Customer Reviews

Bikila: Ethiopia's Barefoot Olympian

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tim Judah writes an excellent biographical book about a superstar athlete, Abebe Bikila, whom has not had enough written about him given his athletic prowess. His book attempts to factually tell the story of Bikila which is something that Paul Rambali appeared to not even attempt when he wrote his book about the same runner. Judah's book also does a superb biographical job telling about Bikila's coach, Niskanen, whom otherwise is forgotten in history.

With so little written about this great athlete, this is a MUST READ BOOK!

Abebe Bikila was the first African to win an Olympic marathon and the first (and certainly the only drug-free) to win twice in succession. This highly readable book uncovers some little known facts about his Swedish trainer and the personal side of an enigmatic man. It also touches on the tragedy of Mamo Wolde. Well written. A must for students of distance running.