Rating: 
Summary: The Art Of The Run
Review: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift"--Steve Prefontaine. In his work 'Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend", author Tom Jordan skillfully weaves this nexus quote, along with numerous other anecdotes and observations from Pre's contemporaries, to form a rich and informative tapestry in words of the life of Steve Prefontaine. Jordan's narrative is a balanced blend of objective race results and the subjective, and at times highly emotional, recollections of the people who knew Pre the best; his friends, family, and, perhaps most importantly, his competitors. From his humble origins in Coos Bay, Oregon to his untimely death in a 1975 car-crash, the book follows Pre through his workouts and training, his glory days at the University of Oregon, his 4th place finish at the 1972 Munich Olympics, his battle against "shamateurism" and the Amateur Athletic Union, to his work for the then fledgling Nike. In the end, the reader is left with the images of both Steve Prefontaine the runner---spirited, fiery, and driving---and Steve Prefontaine the man---caring, dedicated, energetic, and independent. This book will be enjoyed by both runners and non-runners alike. As Pre said: "Some people create with words, or with music, or with brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run...it's style...it's being creative." Tom Jordan's work not only captures the essence of the revolutionary Steve Prefontaine but also ultimately measures up to his lofty paradigm.
Rating:
Summary: The Art Of The Run
Review: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift"--Steve Prefontaine. In his work 'Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend", author Tom Jordan skillfully weaves this nexus quote, along with numerous other anecdotes and observations from Pre's contemporaries, to form a rich and informative tapestry in words of the life of Steve Prefontaine. Jordan's narrative is a balanced blend of objective race results and the subjective, and at times highly emotional, recollections of the people who knew Pre the best; his friends, family, and, perhaps most importantly, his competitors. From his humble origins in Coos Bay, Oregon to his untimely death in a 1975 car-crash, the book follows Pre through his workouts and training, his glory days at the University of Oregon, his 4th place finish at the 1972 Munich Olympics, his battle against "shamateurism" and the Amateur Athletic Union, to his work for the then fledgling Nike. In the end, the reader is left with the images of both Steve Prefontaine the runner---spirited, fiery, and driving---and Steve Prefontaine the man---caring, dedicated, energetic, and independent. This book will be enjoyed by both runners and non-runners alike. As Pre said: "Some people create with words, or with music, or with brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run...it's style...it's being creative." Tom Jordan's work not only captures the essence of the revolutionary Steve Prefontaine but also ultimately measures up to his lofty paradigm.
Rating:
Summary: A candid, interesting perspective about a running legend
Review: A refreshing, candid story of an exceptional athlete, whom carried a cause and succeeded. A perspective of a simple yet complex man and the raw heart of his running conquests.
Rating: 
Summary: A dissapointment
Review: After hearing much about the much publicized "Pre"
I was disappointed with the actual book. While the
actual story of Pre's life seems somewhat compelling, the author didn't seem to do the man justice. Instead of bringing the drama and intensity of Steve's life and races to the page, it read merely like a box score. Poorly written and poorly developed, a big disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: The best motivational aid ever!
Review: After reading "Pre : The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine", I have a whole new outlook on running and life. It has motivated me to drop an unbelievable 3 minutes off of my 3-mile in just a little more than a month. This book was 168 pages of pure enjoyment and I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. If it was possible, I would have given this book 10 stars.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book of all time!!!
Review: After reading this book I was greatly inspired by Pre. He was a man who once he set a goal he would not not look back until he had reached it. The book is well written and I feel Tom Jordan has done a great job and hope many more will read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The sad state of American Distance Running!
Review: At Pre's time, he and Frank Shorter, as well as a number of other great american distance runners, were at the forefront of running. Now, the US's best hope, Bob Kennedy (who is an incredible stud), is no where near the level Pre was in his time! I hate the fact that no American distance runner is even near a world record in any distance, but it is the truth. Sure, BK is within the toop 10 in the world, but he is about 16 seconds off the record. Don't get me wrong, I cheered for him like no body's business when he took the lead in the Olympics, but I am also a realist. No one in the next 5 years, will mean as much to American Distance running as Pre did, over 20 years ago!
Rating:
Summary: Pre : The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve
Review: Athletes of all flavors - but especially those of the running sort - will probably experience no small degree of inspiration from this book. Too, those folks of a more sedintary nature drawn to the statistical nuances of track and field will enjoy reading the chronilogical progression/improvement of this tragic hero, whose charisma and success captured much of the world's attention more than 20 years ago. And unfortunately, this is almost strictly a chronological survey focused on the competitive exploits of Steve Prefontaine - from the track meets of his sophomore year in high school right up to the race he ran the day of his death. The myopic prose reads like an endless newspaper article, reporting on the details of an endless race. The overall point that Pre was a tough and relentless competitor is hammered home over and over, as report after report of his triumphs are presented complete with competitors' names and Pre's splits in defeating them. In the introduction, the author claims "it impossible to speak of his career without including anecdotes about Pre the person." These anecdotes only underscore - yet again -that Pre was a tough and relentless competitor. In the end, there are precious few revelations revealing the intense humanity of this remarkable man. You will finish this book impressed with, and most likely intimidated by, Pre's competitive grit, while gaining little insight of either Pre or his relationships with the people around him.
Rating:
Summary: Motivational,Inspirational, Unbelievable
Review: Everyone shold read this book. This is a wonderful biography about a man who reached out and touched eveybodies lives. I would not know where I would be today if I did not read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: Excellent book! Includes great details about the life of Steve Prefontaine. A must read for all distance runners.
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