Jeanette (Ms. Feisty)'s Reviews > Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Lol! I understand the hate of the extreme athlete mentality...Before I got married I was training to run a marathon and made many friends like that. I still thought it was an interesting book. Mostly because it showed, I think, there is no secret, easy way to do it. But anyone can, it's mental. Interesting review though.

Even when I was a runner I had no interest in entering races. For me it was entirely a solitary sport. I never even cared to have "running buddies" who pump each other up. So I just couldn't relate to this at all.

Your point is well taken. However it's fun to read about gonzo type people and their subcultures.

i agree dan.

True, Dan, gonzo people are interesting, but not a whole book's worth. A long magazine article would have been enough for me.

How interesting to read your review and the following comments. How nice to learn more about you Jeanette :^) I only ever run for buses, and I do that very badly. I like different cultures though, and this sounds a whole new different culture to any one that I am used to. Should I bump into this book I may well give it some time...

It's a book you'd probably rather scan than read in its entirety, Caroline. LOL about running for buses. I don't think any of us look particularly graceful while chasing public transport!

:^D

Seriously? You don't like reading about people who do things you don't like? Oh, BTW, spoiler alert: the Tarahumara show up in the half of the book that you did not read. Oops, they are in the first half too. Did you miss the stuff about the running people? The stone age people who run crazy distances up and down the canyon walls for fun, corn, barbecued mouse and beer? The best of whom beat all but one of the self absorbed crazy Anglo runners who came to the Canyons to challenge them? If you missed all of that...
I didn't miss it. And, I am not a crazy, self absorbed long distance runner, but I respect what they do. (Well, I am a crazy, self absorbed long distance cyclist who once ran some half Marathons: do I qualify?)

I agree with you David about the Tarahumara. They were crazy and it was very interesting to me to learn about their culture... and yes, in my humble opinion, I think you do qualify. :)

I think we are the crazy ones, not theTarahumara.

I too was frustrated with the writing style. I felt like it was one long magazine. I finished the book for the story alone. The last quarter of the book talks a lot about the Tarahumarans. And most of these people didn't run because of friends or to win races. The story was simple for each person. They ran because they liked to. The reason they did so well was because this was their hobby. Most only knew each other in passing before the book. It was good to see that in the end they could all relate to each other and not feel like freaks saying they ran 50+ miles a day. You should try to give the story a chance but the writing does suck.

I too was frustrated with the writing style. I felt like it was one long magazine. I finished the book for the story alone. The last quarter of the book talks a lot about the Tarahumarans. And most of these people didn't run because of friends or to win races. The story was simple for each person. They ran because they liked to. The reason they did so well was because this was their hobby. Most only knew each other in passing before the book. It was good to see that in the end they could all relate to each other and not feel like freaks saying they ran 50+ miles a day. You should try to give the story a chance but the writing does suck.

I find it very dubious and unimaginable for the runners except the tarahumarans to relish running 50 or more miles in a day. They always begin with the joy of running and then end up with seeking for awards and recognition in races. Their intention of running really deviates from the true running people who dont really run for competition. Running loses its charm when one hankers for comparison and competition. It sounds very scary to compromise ones sleep, health and safety for this supposedly harmless exercise.

I would run it!

Tan forgot to realize that they don't run for exercise. That is their mode of transportation and fun. They don't wake and say they have to cover a certain distance or time. Even their games involve running.

Sad that their areas are taken over by the cartels/corrupt government and they can be killed. They are fascinating people.

I love this review, and share the same sentiments.

Thank you for this review! My sentiments exactly!

I'm a distance runner, neither self-absorbed nor obsessive, who runs, mostly solo, for fun and to create balance in my life. I do not represent a minority in the sport. Grace and generosity take place among strangers on trails and during races, actions inspired by the focus and tranquility produced during a long run. I am sorry you have stopped running and did not enjoy this book, but please, don't take your impatience out on others based on their choice of hobbies/exercise.

"I have no patience with extreme athletes. They need to strive for some balance in their lives." I don't really see why you bothered to read this book in the first place...you do realize the back cover of books give you a glimpse of what the book is about, right??

That being said, I think you need to strive for some balance in your own life...you seem to have nothing better to do than sit on your ass all day and criticize people who have a drive, motivation, and mental fortitude far greater than you will ever have. And way to generalize all ultrarunners as self absorbed and obsessive.

But its not too late, for if you read the book you would realize we were all born to run! So get off your fat, lazy, criticizing ass and start running...maybe you'll develop an appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to log the kind of miles these "self absorbed, obsessive" runners do. Get back to me when you do.

This review is extremely disappointing... I'm a runner and loved this book, but don't expect the general population to feel the same interest as I in "obsessively" maintaining and improving my fitness and bringing balance to my life through running nor to spend hours reading a well-researched and enthralling book which combines modern and historical running narratives into one. As you request of McDougall, "a little more objectivity,please."

Wow, John Farris got his panties in a bunch! Way to assume a whole lot about a person you know nothing of and insult her. How do you know she's lazy or fat or anything? No reason for anyone to get back to you, buddy.