izarravarela's review against another edition
4.0
Nonfiction account of the Tarahumara, a tribe of Mexican super-athletes whose running abilities surpass what others have come to consider “extreme.” A fast, engaging summer read; also a quiet indictment of our modern, Power Bar culture. How can this tribe of impoverished Mexicans run faster than the most highly trained (and heavily sponsored) runners in the world? The takeaway point is, basically: they’re not happy because they run so well; they run so well because they’re happy. That’s a powerful message for our fitness-obsessed, calorie-counting culture. Don’t miss this one.
aonghas_dubh's review against another edition
3.0
Poorly written, it shows that this guy is a journalist for Men's Health. Every character that gets more than a passing comment is some sort of prodigy, or paradigm shifting maverick. Your energy and belief runs out halfway through.
His description of the Raramuri people is as noble savage, they barely have a word to say, just run.
The only reason it gets 3 stars is that it got me more stoked for my morning run, so it has some use in the world.
His description of the Raramuri people is as noble savage, they barely have a word to say, just run.
The only reason it gets 3 stars is that it got me more stoked for my morning run, so it has some use in the world.
crysdale's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I’m not a runner at all. I just grabbed this to skim through to see what athletes do for foot pain since my feet always hurt.
But this book sucked me in. It was SO interesting!! Now I want to run hundreds of miles barefoot.
But this book sucked me in. It was SO interesting!! Now I want to run hundreds of miles barefoot.
livangeliaue's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. I loved it so much, can't wait to read Running with Sherman.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. I loved this book for the real life characters and the scientific studies on barefoot running and I also loved it for the passion and the racing details.
What I didn't love (and the reason it's not a five star book) is the fact that McDougall switched between all of these different aspects of the book at the drop of a hat. He would be in the middle of describing a specific race and then take a tangent into 20 pages of scientific details about the evolution of man.
End result - really enjoyed it and now I want to toss out my running shoes and run barefoot!
What I didn't love (and the reason it's not a five star book) is the fact that McDougall switched between all of these different aspects of the book at the drop of a hat. He would be in the middle of describing a specific race and then take a tangent into 20 pages of scientific details about the evolution of man.
End result - really enjoyed it and now I want to toss out my running shoes and run barefoot!
samcav's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. McDougall is a fantastic storyteller and finds a great balance between talking about his own experiences and others. This is a can't put the book down read. I can't recommend this book enough.
suchasuckerforbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
pattieod's review against another edition
5.0
The interviews with the author focused on the advantages of running barefoot. Was delighted to find out that the book was about so much more - about an isolated tribe in Mexico and the beautiful canyons they run through, about ultra-marathons and the semi-crazy people who run them, and about the evolution of running and how running may have contributed to the evolution of man. A really interesting, unique and joyful book.
But having said that, I'll never look at running shoes the same way again. And it justified my aversion to wearing shoes...
But having said that, I'll never look at running shoes the same way again. And it justified my aversion to wearing shoes...