In The Long Run

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable trek through history
Review: My brother advised me to read this book as he knows the author via sports. As I love to read, I was happy to oblige him just to see what he was talking about. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that captured my interest from the first page! The author's style is easy to read and well done, and his sense of humor and detail appreciated by me. The story of the past and present Joshua Chamberlains blended together well and I was entranced.
Maybe I loved this book because I'm from a small town in Upper Michigan, and my dad was a Civil War buff and took us to battlefields and made history come alive with his stories.
Maybe I liked it because my brother was a basketball star and our small town team went to the state finals in the late 60's against those Detroit teams and won!
Maybe I liked it because I have run 10ks and walked a marathon and know what that's like.
Maybe I liked it because I read a lot and can recognize a good author and tale when I read it.
Maybe I have told a lot of others about it because I feel it's a "sleeper" and a good read!
Thank you Tim V for a great tale and enjoyable read!

Rating:
Summary: Running with a spirit guide.
Review: Readers to your mark . . . set . . .go! You're off and running with Joshua Chamberlain, as he competes in his first marathon on a race course that interweaves past, present, and future. Author Tim Van Wagoner's historical novel is a compelling trilogy of themes: here and now grueling competition, rich boyhood memories in small-town America, and mystical encounters with the main character's great-great grandfather, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a real-life hero at Gettysburg. As Josh "zones out," he encounters "The Colonel," wbo not only held the Little Roundtop at Gettysburg (and quite possibly saved the Union), but also guides Josh to what really counts in life. Race to the finish line, as you savor an American boyhood, paced by a Medal of Honor spirit guide. In the Long Run, you can go home again!

Rating:
Summary: Surprised but pleased in the end.
Review: This book caught my attention being a marathon runner and a Civil War buff. Having both together seemed too good to be true. Not entirely what I expected but certainly not a disappointment either. I found myself focusing more on the non-running aspects of the book, but was still acutely aware of Mr. Wagoner's description of the marathon that were unique and descriptive. A smart, smooth use of multiple times enabled me to correlate the main characters life with his progression through the marathon which I found very clever. Surprisingly so, this book made me feel like a teenager again. I'm not a love story type of guy, but I would highly recommend this book. Made me feel good about people again.

Rating:
Summary: Surprised but pleased in the end.
Review: This book caught my attention being a marathon runner and a Civil War buff. Having both together seemed too good to be true. Not entirely what I expected but certainly not a disappointment either. I found myself focusing more on the non-running aspects of the book, but was still acutely aware of Mr. Wagoner's description of the marathon that were unique and descriptive. A smart, smooth use of multiple times enabled me to correlate the main characters life with his progression through the marathon which I found very clever. Surprisingly so, this book made me feel like a teenager again. I'm not a love story type of guy, but I would highly recommend this book. Made me feel good about people again.