Slaying the Dragon: How to Turn Your Small Steps to Great Feats [Hardcover]

Michael Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

Michael Johnson stunned the world in the 1996 Olympics when he achieved what no other runner has ever accomplished, capturing two gold medals in the 200-meter and the 400-meter races and shattering the previous world record set in the 200 his own record by a staggering margin. Arms pumping, back straight in his unique running style, gold shoes flashing, it looked to the world as if Johnson had reached the pinnacle of his profession, as if he owned those races. Except for the stumble out of the blocks. For while Johnson knew what the world knew that he was the fastest man alive he also knew that there were still mountains to conquer. How much faster could he have gone without the stumble?

"After you have stared long enough into the dragon's eyes, there is nothing left to do but slay the dragon. For each of us, that dragon is the thing closest to the center of our lives. It is our core, our ambition and our joy. For me, it is the perfect race."

In Slaying the Dragon: How to Turn Your Small Steps to Great Feats, Michael Johnson shares his secrets on how to identify your own dragon, your own fears and goals and how to apply his winning techniques to your personal and professional life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Johnson competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he earned gold medals in the 400 and 200 meter track events. Between international competitions, he lives and trains in Dallas and Waco, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; First Edition edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060392185
• ISBN-13: 978-0060392185
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME BOOK, June 20, 2005

By 

Alene N. Morrison "beanybags" (Douglasville, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Slaying the Dragon: How to Turn Your Small Steps to Great Feats (Hardcover)

Michael Johnson is not only an athlete, but an intellectual as well. He spells out how it took him six years to improve his 200 meter race 1.7 seconds. What is 1.7 seconds? It is the difference from being a good athlete and a world class athlete. This book teaches everyone how to improve themselves in order to achieve their dreams, whether it is in athletics, business, or education. I read this book in a matter of hours, it is a quick read and has invaluable insight into how to slay your dragon--a term Michael coins referring to how to reach your goals. If you have a dream and want to reach it, but have fallen short of victory, this is a must read.

I am a high school English teacher and plan to use bits of this book in my classroom to help my students learn to establish goals and achieve them.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is changing my kid's life, September 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Slaying the Dragon: How to Turn Your Small Steps to Great Feats (Hardcover)

When I bought the book at a used book store, I had no idea what it was like. I just wanted a book for my 13 year-old son to read and maybe enjoy. We had been to the '96 Games and had seen the 200M race so I thought he could relate even though my son hates to run. I had him read a few pages out loud each day so I could hear his pronounciation but within a few days I began to realize what this book has to offer. I also noticed a change taking place in my son as he read the words. I really can't do justice to the book but I can tell you the message Michael Johnson has for young people has the power to change lives. I am grateful to Mr Johnson for what he has given my son.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great piece of work, November 16, 2002

By 

Jimmy Trapp (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slaying the Dragon: How to Turn Your Small Steps to Great Feats (Hardcover)

Most athletes dont write their own stuff by themselves. Usually they have a professional writer help them out be cause most athletes, (and im not trying to be judgemental against athletes, im an athletes myself) aren't as good writers as others are. And i'm sure Michael Johnson did have help in rearanging certain grammatical errors and reorganizing the structure of his book, but overall it is a book that Michael Johnson wrote himself. It is one of the very few books that you can say written by a man who is not a writer that you can say "WOW" too. This wonderflly done piece of literature is a great read for student athletes and yound men and women who are aspiring to become something great in whatever profession they are in.

I would also like to say something about the author of the very terribly written review about Michael Johson. First of all, do not pay any attention to the review for it almost doesn't represent the book in any way. These reviews are meant to be a review of the book, not anything else. secondly, if any thinks Michael Johnson faked his hamstring pull, you should take a good look at the athletic doctors report on Michaels injury during the 150 meter race between Donovan Bailey. It will say that there was definate "tearing" in the muscle. Don't make pre-conceived ideas about an athlete who injures him/herself.