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Once a Runner: A Novel [Paperback]

John L. Parker
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (251 customer reviews)


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Book Description

May 1, 1999
This is the inspirational cult classic that Runner's World (and many others) have called "the best novel ever written about running".

The Reno Gazette-Journal has also called it "a book so good, people will steal it."

How often do you hear about someone borrowing a friend's book, then later buying their own copy because they liked it so much? Or a book so treasured that it gets passed from friend to friend until it simply falls apart from so many readings? Once a Runner is such a book. It has become a cult classic and our all-time best seller. It's been acclaimed over the years by Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar and many other top runners.

Many regard the story of Quenton Cassidy's battle to the top as the most accurate portrayal yet written of the tiny universe of world class runners. And it's a great source of training inspiration and wisdom as well. Many readers say they learned more about running from this novel than from all the training books they have read.

It has won Running magazine's award as the best book of the year, and has been highly acclaimed by Runner's World, Running Times, Racing South, and Track & Field News, as well as by writers like Don Kardong, Kenny Moore Tom Jordan and Hal Higdon.



Editorial Reviews

Review

"By far the most accurate fictional portrayal of the world of the serious runner. . . a marvelous description of the way it really is." -- Kenny Moore, of Sports Illustrated

"I hate to use a clich, but I couldn't put it down." -- Joe Henderson, Runner's World

"I'm jealous. This is very close to the kind of book I've wanted to write for years. . . [Parker] has shown an ability to find that vein that runners have within them, and write about it better than anyone ever has." -- Don Kardong, of Runner's World

"I've read `Once a Runner' six times and still enjoy it immensely. It continues to renew my heart to `go after the fire, not the smoke." -- J.A. Sandoz, Olympia, WA

"My 17-year-old son was transfixed with `Once a Runner'. . ." -- Jon Boon, Columbia, MD

"Perhaps the best novel ever written about running. There are parts of Once a Runner that are pure poetry. I have never read descriptions of what it is to run and race as accurate and compelling as Parker's." -- Tom Jordan, Track & Field News

"The best piece of running fiction around. Beg, borrow, or buy a copy, and you'll never need another motivator." -- Dave Langlais, Runner's World

"There is a remarkable parallel between the pacing of this novel and a well-run race." -- Ed Ayres, Running Times

From the Publisher

Truly a cult classic. Now in its 8th Printing!

Product Details

  • Paperback: 248 pages
  • Publisher: Cedarwinds (May 1, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0915297019
  • ISBN-13: 978-0915297016
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (251 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John L. Parker, Jr. has written for Outside, Runner's World, and numerous other publications. 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, and Jeff Galloway on several championship cross-country teams. A graduate of the University of Florida's 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. He lives in Gainesville, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
251 of 273 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure excellence, but with a disclaimer September 30, 2004
By Andrew
Format:Paperback
There are 87 other reviews here, so all I will do is offer the following breakdown for people interested in buying this book. Put yourself in one of these categories:

a) Competative runners: this is an increadible book, period. The best part about it is reading about a little tiny nuance in Quenton's running life and saying to yourself, "I know exactly what he's talking about, wow", which will happen literally hundreds of times. Your hopefully already-substantial appreciation for the sport will likely increase tenfold with this book.

b) The casual runner, recreational, or other athlete: this is an excellent book and is very highly reccomended. You probably will not appreciate it to it's fullest extent, but there are aspects of the story and how it is told that will be enjoyed by anyone with the capacity for excitement from sports or human physical endeavors.

c) The non-athlete: this book may not make sense to you. Not in the literary sense, but it may seem as though there is little direction in the story, and you might read it and then find yourself thinking that nothing interesting really happened, and you are not really to blame for this. There is still a good chance that you will find it enjoyable, but if you are looking for a piece of literature based on traditional merits (plot, character development, etc) there are likely better books out there for you to spend time on.

Clearly I thought this book was one of the best I've ever read. However, I hope this breakdown about who in particular might enjoy it the most was helpful.

-Andrew
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41 of 47 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Just wail on August 14, 2005
By Joe-sph
Format:Paperback
The book was great, easily one of the best I've ever read. The only times I ever put it down were to eat, sleep and run. There was one quote from Cassidy that i feel sums up the book, the main character, and competative running. I don't know how some one can read this and not be in the mood to run. "It's a simple choice: We can all be good boys and wear our letter sweaters around and get our little degrees and find some nice girl to settle, you know, down, with...take up what a friend of ours calls the hearty challenges of lawn care...Or we can blaze! Become legends in our own time, strike fear in the heart of mediocre talent everywhere! We can scald dogs, put records out of reach! Make the stands gasp as we blow into an unearthly kick from three hundred yards out! We can become God's own messenger delivering the dreaded scrolls! We can race dark Satan himself till he wheezes fiery cinders down the back straightaway! They'll speak our names in hushed tones, 'Those guys are animals' they'll say! We can lay it on the line, bust a gut, show them a pair of clean heels. We can sprint the turn on a spring breeze and feel the winter leave our feet. We can, by God, let our demons loose and just wail on!"
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56 of 66 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book I've ever read! January 8, 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I'm a sophomore in highschool and I'm also a extremely dedicated cross-country and track runner. This book has changed my life! The inspirational story of Quenton Cassidy's runner career left me breathless! The first chapter gave me goose-bumps because it decribed the start of a race perfectly. I read chapters from the book every night before a big race. Reading about Cassidy's determination gives any runner a boost. This book has to have the most accurate description of a runners mentality ever written. This is the best book about running I've ever read!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars My All-Time Favorite.
As a fiction writer and coincidentally an avid collegiate runner, this book hit home for me. I only started running my freshman year of college and was introduced to this book a... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Ashley176
4.0 out of 5 stars Dark side of running.
Really nice easy read. I think that it is a good book for those who are begining to run. For all thoes who enjoy running.

I enjoyed the book. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Timur
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
As a runner and Gainesville resident I really got into this novel! As a runner, it was difficult to read this book at night then fall asleep.
Published 20 days ago by Hutson R
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Running Book
As a runner who ran Cross Country and Track in college, I really related to this book. I'm starting to train for a half marathon again and found this book very motivating and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Genise Green
5.0 out of 5 stars Best running book ever
This book is a true classic. Have read it over and over since I bought my first copy in 2001. Every runner should read this book.
Published 1 month ago by Joseph B. Eby
5.0 out of 5 stars every runner should read this book at some point
I come from a family of runners, so of course at some point it was inevitable that I would read this book. I didn't regret it, I have read a handful of running books. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nate
5.0 out of 5 stars The insane drive
To anyone that has ever contemplated if they have what it takes, this gripping book clearly shows the true dedication and sacrifice the elite runners make daily. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chamel007
2.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could get what the fuss is about
First, to be fair, I enjoyed some parts of the book.
There are a couple of memorable college pranks described that I thought were hilarious, and I quite liked the disruptive... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Celine Derudder
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration at its finest
I am a competitive runner and wanted some inspiration. My coach told me to this read this. I bought it on my kindle and fell in love. I can't wait to read the sequel!
Published 2 months ago by Andrew Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars Once a Runner
Great book for all runners, no matter if you are running in high school, college, or just to stay in good health.
Published 2 months ago by Tyler
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Topic From this Discussion
New edition
Looks like it is not coming out now until next year. I tried ordering it used on amazon when one seller dropped their price, but then received a note saying they were out of stock. I think they just took it off and jacked their price up. Oh well, their market will dry up next year.
Sep 12, 2008 by R. Phelps |  See all 3 posts
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