Customer Reviews
A phenomenal book by an amazing person.... - By: A. Mughal, 17 Oct 2008 
I am a keen runner & stumbled across this bookin a bookstorein New York City. After reading the first few pages to give me a taster I couldn't stop & had to get it. Hasten to add I completed the book before I left.
Dean is an amazing person, who shows that not only can you hold a respectable job but you can also run for hours during the evening. This book is a motivational tool for runners of all levels, showing that if you want something really badly you can do it. The challenges he puts his body through are phenomenal & are beyond belief to any non-runner. His book gives you the belief that you can do the same & I'm starting my journey along the road....
I don't want to go into too much detail about the contents, but this is easily the best book I've readin a long time. I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver Dean's his second book & can't wait.
To any one who is looking for an enthralling read with a great motivational edge this is definitely the book.
Inspirational - By: PureSymmetry, 19 Sep 2008 I know that 'Inspirational' is word which is perhaps a little overused for this book, but nevertheless it is wholly apt. Full of amazing accomplishments describedin appropriate detail, the reader feels every elation & pain that Dean goes through.
The thing I most loved about this book is that its about a normal chap doing awesome things. Deans story shows that any one of us has the ability to touch the clouds as long as we have the desire & the proper work ethic.
Read this book, you'll be glad you did.
One of the most inspirational running books out there..... - By: Mr. C. J. Howard, 13 Aug 2008 If you fancy taking up running, or you are currently running & want to push yourself furtherin either distance or speed I urge you to buy this book. Dean Karnazes explains how we went from "Average Joe", a man with a wife & 2 kids, a demanding job, a relatively inactive lifestyle, to a guy who runs 100 plus miles without blinking an eye lid.
This book not only inspred me, but has encouraged me to push my boundaries & hit new Personal Bestsin distance & times. A definite must for unfit & fit people alike to encourage you to get out there & take up running.
Brilliant Read
Highly Recommended - By: A customer, 17 Jun 2008 
Highly recommended but I think four stars rather than five...
Well, I really do think that many endurance athletes will get something out of this book. The style isn't great & the language is not really up there with that of Richard Askwith, &in agreement with another reviewer it is pretty easy reading. But easy reading can be a good thing sometimes!
I enjoyed reading this book & I think that there is always something to be gained from understanding another athletes' experiences & perspectives. The quotes aren't great, the format (big font but bigger margins!) doesn't contribute anything positive, but the spirit of adventure is all that this needs to be about.
Dean has accomplished some great feats by being well-trained & well-focussed. I think that for any ultra-endurance athlete it is very easy to empathise with his approach, even if we might all prefer to do things differently. He is lucky to have a supportive family, & to have been a good runner since his school days. I do think things came easy for him - far easier than for many - & I'm sure that a lot of people wouldn't like the way he puts down non-ultra-runners (I'm an ultra-runner & I don't like it!). I almost didn't buy the book based on the reviews on the amazon.com site, but changed my mind following advice from a friend. The main complaint is that the book is all about Dean, & he does come across as quite narcissitic at times, but that can be forgiven as it is actually not too often (the photo of him naked at the pole probably didn't need to be included!).
Dean has completed the Western States 100-miler (10 times), the death valley ultra, & was one of the first few runners to complete a marathon to the South Pole. I do not think that he is qualified to judge other runners as he does, & he definitely isn't qualified to give advice on nutrition or training programmes (that's what Mike Stroud is for). But, this is definitely the book to read for the general enjoyment of it & perhaps for some inspiration.
If you are interestedin ultra-marathons, then this is definitely worth a read.
Good read, great man but light... - By: Keith Luxon, 04 Jun 2008 
Dean is truley a great runner...totally awesome & perhaps one of the worlds great athletes. What he does & how he does it are amazing.
Parts of this book are very funny - taking up running again after a huge night out & runningin his boxers & vest for 30 miles or so. Bits very moving - the charity relay run he did solo for the girl who needed a kidney transplant. Bit truely inspirational - how he overcomes obstacles & lets nothing stop himin reaching his amazing goals.
Enjoyed reading the book & would recommend it. But...two or three issues stop this being a great book for me. First its very light - read it over a couple of days, could have done with more depthin places. Second its a bit too "american" not not quite right but thats sort of self help look at me approach - did not quite feel real (although I know it is). Finally not sure if its a wise book to follow - pain is good is hardly a mantra that sounds recommendable.
So a good read but left me feeling a little light afterwards.
