Ellison "Tarzan" Brown: The Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won the Boston Marathon [Paperback]

Michael Ward (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786424168 | ISBN-13: 978-0786424160 | Publication Date: July 5, 2006

Ellison “Tarzan” Brown was one of America’s premier marathon runners during the 1930s and 1940s. This volume tells the story of his life from the beginning of his budding career in the early 1930s through his untimely death in 1975. With his unorthodox approach to the sport and his spectacular finishes, Tarzan Brown quickly became something of a legend in racing. Inevitably, he became the subject of stories that were not always entirely factual—and sometimes not very flattering. This biography seeks to present an accurate, unbiased account of Brown’s life. The reminiscences of his close friends, family and even his rivals paint a vivid picture of the man and his career. The book covers in considerable depth events such as Brown’s two Boston Marathon victories and his trip to the 1936 Olympic Games in Nazi Germany. Also discussed are the rivalries between Brown and other marathoners of the day. Completing the picture are a look at the more personal aspects of Brown’s life, such as his struggle to support his young family, and an examination of his Narrangansett Indian heritage. The final chapter discusses the misconceptions surrounding Brown’s accidental death outside a bar in 1975. An appendix offers a wealth of information on the sport of running.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Ward lives in North Billerica, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 445 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (July 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786424168
• ISBN-13: 978-0786424160
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,810,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different time, May 13, 2007

By 

Gordon A. FitzGerald (Clinton, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Ellison "Tarzan" Brown: The Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won the Boston Marathon (Paperback)

I had heard of Tarzan Brown when I was young. He seemed a mysterious character, with not much known about him. I enjoyed learning about him, what a really great runner he was in a time when 100 runners in a race was a lot. The author interviewed many of those who knew him, including his wife, and gives an idea what it must have been like to be a Narragansett Indian in those days.

For anyone who loves the freedom of running (which Tarzan did), and is interested in life in New England 70 years ago, this book is a real find. You will also learn more about Johnny Kelley (the elder), Clarence DeMar, Les Pawson, Bricklayer Kennedy, etc. This was a time when money was scarce, and runners had to be amateurs- Tarzan once won a refrigerator in a race, but he had no electricity so gave it away. At one point he won 17 races in a row; at his peak he was brilliant. He won consecutive marathons over a 2-day period, taking a night train from NY to NH to get to the 2nd one. Tarzan had quite a spirit, and I thank the author for his painstaking research.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love running, you'll love this book, July 21, 2011

By 

Mike - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ellison "Tarzan" Brown: The Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won the Boston Marathon (Paperback)

This book is not for everyone; not even for every runner. However, it is a fascinating account of road racing in the 30's, when distance running was not a mass event, but, rather, limited to a select band of hardy "plodders", and sportswriters really got into the details of the races and the runners' lives.
The book tells the story of a young talented runner who had to juggle the love of running with the need to find work and support his family. It tells the story of every race he ran in some detail, and of his rivalry with several elite runners of the time. I like reading about races and loved it!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Narragansett Indian In Hitler's Germany, February 17, 2009

By 

Doctor S. "MD" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ellison "Tarzan" Brown: The Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won the Boston Marathon (Paperback)

The name Tarzan Brown should be mentioned in the same breath as all great minority sports heroes, but unfortunately, as a certain football team from DC shows, Native Americans have never complained loud enough to get the respect they deserve. The paradox being that they deserve even more respect for not constantly lamenting their victim-hood.
Just like Jesse Owens, Tarzan Brown went to Nazi Germany for the 1936 Berlin Olympics and was featured prominently in the classic documentary 'Olympia'. All of Berlin was utterly fascinated with an Indian who wasn't shooting arrows or attacking stage coaches and although he did not win, he was a celebrity. WWII robbed Tarzan of his chance to capture an Olympic medal but he won the Boston Marathon once more in '39 and would've been a favorite in the 1940 and '44 games. He is a great American who deserves to be remembered.