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Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
 
 
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Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen [Kindle Edition]

Christopher McDougall (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (296 customer reviews)
Print List Price: £8.99
Kindle Price: £4.63 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Review

`Christopher McDougall is talking evolution and preaching a revolution... His book is already a sensation...a rollicking tale well told'
--The Times

`A sensation... a rollicking tale well told.' --Rick Broadbent, The Times

`If you're a runner, you probably won't reach the end of the first chapter without bolting out for a run.' --Leeds Guide

`Fascinating stuff, particularly for anyone who's ever been frustrated by the apparently shoddy mechanics of their own running body.' --Victoria Moore, Daily Mail

`Part how-to manual, part scientific treatise... ripping yarn that will inspire everyone who reads it to think on their feet.' --Simon Redfern, Independent on Sunday

`Good books about running are rare, but this ranks among the strongest.' --Sunday Business Post

`If you're a runner, you'll love it. It's about how far we can go spiritually and physically.' -- Actress Kate Hudson in Elle

`Inspiring stuff' --Elle

Review

"Hugely entertaining...one of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years."
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
219 of 223 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A great story, and much more 16 May 2009
By D. Sull
Format:Hardcover
Born to Run succeeds at three levels. First, it is a page turner. The build up to a fifty-mile foot race over some of the world's least hospitable terrain drives the narrative forward. Along the way McDougall introduces a cast of characters worthy of Dickens, including an almost superhuman ultramarathoner, Jenn and the Bonehead--a couple who down bottles of booze to warm up for a race, Barefoot Ted, Mexican drug dealers, a ghostly ex-boxer, a heartbroken father, and of course the Tarahumara, arguably the greatest runners in the world.

Born to Run is such a rip-roaring yarn, that it is easy to miss the book's deeper achievements. At a second level, McDougall introduces and explores a powerful thesis--that human beings are literally born to run. Recreational running did not begin with the 1966 publication of "Jogging" by the co-founder of Nike. Instead, McDougall argues, running is at the heart of what it means to be human. In the course of elaborating his thesis, McDougall answers some big questions: Why did our ancestors outlive the stronger, smarter Neanderthals? Why do expensive running shoes increase the odds of injury? The author's modesty keeps him from trumpeting the novelty and importance of this thesis, but it merits attention.

Finally, Born to Run presents a philosophy of exercise. The ethos that pervades recreational and competitive running--"no pain, no gain," is fundamentally flawed, McDougall argues. The essence of running should not be grim determination, but sheer joy. Many of the conventions of modern running--the thick-soled shoes, mechanical treadmills, take no prisoners competition, and heads-down powering through pain dull our appreciation of what running can be--a sociable activity, more game than chore, that can lead to adventure.... Read more ›
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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for ultra-runners and super-athletes... 24 May 2009
By A reader
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title of this book suggests it is a tale about ultra-distance runners and tales of heroic enterprise. That is partially true, but not the entire truth, and that is why this book deserves a wide audience.

Under the tale of a 50 mile race through inhospitable terrain is a theme that running is fun, and that humans are uniquely adapted to running to such a degree that it is suggested that the trappings of civilisation have denied us our essential nature.

Using the story of a mystery runner in the canyons of Mexico as a thread, we are lead through a discussion of the mental and physical aspects of running, with a look at how tribes untouched by "civilisation" around the world demonstrate McDougall's thesis.

McDougall presents a convincing argument that biologically and mentally we are designed to be distance runners. He argues that it is external issues - the selling of running shoes, the limitations we put on ourselves and that society attempts to impose - that prove to be the limiting factor for many of us. If anything, the characters presented become not super-athletes (as some authors have portrayed ultra runners) but actually very ordinary people who have chosen to ignore the preconceptions about what we "ought" to be able to do.

Yes, the book does give a lot of insight into ultra running - but it also has as a lot in it for anyone who runs, be you someone who runs for pleasure and excercise, or a keen competitive athlete. Highly recommended.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb - Inspiring and thought provoking 8 Dec 2009
By L. Griffin
Format:Hardcover
As a newcomer to running I've read a few running related books but none captivated me as much as this one. A wonderful insight into the mindset of long distance runners, it looks at running from a completely different perspective from how I have been doing. Lots of interesting theories about how we are literally born to run and why modern runners are so plagued by injury.

All wrapped up in a genuinly entertaining yarn. If you are looking for a book about running then look no further, whole heartedly recommended.
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122 of 136 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Fictionalised and often disingenuous account 31 Jan 2011
By Gerund
Format:Hardcover
I realise I'm in minority here but I really didn't enjoy this book at all. As a result of all the rave reviews I bought a copy for both myself and a friend - we were both hugely disappointed.

The author, Christopher McDougall, is an American magazine correspondent and this perhaps goes someway to explain a lot of what I didn't like about the book. To begin with, it is written in a totally 'omniscient' manner, ie McDougall can see inside everyone's head. This is excessive, continuous, and extends right across the board from events to which he was privy, through events to which he was not, on to imagined `eureka moments' of various research scientists. In a similar manner, he describes events from the past, where he wasn't present, in a way he clearly feels will paint some sort of picture: eg "Then she wiped her greasy mouth on her sports bra, burped up some Dew, and bounded off". Maybe she did wipe her mouth on her sports bra, but I doubt it, and I feel quite sure she never gave him an account, years later, of her burp.

In a similar vein I confess that I didn't like the continuous use of words like `chomp' instead of `eat' and `chug' instead of `drink'. I imagine that is just a difference in usage when comparing opposite sides of the Atlantic but I did find myself wishing someone would just 'eat' something! And I do wonder if the use of block capitals as well as italics was really necessary. I am not talking about the start of each chapter but sentences like:
"...I remember thinking What in the HELL? How in the HELL is this possible? That was the first thing, the first CHINK IN THE WALL, that MAYYYBEE modern shoe companies don't have all the answers..." (nine of those lowercase words are in italics, which I can't format here).... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
A great story about life (and running). An inspiration to anyone, and a must read for any runner, sports person, or armchair athlete !!
Published 1 day ago by Phil Guest
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Read this book in a few days, not the longest. Great story, you don't have to be a too into running to read it. If you do run it is a must!
Published 6 days ago by Ponie72
5.0 out of 5 stars The future of running
The book that started a new way of running. A must read for everyone who has got the slightest interest in running. The book is very well written. My warmest recomendations.
Published 8 days ago by casper
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising and very engaging
Part adventure, part sporting biography, part runners instructional, it was a surprising read. Engaging, fun and informative, I found it hard to put down.
Published 21 days ago by Walter Rothon
5.0 out of 5 stars Born to Run
Simply brilliant and inspiring, a great story about running for the love of it. I was reading this and just wanted to go out running.. for a really long run :)
Published 24 days ago by Neil Thomson
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Lovely, Frank and entertaining account of an injured reporters travels and discoveries. Very well written and easy going, if you're a runner you can't go wrong if not, you might... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Gavlar
4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
A book about running, doesn't sound like its going to be that interesting does it? But believe me this is a really great book. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Dylan
5.0 out of 5 stars A runaway good read
Born to Run taps into why running can be such a vital part of existence. It charts how we should run, how we should enjoy it and celebrate it by visiting the ancient Mexican... Read more
Published 28 days ago by BuzzyBusiness
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
This book inspired me to get out and start running. It's so good to read of people whose lives are so different to mine and who are capable of feats of endurance which I had no... Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Atkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars hooked on the first chapter!!
only just started and impossible to put down. Bought the Kindle edition, but will be getting the real book for my bookshelf and looking for more by this author. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Catherine
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Popular Highlights

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&quote;
“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction.” &quote;
Highlighted by 159 Kindle users
&quote;
the only way to truly conquer something, as every great philosopher and geneticist will tell you, is to love it. &quote;
Highlighted by 142 Kindle users
&quote;
“Lesson two,” Caballo called. “Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. You start with easy, because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a shit how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one—you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” &quote;
Highlighted by 140 Kindle users

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