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Terry Fox: His Story (Revised)

Leslie Scrivener

4.16 · Rating details · 359 ratings · 48 reviews

Terry Fox, the one-legged runner from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, made an indelible impression upon people across Canada and around the world. An outstanding athlete with a stubborn and competitive spirit, he lost his leg to cancer at 19, but said “nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.”

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox set out from St. John’s, Newfoundland to begin t ...more

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Paperback, 248 pages

Published September 1st 2000 by McClelland & Stewart (first published January 1st 1981)

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Mar 08, 2020 Rowan rated it it was amazing

This book will do at least two things to you. 1) Grab a box of tissues; and 2) Get up off the couch and start chasing your dreams with renewed rigour and inspiration. Terry Fox: His Story will go down as the most inspiring book I’ve ever read.

I first heard about Terry Fox while living in Canada. I was immediately inspired by his story and he quickly became my favourite Canadian. I would later request my library (once back in Australia) to purchase this book; such was my desire to learn more abou This book will do at least two things to you. 1) Grab a box of tissues; and 2) Get up off the couch and start chasing your dreams with renewed rigour and inspiration. Terry Fox: His Story will go down as the most inspiring book I’ve ever read.

I first heard about Terry Fox while living in Canada. I was immediately inspired by his story and he quickly became my favourite Canadian. I would later request my library (once back in Australia) to purchase this book; such was my desire to learn more about this remarkable young man and his Marathon of Hope.

I couldn’t put this down. Despite being an easy read, it was also a gruelling one, as it truly made me feel like I was doing the Marathon of Hope alongside Terry. Leslie Scrivener writes superbly and gives a fantastic insight into who Terry was as a person – the grit and determination, the athletic abilities, the temper and stubbornness. She really gives such a well-rounded account that you quickly feel like you personally know Terry.

Pictures scattered throughout help bring to life Terry's journey across Canada. This is the perfect book for anyone who has a goal and wants to achieve it. One of Terry's secrets was that he set small goals for himself.

"I broke it down. Get that mile down, get to that sign, get past that corner and around that bend. That's all it was. That's all I thought about. I didn’t think of anything else.” - a great reminder for all of us and how we approach life's hurdles.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Terry's time in Ontario. Having lived there, I was better able to imagine certain places mentioned. It was also where Terry's fame and support rose to incredible heights (viral by today's standards). The impact he had on every day people - from executives, to prisoners, to cancer patients, to kids, was one of the most heartwarming aspects of the book. In a book with many memorable moments and people, Greg Scott will also forever have a place in my heart and memory. The reasons for Terry's run across Canada are still as strong and poignant in 2020 as they were in 1980.

Leslie Scrivener is to be applauded for the way in which she has covered every aspect of Terry's life and journey.

The legacy of Terry’s heroic run across Canada is also featured extensively – I believe this was the ‘updated’ section of the edition I read. It reinforces just how amazing Terry’s efforts were (and continue to be) for countless Canadians and people around the world. With over $750 million raised in Terry's name since his Marathon of Hope; I think it's safe to say he has surpassed his target of $24.1 million ($1 for every Canadian).

Well done Terry, and thank you for being constant source of inspiration for me and others.

“Anythings possible if you try, dreams are made if people try” - Terry Fox. ...more

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Jan 19, 2014 Matt Morrison rated it really liked it

Terry Fox was an incredible individual and his story is enthralling. I have great admiration for him and loved reading about him. I am unsure as to what audience this book was written towards (younger crowd) as I was not overly impressed with the writing, actually stepping away from the book on my first attempt to read and coming back to it a little time later. I would recommend reading it purely on the fact that Terry Fox's life is amazing and we all could learn from it, not necessarily because ...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Lise rated it really liked it

No spoilers to be had because we all know what happens (be sure you have tissues handy) but even when you know how it ends it's still a fantastic journey. I always struggle to review a book when the story is just amazing and yet the writing could have been better. I still think this is worth the read. There are a lot of excerpts with Terry's own words that make it even more heartbreaking, but inspiring all the same. ...more

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Apr 20, 2015 Zaziz3 rated it really liked it

Terry was a normal teenage boy with a lot of ambition towards becoming a successful athlete, but everything changed when he was diagnosed with cancer. Though Terry was devestated, but had no choice but to sacrifice his leg for his life. Terry soon realizes that his life can never be the same and divises a plan of action to raise money, spread awarness and give the world hope for cancer patients, but what Terry soon discovers is that his battle with cancer isn't over just yet. ...more

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Aug 19, 2014 Linda Leafloor rated it it was amazing

Shelves: the-most-memorable

What a great young man and what a story! This should be on everyone's reading list, young or old. It is truly inspirational. I don't know how I can ever feel sorry for myself again, OR live without zest and full consciousness. He truly gave his all for his fellow man. Thank you, Terry! ...more

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Jan 07, 2016 Jill rated it it was amazing

What an awesome book. As a Canadian born in 1985 I didn't know a lot about Terry Fox other than he had cancer and there is a run every year. I now have a huge appreciation for him and feel the need to donate more and participate more. What a great book. Opened my eyes! Canada's hero is Terry Fox! ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Brian Ostrowski rated it it was amazing

Terry Fox was an amazing person who may have died young, but left a legacy that will endure for many, many years.

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Feb 26, 2017 Benoit rated it really liked it

Great book about the life of a real Canadian and then worldwide icon. The complexities of Terry's character, the tremendous pressure he felt and the incredible mental and physical toughness are well rendered.

The book follows a chronological approach and brings back personal memories from Terry's diary and some context is provided from a first hand participant of the run.

Very inspiring and powerful. ...more

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May 24, 2015 Luke Sayese rated it it was amazing

Overall, a very excellent look into the brief life of Terry Fox and very highly recommended. Scrivener uses Terry Fox's personal diaries, testimonials, and interviews to piece together Terry Fox's life, his Marathon of Hope, and the founding of the Terry Fox Foundation. What I really appreciate about this book is that it does not mythologize Terry Fox in any way as Scrivener also portrays his faults, weaknesses, and strengths as he was known by those closest to him by his quick temper, to be ove ...more

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Apr 04, 2015 Emily rated it it was amazing

I watched a 30 by 30 on the Terry Fox story (I think) and in the show they mentioned he had written a book. Without hesitation, while the show was still on I went onto Amazon and bought the book. This story is amazing. I can't even imagine the determination and strength that it took to do what Terry did. Inspiring really. ...more

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Jan 13, 2009 Heather rated it really liked it

Shelves: auto-biographies, true-stories

I didn't know that Terry Fox was so close in age to my Mom. They were even born on the same day only 8 years apart ...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Stacey rated it really liked it

stared and finished in the same day after seeing a touching documentary on this kid - he is pretty amazing. The end of the book had too many fundraising facts - but his story was good.

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Mar 17, 2012 Beth Frawley rated it really liked it

You have to love one of our modern day, Canadian heroes.

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Nov 14, 2012 Othón A. León rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography

On harsh moments, Terry's story seems to be the reminder and remmedy. An inspiring life. A must read book! ...more

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Dec 28, 2015 Dana rated it really liked it

This book was good and taught me how I always have to have hope no matter what.

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Oct 16, 2018 Ben Truong rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography

Terry Fox: His Story is a biography of Terry Fox, a one-legged athlete from Canada, and written by Leslie Scrivener, a former feature writing on the Toronto Star. My eldest niece participated in the Terry Fox Run last month (16 September) and I thought it would be apropos to read his biography – just a tad late in getting to it, but I have finally read it.

Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated d Terry Fox: His Story is a biography of Terry Fox, a one-legged athlete from Canada, and written by Leslie Scrivener, a former feature writing on the Toronto Star. My eldest niece participated in the Terry Fox Run last month (16 September) and I thought it would be apropos to read his biography – just a tad late in getting to it, but I have finally read it.

Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to stop the run after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers, and ultimately cost him his life. However, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy as the annual Terry Fox Run has grown to involve millions of participants in over sixty countries. It has become the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

Terry Fox: His Story tells the story of Terry Fox's historic run for cancer in 1980 and the events in his life leading up to the run. It is a tale of audacity and hope, about a young man of twenty-two who did what many people considered impossible, running across Canada with a prosthetic where his right leg had been amputated.

The book contains a map, which shows his run – The Marathon of Hope. It started from St. John's, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario – a distance over five thousand kilometers between April 12 and September 1, 1980. By this time, the cancer had spread to his lungs, and he was no longer physically capable of running. The biography also has a chronology of Terry Fox’s life and many black and white photographs.

Sadly, because the Marathon of Hope only lasted six months, there is not really much of a story in retelling the events of the run. Terry kept a diary of his daily experiences, and some of his entries are included. These add a personal touch and tell readers a considerable amount about his character, but much of the story of his run, as difficult as it was, is not overly exciting, and a tad monotonous.

However, this biography is a joyous story, made possible by his sheer guts and determination. Few people, faced with Terry Fox's problems, could accomplish what he did. Fewer would even try. It is a story struck by his courage, determination, and audacity. These character qualities gave him the will to continue his run when common sense must have told him to stop.

Terry Fox: His Story was written and researched extremely well. It showed the guts and courage of a man born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was an enthusiastic athlete, playing soccer, rugby, baseball, and basketball. He took up cross-country runner because he wanted to please and respect his coach – he did not have much desire for the sport. He would be diagnosed with osteosarcoma during his collegiate years and ended up amputating his right leg.

Eventually, he would get an idea to raise sorely needed funds for cancer research by running across Canada – The Marathon of Hope. It was Terry Fox's initial hope to raise one million dollars, then ten million, and later sought to raise a dollar for every Canadian, which were approximately twenty-four million people at that time.

All in all, Terry Fox: His Story is a wonderfully written biography of a man full of guts, determination, courage, and more importantly hope. ...more

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Sep 11, 2018 Teena in Toronto rated it liked it

Shelves: canadian

Terry Fox was an ordinary young man living in Port Coquitlam, BC. He was athletic and enjoyed running and basketball. When he was 19, they discovered he had a cancerous tumour and his right leg was amputated at the knee. With an artificial leg, he began running again and played wheelchair basketball.

On April 12, 1980, Terry began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people. He began in St. John Terry Fox was an ordinary young man living in Port Coquitlam, BC. He was athletic and enjoyed running and basketball. When he was 19, they discovered he had a cancerous tumour and his right leg was amputated at the knee. With an artificial leg, he began running again and played wheelchair basketball.

On April 12, 1980, Terry began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people. He began in St. John's, NF, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. On September 1, 1980, he was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay because the cancer had spread to his lungs. He headed home to BC immediately to begin treatment and passed away in June 1981.

This book is Terry's story. It starts with his childhood, finding out he had cancer and dealing with his artificial leg, details the Marathon of Hope (including quotes from Terry's diary), the second bout of cancer, his death and what has happened since then.

I was 17, in grade twelve and living in Sydney, Nova Scotia, when Terry started his Marathon of Hope. Though he came through Sydney in the beginning of May after making his way through Newfoundland, I don't have any recollection of that, which I thought was strange considering what a big deal it was and still is. Then I read in this book that when he got to Sydney ... "there were only two or three people from the Cancer Society waiting for us ... here we are in Sydney and there's nothing, absolutely nothing. Nobody even knew. It wasn't even in the media." In hindsight, that's really sad.

One of Terry's earliest supporters was Isadore Sharp, founder of the Four Seasons Hotels, who proposed an annual fundraising run in Terry's name. Terry agreed but insisted that the runs be non-competitive. The first Terry Fox Run was on on September 13, 1981 ... over 300,000 people took part and raised $3.5 million. The Run has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research ... over $750 million has been raised (as of January 2018).

I got this book last week at a fundraising meet 'n greet for our neighbourhood Terry Fox Run with Fred Fox, Terry's brother, in attendance. I'd walked 5km in this Run last year for the first time. This year, in addition to again walking 5km, I'm also volunteering (our walk is this Sunday).

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/09... ...more

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Sep 08, 2019 Austin Gaghadar rated it really liked it

This book did a good job of portraying Terry Fox as a very inspiring and motivated individual. I appreciated that facts and statistics of the run were interspersed with the more personal anecdotes of his experiences along the road and the lives that he touched. I learned a lot more about the logistics of the run, Terry's life before the run and the amazing impact that his actions have spurred around the world. However, I felt that the writing could have been improved with the target audience lik ...more

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Mar 10, 2018 Elaine Cougler rated it it was amazing

Leslie Scrivener's revised edition of this book is a wonderful read for any Canadian and anyone else in the world who wants to be uplifted by an unbelievable story. Each chapter is entitled with one of Terry Fox's quotes which fact makes the flow from one chapter to another very moving. Terry was the one-legged runner in 1980 who set out to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He was a determined young man who decided to make a difference and his story is riveting. The person be ...more

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Apr 11, 2020 Jeff rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A riveting book about one of Canada's true heroes. In April 1980, a young man named Terry Fox who had lost a leg to cancer three years earlier began a Cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, using a prosthetic leg that necessitated a hopping/running motion that all Canadians came to recognize as distinctly Terry. The author was a reporter for the Toronto Star who was one of the few who showed an interest in Terry's run from the beginning and who wrote a weekly column with Terry's he ...more

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Jun 19, 2018 Martin rated it it was amazing

I perhaps took too long a time to finally read this book because I was concerned I might find out something about my childhood - and eternal - hero that I might dislike, and taint my hallowed image of him.

I couldn't be more wrong. Terry was the man I thought he was, and as human and as extraordinary as I figured he'd be, and I found even more of myself in him than I anticipated I would, and he remains on the pedestal I placed him on.

No regrets in life. I read it when I was supposed to. May he be ...more

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Jul 24, 2018 Tyler rated it it was amazing

10 Stars for Terry Fox and his amazing story. I was only a toddler when Terry began his run across Canada, but it's always an inspirational story to revisit. It really is a remarkable story of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things for the good of everyone, and giving everything he could to the cause. As I finished reading on this on the train into work, it seemed maybe someone was cutting onions nearby, or maybe it was dusty - I'm not sure but something was making my eyes tear up.

As a bo ...more

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Jul 08, 2017 Jayme Ball rated it really liked it

I really wish I could award half stars. This was 4.5 to me. Mostly because I was so amazed at the impact one person can make. Everyone has their faults and they definitely didn't portray Mr. Fox as perfect, which was refreshing. But he was certainly an incredible human and someone to be inspired by. I think everyone should be exposed to this story. ...more

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Aug 18, 2019 Mar rated it really liked it

Very detailed story of Terry and his run. A good biography for elementary or high school students to read in order to gain information on this Canadian hero. Very moving and emotional in parts. The final chapter outlines how the funds from the Terry Fox Foundation have been used. Powerful story.

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Aug 27, 2020 Dave Cottenie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned, owned-read, canada

Inspirational just barely scratches the surface of this unbelievable chronology and look into Canada’s greatest hero. The reader feels that they are on the Marathon of Hope right along with Terry Fox. Every Canadian needs to read this book.

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Oct 24, 2020 Jeannie Adams rated it it was amazing

Terry’s story is at once heartbreaking and inspiring. Just imagine what each of us could do it we had that young man’s willpower and bravery. I’m in awe of his accomplishments in his short life. We should all aim to be like Terry Fox.

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