Rating: 
Summary: recommended for every runner
Review: ... However, I laughed today when I saw the "sell this book" button on this page and thought to myself NEVER. This and the competitive runners guide (start with this one unless you are definitely ready to start racing and run regularly already) are books that I take everywhere with me. I hardly have time for novels anymore between my running and my rereading of these two books and I've never been happier .... I was until December a consummate couch potato and now I'm running in the New York City Marathon this coming November and I owe it all to Bob and Shelly-Lynne Glover and these books. I don't need to go further as all you have to do is read nigel's review from London and you have my experience with these books. Oh, I do want to say one thing although it was mentioned in another review as well. I think the reason most people try and give up running and say it isn't for them is that they go out and try to run 2 miles or 20 minutes or something that seems reasonable to them, but really isn't. Take it gradually as the book advices and you will love running and avoid the aches, pains, disappointments, and difficulties that others run into or you may have before in your life. Don't bother with any of the other running books. This is the one you want.
Rating:
Summary: recommended for every runner
Review: ... However, I laughed today when I saw the "sell this book" button on this page and thought to myself NEVER. This and the competitive runners guide (start with this one unless you are definitely ready to start racing and run regularly already) are books that I take everywhere with me. I hardly have time for novels anymore between my running and my rereading of these two books and I've never been happier .... I was until December a consummate couch potato and now I'm running in the New York City Marathon this coming November and I owe it all to Bob and Shelly-Lynne Glover and these books. I don't need to go further as all you have to do is read nigel's review from London and you have my experience with these books. Oh, I do want to say one thing although it was mentioned in another review as well. I think the reason most people try and give up running and say it isn't for them is that they go out and try to run 2 miles or 20 minutes or something that seems reasonable to them, but really isn't. Take it gradually as the book advices and you will love running and avoid the aches, pains, disappointments, and difficulties that others run into or you may have before in your life. Don't bother with any of the other running books. This is the one you want.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive guide; great help to beginners
Review: At first I hesitated before buying this book, but wished I hadn't waited. In the past I haven't been too keen on running, but wanted to add it to Taekwondo and some gym work for better fitness. This was the book to buy! It has some great programs for beginners -- before you know it, you're running 20 minutes non-stop and looking at local fun-runs. So far, it's helped me improve my running times and lose around 27 pounds. This book has put the 'fun' into my running, and helps set goals, stay with it and stick to good principles. From running in various weather to illness, other training and safety, it's all in the book. And if I ever feel a little un-motivated, I re-read the study how pigs were trained to run a mile in under 8 minutes, up to 5 miles a day!
Rating: 
Summary: Really good advice for anyone who runs...
Review: Bob Glover presents a fairly common-sense approach to running in his "Handbook." Although its probably a little advanced for those completely new to exercise, its perfect for those who started "jogging" and now want to move on to running. The nutrition information may be a little dated, but could be helpful, but some of the best aspects of the "Handbook" are the training suggestions for racing, the stretching exercises, and the injury information. Every runner probably will have some type of injury at some point, and Glover's section on diagnosing and taking care of injuries is really helpful....
Rating:
Summary: Information for all types of runners
Review: Finally a book that was written to provoke interest and easy to understand. I had always been a "jump right in-eyes closed" exerciser who refused to ask questions or really listen to those more experienced. I really felt it took too much time. I purchased this book to get help on running my first race (5K). The result, I won my division. This book is full of information. Running had always been just exercise, now it's enjoyable and easier than most could imagine. (This coming from an ex-smoker and living in north eastern climates) My performance has doubled and I feel good when running. I've learned to love it and do it right.
Rating:
Summary: The Runner's Handbook- more like the Runner's BIBLE
Review: Forget any other running books, this is the one! Over 600 pages long, Bob Glover covers every topic on running in full detail. He eases beginners into running, with his effective beginner courses and challenges intermediate and advanced runners. All is explained clearly and he gives personal reccommendations too. Everytime I sit down to read some of this book, I feel motivated and in the next minute I have my running shoes on, ready to go!
There are hundreds of running books on the market, choosing can be hard, especially if you are a beginner, but take my advice buy this one. I promise you will not regret it!
Rating:
Summary: I can run for 30 consecutive minutes!!!!
Review: I bought this book several months ago, and even though I thought it was fabulous, inspiring, motivating etc, I didn't review it until I completed at least the beginner's program. My father was a runner. When I was about 12, he took me on a run, and I gave up after about 3 minutes, never to don a running shoe again. Fast forward to when I'm 30, and my brother is training for the New York marathon. Well, I think, if he can run a marathon, then surely I can run a 5k. So I go out and run, and again, I don't survive more than a few minutes. So I bought this book and my life changed. The beginner's program begins with 1 minute of running, 2 minutes of walking, and builds up over 10 weeks until you're running 20 minutes. It's wonderful. You don't have an unreachable goal (running 20 minutes)all at once, but small, very attainable gooals each week. The fact that each week is an accomplishment helps keep the motivation going. To those who recommend books specifically for women runners, I'm not sure what they can add to this. The Runner's Handbook covers topics such as menstruation, pregnancy, nursing, women's apparel etc. The book covers information about nutrition, cross training, and a plethora of information related to beginer runners. Use as much of it as you want, and file the rest away in the recesses of your brain for later. The authors try their very best not to be judgemental, and not to expect more of you than is realistic. My only criticism of this book is its cover. I don't like that the photograph shows the men running in front of the women. All in all, thanks Coach Glover. I'm running 30 minutes 4-5 times per week for now. Who knows, one day I might even run a marathon!!!
Rating:
Summary: Good book overall though with shortcomings
Review: I bought this book simply to gain more knowledge on the topic of running and seek to enhance my running skills. I have been actively running for more than a year and the exercise is tremendously helpful but recently I thought I need some systematic guidance on this topic to make a better runner. I read these good reviews before I bought the book. The book is fun and easy to read. The authur, Bob Glover, is a very knowledgeable person and not shy about sharing with readers about his experience. There are shortcomings though - the most notable is lack of illustrations and photos. In fact, I don't see one single of them in the book. This matters when certain actions/poses/exercises are explained. It would be much easier to follow if some illustration or photos are attached, instead of paragraphs after paragraphs of text. I hope if next version of this book is published, all such examples are coupled with proper illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: A Sure Cure For Cynicism
Review: I can't recommend this book enough. The beginner's programs alone are worth the cost. Like many of the reviewers, I've been running off and on again for years, building up, burning out, starting all over again - all because I didn't understand the basic training principles which are outlined so clearly here. I just started the advanced beginner's program; my goal is to build a 15-mile a week base, then start speed work and eventually run a marathon. The Runner's Handbook covers it all and the recreational or fitness runner really doesn't need to buy any other books. This is kind of irritating to me since I like to buy books, but that's beside the point. My only gripe with the Runner's Handbook is that it is written in the usual happy-face style, very perky and positive and upbeat, but that's just a reflection of my generally dark and cynical view of the world, a view, by the way, that running tends to eliminate.
Rating:
Summary: A book to keep
Review: I have had this book for almost a year now, and I can definitely say that it has changed my life. I started out with his beginner's program, soon found myself participating in a 10K race, and 7 months later, I am still referring to it in preparation for a half marathon. Bob Glover wants running to be fun for you, and clearly states on numerous occasions that if racing is not for you, fine. If the marathon isn't for you, fine. He encourages people to maintain a basic level and be a "fitness runner." Beyond that, it can only get better for people who are serious about increasing their mileage, running level, or entering some races. Again, for "fun" more than anything else. Before I read this book, I was an off and on runner, but I have been able to be consistent, along with some crosstraining that Glover recommends. The book hasn't strayed too far from my bedside table because of the wealth of material on a variety of running topics. He has a healthy approach to running that is accessable. To that I say, "Finally!"
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