Scan barcode
rebeccamahanyhorton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ttodd86's review against another edition
4.0
A good read if you are a runner. I found it motivational and it helped me to get some focus back around my own running.
ulysses78's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up after Scott spoke at an event at work recently. I loved his enthusiasm and wanted to learn more about him.
The book was a pretty standard 'journal of my experience' from when he ran the Appalachian Trail. His wife (who crewed the entire journey) wrote a companion piece for each of his entries. I found the combination of his writing about the journey and her writing about everything that was happening around the journey to be a pretty powerful way to tell the full story.
I was engaged from the beginning and really got caught up in the journey. Along the way, they both shared very personal stories that gave glimpses into what would motivate someone to try to take on a very brutal challenge.
The book was a pretty standard 'journal of my experience' from when he ran the Appalachian Trail. His wife (who crewed the entire journey) wrote a companion piece for each of his entries. I found the combination of his writing about the journey and her writing about everything that was happening around the journey to be a pretty powerful way to tell the full story.
I was engaged from the beginning and really got caught up in the journey. Along the way, they both shared very personal stories that gave glimpses into what would motivate someone to try to take on a very brutal challenge.
rsr143's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal adventure, whether you are a runner or not. This is a page turner, and the story told both by Scott and his wife Jenny‘s dueling perspectives add so much texture to the story. It makes me want to go out and hike the Appalachian trail! I knew how this story was going to end, but it didn’t take away from the power of the writing. It’s very evocative and gripping.
hollydyer328's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
What a crazy and inspiring story! At times I was definitely like "These people are crazy!! Why are they doing this to themselves?!" But it's a very impressive story that really highlights what the human body and mind are capable of doing if we set our mind to it. There was a lot I loved about this memoir, particularly: the adversity Scott Jurek faced and having to "dig deep;" the power of community and all of the friends and strangers that kept him going at various points on the trail; and hearing the perspective from his wife Jenny as she was crewing for him. This book will inspire you to go for a run after you finish reading it!
katelynnjune808's review against another edition
5.0
This was my second time finishing this book- it is still an incredible story of resilience, perseverance, love, and a little luck. Readers follow infamous runner Scott Jurek, his wife Jenny Jurek, and a colorful 'ever-changing' cast of characters as they travel North in seek of the FKT. They battle both physical and mental challenges over their 47 day trip- and emerge forever transformed by their journey.
I loved hearing Jenny's perspective on her time in 'Castle Black' supporting Scott through this endeavor; it added a level of reality- and reminded me of my own partner and the challenges that come when stakes are high and sleep is low.
I would recommend this book even to someone unfamiliar with ultrarunning- it has something in here that everyone can relate to: the human need to know oneself, prove oneself, and transform oneself by doing hard things with the people they love.
I loved hearing Jenny's perspective on her time in 'Castle Black' supporting Scott through this endeavor; it added a level of reality- and reminded me of my own partner and the challenges that come when stakes are high and sleep is low.
I would recommend this book even to someone unfamiliar with ultrarunning- it has something in here that everyone can relate to: the human need to know oneself, prove oneself, and transform oneself by doing hard things with the people they love.