Rating: 
Summary: First, MJ didn't write this book.
Review: Come on, we all know it's ghosted. Of course that's a time-honored practice, but I've never liked the idea of someone putting his name on a book he didn't write. "Written with so-and-so" would have been more honest.Second, MJ was a great sprinter, but I don't think I'm the only one who suspects he feigned injury in that 150-meter match race with the 100-meter Olympic champ from Canada. Johnson saw him beginning to pass, realized he was going to lose both the race and some of his aura, and took the only way out that would allow him to retain superman status. It was a disappointing incident in an otherwise great career. (Although even the rest of his career must be taken with a grain of salt: Sports Illustrated published a story a few years back suggesting that no one can win track and field gold without taking performance enhancing drugs. One look at Johnson's sculpted shoulders, biceps, triceps, etc., supports this view. Would a sprinter do the kind of upper-body weight training that would yield these muscles? Or are they a by-product of steroids? If he took illegal stuff and tanked the match race, it sort of takes the power away from this book).
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling Book on Running to the Finish
Review: Fast athlete who doesn't live the fast life which demotes many of our prominent public figures. Great testimony for kids to emulate. Sorry this is not in print for more to read. Especially enjoyed his confession of faith and the way that affects his running, both in track and in life. Michael, you will receive the crown of victory for running the race of faith. God's blessings to you, and all will be blessed by reading your book.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling Book on Running to the Finish
Review: Fast athlete who doesn't live the fast life which demotes many of our prominent public figures. Great testimony for kids to emulate. Sorry this is not in print for more to read. Especially enjoyed his confession of faith and the way that affects his running, both in track and in life. Michael, you will receive the crown of victory for running the race of faith. God's blessings to you, and all will be blessed by reading your book.
Rating:
Summary: not a biography, not very good either
Review: First, this is a self-help book. Why is Michael Johnson writing a self-help book rather than just writing about what he knows and about his life experiences? I don't know. Johnson is not an expert on living life. He is an expert on running fast. The best part of the book is near the end when he talks more about his quest for the 200/400 double gold in Atlanta, rather than pontificating on life in general.
Second, the book is not very well-written. It has lines like, "I don't play much golf, but they tell me as you get better it gets harder to improve your score. All things in life are like that. (That's a paraphrase, not a direct quote.) So...if all things are like that, why pick an example you know nothing about? Most of the book has this contrived feeling to it.
Johnson also repeatedly pounds the same points about how hard you have to work and how you need to set goals etc. He uses the same examples over and over for life goals, including losing weight, getting a A in school, selling a lot of cars or carpets, or "being a successful businessperson". He tends to think pretty small outside of the realm of track. Is he incapable of imagining any nobler goal than these mundane examples? Things along the lines of contributing to our scientific knowledge, creating art, starting a charity, or inventing something useful to mankind never show up in the book. Or how about just mentoring a kid or cleaning up a park? Johnson constantly talks about approaching your personal best, yet he is unable to consider anything as successful unless it is quantified. For him, accomplishment is either winning something or getting money. It has to be measurable. You even see traces of this attitude when he talks about interpersonal relationships.
Johnson states that when he doesn't think he can beat the best in the world any more, he will retire rather than continue to compete, because someone who hangs around past his prime and can't win any more is pathetic. That doesn't sound to me like someone who competes for the love of the sport. I'm no expert myself, but I'm pretty sure there's more to life than winning.
Rating:
Summary: good stuff
Review: Firstly, I would like to know how the previous reviewer came to the conclusion that this book was ghost written. Having seen Michael's refreshingly articulate and informative punditry whilst working for the BBC on recent major athletics events, I do not see why there'd be a need to get someone else to write a book that's fairly short anyway. Also, it does not seem consistent with his attitude to get someone else to write this book (without even a reference to any 'collaborator' being involved within the book). In addition, the inside cover contains the following: 'The moral right of the author has been asserted'. Case closed. So, what's the book about? In Michael's own words: 'To me, that's the ultimate responsibility and challenge of being a role model-not to sign autographs in a timely fashion or to live a stainless life, but to offer up a life or a philosophy, flaws and all, to help other people negotiate their own way. That's what I hope to do in this book' In the book, he uses the progression of his athletics career as an illustrative tool to reinforce the various aspects of his philosophy. Whether it be major defeats and how he learnt to accept them and deal with them, or major successes (the book ending with his remarkable feats at the 1996 Olympic games)-he presents a systematic approach not only to athletics but to anything in life where there exists a concept of 'performance'.
I would go as far as to say that the approach presented in this book and the degree to which Michael Johnson stuck to it provided much of the difference, for the better, between him and his rivals. As Ato Boldon said: "Nineteen-point-thirty two, that's not a time. It sounds like my dad's birth date."
Rating:
Summary: An inspirational book that will help young athletes
Review: I am 17 years old. after reading this book, i not only did better on the track physically, but mentally to. If you are an athlete who needs inspiring, then get this book. It helps, trust me.
Rating:
Summary: The Dragon is Dead
Review: I am an elementary school librarian who is always also on the look out for great books. My father walked in the house one afternoon with Mr. Johnson's book. I picked it up and couldn't put down, it is just that good. My father was planning to donate the book to his school's college library. I loved the book so much that he bought me my own copy. The thing I like most about Mr. Johnson's book is that the brother is real. He shares his defeats as well as his victories. He is clear about his goals, discipline, and consistency in character and values. He believes that each individual has a gift that must be developed and used to make life better. Lastly, what is most refreshing about his book is his display of love and admoration for his parents and family; in addition his respect for teachers. This book is well worth the investment of money and time.
Rating:
Summary: Anyone can make their dreams come true
Review: I finished this book within 24 hours of picking it up. It is that good, a perfect mix of Miachaels hitory and experience and what he advises you to do in the future to reach your goals. He makes you feel you can reach your goals no matter what. I have already implimented his advice and can see the improvements.
Rating:
Summary: A$5, what a bargain!
Review: I picked this book up in January 2002, and it was going out the door for five Australian dollars. If I'd known how great this book was then, I would have bought them all and sold them to people while urging them to read it as it is truley inspirational and teaches one the their destiny lies in their own hands. Nobody should judge Michael Johnson as the arrogant, know all, upstart that many do. Read his book and find out that there is much more to this incredibably clever man.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiring read. . .a must for Track & Field enthusiasts!
Review: I purchased this book myself just after it came out and could not put it down. It is an easy and inspiring read for all ages and sends an importnat message to all people in all professions. . .don't give up. It provides insights into training routines, mental preparation, and a timeline from Michael Johnson's humble beginnings to his proudest moments. In the end, Slaying the Dragon is the best Track and Field related text I have ever read. I share quotes from it with my athletes almost weekly. At this price, you should by one for yourself and one for the person you admire the most. A great read!
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