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Review
‘Bascomb succeeds in seducing the reader into sympathising with them all and feeling involved in their individual stories’ The Spectator
‘The Perfect Mile is as inspiring as it is accurate and evocative’ Athletics Weekly magazine
‘Bascomb lets his wonderful story and its characters do the talking’ Sunday Telegraph
Sunday Telegraph
..."It is a testament to the book that my thoughts at the end were about the runners..."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a smashing read. If, like me, you are aware of the Bannister record but not much more, then this book builds to an exciting creshendo, full of excitement and tension. The description of both the record breaking run and the race between Bannister and Landy at the "Empire" games in Vancouver leave you on the edge of your seat. It's a long time since I stayed up until 00:40 to finish a book.
Speaking of finishes, this is the only real negative about this book. The author lists all the mile record breakers since Bannister and it would have incurred only a little bit more effort to cover these achievements and double the size of the book!! Leaving it at the end of 1954 was a real disappointment.
Now, if you do understand more about Bannister, his races and the competition with Landy and Santee, then this book may not be so exciting. Its real interest lies in how the races are described and the tension that it generates. Yes I did know that Bannister broke the 4 minute mile but I had forgotton his performance in the "Empire" games and this race was so exciting to read. I would not have believed that someone could write a race almost as good as actually watching it.
So, if you want a book that just has to be read right to the end then this is the one for you. Full of nostalgia with distances such as 220 and 440 yards, real measurements not like these new fangled measures like 100 metres etc. Graphic descriptions of the cinder tracks and the footwear worn by the athletes are charming and not a drug test in sight (Oh, when I we're young.....). In addition there are a few wonderful anecdotes like the marathon runner who ran into a lamp post.....I'll say no more and let you read it for yourself.
Go and buy it, you will not be disappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone who grew up with the middle distance rivalries of Bannister, Landy and Santee in the 50s or David Coleman's BBC commentary to Coe, Ovett and Cram in the 80s will be blown away by this masterpiece by Neal Bascomb.
You may know some, or all (or none-at-all reading some of the other reviews on Amazon.com!) of what happened back in the 50s when middle distance running and the four minute mile captured the headlines around the world. Of course there have been many incredible moments in middle distance running since and we can all list other great middle distance runners from Coe to Coughlan to El Guerrouj. But Bascomb has taken one of the great moments of the 20th Century and brought it back to life for you and I to relive, be blown away, and walk away at the end richer for it.
After you've read it, you'll want to tell everyone the story, but please dont. Leave the storytelling to Neal Bascomb
Format:Hardcover
Judging by the number of reviews (only five) this one has flown under the radar.
The author has taken a story that every schoolboy knows - how Roger Bannister became the first man to break the four minute mile barrier - and created a moving, dramatic and engrossing tale which really succeeds in bringing the protagonists to life.
Anyone who enjoys watching sport or just jogs for fun will find this fascinating.
The author has taken a story that every schoolboy knows - how Roger Bannister became the first man to break the four minute mile barrier - and created a moving, dramatic and engrossing tale which really succeeds in bringing the protagonists to life.
Anyone who enjoys watching sport or just jogs for fun will find this fascinating.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
More than a race against time
Neal Bascomb's account of the race for the first four minute mile was produced (just) in time for the 50th anniversary of this mile-stone (pun intended). Read more
Published on 31 July 2008 by Mr P R Morgan
Good "factional" account
Very enjoyable book and would make a good screenplay for a film. Obviously embellished for the novel which makes it a gripping read but some of the thoughts and conversations that... Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2006 by Andrew
Tedious
Music and sport are two exhilarating aspects of life that often fall flat when spun out to book-length treatment. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2004 by A. Ross
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