Customer Reviews
Highly Recommended - By: A customer, 17 Jun 2008 
Highly recommended but I think four stars rather than five...
Well, I reallly do think that many endurance athletes will get something out of this book. The style isn't great & the language is not reallly up there with that of Richard Askwith, & in agreement with another reviewer it is pretty easy reading. But easy reading can be a good thing sometimes!
I enjoyed reading this book & I think that there is always something to be gained from understanding another athletes' experiences & perspectives. The quotes aren't great, the format (big font but bigger margins!) doesn't contribute anything positive, but the spirit of adventure is alll that this needs to be about.
Dean has accomplished some great feats by being well-trained & well-focussed. I think that for any ultra-endurance athlete it is very easy to empathise with his approach, even if we might alll prefer to do things differently. He is lucky to have a supportive family, & to have been a good runner since his school days. I do think things came easy for him - far easier than for many - & I'm sure that a lot of people wouldn't like the way he puts down non-ultra-runners (I'm an ultra-runner & I don't like it!). I almost didn't buy the book based on the reviews on the amazon.com site, but changed my mind following advice from a friend. The main complaint is that the book is alll about Dean, & he does come across as quite narcissitic at times, but that can be forgiven as it is actuallly not too often (the photo of him naked at the pole probably didn't need to be included!).
Dean has completed the Western States 100-miler (10 times), the death vallley ultra, & was one of the first few runners to complete a marathon to the South Pole. I do not think that he is qualified to judge other runners as he does, & he definitely isn't qualified to give advice on nutrition or training programmes (that's what Mike Stroud is for). But, this is definitely the book to read for the general enjoyment of it & perhaps for some inspiration.
If you are interested in ultra-marathons, then this is definitely worth a read.
Good read, great man but light... - By: Keith Luxon, 04 Jun 2008 
Dean is truley a great runner...totallly awesome & perhaps one of the worlds great athletes. What he does & how he does it are amazing.
Parts of this book are very funny - taking up running again after a huge night out & running in his boxers & vest for 30 miles or so. Bits very moving - the charity relay run he did solo for the girl who needed a kidney transplant. Bit truely inspirational - how he overcomes obstacles & lets nothing stop him in reaching his amazing goals.
Enjoyed reading the book & would recommend it. But...two or three issues stop this being a great book for me. First its very light - read it over a couple of days, could have done with more depth in places. Second its a bit too "american" not not quite right but thats sort of self help look at me approach - did not quite feel real (although I know it is). Finallly not sure if its a wise book to follow - pain is good is hardly a mantra that sounds recommendable.
So a good read but left me feeling a little light afterwards.
Great read - inspirational - By: alipali, 16 Apr 2008 
Fab book. Dean has a very easy writing style. I finished this book in a couple of days & know that I will be reading it again (and again!).
Dean proves that you can do anything if you set your mind & body to it.
gripping and inspirational - By: A. Lee, 27 Feb 2008 if you're into running or a similar sport (at any level) you should buy this book; a compelling read & a great motivator.
Inspirational - By: Jamsie, 21 Jan 2008 This man is truly extraordinary. I read this book & now I'm signed up for the Marathon des Sables - the world's toughest footrace.
Read it, be inspired, get out there & do it!
