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wescovington's review
5.0
Disclaimer, I'm a friend of David Davis, but he did not solicit me to write this review.
With London hosting the Olympic Games for the third time, I thought this book would be a good way to find out about the biggest event of that games, the marathon race.
The 1908 Olympic marathon finished in a great deal of controversy as unheralded Italian Dorando Pietri appeared to have a comfortable lead on the field as he came into the Olympic stadium (a stadium which hosted ALL the events for the Olympics, there was a pool inside the track). However, on a very hot day, Pietri was on the brink of collapse as he entered the stadium.
Pietri had to be helped to the finish line by British officials. The American team protested this action as being illegal. The protest was upheld, and the second runner to enter the stadium, Johnny Hayes of the U.S. won the gold medal.
In the end, Pietri became more famous for losing than for winning. Pietri and Hayes would engage in a series of indoor distance races to make some money as, for a time, marathon running became all the rage in the U.S. and England.
There is another important figure in the book, a Canadian runner named Tom Longboat, who was the favorite for the race, but he did not finish the race because of the heat and injuries.
The book is a great look back at a time when the Olympics were changing from being a little-known sports carnival into a major international sporting event with heated rivalries and dramatic stories.
With London hosting the Olympic Games for the third time, I thought this book would be a good way to find out about the biggest event of that games, the marathon race.
The 1908 Olympic marathon finished in a great deal of controversy as unheralded Italian Dorando Pietri appeared to have a comfortable lead on the field as he came into the Olympic stadium (a stadium which hosted ALL the events for the Olympics, there was a pool inside the track). However, on a very hot day, Pietri was on the brink of collapse as he entered the stadium.
Pietri had to be helped to the finish line by British officials. The American team protested this action as being illegal. The protest was upheld, and the second runner to enter the stadium, Johnny Hayes of the U.S. won the gold medal.
In the end, Pietri became more famous for losing than for winning. Pietri and Hayes would engage in a series of indoor distance races to make some money as, for a time, marathon running became all the rage in the U.S. and England.
There is another important figure in the book, a Canadian runner named Tom Longboat, who was the favorite for the race, but he did not finish the race because of the heat and injuries.
The book is a great look back at a time when the Olympics were changing from being a little-known sports carnival into a major international sporting event with heated rivalries and dramatic stories.
thomcat's review
3.0
A good story about three fellows and the 1908 Olympics Marathon event, then the running craze that followed, and finally where they ended up. Added this to my list after reading Davis' [b:Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku|25363384|Waterman The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku|David Davis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436398525l/25363384._SX50_.jpg|45107388] - but unfortunately this isn't as good.
The core of the book is the race, very well written. Coverage of the Olympics around it is also excellent - 1908 was a heck of a year. The introductions of the three characters is a little clunky, but the ending is great. It is a good history, and I'm glad I read it.
It isn't my favorite 1908 bo0k, though - that honor goes to [b:Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History|402392|Crazy '08 How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History|Cait Murphy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349011013l/402392._SY75_.jpg|391782]. Jim Thorpe gets a few mentions in this book also. Overall review - worth reading, but make sure to get Waterman on your shelf also.
The core of the book is the race, very well written. Coverage of the Olympics around it is also excellent - 1908 was a heck of a year. The introductions of the three characters is a little clunky, but the ending is great. It is a good history, and I'm glad I read it.
It isn't my favorite 1908 bo0k, though - that honor goes to [b:Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History|402392|Crazy '08 How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History|Cait Murphy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349011013l/402392._SY75_.jpg|391782]. Jim Thorpe gets a few mentions in this book also. Overall review - worth reading, but make sure to get Waterman on your shelf also.
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