Scan barcode
clarkso6's review against another edition
5.0
Good read. Not heavy like "They Rained Fire from the Sky." A lot of hope and positive energy.
tessakris's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked it- what an incredible guy! Loved to see how Lopez went through so much and how he can look back and attribute it all to God and understand why he went through the things that he did
justicepirate's review against another edition
5.0
What an excellent story about a young boy who saw and lived miracles and depended on God through all things! I loved it so much!
Lopepe/Lopez Lomong wrote with such great description throughout this book that I felt like I was there with him watching his story as he told it. He speaks about his abduction from his parents' arms in South Sudan and the way God led him to freedom when he was only six years old. He gives us pictures and memories of his time as a refugee in Kenya for a decade. We also learn about his transition into the US by a loving family who cared and loved him so deeply (and continue to). He talks about all the running he ever did in his life (he is an Olympian now, and I love watching him run myself).
There are so many great things about this book and this man who I didn't even realize was near my age (a little younger) is so thankful to God for every little thing granted to Him. I wish people in the US understood and had such an attitude! Beautiful! It is rare that I give five star ratings, but this gets one!
Lopepe/Lopez Lomong wrote with such great description throughout this book that I felt like I was there with him watching his story as he told it. He speaks about his abduction from his parents' arms in South Sudan and the way God led him to freedom when he was only six years old. He gives us pictures and memories of his time as a refugee in Kenya for a decade. We also learn about his transition into the US by a loving family who cared and loved him so deeply (and continue to). He talks about all the running he ever did in his life (he is an Olympian now, and I love watching him run myself).
There are so many great things about this book and this man who I didn't even realize was near my age (a little younger) is so thankful to God for every little thing granted to Him. I wish people in the US understood and had such an attitude! Beautiful! It is rare that I give five star ratings, but this gets one!
rheren's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most inspiring book I've read in a long time. This man and his simple, straightforward faith are a challenge to me. He writes in a very warm, personal manner; he doesn't hold back from revealing his struggles and difficulties, but his optimism and good attitude are a pleasure to read about. His desires to give back and to use his skills to help his family and his people unselfishly are inspiring.
michellewords's review against another edition
3.0
I'm definitely in the minority here, but I can't rate it above average. This marks my third book this year about kidnapped orphans in third world countries making a difference now.
Lomong has a great story of faith and action on dreams. It lines up well with the others I have read, but I'm definitely jaded by the story at this point. The stories sound so similar with only small differences or details.
In this case, Lomongs voice is very distinct and I actually enjoyed that the most.
An okay read if you like books about orphans, faith, and helping others.
Lomong has a great story of faith and action on dreams. It lines up well with the others I have read, but I'm definitely jaded by the story at this point. The stories sound so similar with only small differences or details.
In this case, Lomongs voice is very distinct and I actually enjoyed that the most.
An okay read if you like books about orphans, faith, and helping others.
brianlohr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
natashaniezgoda's review against another edition
4.0
“The thing about dreams, though, is they usually sound crazy to everyone but you. All it takes is one other person to buy into them to keep you going.”
“War is always far worse on the poor than the rich. Always.”
“War is always far worse on the poor than the rich. Always.”
jamiestuyt's review against another edition
5.0
Running for my Life is the story of Lopez Lomong, an Olympic athlete for the US who was formerly one of the lost boys of Sudan. It follows his life from the age of six, when he was stolen from his mother’s arms during a church service in Sudan, until his very first Olympic games as a runner for Team USA and graduation from university.
I absolutely loved this book and think it should be a must-read for everyone. The book chronicles Lopez Lomong’s life through his abduction, surviving a camp when child soldiers are trained, ten years in a refugee camp in Kenya, and his experiences in moving to the US, finding new family, and training to become an Olympic level athlete. While his athletic achievements are a part of the story, they are not focal point, and I liked that. The focus was more on his survival, and I found it interesting and intense, and I couldn’t put the book down.
The writing style is fairly straightforward, but it works for the story. Any time the writing tried to become a little more adventurous, I found things a little more difficult to follow. Things would start to jump around a bit. It was a fairly easy read, I finished it in less than two days.
The most eye-opening part of the story (and the part I enjoyed most) was Lopez’s experiences when he first moved to the States. Everything was so different for him, and there were so many things that we take for granted every day that he didn’t even know existed (He slept with the light on in his room for several days after arriving, as he did not know he could turn the light off or what the light switch was for, and after several days of cold showers, he tried to boil water on the stove so he could wash in warm water, not realizing hot water could come from the tap).
This is a must-read, and an excellent story for a different perspective on life. It make's you feel as though we take a lot for granted in the North America.
I absolutely loved this book and think it should be a must-read for everyone. The book chronicles Lopez Lomong’s life through his abduction, surviving a camp when child soldiers are trained, ten years in a refugee camp in Kenya, and his experiences in moving to the US, finding new family, and training to become an Olympic level athlete. While his athletic achievements are a part of the story, they are not focal point, and I liked that. The focus was more on his survival, and I found it interesting and intense, and I couldn’t put the book down.
The writing style is fairly straightforward, but it works for the story. Any time the writing tried to become a little more adventurous, I found things a little more difficult to follow. Things would start to jump around a bit. It was a fairly easy read, I finished it in less than two days.
The most eye-opening part of the story (and the part I enjoyed most) was Lopez’s experiences when he first moved to the States. Everything was so different for him, and there were so many things that we take for granted every day that he didn’t even know existed (He slept with the light on in his room for several days after arriving, as he did not know he could turn the light off or what the light switch was for, and after several days of cold showers, he tried to boil water on the stove so he could wash in warm water, not realizing hot water could come from the tap).
This is a must-read, and an excellent story for a different perspective on life. It make's you feel as though we take a lot for granted in the North America.