Book Review: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Title: Born to Run
Author: Christopher McDougall
Series: None
Publisher: Knopf
Released: May 5, 2009
Website: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/


Book Summary:

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.
With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

I am not a runner. I would never have picked up this book on my own but it was this month's book club book. It delves into the world of barefoot and long distance racing. I found it fascinating. I've always hated to wear shoes and go barefoot whenever I can and I now feel justified.

Written like a memoir it was often hard to distinguish fact from opinion. I still found the world of these ultra runners to be intriguing.

The life of the Tarahumara is unlike anything I've heard of before. And ultrarunning...I'd heard of Iron Man races before but 100 miles in the desert? I actually googled the people and events chronicled in this book to learn more.

 How would you like to run 100 miles in these shoes?

You'll never convince me to run 100 mile race in the desert or even a marathon but you might just find me at the park running barefoot one day soon. At least I'm considering it after reading this book.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Language including the F word

Source: Library

Book Review: Lizzie's Blue Ridge Memories by Virginia Elisabeth Farmer

Lizzie's father finds himself out of work during the General Motors Strike in 1970. He packs up his family and takes them to his mother's farm in Virginia where the city girls are in for an adventure.
They meet country neighbors, learn how to milk cows, fish with a cane pole and feed the chickens.
Lizzie learns about death but encounters many joyful experiences along the way as she meets extended family members.

I met author Virginia Elisabeth Farmer at the St. George Book Festival last month. She gave me a copy of her book Lizzie's Blue Ridge Memories to review.

This book brought to my mind my own memories of visiting my grandparents when I was younger. Like Lizzie, my grandparents lived on a farm. This book is based on events from the authors life and a summer spent living with her grandparents.  The book is told in a way to help young children visualize what life was like when their parents & grandparents were younger.

Lizzie's story made me nostalgic for my childhood and the simpler times of the past. It also reminded me that I need to take more time to create memories with my own children and that I need to write experiences and stories down before they are forgotten.

This is a heartwarming read for children ages 8-12.

Content: Clean

Rating : 4 Stars

Source: From Author For Review

Escape From Rwanda by John Yves Bizimana - Book Review & Giveaway

John Yves Bizimana was only seven years old when his family was caught up in the Rwandan genocide. In Escape from Rwanda, he tells of their horrifying escape and subsequent experiences as refugees, traveling with his widowed mother and his younger brother and sister from country to country, searching for safety and a place to call home. When they finally reach Zimbabwe, they expect their lives will settle down - they don't suspect that even greater trials are yet to come.

John's story is one of almost unimaginable hardship - trudging through corpses that litter the road out of Rwanda, huddling under cardboard boxes for shelter, depending on strangers and governmental agencies for sustenance. His story is one of poverty, loneliness, and death, but it is also a story of faith, hope, determination, and miracles. This unique first-person account is interwoven with stories of others' saving acts of kindness and compassion in a seemingly compassion-less world.

This unforgettable story of rising above all odds reminds us that life itself is a blessing and that hope should be the driving force of our lives.

Escape from Rwanda was exactly what it claimed to be a true story of faith, hope and survival. This memoir shares the incredible life story of John Yves Bizimana.

Born to a wealthy family in Zimbabwe, John had an idyllic childhood. Delicious meals, a huge house, many servants and a wonderful family made for a blissful life. When John was just seven years old everything changed. The death of his father followed by the Rwanda Genocide left John as a refuge. Forced to flee to Zimbabwe with his mother and two younger siblings, life would now be full of one trial and challenge after another.

John dreamed of coming to the United States but circumstances took him to Zimbabwe where he lived in the Transit Center then to Emerald Hill Orphanage and then to Belgium to live with relatives.

Through his trials the hand of God was evident in his life, from the kindness of strangers to needed documents being found at the last minute, we see many instances of the tender mercies of the Lord. John's life changes for good one day when he is drawn towards two out of place men playing a game of street ball in suits and ties.

This short book was packed full of wisdom and truth. I found myself underlining profound passages that touch my spirit as I read. Here are just a few:

It's a sad fact that a common human trait is to be harshest with those who share our weaknesses. One would think that we would be more understanding after having walked down the same path, but we find, sadly, the recovering alcoholic being overly critical of the occasional drinker.

It was a painful lesson: I was better off being the very best version of myself than a dreadful copy of someone else.

Perhaps the hardest challenge among all else was to unlearn old habits and learn new ones. To become the person I wished to be, I had to be drained of that of which I was full and to be filled with that of which I was barren.

Trials of our lives expose to us the strengths or weaknesses of our character. Trials are the mirror that allows us to see ourselves indeed, because trials, in whatever form, reveal to us how strong or weak we are.

I highly recommend this amazing story. It is a inspiring book that is worth taking the time to read.

Miraculously a family photo book survived allowing pictures of John and his family to be included in this memoir.

Content: A uplifting, inspiring, clean read.

Rating: 4 Stars

Giveaway Details:

I'm giving away my copy of Escape From Rwanda.

Giveaway open until October 10, 2010

Open only to those with a US mailing address.

Being a blog follower is not required to enter this giveaway. Followers do get (+1) one extra entry.

This Giveaway is now Closed - Congratulations to the winner Erinberry

Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus

A deftly woven narrative about a young woman's experience of growing up inside Communist Romania, who flees to the US in search of the America dream, and discovers that freedom—in both free and closed societies—is an innovation of self. An epic tale of identity, love, and the indomitable human spirit. To eighteen-year-old Aura Imbarus, Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had turned Romania into a land of zombies as surely as if Count Dracula had sucked its lifeblood. Yet Aura dares to be herself: an optimistic overachiever, heiress to lands confiscated by the regime, and a rebel among the gray-clad, fearful masses. Christmas shopping in 1989, Aura and her parents draw sniper fire as Romania descends into the violence of a revolution that topples one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc. They hide heirloom jewels and build barricades against five harrowing days of chaos. With a bit of Hungarian mysticism in her blood, astonishingly accurate visions lead Aura into danger as well as a closer connection with the love of her life, handsome and sophisticated Michael Chiorean. Eventually, Aura and Michael marry and flee a homeland still in chaos. With only two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, they settle in Los Angeles where freedom and sudden wealth challenge their love as powerfully as Communist tyranny. Aura loses her psychic vision. Heirloom jewels are stolen, a fortune is lost, followed by divorce and a death. Reeling at first, Aura and Michael find their way back to each other, this time with joy and the true freedom they discover within. They've paid a high price for their materialistic dreams, but gain a love that is far richer in this deftly written memoir about identity, love and the indomitable human spirit.

One criteria I have for a 5 Star book is that once done reading I continue to think about what I read. Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus is definitely a book that I am still thinking about.

Aura's memoir of her life in Romania and subsequent immigration to America is remarkable. I must admit my own knowledge of world events is lacking. A revolution in Romania? In fact give me a blank map and I'd have a hard time correctly identifying just where in the world Romania is. Despite my admitted lack of knowledge on world history and geography this book drew me in and held my interest. A book that had me searching the internet for more information on the author, Romania and Nadia Comaneci.

Aura's story of growing up in Communist Romania is a story of hope and the struggle for freedom. This captivating book details the difficulties encountered by those who legally immigrate to America. From trying to obtain a job to learning how to order a meal at McDonalds, Aura's description of her life as an immigrant was eye opening. Through her pursuit of the American dream Aura loses herself and those that she loves but ultimately through her journey rediscovers her roots, her loves and herself.

Out of the Transylvania Night is the story of overcoming trials, achieving goals, following your heart, remaining true to yourself and finding real happiness. Aura Imbarus show us there is more to living the American Dream than owning a nice car.

Content: A little language in a couple scenes but otherwise a clean read.

Rating: 5 Stars to this very memorable book.

My Journey to Spiritual Restoration by Gurmay Darlington

Darlington had a rough start in life. At three months old, she was poisoned by her 12-year-old cousin. Burned and unable to swallow, she was in intensive care for several months, then discharged with a grim prognosis. But Darlington survived, only to grow up to face sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence, plus a variety of serious medical conditions-cardiac problems, knee surgery, and the removal of a large and extremely rare tumor. Due to a medical condition, Darlington actually died and was brought back to life and began her spiritual restoration.

With the help of God, the Author and Finisher of her faith, Darlington was able to embrace the experiences that shaped her. Join Darlington on her journey to spiritual restoration, and experience the radiance that is neither electric nor sunlight but the healing light of the Lord.

I reviewed My Journey to Spiritual Restoration thinking it would be something similar to Return From Tomorrow. This was not the case but I still found the story interesting enough to finish.

If the rating could be based on the story alone this book would get a much higher rating. Darlington overcame much in her life and has an amazing story of what the human spirit can endure and conquer. While reading this memoir I was amazed and inspired by the fact that Darlington was able to forgive those who wronged her, continue fighting for herself and her children and ultimately found peace in her life.

The 2 star rating comes from the actual writing & editing.

Content: Nothing describe in graphic detail but Darlington is raped, beaten, abused, cheated on...

Rating: 2 stars.