Again to carthage once a runner, book 2 by john l parker jr. Parkers once a runner, the sine qua non of running fiction, made its debut in 1978 as a book without precedent, peer or publisher. As a runner, and a fan of books about running, i was looking forward to reading once a runner particularly as fiction books on the subject are pretty rare and i knew this one was wellregarded. The story and writing style may be hard to understand at first for those not in this sport, but i assure those who love running that this is a yearly read. And not one of them was prepared, truly prepared to believe that it had not so much to do with chemicals and zippy mental tricks as with that most unprofound and sometimes heartrending process of removing, molecule by molecule, the very tough rubber that comprised the bottoms of his. To demonstrate their devotion to the book, runners not infrequently take its. Parker self published the novel in the late 1970s and famously sold it out the trunk of his car at running events. More a legend than a book to some, once a runner and. Once a runner brings me back to my own forever days in doobey hall john l. Aug 27, 2015 once a runner is an inspiring, funny, and spoton tale of one mans quest to become a champion. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading once a runner. The author makes the book seem very realistic as he includes runners of the time. It has become one of the most beloved sports novels ever written.
Once a runner is a novel by american author john l. Parker selfpublished a novel about the world of college track and field, focusing on the struggles of a gifted runner to break the fourminute mile and join the elite distance fraternity. A graduate of the university of floridas college of journalism as well as its college of law, parker has been a practicing attorney, a newspaper reporter and columnist, a speechwriter for then governor bob graham, and editorial director of running times magazine. A graduate of the university of floridas college of journalism as well as its college of law, parker has been a practicing attorney, a newspaper reporte. Once a runner great book, i would highly recommend it. The first edition of the novel was published in 1978, and was written by john l. In once a runner, parker illustrates the hard work and dedication that is required of an elite runner. Ironically for a book about toplevel collegiate milers, the book starts. The famed millrose games, with its long, rich history is best known for its wanamaker mile. Cassidys loyalty to his friend is severely tested just as his opportunity to make his mark as a gifted runner comes to fruition.
Again to carthage once a runner, book 2 by john l parker jr book cover, description, publication history. Parker and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. John parkers prequel to the new york times best seller once a runner vividly captures how a runner is formed and the physical endurance, determination, and mindset he develops on the way to becoming a champion. The author of once a runner, again to carthage, and racing the rain. The only true way is to marshal the ferocity of your ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and if you could finally come to accept it years. Quenton specializes in the mile for southeastern university a fictional university based on the university of florida, but ends up being kicked off the team for opposing a dress and conduct code impressed upon athletes. Quenton cassidy is not actually a real person, some itinerant jogger bent on winning charity races nationwide.
Over the decades, he went through 10 printings and about 100,000 copies, selling them out of the trunk of his car at meets. After catching some high prices on the used book market, it was finally reprinted last year. Wearing my literary criticism hat for a moment, the book fits into a common staple of american literature. Parker jr is a very extensive look into one year of a collegiate runners carrier. The main characters of this fiction, sports and games story are. Once a runner is the best running book i have ever read. Originally selfpublished in 1978, once a runner captures the essence of competitive runningand of athletic competition in generaland has become one of the most beloved sports novels ever published.
Apart from the hero cassidy characters include john walton the world record holder for the mile, and the first person to run a mile in under 3 minutes and 50 seconds. Once a runner captures the essence of what it means to be a compet. Parker jr originally selfpublished in 1978, once a runner captures the essence of competitive runningand of athletic competition in generaland has become one of the most. Originally selfpublished in 1978 and sold at road races out of the trunk of the authors car, the book eventually found its way into the hands of high school, college, and postgraduate athletes all over the country. Search around, and all roads invariably lead to once a runner. Its a new york times bestseller and was described by runners world as the best novel ever written about running.
Once a runner depicts the story of quenton cassidy, a college athlete hoping to make a name for himself in the mile, with an ambition of breaking 4mins, and hopefully even making the olympics. Parker, 9781416597896, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Parker jr once a runner captures the essence of what it means to be a competitive runner. Throughout the text, we learn about quentin cassidy, a college runner at southeastern university in florida, who wants to break 4 minutes for the mile. Unfortunately i found it extremely hard going the quality of the writing was my main issue. Once a runner is a fictional story of a collegiate who wishes to break the 4 minute mile barrier. The novel was followed by the sequel again to carthage in 2008 and the prequel racing the rain in 2015.
A cult classic amongst runners, and the description of running in this book makes for fantastic reading. The research behind this novel is right on the mark. He was the southeastern conference mile champion three times, and the united states track and field federation national champion in the steeplechase, and was the teammate of olympians frank shorter, jack bacheler. The undisputed classic of running novels and one of the most beloved sports books ever published, once a runner tells. This book accurately portrays like none other the unique weirdoddcrazy mind of a competitive distance runner. Parker jrs selfpublished book is still my favourite read about the art of running. In the 40 years since, more than 100,000 copies of the book have sold. Runners world the best piece of running fiction around.
As a runner, the book once a runner captures my every stride. He wanted to impart some of the truths bruce denton had taught him, that you dont become a runner by winning a morning workout. Parker novel once a runner and what makes it so successful among runners. Once a runner is best enjoyed by competitive runners. Parker jr the book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 226 pages and is available in paperback format. Ive read countless books on running over the years and im an avid runner and racer but this book is silly and unbelievable in.
Mar 24, 2015 once a runner depicts the story of quenton cassidy, a college athlete hoping to make a name for himself in the mile, with an ambition of breaking 4mins, and hopefully even making the olympics. Free download or read online once a runner pdf epub book. The trilogy chronicles the struggles of quenton cassidy, a middledistance runner. As a member of a collegiate level crosscountry team, the prime. Originally selfpublished in 1978 and sold at road races out of the trunk of. Perhaps surprisingly, there are not so many options out there for runninginspired fiction. Then he almost died, spending 16 days in a nearcoma. Like if his were a certain kind of personality, he would accept this responsibility with love and great modesty. They dont refuse to reprint parker s running novel once a runner but the 7 or 8 printings since it first appeared have not been enough for consumer demand. Patrick gibson takes a deep dive into the classic john l. Unlike training guides or running stories that spend far too much time explaining the beauty of running and trying to introduce people to the wonders of jogging around, once a runner really goes into the life and mind of a runner though the book uses fictional characters, they are easily recognizable and realistic. Why i loathe once a runner canadian running magazine. Set in the 1960s, this book on running is still relevant to this date. John parker s prequel to the new york times best seller once a runner vividly captures how a runner is formed and the physical endurance, determination, and mindset he develops on the way to becoming a champion.
It works and has the potential to draw a new audience into once a runner. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read once a runner. Ironically for a book about toplevel collegiate milers, the book starts somewhat slowly, but it soon finds its pace. Jan 07, 2009 to balance yesterdays rant against the loneliness of the long distance runner i felt compelled to mention a great running book, once a runner, by john l.