NOT a book about Bowerman's relationship with Pre (aren't there enough of those out there already?!), but rather his background, career in coaching, and impact on running as a sport. Took me 2 plane trips (long!), but well worth the time.
Sep 04, 2008
Toni
rated it:
Yes, another book given to me by my Grandma. She started talking about it and what do you know she got me an autographed copy. Thanks Grandma. The perks of having a librarian in the family.
This book is a must read for Oregonians and track lovers. Bill Bowerman coached at the University of Oregon and developed running shoes for the company what would become Nike. Bowerman was a legendary coach and coached many of the world's finest athletes like Otis Davis, Dyrol Burleson, Arch More...
This book is a must read for Oregonians and track lovers. Bill Bowerman coached at the University of Oregon and developed running shoes for the company what would become Nike. Bowerman was a legendary coach and coached many of the world's finest athletes like Otis Davis, Dyrol Burleson, Arch More...
Jun 12, 2011
Megan
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I loved this book. It was very long, but I love dthe history in it both true history and the history of running (in Oregon) the athletes, and Nike. I would recommend this book to ALL runners:)
Mar 12, 2009
Kelly
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your bound to find something interesting about some of the greatest runners ever produced from USA and Canada. Bowerman was part genius and part mad scientist.
Apr 08, 2010
Ben
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I had no idea how far running and exercise science has come in the last 40 years. And a lot of it began right here in Oregon. Amazing story.
Aug 17, 2009
Tom
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You don't have to be a track fan to enjoy reading about Bill Bowerman and his remarkable influence on track and field in so many different ways.
Aug 08, 2009
John
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Great book. Looks at Bowerman's life and what an influential man he was for many people at Oregon. What an amazing coach this man was.
Jun 05, 2009
Donald
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I ran a marathon in Bowerman shoes from Nike, so I had to find out more about him. The chapter on Steve Prefontaine is memorable.
May 14, 2009
Seth
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Moore is one of my favorite sports writers, but he loved Bowerman too much to write a great book about him. Disappointing.
Feb 12, 2010
It started out really good - now it's slow and I'm having a tough time getting motivated to pick it up and finish it
Oct 19, 2010
Glenn
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Fine biography of Oregon's legendary trach coach who brought jogging to America and helped found Nike.
Jul 24, 2011
Adam
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Well written. Probably only interesting if you live in Oregon or are really into track.
Jun 14, 2009
George
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Great book about coaching - the legendary track coach of OR and founder of Nike.
Apr 01, 2011
Doug
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Very entertaining read for track fans, and some good Oregon history, as well.
Jul 26, 2009
Vernon
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I found the first 100 pages a bit hard to get through and ended up setting the book aside for 6 months, but once the story turned to Oregon track and field I was thoroughly engaged. I believe Moore's intention was to write a complete biography, and the chapters on Bowerman's early life at the beginning of the book were necessary to paint an accurate picture of the man, so I don't fault him for including these. All in all, it was an excellent read--recommended to anyone with an interest in the
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Feb 01, 2008
Larry
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Kenny Moore, the author, was a runner at Oregon while I was there. He went on to write for Sports Illustrated and is a very good writer. Bowerman was a co-founder of Nike and an olympic track coach and single handedly started the jogging craze in this country. He was a very interesting man. (He did things to is athletes that would probably prevent him from being a coach in today's world.) He coached Steve Prefontaine, a very charismatic runner who made distance running popular in America.
Jul 10, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
This book might be interesting mostly to people who have some sort of connection to running and running history. But, I found it a great read. As someone who has been a runner for over twenty years, I never realized what a part of running history Bill Bowerman was. This is was not just a book about a man, but about a revolution in the way people viewed running and athletics. I loved reading about track and field history as is was intertwined in the life of one man and his family.
Feb 23, 2008
Pat
rated it:
A great book about an amazing person. Kenny Moore does a great job taking the reader through Bill Bowerman's life, from Bill's early days growing up in Oregon, to his days in the 10th mountain division, to his many years coaching the University of Oregon track teams (including Steve Prefontaine), and the co-founding of Nike. Kenny Moore (a U of Oregon runner himself) provides a personal insight that makes the story all that much more interesting.
Dec 20, 2007
Suzanne
rated it:
Don't think I've had such an emotional response from a biography - but then again, Kenny Moore is a beautiful writer. Laughed, cried. . . choked back more tears. A sweeping, quietly told tale of American vision and rugged individuality. Moore is one of my all-time favorite writers for his ability to fade into the story and allow his subjects to shine through.
