Why We Run: A Natural History,   ISBN:9780060958701

Customer Rating: 

The first part of the book, the author's childhood, is too poetic from my point of view. But then he actually embarks on a journey through the physiology of endurance in multiple animal species that is very, very interesting for long-distance runners.

Customer Rating: 

This book was thoroughly enjoyable and what I expected/hoped as opposed to the Bicycle Diaries. The author's understanding of biology and the biology of running was fascinating. The fact that this guy did not just run marathons but ultramarathons was just sick. That is about 62.3 miles to the rest of us.

The tale flowed nicely. At times, the writing felt awkward but this generally occurred during the science explanations and I can only surmise that the editor might have had a hand in this. I think it was a function of editing because when the author talked of his youth, growing up, and races, the writing was tight and had a good flow.

I am still not sure if this book inspired me though. Why? He might as well as described how he flies as that is about as likely for me to do as run an ultra. I did like his narrative when he focused on his feelings while running and the most fascinating aspect is there is a scientific reason behind `the wall' that most distance runners hit.

The only thing that I could not fathom is that since he resides in the northeast of the U.S.A., he has to run in the winter to maintain his training. How does he run in the cold? For some of us, our lungs collapse down into little raisins when it gets cold and even after attempting it for several weeks, there is no work around. This is something for which I would have liked to have a science based solution.

Lastly, the book explored his many theories on running preparation and diet and provided scientific theories for just about everything he consumed. It was nice to not hear pseudo science but the real deal from this amazing athlete.

Customer Rating: 

Great book! Not only for those who are passioned for running but for anyone who is curious about history and evolution.

Customer Rating: 

Reading the other reviews, I must be the only reader who did not appreciate this book. While the book may be very interesting, it's not what Amazon advertised it to be nor is it what I expected from the title. Maybe I just haven't gotten far enough along in the book. But I didn't expect an autobiography, especially one about an author whose young life sounded very difficult. What I expected was a book more along anthropological or historical explanations for the reasons humans run. I expected a continuation of the explanations that were described in Born to Run. In fact, Born to Run was the reason I purchased this book. Maybe I'll give it another try in the future but for now I'm going to continue my search for a book I can't put down.

Customer Rating: 

This is a great book, a wonderful biography of a fascinating man. I have had the chance of sitting in on a talk by Dr. Heinrich about his running, and he is truely remarkable. All of that talk is captured in this book. It is by far the best running book I have read- and I've read a lot. I love his style, and enjoy his take on life.

I have read 6 of his books, and look forward to reading his newest, as well as catching up on some I have missed.

5 stars!!!