Bannister and Beyond: The Mystique of the Four-Minute Mile (Hardcover)

~ Jim Denison (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Denison’s sweep of miling history appropriately honors the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s feat and will inspire the next generation." -- —Craig Masback, 3:52 miler and CEO of USA Track and Field

This is an essential addition to the story not only of the mile, but of all self-mastery. -- —Kenny Moore, American marathoning star and former Sports Illustrated writer

Those who read Jim Denison’s well-written book will be well rewarded with information and entertainment in equal measure. -- Professor Peter Radford, Olympic bronze medalist 100m, 1960; former world-record holder 200m; past president of British Athletics

Product Description

The 50th anniversary of the first four-minute mile is May 6, 2004. Since that great day in 1954 when Roger Bannister broke through the wall that many said would never be breached, hundreds of milers have gone sub-four -- but the achievement is still an extraordinary one, and the four-minute mile stands as a measure of greatness. This book contains interviews with and commentary from the great milers, from Bannister to his great rival, John Landy, to the stars of each succeeding decade (including Peter Snell, Eammon Coghlan, Jim Ryun, and John Walker), all of them discussing the mile -- its poetry, its rhythms, the tactics for running it, and above all, what it means to run sub-four.

This is an important piece of track history, and a book to edify and inspire all runners.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Breakaway Books; illustrated edition edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891369350
• ISBN-13: 978-1891369353
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,739 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Insight Into Some Very Fast Men, July 23, 2003

By	peter s. van bloem (new york, new york United States) - See all my reviews

This book is a gem.

Jim Denison invites us to hear these remarkable runners tell their side of their first four minute mile. He captures their spirit, philosophies and, occasionally, ego, brilliantly.

Some broke four minutes by accident, others to humble an opponent. Some were spiritual about it, others scientific.

Wow. Not at all what I assumed about four minute milers. As I am not a member of that elite group, I learned they're just like regular people. Just, uh, faster. I feel as if I know these men, despite their accomplishments as runners.

I expect my daughters will read it, embrace it, and chase the dream of the sub-four minute mile.