Rating: 
Summary: good and bad
Review: A relatively interesting story, but I must admit the initial chapter or 2 is so profanity laden that my wife has told me that this book must leave the house after I finish. Fortunately the language does improve considerably later in the book. I am surely in the minority, but I don't see why authors have to remind us that some junior high/high school kids curse. In this case "realism" tries to overshadow the literary benefits.
Rating: 
Summary: Can a story about a Track Star be interesting? Yes.
Review: Every now and then I go out of my way to try to find a book written by a new writer. Some times I disappointed and some times I find pure talent. Jeremy Jackson did a great job with Life at These Speeds. It brought back memories for me of my best friend in high school, who was quite the star of the Cross Country and Track teams. This is the best first person narrative that I have read in a long time. There weren't any dull moments. I'm looking forward to his next story.
Rating:
Summary: From a Dad Whose 8th Grade Son Has Just Won His 1st CC Meet
Review: I bought this book for my son--but decided to read it first. I may have a wait a year or two before I give it to him. Kevin's story is provocative and haunting. There is tragedy and triumph, but at a level my son may not appreciate just yet in his young life. Nonetheless, the book is every bit as good as the previous reviewers detail. I wish the motives of adult didn't have to be so suspect, but I have seen everything this book details--and more--infiltrating the games that children play, with layers of motive no child should have to untangle and at a price no child should have to pay.
Rating:
Summary: Not a great running book--a great book
Review: I don't run; the only situation in which I could conceive myself running would be if, say, Denise Richards were nearby. And she could probably run faster than me anyway.Yet despite being complacently non-ambulatory most of the time, I found this book extremely entertaining and thought-provoking. There's no way you cannot like Kevin Schuler, even though his treatment of people post-accident is frequently despicable. Judging from some other reviews, it looks like some people are trying to pigeonhole this as a 'running book.' Don't believe it. It's a richly drawn coming-of-age book in which you root shamelessly for Kevin. The running, as Hitchcock would have put it, is simply the "macguffin" on which the plot hangs.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one!
Review: I don't where to begin, or how to begin, to describe the feelings I have for this book. What an experience to read this book. I found myself slowing down when I came near the end, I knew I wouldn't be ready to let go. I found myself stopping after chapters and thinking about Kevin, then going back and rereading that same chapter, just to enjoy the poetry of the author's words and to revisit the place where Kevin was. I don't think I am expressing myself very well, but I havn't been touched by a book this much in a very long time, and I am not only looking forward to this author's next book, but I know I will be rereading this one. Mr. Jackson, you are a treasure.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Expectations Surpassed
Review: I had high expectations for this first novel from Iowa Writers' Workshop grad Jeremy Jackson. (Guess that comes with the territory when one's alma mater is so highly regarded.) Fortunately, I was in no way disappointed, as I smoothly absorbed the story and surrendered to the world of the novel. After missing my subway stop once and consequently tripping up the stairs when I finally got to my destination, I came to realize the intensity of the world that Jackson has created around main character Kevin Schuler. Jackson skillfully twists the specific subject matter (running-potentially boring to some, namely me) into a beautiful metaphor and draws memorable characters and images that have lingered in my mind. I came to admire Kevin and his wise, witty way of looking at the world. Meanwhile, the plot, as well as the other characters, were thoroughly engaging. I was invested in all of them in different ways, hoping for good and happiness to prevail in the end. Getting stuck in the world of the novel you're reading is always a beautiful thing, and of course, an accomplishment of the author.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK I've read this year - deserves SIX stars!
Review: I have never been a runner, an adolescent boy, or a resident of rural Missouri -- and I could not put this book down. It was so deep, complex, and rich, I literally felt like I was inhabiting another world. I wasn't reading the book; I was living it. It really was about a boy who spends his entire four years of high school emerging, ever so slowly, from deep shock. I know the storyline sounds depressing, and of course parts of the book are deeply sad, but there is so much warmth and humor, too -- I laughed out loud more than once. The last few pages are especially wonderful -- such a beautiful ending. I started reading another novel the next day, only to find that it was too soon; I was still thinking about Kevin. Jeremy Jackson's first novel is so superb, I can't even imagine how amazing his next one will be. Go Kev-in! AND Jeremy!!
Rating:
Summary: "Go Boy! Go Ke-vin! Go Go!"
Review: I know what I want to say, but it's hard to find the right words to describe how much I enjoyed this entertaining story by this talented new writer. I lost some sleep over this book. A riveting and captivating book that is rich with beautiful prose. It tells the story of a boy, named Kevin Schuler from Missouri, who is a gifted runner. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Jackson lets us experience every detail of Kevin's life, through his eyes, as he struggles with grief, small-town celebrity, and conflicting inner thoughts as he prepares for and wins several 800 and 1600 meter races for his high school. This is a coming-of-age story as well, as Kevin finds himself experiencing and accepting the love of a sensitive girl named Henny. If you have never been on a track team, or even if you have, you will find you know everything there is to know about being a track star and what it takes to win after reading this book. I found myself very impressed by Kevin and felt like I knew him after reading his story. This is the mark of a good author, who has had done a magnificent job in developing this character, as well as the other main characters. Kevin has a wise, witty & low-keyed way of looking at life that is really cool. What happens after the accident, the memory loss, his quick rise to fame and other unexpected events will keep you glued to the book and wondering what's going to happen next, and how it will all turn out for Kevin.
Some authors have a natural born talent for writing beautiful, intelligent, and flowing prose. I think Jeremy Jackson is one of them. This is an intelligent and very enjoyable read from a writer who I hope will bring us more of his talented writing in the near future. Enjoy this book, I know I did! Joe Hanssen
Rating:
Summary: Life at These Speeds
Review: I love this book. It is about a boy who is hurt when his friends die in an accident on the way home from a track meet. The spring and summer after the accident he chages and once the new school year starts, he forgets about what happend. When he races, he feels weightless and sees memories of his old classmates. This book is about how he moved on after the accident but in reality he couldn't move on. This book is written from a teenagers point of veiw and is why i think that it is mostly for teenagers but i think that adults would really enjoy it also.
Rating: 
Summary: Runner's world
Review: I really did like this book! I ran High School track and cross country and understand the bonds you form with the people on your team. And so I thought the author did a really good job placing those bonds and emotion into the story. The author can tell a good story and I enjoyed his very physical descriptions of the running life and felt that they were very real, believable, and inspiring. I also really felt for the main character (something every good book does), and liked the fact that he grows and learns from his pain. He is anything but a flat character, which is refreshing. I am convinced Jackson has run high school track and cross country, and if he hasn't he has been extremely close to the sport to the point where its in him as much as it would be otherwise.
This is a great running book, though I'm not sure I would recommend that you buy it for your running kid because of some of the language.
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