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  • Once a Runner: A Novel

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Once a Runner: A Novel

by John L. Parker Jr. (Author) Format: Paperback
4.5 out of 5 stars (1,709)
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The undisputed classic of running fiction and one of the most beloved sports novels ever published, Once a Runner tells the story of a collegiate runner’s dreams amid the turmoil of the 1960s and the Vietnam War.

Inspired by the author’s experience as a collegiate champion, the novel follows Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile. He is less than a second away when the turmoil of the Vietnam War era intrudes into the staid recesses of his school’s athletic department. After he becomes involved in an athletes’ protest, Cassidy is suspended from his track team. Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to withdraw to a monastic retreat in the countryside and begin training for the race of his life against the greatest miler in history.

A rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners, Once a Runner is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scribner
  4. Publication date
    April 6, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.44 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1416597891
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1416597896
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Part training manual, part religious tract, part love story, and all about running, Once a Runner is so inspiring it could be banned as a performance-enhancing drug.” —Benjamin Cheever, author of Strides

“By far the most accurate fictional portrayal of the world of the serious runner…a marvelous description of the way it really is.” —Kenny Moore, Sports Illustrated

“The best piece of running fiction around. Beg, borrow, or buy a copy, and you’ll never need another motivator.” —Dave Langlais, Runner’s World

"The best novel ever written about running."--Runner's World

About the Author

John L. Parker, Jr. has written for Outside, Runner’s World, and numerous other publications. A graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism as well as its College of Law, Parker has been a practicing attorney, a newspaper reporter and columnist, a speechwriter for then Governor Bob Graham, and editorial director of Running Times magazine. The author of Once a Runner, Again to Carthage, and Racing the Rain, he lives in Gainesville, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2010
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1416597891
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416597896
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.44 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #39,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars (1,709)

About the authors

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  1. Patrick Girard Lawlor

    Patrick Girard Lawlor

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  4. John L. Parker Jr.

    John L. Parker Jr.

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    John L. Parker, Jr. has written for Outside, Runner's World, and numerous other publications. He was the Southeastern Conference mile champion three times, and the United States Track and Field Federation national champion in the steeplechase, and was the teammate of Olympians Frank Shorter, Jack Bacheler, and Jeff Galloway on several championship cross-country teams. A graduate of the University of Florida's College of Journalism as well as its College of Law, Parker has been a practicing attorney, a newspaper reporter and columnist, a speechwriter for then Governor Bob Graham, and editorial director of Running Times magazine. He lives in Gainesville, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,709 global ratings

Customers say

Customers consider this book one of the great running books, praising its captivating story that even non-runners can connect with. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it helps readers empathize with the trial of miles. Customers find the book draws them in emotionally and brings back good memories, while appreciating its blend of fiction and reality. The character development receives mixed reactions, with some finding the characters compelling while others find them unrelatable.
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203 customers mention content, 181 positive, 22 negative
Customers find this book to be a must-read and one of the great running books, describing it as a motivational read that every runner should read.
...for a half marathon again and found this book very motivating and inspiring!...Read more
This is a Must Read for every person who was or is a Runner or a Coach. Even non Runners will enjoy the story. I couldn't put it down....Read more
...So glad I stuck with it, turned out to be a great read!Read more
A must read for anyone who has a desire to improve on him/herself! A very fine book! Runners will especially appreciate this one.Read more
81 customers mention readability, 60 positive, 21 negative
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as compelling and fun to read, with one customer mentioning they practically finished it in one sitting.
...what it's like to have been there, if you're a runner it's a fun, inspirational novel.Read more
Took me a while to get into this book. So glad I stuck with it, turned out to be a great read!Read more
...for this book after reading other reviews but found it difficult to get into....Read more
Fun coming of age novel of a high school basketball player turned runner....Read more
58 customers mention story, 45 positive, 13 negative
Customers find the story captivating, describing it as a great running adventure that even non-runners can enjoy. One customer particularly appreciates the narrative style with its use of ellipses.
...A great story with more than memorable characters that will make you want to run after every time you set the book down.Read more
If you have a love for running, you will love Quentin Cassidy. Fantastic story,interesting characters and a race scene to send your heart...Read more
...The ending was good, even if it was predictable. Sets up perfectly for a next book....Read more
...The characters are one-dimensional and forgettable and the plot plods along like the 9-minute milers Parker doesn't mind ridiculing....Read more
44 customers mention writing style, 32 positive, 12 negative
Customers praise the writing style of the book, with several noting it is excellently written, and one customer highlighting how the author's experience as a runner brings authenticity to the narrative.
This book was well-written and inspiring....Read more
...It was well written, enjoyable to read, and had a few quotes and personal experiences that would be good to share with others....Read more
...Overall, while good, the poor writing style prevented me from enjoying it more.Read more
...The story is captivating. The writing is brilliant. I can't believe this book was written in 1978 and I have just read it in 2016.Read more
20 customers mention classic, 18 positive, 2 negative
Customers describe this book as a classic literary novel, with one noting it's the most read book in running history.
What can you say about this classic?...Read more
It's a classic and there's no question as to why. We have given this book as a gift to runner friends about a dozen times!Read more
...This is a classic and will rightly remain so.Read more
Awesome Classic, especially for a serious runner like myself!Read more
18 customers mention emotional, 16 positive, 2 negative
Customers find the book emotionally engaging, drawing them in deeply and bringing back many good memories, with one customer noting how well it captures the agony and glory of running.
...in all this was a beautifully written story that is at times emotionally gripping.Read more
As a runner who ran Cross Country and Track in college, I really related to this book....Read more
Great book! It brought back many good memories of the journey of striving to accomplish the goals set out on the track!Read more
As a runner, I really relate to this book... a lot of the quotes from this book are written all over my journals to keep me inspired when training...Read more
14 customers mention realism, 13 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the realism of the book, describing it as the best fiction about running, with one customer noting it's a wonderful blend of fiction and reality.
"Once a Runner" is the best fiction about running I've ever read. It is honest about running and the extremes to which athletes train.Read more
...Not an original review, but factual. If you run, or ever competed in anything, this is a must read for you.Read more
...They way the author describes runners thoughts is great, so realistic....Read more
...should be put on a pedestal as exemplary for modern runners, but it feels real and that is worth something, especially when there are so few works...Read more
21 customers mention character development, 14 positive, 7 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the characters in the book, with some finding them compelling while others find them impossible to relate to.
...Fantastic story,interesting characters and a race scene to send your heart pitterpatter.Read more
...It was all love the map, with poor character development and no true focus....Read more
Great characters, great narrative and wonderful phrasing. One can feel the drive, the strain and the sense of purpose....Read more
This is a great story if you are an athlete or a runner. I enjoyed the characters, as I have encountered them throughout my own pursuits in...Read more
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