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The First Four Minutes
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Roger Bannister's own account of becoming the became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes - a feat which established him as one of the most famous sportsmen in history.
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Stunning athlete, stunning writer.
After reading "The Perfect Mile", I wanted to get Roger Bannister's perspective, and read this book also.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Perhaps I enjoyed this book more than some of the other reviewers because I am a runner, and thus it had a lot of meaning for me. Here are a few things that I quoted to my extended family in a letter when I had only read half the book.
“As a neurologist, I now understand more about such sources of pleasure and pain and the strange, some say mystical experiences ...more
I enjoyed this book immensely. Perhaps I enjoyed this book more than some of the other reviewers because I am a runner, and thus it had a lot of meaning for me. Here are a few things that I quoted to my extended family in a letter when I had only read half the book.
“As a neurologist, I now understand more about such sources of pleasure and pain and the strange, some say mystical experiences ...more
When you think that Bannister was in his 20s when he wrote this (and the fact he ran a 3:59 mile), it makes it even a more remarkable book. Narrative flows and also transports reader back to austerity England and a much simpler time in athletics. So well written that I immediately went to library and checked out "The Perfect Mile."
This is considered one of the top five greatest books ever written about running. I would have to say, I also felt it was excellent!
It’s the autobiography of the first man to break the four minute mile. Bannister is very flowery in his writing style (typical old-style British), but he also captures his sheer joy in and love of running. It’s a very fast read because you get caught up in the emotion of the effort. I found it interesting that the climax of the book is not his breaking the ...more
It’s the autobiography of the first man to break the four minute mile. Bannister is very flowery in his writing style (typical old-style British), but he also captures his sheer joy in and love of running. It’s a very fast read because you get caught up in the emotion of the effort. I found it interesting that the climax of the book is not his breaking the ...more
Not nearly as interesting as I hoped it would be.
This is the best book on running that I’ve read.
In 1954, at the age of 25, Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute barrier for the mile, with a recorded time of 3:59.4. A little over a year later, Bannister retired from racing, and wrote a book entitled, "The First Four Minutes". This 2004 edition has been updated with new material in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Bannister’s feat.
Bannister was one of the last great amateur champions. No special diet or training ...more
In 1954, at the age of 25, Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute barrier for the mile, with a recorded time of 3:59.4. A little over a year later, Bannister retired from racing, and wrote a book entitled, "The First Four Minutes". This 2004 edition has been updated with new material in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Bannister’s feat.
Bannister was one of the last great amateur champions. No special diet or training ...more
The Japanese author Murakami, on his book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, explicitly avoided sounding dogmatic as he recounted his life as a marathon runner, his passion for the sports and his love of running.
Murakami was merely a runner, not an advocate after all, talking about running, recounting it, writing about it. But not Bannister.
Bannister of course was the ultimate idol of the sports. When he wrote, as much as advocated, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good but ...more
Murakami was merely a runner, not an advocate after all, talking about running, recounting it, writing about it. But not Bannister.
Bannister of course was the ultimate idol of the sports. When he wrote, as much as advocated, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good but ...more
I was pretty disappointed with The Four-Minute Mile. While it served as an interesting look into amateurism through the eyes of one of its strongest supporters, the book really failed at getting the reader to relate to Bannister. It seemed to have almost an over-emphasis on telling stories about racing and a huge under-emphasis of detailing training. The races described were fairly detailed, yet somehow their telling failed to excite me.
This particular 50th anniversay edition also includes a new ...more
This particular 50th anniversay edition also includes a new ...more
About 58 years ago, on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister of England broke the four-minute barrier for a Mile race for the first time in history. I read The Perfect Mile that detailed how the stage for this athletics breakthrough was set up among Bannister, John Landy of Australia and Wes Santee of the United States. In his memoir, The Fout-Minute Mile, Roger Bannister himself tells how such great milestone was achieved. This is not his training log or a ‘how to run a strong Mile race’ text book. In
...more
This book, the autobiography of the first man to run a sub-four minute mile, Sir Roger Bannister, is interesting and inspiring. At times, it gets a little dry, as Bannister talks about races and times for too long. But throughout the book, and especially when he details his successful attempt at breaking the four minute mile, and then his duel with fellow sub four minute miler John Landy at the Empire games, he brings great insight to about the truths of running: why run? what do we get out of
...more
There are not many books that a skinny and mediocre high school cross country runner could read for inspiration, this is the only one that I can recall. Bannister ran the first sub four minute mile while he was a medical student in Oxford. Dry prose but did I mention he ran the mile in less than four minutes? Imagine chariots of fire without the poetry.
Roger went on to become a distinquished doctor and wrote medical textbooks showing that he was more than a athlete.
Roger went on to become a distinquished doctor and wrote medical textbooks showing that he was more than a athlete.
Bannister's tale is inspiring to people in all walks of life - not just runners. It was a hard read to get through at times (sometimes a little dry), but in the end I feel a little more inspired to be more reflective in those things that I pursue and want to succeed in.
A matter-of-fact read about Sir Bannister's quest to run a 4 minute mile, complete with his underlying theories on sport. Interesting to hear about the extended process behind his famous run, though not especially entertaining.
Every student of the sport should know this history. You have to wonder what Bannister could have done had he been able to train and perform in a modern arena. Running on cinders- incredible!
Brilliant! A fascinating insight into when elite running was still an amatuer sport.
Loved it. Very revealing of a life style, sporting attutude and culture that sadly no longer exists. Beautifully written. I have the original first edition from my Dad who was a fan.
Wonderful overview of Roger Bannister's accomplishment of running under 4 minutes.
Interesting hearing Bannister's story in his word. Probably wouldn't read it again though.
Interesting perspective on the value of sport in a post-WWII context, some good insights into the mind of the elite runner.
A bit dull at times, not fast enough (the book) to be inspiring..
This is a classic first-person account of the path to the historic first four-minute mile. Highly recommend.
More January running motivation, but I ended up loving his understated writing style. One reviewer said he writes as gracefully as he runs - I'll go along with that.
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