God on the Starting Line: The Triumph of a Catholic School Running Team and Its Jewish Coach (Paperback)

~ Marc Bloom (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"It captures the deeper joy of watching young athletes embrace unfashionable ideals of commitment, sacrifice, courage, and faith."-Sports Illustrated

"Marc Bloom coaches as every coach in the sport should. I recommend this book without reservation. Read it, commit it to memory, and you will be better for it."-American Track & Field

"At its core a spiritual book. It will inspire the reader who values small works of goodness and the courage to face big challenges."-Jewish Book World

"More than a story of different religions, Jewish and Catholic, meeting on the cross-country course. There is an even more eternal struggle: old versus new. Bloom preaches the value of pain, hard work, suffering, and delayed gratification. His cross-country kids are, well, kids. They want to have fun, chase girls, and enjoy the loosey-goosey life. In Bloom's inspiring tale, both coach and kids learn surprising lessons from each other."-Amby Burfoot, executive editor of Runner's World

Marc Bloom, an observant Jew, winds up the coach of a local Catholic high school cross-country team. The common ground he finds between the two faiths helps to propel his team to a state championship.

Marc Bloom, an award-winning journalist, is a features writer for The New York Times and a contributing editor of Runner's World.

About the Author

Marc Bloom, an award-winning journalist, is a features writer for The New York Times and Contributing Editor of Runner's World.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Breakaway Books (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891369741
• ISBN-13: 978-1891369742
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from a SRHS insider, September 18, 2004

By	Michele R. Campbell (NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

As principal of St. Rose High School I held my breath as I read Coach Blooms book - hoped we'd fair OK, I guess. I read the book in one sitting and ran the gamut of emotions as I laughed, cried and visualized these boys and their coach. I spent many years, when my son ran cross country: driving, waiting, cheering and feeling his pain. Any parent whose child is a runner (or not!) will connect with this well written story of compatable faiths, boys, their families, Coach Bloom's family and most important the bond created by and between a talented coach and evolving teenage boys. I appreciated Marc Bloom when he coached for SRHS, knew his value as a coach and as a writer; I thank him deeply for sharing his insight with this inspiring book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational, Energetic, Honest read...., November 24, 2004

By	JSB "Proud Reader" (USA) - See all my reviews

This exciting, warm, funny book will make every reader laugh, think, cry, and wonder. You DO NOT have to be a runner to appreciate Marc Bloom's story. It is a HUMAN tale. It is an HONEST and open book that will leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book for runners and coaches alike., May 17, 2005

By	J. Enright (Sewell NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

God on the Starting Line is an excellent non-fiction book about a NJ high school cross-country team and its coach. Bloom's smooth writing style brings out the joys and heartaches experienced by cross-country coaches and runners everywhere. I have coached x-c at two different Catholic high schools (in NJ and PA)and Bloom's honest description of the day-to-day experiences is very accurate. Bloom makes the reader feel a part of this team and his descriptions are both brutally honest, yet thoughtful for each team member. His race descriptions and training methods can be appreciated by runners, coaches and fans of distance running. Highly recommended!