Rating: 
Summary: great book for track fans
Review: Lear's latest is among the best track & field books I've read. It's evident that he's knowledgeable about the sport and had thorough access to Webb and got some great information and interviews. I recommend it for coaches and athletes alike, but it's also simply a great book about sports.
Rating:
Summary: great book for track fans
Review: Lear's latest is among the best track & field books I've read. It's evident that he's knowledgeable about the sport and had thorough access to Webb and got some great information and interviews. I recommend it for coaches and athletes alike, but it's also simply a great book about sports.
Rating: 
Summary: A Solid Sophomore Effort
Review: Much like "Running with the Buffaloes," this book is much more then a profile of a single athlete or team. It of course focuses on Alan Webb, his achievements and his year running at Michigan, but it really describes the trials and tribulations facing all runners. The celebrity profile aspect of the book is what will initially sell the book (and the insights into Alan Webb's character and running life are interesting and worth the read), but what will make this book a staple amongst runners for years to come is how it glorifies athletics and addresses topics to which every runner will relate, such as training, frustration with poor performances, the comraderie of a team and why people love to run. It is not a profound book, but it is a quick, easy read that is insightful and reaffirming. I think these are all characteristics of good sports books and certainly makes this one worth purchasing for all runners who are interested in Alan Webb or just like reading about the sport.
Rating:
Summary: A Solid Sophomore Effort
Review: Much like "Running with the Buffaloes," this book is much more then a profile of a single athlete or team. It of course focuses on Alan Webb, his achievements and his year running at Michigan, but it really describes the trials and tribulations facing all runners. The celebrity profile aspect of the book is what will initially sell the book (and the insights into Alan Webb's character and running life are interesting and worth the read), but what will make this book a staple amongst runners for years to come is how it glorifies athletics and addresses topics to which every runner will relate, such as training, frustration with poor performances, the comraderie of a team and why people love to run. It is not a profound book, but it is a quick, easy read that is insightful and reaffirming. I think these are all characteristics of good sports books and certainly makes this one worth purchasing for all runners who are interested in Alan Webb or just like reading about the sport.
Rating:
Summary: Shining Star
Review: The Alan Webb story is an intriguing one. He flashed on the running scene and broke Jim Ryun's high school mile record. Those of us in Michigan were excited by his arrival at U of M. But after one year he's gone. Lear does an excellent job of telling the tale of that year. Webb's intensity, immaturity and lack of patience come through loud and clear even though Lear does an excellent job of presenting both sides of the arguement. This one does not quite measure up to "Running with the Buffaloes" but that is a classic. Great, quick read if you are a runner or a fan of the sport.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for runners, boring for everyone else
Review: This book was very compelling for me, but only because I am a runner. In contrast, Running with the Buffaloes was a story that I thought even non-runners could appreciate. Sub-4's plot line -- whether or not Alan Webb will stay at Michigan, is just not enough to carry a whole book. I felt that Lear didn't get lucky like he did with Buffaloes, where he captured a season with lots of ups and downs, both running and non running related. This story seemed to repeat itself over and over again, and although I am impressed with the discussion of workout times and races, I couldn't help but think about how boring the story would be for non runners.So, if you are a runner, by it. If not, just hope that Lear stumbles upon a more compelling story next time. BTW -- Webb is no Jim Ryun.
Rating:
Summary: Good for runners, boring for everyone else
Review: This book was very compelling for me, but only because I am a runner. In contrast, Running with the Buffaloes was a story that I thought even non-runners could appreciate. Sub-4's plot line -- whether or not Alan Webb will stay at Michigan, is just not enough to carry a whole book. I felt that Lear didn't get lucky like he did with Buffaloes, where he captured a season with lots of ups and downs, both running and non running related. This story seemed to repeat itself over and over again, and although I am impressed with the discussion of workout times and races, I couldn't help but think about how boring the story would be for non runners. So, if you are a runner, by it. If not, just hope that Lear stumbles upon a more compelling story next time. BTW -- Webb is no Jim Ryun.
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