― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
'I'm not a big reader.'
This may be an odd thing to say prior to recounting my musings on the books I have read. However, having previously written book reviews at college, for books I didn't read (sorry Ian Mitchell), I felt it important to lower, rather than raise expectations. With this in mind don't expect the eloquent recounting of form and writing style. Instead I will give you my thoughts that might help you decide which book to read next or provide a gift idea for Christmas. Yes I know it's only just December but you all need to get organised and I need to write this down before I forget. I also thought it might make a nice change from my other posts.
On another note, when training on my long runs for Loch Ness I used Audio books and found them a great option for people that run or walk solo. So give them a try if you haven't already.
All of these books have sport at their heart, and tell a story of either an individual or an event. The one exception is Cairngorm John. This is however linked by the great outdoors and should hopefully appeal to those that are drawn to these books.The reviews- if you can call them that will be short and sweet.
Also before the trollers start to do their thing, these books are all infinitally better that anything I could produce. Then again I wouldn't dream of charging you to read this.
If you want a in depth review of the books. Amazon is a thing.
How I won the yellow jumper - Ned Boulting
This is a funny book. Before reading this I wasn't really sure you actually got funny books. I know most people talk about books being funny, but rarely do you see people actually laugh let alone laugh so hard you have to put the book down. It's almost a compliment to Ned if you can't finish it.
This was the book that got me into watching the actual Tour de France. It takes you through the journey of a green (pun intended), wet round the ears reporter/viewer through to a seasoned Tour reporter/ watcher. It deals with the show and the various practicalities that need to be considered when trying to report on a massive moving procession. Rather than giving a history lesson of the tour. This perspective gives you what I think might be a kaleidoscope view of 'le tour'. The book also does a good job of introducing you to the main characters involved within the cycling circus. You would probably get more of of this if you has a slight interest in cycling. More likely it will simply convert you into at least a passing observer of cycling. Don't let the subject matter cloud your view of it. It is as much a travel book that a sports book, and anyone that has spend long summer in a car travelling through France will smile and most likely chuckle away while reading it.
Christmas rating: Buy it now. For yourself.
Ben Ainslie, Britain's Greatest Olympic Sailor: Close to the Wind - Ben Ainslie
This is a book I wanted to enjoy but his achievements outweigh his writing ability.
I need to add note of conflict here. A few years ago I took up sailing. I am terrible at it, but enjoy it a lot. I do however, hate to lose. This means I have to internalise a lot of rage whilst sailing and if only I could master some actual technique, rules, knots and pretty much everything else needed to win a sailing race, I would probably take the Ben Ainslie approach to racing and make other people lose in order to win. I mean that with great respect and sincerity. Yes I am officially an Ass but it's born from something deep and dark within me.
Back to the book. It was released soon after the London Olympics and was clearly aimed to coincide and profit from the Olympics. The book is non linear and switches order of events without always making it clear making the book come across as being a little rushed and unpolished. The stories and insights are remarkable giving both personal views on famous events and insider details on what it takes to train at that level. The book certainly gives you an understanding of the man, the commitment and the sacrifices needed to achieve these remarkable things, but it can be a little hard to read and is probably best for fans of Ben and his achievements, or fans of Sailing.
Christmas rating- if you know someone that sails or is interested in how people become a world elite get it as a stocking filler.
Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-running and Obsession - Richard Askwith and Robert Macfarlane
This is my favourite book in the list and the reason that I not only started writing the blog but took up running again. This is an incredible book that has so many layers and stories to tell, yet is seamlessly woven together. It's written by a journalist and is easily the best written book in the list. I read My time- Bradley Wiggins immediately after reading this book and the drop in writing standards was so bad I almost needed a parachute (yes I'm aware of the irony). The book manages to document a year in the fell running calender while telling the story of Richard Askwiths attempt to complete the Bob Graham round. You are also introduced to the famous characters within the world of Fell running. If you are already a runner the chances are you either know about this book or have read it. If you are the runner that hasn't read it. Read it, now. If you aren't a runner but are an active person, again read it. is very well told and clearly a subject held dear by the author. It also gives you an insight into a niche world that isn't really seen. People into similarly niche sports or activities will smile at the similarities of 'small' sports. A brilliant, funny, honest book that can not fail to inspire optimism and hope that you can do it too.
Christmas rating: A great gift for anyone that is active or enjoys the outdoors.
The secret race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs- Tyler Hamilton, Daniel Coyle
This book seems to have blown up since Lance came clean about the whole doping issue. But don't think that's all this book has to offer. I found Tyler to be a really likable character and some of the training details are amazing. Of all the cycling books it shows the extremes involved in the sport most honestly and makes for sometimes hard reading. It's really good and of the few people I know that have read it, no one has a bad word to say about it. It's just honest about cycling and I liked it more for that than the sensation of 'doping'.
Christmas rating- A really interesting look behind the curtains of the cycling world in the 90's. Doping or not, cyclists are tough.
Bradley Wiggins: My Time
If you are a bradley wiggins fan the chances are you have already read this book. I wish I could be positive about it but as I said previously I read it straight after Feet in the Clouds and it just wasn't as good. I thought it was a little superficial and lacked real depth. It does a good job of recounting all his achievements but not too much else and I finished it thinking he was possibly a little more arrogant than I had thought*.
*I'm sure he is probably a nice bloke.
Christmas rating: I'd only read it if you had read the other cycling books and couldn't find anything else.
Mud, Sweat and Tears: An Irish Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery- Moire O'Sullivan
This is the most 'amateur' athlete book in the list. To be clear I mean that in no way to limit or reduce either Moire's achievement, or the book. It is better for it. This book makes you think you can achieve great things. It is again set within the niche world of fell running. This time in Ireland. Moire is a great and funny character and you can't help but want her to do well as she develops from newbie (all be it with a good base) to a winner. It's a great read, though a little short. I won't give anymore of it away just read it.
Christmas rating- A great stocking filler or secret Santa type gift.
Racing Through the Dark: the Fall and Rise of David Millar- David Millar
David Millar was the lone British light in the European cycling circuit for a long time before Wiggins et al. marched on Pairs. The book tells of David's entry into the pro cycling world and the 'dark art's that go with it. The book manages to put the emotion and context behind what is now a seemingly open world of cycling's doping past. A really good book that puts emotion into cycling when it was still a fringe sport in Britain and doping was a taboo subject.
Christmas rating: a really good book that makes you want to like David, and lets you decide for yourself on doping.
Running with the Kenyans- Adharanand Finn
A lot has already been written about this book and I agree with most of it. It is a great book and also a great travel account. I 'read' or listened to the audio version and found it inspiring to hear about his training runs while I was on mine. I found it made me want to go out for my long runs as it meant I could listen to some more of the book. He speaks very Honestly about the trials and tribulations of training for a marathon and speaks with a quiet authority on the subject of the Kenyan running secret. The only thing I didn't like was that there weren't any photos. Don't worry I checked the actual book. I would have loved to have seen some of the characters and places he talked about. Especially as he mentions taking photos.
A Life without Limits- Chrissie Wellington
This is another good read and manages to tell what I think would hope is a 'complete' picture of Chrissie Wellington. Providing very honest and sometimes awkward truths. You learn a lot about the transitions from childhood all the way through to world champion. I think the book benefits from Chrissie's varied life. As she wasn't always a professional athlete you really get to see the transformation. She comes across very well in it. It's also nice to read a book about a female elite athlete as there seems to be too few female sports biographies published.
Christmas rating. Buy it, and not just for the girls (break down those barriers).
Cairngorm John- John Allen, Robert Davidson
This is a beautiful book and some how manages to tell the story of Cairngorm John (a mountain rescue Volunteer), provides the history of the Mountain rescue, and capture the Cairngorms themselves. The central figure of this book is not Cairngorm John. Instead, the Cairngorms themselves. John is able to talk about them with such respect and clarity that I was instantly sent back there. The book it largely split into sections with John tackling certain issues in each. He manages to provide a modern history of the Mountain Rescue Team and talks about some really interesting issues such as private/ voluntary rescues and centralised funding. There are of course lots of stories about the various rescues undertaken, but John manages to do so without a hint of condescension for those less fortunate or skilled and is able to transcribe a love for the outdoors that isn't easily captured into words.
Christmas rating: A great surprise gift for anyone that likes to walk or that used to walk.
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