What do you think?
Rate this book
Endurance: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Emil Zátopek
Voted the Greatest Runner of All Time by Runner's World in 2013, Emil Zátopek redefined modern running training techniques--with remarkable results. He is famed for setting a raft of world records and winning the Olympic ten thousand meters in London in 1948, followed by the remarkable and unprecedented wins of the five thousand meters, ten thousand meters, and marathon four years later in Helsinki. His story, however, goes way beyond races and results.
From a lowly factory worker, “the Czech Locomotive” became a global hero. But at a time of political instability Zátopek risked everything for the love of his friends and country and soon found himself cast adrift into political exile.
At its heart, this is a love story, as Emil courts and marries Dana, a promising javelin thrower. Born on the same day, they end up winning Olympic gold medals within half an hour of each other. With the unprecedented involvement of Dana, award-winning Times author Rick Broadbent has gained unique access to a dramatic past involving blood, guns, and the love that sustained beatings by Soviet henchmen and the cruelest twists of fate.
With traces of Chariots of Fire and Laura Hillenbrand's New York Times bestseller and film Unbroken , this is both a beautiful love story and a landmark tale of hope and strength in the face of crushing injustices.
From a lowly factory worker, “the Czech Locomotive” became a global hero. But at a time of political instability Zátopek risked everything for the love of his friends and country and soon found himself cast adrift into political exile.
At its heart, this is a love story, as Emil courts and marries Dana, a promising javelin thrower. Born on the same day, they end up winning Olympic gold medals within half an hour of each other. With the unprecedented involvement of Dana, award-winning Times author Rick Broadbent has gained unique access to a dramatic past involving blood, guns, and the love that sustained beatings by Soviet henchmen and the cruelest twists of fate.
With traces of Chariots of Fire and Laura Hillenbrand's New York Times bestseller and film Unbroken , this is both a beautiful love story and a landmark tale of hope and strength in the face of crushing injustices.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2016
About the author
Rick Broadbent
17 books3 followersRick Broadbent is a sports writer for the Times, for whom he covers MotoGP, among other things. He has previously witten books on football, boxing and athletics as well as, most recently, collaborating with motorcycle legend Ron Haslam on his autobiography Rocket Men, published by Bantam Press in July 2008.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 28, 2018
Vyborna kniha, odporucam! Uz to, ze som citala podrobne o jednotlivých behoch a menach bezcov, ktore mi nic nevravia, a napriek tomu ma to bavilo, svedci o putavom style autora. Super boli ale aj info o dobe komunizmu, zaujimava historia, k neuvereniu. Raz som bola v Kroměřiži na vystave Emila Zatopka a mam chut znovu ist do toho kraja, Zlin a ine mesta, co sa v knihe spomínali 😊
December 8, 2021
Zatopek je legenda. Jeho pribeh napisala doba. Toto je kniha o tej dobe. O vojnovom, povojnovom aj socialistickom Ceskoslovensku sa ucime, takze o tom netreba citat, netreba vysvetlovat. Ale prd! Zabudli sme, nepovedali nam. Autor sa nespolieha na to, ze vieme. Politicke aj sportove udalosti vysvetluje, nacrtava ich suvislosti. Kniha plna vztahov medzi sportovcami, rekordmi aj rezimami.
May 18, 2017
Som trochu zaujatá, lebo Zátopkovci boli vždy mojou obľúbenou témou. Túto knihu mám doma už dlho, ale nejako na ňu nebola nálada alebo som si ju šetrila na neskôr... ani vlastne neviem, prečo som si kúpila práve túto z viacerých o Zátopkovi. Možno ma zaujímalo, ako celú tému spracuje človek "odinakiaľ".
Je to o Zátopkovi aj nie je. Jeho život je hlavnou líniou knihy, v ktorej sa však Rick Broadbent venuje aj ostatným bežcom, ľuďom okolo nich, nezabúda na rodinné pozadie... a celým dielom sa vinie aj línia politická, ktorá týchto mužov a ženy ovplyvňovala viac ako by chceli.
Niektoré mená sú známe (Alain Mimoun, Vladimír Kuc), iné pre mňa menej (Gordon Pirie, Jim Peters, Ron Clarke). Každý z nich mal svoj príbeh, každý prežíval svoje osobné tragédie i náhle a väčšinou prchavé výstupy na vrchol.
Príbeh o prvom a jedinom Zátopkovom trénerovi (Jan Haluza) dodáva celej knihe temný nádych politiky, drobnička o Oľge Fikotovej, ktorá si mohla vziať "západniara" bola napriek dobrému koncu len potvrdením toho, aké zložité to v tých rokoch bolo. A Broadbent sa snaží cez svedkov ukázať Emilovu "politickú" úlohu počas rokov jeho slávy i osvetliť, čo sa to vlastne stalo v roku 1968.
Páčil sa mi štýl, prišiel mi rozumne vyvážený. V istých momentoch hrá na city, používa klasické obraty, inde je naopak veľmi stručný, až rázny, ale spolu to dáva veľmi čitateľný výsledok o bežcoch na dlhé trate z čias, kedy sa písala významná kapitola bežeckej histórie.
Ak vás táto téma čo len trochu zaujíma, prečítajte si to a neoľutujete. Mne po nej ostal taký trpko-sladký pocit, ale určite sa k nej ešte vrátim.
Je to o Zátopkovi aj nie je. Jeho život je hlavnou líniou knihy, v ktorej sa však Rick Broadbent venuje aj ostatným bežcom, ľuďom okolo nich, nezabúda na rodinné pozadie... a celým dielom sa vinie aj línia politická, ktorá týchto mužov a ženy ovplyvňovala viac ako by chceli.
Niektoré mená sú známe (Alain Mimoun, Vladimír Kuc), iné pre mňa menej (Gordon Pirie, Jim Peters, Ron Clarke). Každý z nich mal svoj príbeh, každý prežíval svoje osobné tragédie i náhle a väčšinou prchavé výstupy na vrchol.
Príbeh o prvom a jedinom Zátopkovom trénerovi (Jan Haluza) dodáva celej knihe temný nádych politiky, drobnička o Oľge Fikotovej, ktorá si mohla vziať "západniara" bola napriek dobrému koncu len potvrdením toho, aké zložité to v tých rokoch bolo. A Broadbent sa snaží cez svedkov ukázať Emilovu "politickú" úlohu počas rokov jeho slávy i osvetliť, čo sa to vlastne stalo v roku 1968.
Páčil sa mi štýl, prišiel mi rozumne vyvážený. V istých momentoch hrá na city, používa klasické obraty, inde je naopak veľmi stručný, až rázny, ale spolu to dáva veľmi čitateľný výsledok o bežcoch na dlhé trate z čias, kedy sa písala významná kapitola bežeckej histórie.
Ak vás táto téma čo len trochu zaujíma, prečítajte si to a neoľutujete. Mne po nej ostal taký trpko-sladký pocit, ale určite sa k nej ešte vrátim.
May 14, 2016
Endurance – The Amazing Life of Emil Zatopek
As I am not an athletics fan other than watching when the Olympic and Commonwealth Games are on TV the name Emil Zatopek was not one I recognised. When talking with associates who are athletics fans I was given a lesson in what a legend of the sport he was and how he really was the King of Distance running.
This excellent biography by The Times former athletics correspondent Rick Broadbent not only a well-researched and written book, but one that gave me an education in history. This looks at more than the three Olympic Gold medals that he won at Helsinki in 1952, but goes in to his life after that as he was a Czechoslovakian athlete and he was living his life with the paranoid of a communist country during the Cold War.
Looking how he went from being admired in the 1948 Olympic Games to a three time champion four years later in Helsinki. How Emil Zatopek went from the world famous athlete to a none person in the communist world, to being rehabilitated later in life.
I personally was amazed that he is revered by marathon runners, when he ran the marathon in the Helsinki Games as an afterthought, having never run one previously. How he went from a 5000 and 10,000 distance running to 26 miles as an afterthought and how he sought out advice on how to run that distance.
Being born in 1922 how he had to survive the German Occupation during the war years and then later the communist takeover. That one of the reasons he joined the army was not only so he could train better, but could eat better. Anyone with family behind the Iron Curtain will tell how food became political and in short supply especially to those against the communist regimes.
This is also the story how Zatopek spoke out against the Russian Invasion during the Prague Spring in 1968, and was therefore stripped of his army pension and sent in to internal exile. This exile would cut him off from the outside world, force him to work in uranium mines, where he lived in a caravan and turned to alcohol. That it would not be until 1988 that Zatopek would finally see the Czechoslovakian Government would finally rehabilitate him and his reputation and actually apologise.
Endurance is an excellent biography that really does take you on a journey of discovery and growing admiration, to a man who lived and died in a world many will never fully understand today. What does shine throughout this book is the humanity that Emil Zatopek possessed that never left him when his world was turned upside down and lasted to the very end.
A biography that will open your eyes, this is not the usual sports person’s biography it is also a history of a country behind the Iron Curtain where sport was international marketing for communism. Where you were not an individual but a person to be used and abused, but Zatopek still manages to rise above this throughout his life.
A fantastic read from beginning to end and an honour to recommend it to all this biography which is a story of one man’s humanity above all else.
As I am not an athletics fan other than watching when the Olympic and Commonwealth Games are on TV the name Emil Zatopek was not one I recognised. When talking with associates who are athletics fans I was given a lesson in what a legend of the sport he was and how he really was the King of Distance running.
This excellent biography by The Times former athletics correspondent Rick Broadbent not only a well-researched and written book, but one that gave me an education in history. This looks at more than the three Olympic Gold medals that he won at Helsinki in 1952, but goes in to his life after that as he was a Czechoslovakian athlete and he was living his life with the paranoid of a communist country during the Cold War.
Looking how he went from being admired in the 1948 Olympic Games to a three time champion four years later in Helsinki. How Emil Zatopek went from the world famous athlete to a none person in the communist world, to being rehabilitated later in life.
I personally was amazed that he is revered by marathon runners, when he ran the marathon in the Helsinki Games as an afterthought, having never run one previously. How he went from a 5000 and 10,000 distance running to 26 miles as an afterthought and how he sought out advice on how to run that distance.
Being born in 1922 how he had to survive the German Occupation during the war years and then later the communist takeover. That one of the reasons he joined the army was not only so he could train better, but could eat better. Anyone with family behind the Iron Curtain will tell how food became political and in short supply especially to those against the communist regimes.
This is also the story how Zatopek spoke out against the Russian Invasion during the Prague Spring in 1968, and was therefore stripped of his army pension and sent in to internal exile. This exile would cut him off from the outside world, force him to work in uranium mines, where he lived in a caravan and turned to alcohol. That it would not be until 1988 that Zatopek would finally see the Czechoslovakian Government would finally rehabilitate him and his reputation and actually apologise.
Endurance is an excellent biography that really does take you on a journey of discovery and growing admiration, to a man who lived and died in a world many will never fully understand today. What does shine throughout this book is the humanity that Emil Zatopek possessed that never left him when his world was turned upside down and lasted to the very end.
A biography that will open your eyes, this is not the usual sports person’s biography it is also a history of a country behind the Iron Curtain where sport was international marketing for communism. Where you were not an individual but a person to be used and abused, but Zatopek still manages to rise above this throughout his life.
A fantastic read from beginning to end and an honour to recommend it to all this biography which is a story of one man’s humanity above all else.
February 4, 2017
Premkla ma zvedavosť, keď som si prečítala status Sama Marca o maratóne na olympiáde v Melbourne kedysi dávno, že dávno. Mená ako Alain Mimoun a Emil Zátopek boli pre mňa neznáme. A že to bol pekný, i keď trochu smutný príbeh, siahla som po tejto knihe, v ktorej je veľa o ich vzostupoch a pádoch, životoch a o osudoch mnohých ďalších bežcov. A nesklamalo, práve naopak. Asi nikdy nebudem behať s takou vášňou a radosťou s akou behali oni, ale aspoň sa už pri tom slove "beh" nestrasiem a nerobím divné zvuky. Beh vo svojej oslobodzujúcej a miestami deštruktívnej podstate vlastne znamená filozofiu a spôsob žitia. Boli to takí beatnickí osamelí bežci.
May 16, 2021
Nevedela som, čo mám od knihy čakať. Osobne ju hodnotím niekde medzi 3 a 4. Miestami bola vynikajúca. Živé spomienky a vykreslenie zložitého osudu športovca, ktorý, ako všetci hovoria, bol celým svojim ja v prvom rade úžasný bežec, a chcel byť len bežcom, hoci to znamenalo, že sa musel stať aktívny v politike. Rovnako sa mi páčilo, že som sa trocha viac dozvedela o Dane. Jech charaktere aj úspechoch, ktoré sa rovnali tým Emilovým. Na druhu stranu som sa niekedy strácala medzi miliónmi ďalších podpríbehov, ktoré chceli asi dokresliť vtedajšie dusno, atmosféru v životoch iných bežcov. Čo mi však kniha dala bolo pripomenutie si režimu, ktorý tú vládol. Počas ktorého malo Česko-slovensko úžasné športové talenty známe v zahraničí (nielev v behu), ale ktorý sa k vám v sekunde, ak ste sa mu znepáčili, otočil chrbtom a postavil vás na okraj spoločnosti. Šport bol možno práve jedným z mála únikov od reality neslobody, preto sa mu v tom čase tak darilo. Ja som z generácie, ktorá ho nezažila, napriek tomu ma vždy pri tých živých detailoch z pamäte iných mrazí, keď počúvam, ako staval ľudí proti sebe, a že pomôcť priateľovi znamenalo odsúdiť seba samého. Na prekonanie takého tlaku to chcelo ešte väčšiu vytrvalosť ako nepoľaviť v behu.
February 13, 2019
I was walking through a bookstore in Byron bay and was slowly falling asleep at the lack of running novels. When I came across this book my mood changed and I knew I had to give it a go!! As a runner I believe it is important to learn of famous runners and their stories and so to learn about the famous Zatopek was truly a gift. Every page was insightful and fascinating, I was truly captivated by each word. I recommend this book to all runners who wish to learn of the great Zatopek but also to learn of the Czechoslovakia history post WW2. It is inspiring, intriguing and definitely a good read.
4/5
4/5
January 11, 2017
Over the years I have read 3 books about the great Czech distance runner Emil Zátopek: Zatopek the Marathon Victor, Za-to-pek! Za-to-pek! Za-to-pek!: The Life and Times of the World's Greatest Distance Runner, and Running. The first was a communist hagiography written in 1954, the second focussed purely on his running achievements, and the third was a novel. I wondered whether there would ever be a real and careful biography written about the man. I was especially interested in how Zátopek had navigated the political challenges of communism, but this was never addressed. Then, low and behold, on the very same day, May 24, 2016, two biographies of the man were published! I was given both as gifts, and I'll read the other one Today We Die a Little!: The Inimitable Emil Zátopek, the Greatest Olympic Runner of All Time eventually.
I enjoyed reading this, and it did give insight into the political challenges of his life and how he dealt with them. The author was able to interview a number of people who knew him, including his wife. The book was pretty well-written, but could have used a careful proof-reading. In discussing the ideological situation in the punishment mines, the author warns that (p. 149) "Don't mention religion, because the worst crime of Communism was atheism." I think he must have meant THEISM. And then there was the race (p. 211) that was especially hot: "85 degrees C"!! (=185 degrees F) Granted, that's hot!
I highly recommend this book, and in due course I'll compare it to the other new biography.
I discovered both these books in a September issue of London Review of Books, where they were both "reviewed." But the indulgent review told us all about Zatopek's achievements and nothing about the details of these books, or their comparative merits.
I enjoyed reading this, and it did give insight into the political challenges of his life and how he dealt with them. The author was able to interview a number of people who knew him, including his wife. The book was pretty well-written, but could have used a careful proof-reading. In discussing the ideological situation in the punishment mines, the author warns that (p. 149) "Don't mention religion, because the worst crime of Communism was atheism." I think he must have meant THEISM. And then there was the race (p. 211) that was especially hot: "85 degrees C"!! (=185 degrees F) Granted, that's hot!
I highly recommend this book, and in due course I'll compare it to the other new biography.
I discovered both these books in a September issue of London Review of Books, where they were both "reviewed." But the indulgent review told us all about Zatopek's achievements and nothing about the details of these books, or their comparative merits.
December 28, 2016
If you are a runner or enjoy sports - this is an important book...a 'must-read'.
I say this despite the fact that I found this book to be very poorly written. I'm not sure if it is a reflection upon the author - who is purported to be an award winning, veteran journalist - or due to editing. Maybe it was a rush job? One example among many: Zatopek is at the Olympics. He is training a day or so prior to his competition. The author writes that after a lack lustre training session, that "Zatopek went home." I was floored...didn't knew he had quit an Olympiad. Only to find out, that what the author meant, was that Zatopek had returned to his living quarters, or billet, or accommodations as opposed to his "home" in Czechoslovakia. There are so many of these written inefficiencies, that you have to re-read some chapters, or patiently wait for a few chapters to garner comprehension.... At a few points I started wondering if some of the information in this biography was perhaps inaccurate as well. It was such a shame - the subject is both that important and compelling.
I say this despite the fact that I found this book to be very poorly written. I'm not sure if it is a reflection upon the author - who is purported to be an award winning, veteran journalist - or due to editing. Maybe it was a rush job? One example among many: Zatopek is at the Olympics. He is training a day or so prior to his competition. The author writes that after a lack lustre training session, that "Zatopek went home." I was floored...didn't knew he had quit an Olympiad. Only to find out, that what the author meant, was that Zatopek had returned to his living quarters, or billet, or accommodations as opposed to his "home" in Czechoslovakia. There are so many of these written inefficiencies, that you have to re-read some chapters, or patiently wait for a few chapters to garner comprehension.... At a few points I started wondering if some of the information in this biography was perhaps inaccurate as well. It was such a shame - the subject is both that important and compelling.
January 17, 2017
Velmi čtivé shrnutí významných momentů Zátopka spolu s osudy klíčových Emilových nejbližších - tedy přátel, manželky Dany i svých soupeřů, se kterými velmi často udržoval blízký vztah. Bavilo mě autorovo "novinářské" pojetí, ve kterém zkoumal pozadí různých událostí. Popisy zásadních závodů byly doslova dechberoucí, i když jsem dopředu často věděl, s jakým skončí výsledkem. Jako příležitostný běžec si odnáším velký respekt k této české legendě.
August 10, 2017
Rick Broadbent je britský žurnalista a na knize je to v dobrém i špatném poznat. Text je efektní, rychlý a čtivý (to platí pouze pro originál, český překlad tyto přednosti dokonale pohřbil). Kniha je plná mnohdy pikatních odboček do světa britské a evropské atletiky 50let. S novinářskou lehkostí ale přichází i velký počet nepřesností, zjednodušujících soudů a chybných závěrů, kdy je vidět, že dějiny Československa druhé poloviny 20. století autor studoval během oběda s britským historikem.
April 22, 2021
When i first heard about the Helsinki 52 marathon, in “Born to run”, i instantly knew Emil Zatopek is a man i will end up admiring, and i wanted to get to know more about him.
Fred Wild, the American athlete, called him “perhaps the most humble, friendly and popular athlete in modern times”, while Ron Clarke, the Australian sporting legend said: “There is not, and never was, a greater man than Emil Zátopek.” Cause as good as his running was, so was his generosity. He did not hesitate a moment to give Clarke one of his golden olympic medals, after seeing the sadness in his colleague eyes after not managing to gain one. Or he jeopardized his presence in the olympics and repercussions from the authorities when he stated he will not take part in the event unless his colleague gets to be treated fairly.
The “Human Locomotive” is considered to be the greatest runner of all time, and his incredible feats are definitely a proof for that belief. Despite his running style that was totally in-aesthetic as the upper body is concerned and rather suggested the man was about to die there, Zatopek managed to break all the records of that time and he is considered one of the pioneers of interval training.
The book presents not only his achievements, but also briefly presents a history of modern distance running, starting with the magical Finnish runners and going to a decade after Zatopek’s retire from the sport. You meet Jim Peters, Gordon Pirie, Vladimir Kuts, Alain Mimoun and other incredible athletes.
But besides this, a great importance is given to the political realities of the time, as Czechoslovakian valuable people are tortured or mistreated by the political regime. Zatopek himself eventually ends up paying a price for defying the Russians and giving a helping hand to friends or even strangers that were chased by the regime.
This is one of those books that makes you wanna run, to (re)discover the joy of running freely.
And, as the great Emil said it “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”
Fred Wild, the American athlete, called him “perhaps the most humble, friendly and popular athlete in modern times”, while Ron Clarke, the Australian sporting legend said: “There is not, and never was, a greater man than Emil Zátopek.” Cause as good as his running was, so was his generosity. He did not hesitate a moment to give Clarke one of his golden olympic medals, after seeing the sadness in his colleague eyes after not managing to gain one. Or he jeopardized his presence in the olympics and repercussions from the authorities when he stated he will not take part in the event unless his colleague gets to be treated fairly.
The “Human Locomotive” is considered to be the greatest runner of all time, and his incredible feats are definitely a proof for that belief. Despite his running style that was totally in-aesthetic as the upper body is concerned and rather suggested the man was about to die there, Zatopek managed to break all the records of that time and he is considered one of the pioneers of interval training.
The book presents not only his achievements, but also briefly presents a history of modern distance running, starting with the magical Finnish runners and going to a decade after Zatopek’s retire from the sport. You meet Jim Peters, Gordon Pirie, Vladimir Kuts, Alain Mimoun and other incredible athletes.
But besides this, a great importance is given to the political realities of the time, as Czechoslovakian valuable people are tortured or mistreated by the political regime. Zatopek himself eventually ends up paying a price for defying the Russians and giving a helping hand to friends or even strangers that were chased by the regime.
This is one of those books that makes you wanna run, to (re)discover the joy of running freely.
And, as the great Emil said it “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”
July 2, 2017
While Broadbent's writing style can be disjointed at times (not unlike Zatopek's upper body movements while he's running), this biography of the great Czech runner is compelling and comprehensive. In the end it is worth the the effort.
While they tend to disrupt the central narrative, still there are many fascinating side stories, especially of Zatopek's friendly (and occasionally not so friendly) rivals -- Allain Mimoun, Jim Peters, Gordon Pirie, Vladimir Kuts, among others. Broadbent also succeeds in communicating effectively the difficulties Zatopek and many of his Czech friends had in maintaining a life of integrity under an increasingly hostile political environment that developed in the country over the years.
As I read the book, I was constant referencing YouTube videos of many of the races.
While they tend to disrupt the central narrative, still there are many fascinating side stories, especially of Zatopek's friendly (and occasionally not so friendly) rivals -- Allain Mimoun, Jim Peters, Gordon Pirie, Vladimir Kuts, among others. Broadbent also succeeds in communicating effectively the difficulties Zatopek and many of his Czech friends had in maintaining a life of integrity under an increasingly hostile political environment that developed in the country over the years.
As I read the book, I was constant referencing YouTube videos of many of the races.
August 29, 2017
Set in what many feel was the golden age of running, and against a backdrop of the Cold War and rising communism, this is a brilliantly evocative tale of perhaps the greatest runner to have ever dignified a race.
Even if you don’t like running, athletics or sport, this is an amazing read of an incredible man, whose world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love, political intrigue and, above all, a zest for life.
Emil Zátopek may not be a name known in every household, but this book should be.
Endurance is a cracking story, supremely well written and brought skilfully to life.
Even if you don’t like running, athletics or sport, this is an amazing read of an incredible man, whose world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love, political intrigue and, above all, a zest for life.
Emil Zátopek may not be a name known in every household, but this book should be.
Endurance is a cracking story, supremely well written and brought skilfully to life.
May 14, 2024
I had no idea what I had signed up for with this one. I had no idea who Zatopek was. Or much about the history of the Czech people in that period. I thought this would be a straightforward running hero sort of book.
The book was definitely enlightening, more in historical and political rather than athletic terms. What an inspiring guy. I really liked the whole story. And that the author showed all aspects of the protagonist, including his more unappealing sides shows the depth of his study and understanding of human nature.
At times I thought it was too detailed, including a lot of characters that could have been avoided for simplicity or clarity of the story.
The book was definitely enlightening, more in historical and political rather than athletic terms. What an inspiring guy. I really liked the whole story. And that the author showed all aspects of the protagonist, including his more unappealing sides shows the depth of his study and understanding of human nature.
At times I thought it was too detailed, including a lot of characters that could have been avoided for simplicity or clarity of the story.
July 7, 2024
A story about an extraordinary runner, whose feats unlikely to be repeated. He wasn't just a great runner but a great person with great personality and humility too.
I am a runner and used to be a competitive one. From a runner's perspective, the book is a little disappointing if you are looking for some insights into Zatopek's training or his progression. Some of the "facts" shared are obviously greatly exaggerated and became stuff of myths & legends.
I also found the chronology to be a bit messy and there were a little too much diversion to the main story with the focus on others who play only peripheral part in Zatopek's life.
I am a runner and used to be a competitive one. From a runner's perspective, the book is a little disappointing if you are looking for some insights into Zatopek's training or his progression. Some of the "facts" shared are obviously greatly exaggerated and became stuff of myths & legends.
I also found the chronology to be a bit messy and there were a little too much diversion to the main story with the focus on others who play only peripheral part in Zatopek's life.
September 5, 2021
Čtení o jedinečných osobnostech je samo o sobě atraktivní a příběh Emila Zátopka rozhodně není výjimkou. Navíc v kontextu historických událostí a situace v Československu 50. let a dál.
Jeho výkony, rekordy a tréninkové dávky vyvolávají úžas. Působení na veřejnosti a politická (ne?)angažovanost nutí k zamyšlení nad tehdejší dobou a komunistickými tlaky.
Tahle knížka ale není klasickou beletrií a člověk se občas ztratí ve jménech i v čase (proto jen za 3). Ale detailní info k závodům, dosaženým rychlostem a pokusům o rekordy mě nenechalo přestat číst.
Jeho výkony, rekordy a tréninkové dávky vyvolávají úžas. Působení na veřejnosti a politická (ne?)angažovanost nutí k zamyšlení nad tehdejší dobou a komunistickými tlaky.
Tahle knížka ale není klasickou beletrií a člověk se občas ztratí ve jménech i v čase (proto jen za 3). Ale detailní info k závodům, dosaženým rychlostem a pokusům o rekordy mě nenechalo přestat číst.
December 13, 2022
Reading about the life of Emil Zatopek: an amazing story about an extraordinary runner during the Cold War. Reading this book: sometimes difficult to follow with stories about the lives of other runners thrown in a bit randomly. I don't think the writer thoroughly 'got' Zatopek, but maybe Zatopek was too special to be completely understood.
November 9, 2020
V knize je spoustu zajímavých informací o Emilovi i jiných sportovcích jeho éry.
Zátopkova běžecká kariéra je prokládána osobním životem a také popisem doby a situací, které s sebou komunismus přinášel.
O běhání se nijak zvlášť nezajímám, ale kniha mě moc bavila, rozhodně doporučuji.
Zátopkova běžecká kariéra je prokládána osobním životem a také popisem doby a situací, které s sebou komunismus přinášel.
O běhání se nijak zvlášť nezajímám, ale kniha mě moc bavila, rozhodně doporučuji.
August 13, 2017
Quite enjoyable and insightful
September 21, 2017
What a story. What a man.
October 22, 2019
3 gold medals on 1952 Olympic Games! 5K, 10K and marathon... day after day! He had won 38 races in a row since 1948 debut.
Read
January 14, 2020Great read of the life and times of a sporting legend
May 17, 2023
If you like track and you are interested in zatopek, this is the book to read.
June 8, 2020
Grit, Gumption and Greatness. These were the three infallible attributes of the man voted by the Runners World Magazine as the Greatest Runner of All Time. Setting a slew of world records (18 in total), achieving the incredible treble victories (5000 metres; 10,000 metres and the Marathon) at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, and leaving in ruin every competition of formidable note in his wake,Emil Zatopek was undoubtedly the very synonym of endurance running in his time. Eviscerating his opponents with an attitude that was stunningly unassuming and refreshingly humble, Zatopek put the former Czech Republic atop the very pedestal of a sport which was hitherto the bastion of the Finnish and the Swedes. However instead of being honoured as the pride of a nation, this champion runner fell prey to the devious mechanisms of the Communist regime and was even treated as a pariah and made to sweat it out in the coalmines!
This fascinating biography of Emil Zatopek by Rick Broadbent relives the ecstatic and excruciating life of one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. Initially spurred on to tirelessly run across agricultural fields with a view to escaping the ensuing beatings of a father hot on his heels, "Emil The Wimp" as he was commonly known in those days, perfected his own method of running. This method of 'interval running' is described in a delightful manner by Rick Broadbent in the book. Emil Zatopek's style of running was so contorted - with flailing arms, neck bent at an angle and almost resting on a shoulder, and a lolling tongue - that it was described as "wrestling an octopus on a conveyor belt", and yet it were these contortions that ensured that Zatopek would go down in the annals of history as the greatest endurance runner ever to have set foot on a running track.
Researched immaculately and narrated impeccably, "Endurance: The Extraordinary Life and Times and Emil Zatopek" segues the happiness and horror; miracles and madness; friendships and rivalries in a gripping fashion. The highlight of the book is the rivalry (although extremely genial) between Zatopek and some of his most feared and famed adversaries such as the Frenchman Alan Mimoun who was always described as being in the shadows of Emil; Vladimir Kuts, the intimidating great bear from Russia; Gordon Pirie the outspoken and vitriolic Englishman who mimicked the running style patented by Zatopek and the tireless Finn, Viljo Heino who embedded the very Finnish "sisu" or stoicism which led to some immortal head ons with Emil Zatopek. The love affair between Emil and Dana (a javelin Olympic Gold Medallist) and the unique training methods embraced by the Champion couple as described by Broadbent also make for some enthralling reading.
However the most revealing and nerve wracking portion of the book lies in the harsh and deplorable treatment of national sporting heroes by a suspicious and insecure Communist regime on the basis of unreliable information received from a continuously churning rumour mill. Ice hockey teams are stripped of their status and made to work in concentration camps; Zatopek's own coach for a brief period Dr.Jan Haluza is detained, brutally tortured and put to work in mines in conditions that can only be described as revolting. Fate did not spare the country's greatest ever sportsman as Zatopek was stripped of his post in the army, regarded as an untouchable and packed off to work in the coal mines away from Prague. A slur on an entire nation which has been basking in the glory of victory perched on the shoulders of the very man whom it decided to denigrate.
Emil Zatopek conquered the world of endurance running but still remained firmly grounded, humble and ever willing to impart a precious advice to team mates and rivals alike. Rick Broadbent with his wonderful work provides a sterling tribute to the man, his mission and his methods.
This fascinating biography of Emil Zatopek by Rick Broadbent relives the ecstatic and excruciating life of one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. Initially spurred on to tirelessly run across agricultural fields with a view to escaping the ensuing beatings of a father hot on his heels, "Emil The Wimp" as he was commonly known in those days, perfected his own method of running. This method of 'interval running' is described in a delightful manner by Rick Broadbent in the book. Emil Zatopek's style of running was so contorted - with flailing arms, neck bent at an angle and almost resting on a shoulder, and a lolling tongue - that it was described as "wrestling an octopus on a conveyor belt", and yet it were these contortions that ensured that Zatopek would go down in the annals of history as the greatest endurance runner ever to have set foot on a running track.
Researched immaculately and narrated impeccably, "Endurance: The Extraordinary Life and Times and Emil Zatopek" segues the happiness and horror; miracles and madness; friendships and rivalries in a gripping fashion. The highlight of the book is the rivalry (although extremely genial) between Zatopek and some of his most feared and famed adversaries such as the Frenchman Alan Mimoun who was always described as being in the shadows of Emil; Vladimir Kuts, the intimidating great bear from Russia; Gordon Pirie the outspoken and vitriolic Englishman who mimicked the running style patented by Zatopek and the tireless Finn, Viljo Heino who embedded the very Finnish "sisu" or stoicism which led to some immortal head ons with Emil Zatopek. The love affair between Emil and Dana (a javelin Olympic Gold Medallist) and the unique training methods embraced by the Champion couple as described by Broadbent also make for some enthralling reading.
However the most revealing and nerve wracking portion of the book lies in the harsh and deplorable treatment of national sporting heroes by a suspicious and insecure Communist regime on the basis of unreliable information received from a continuously churning rumour mill. Ice hockey teams are stripped of their status and made to work in concentration camps; Zatopek's own coach for a brief period Dr.Jan Haluza is detained, brutally tortured and put to work in mines in conditions that can only be described as revolting. Fate did not spare the country's greatest ever sportsman as Zatopek was stripped of his post in the army, regarded as an untouchable and packed off to work in the coal mines away from Prague. A slur on an entire nation which has been basking in the glory of victory perched on the shoulders of the very man whom it decided to denigrate.
Emil Zatopek conquered the world of endurance running but still remained firmly grounded, humble and ever willing to impart a precious advice to team mates and rivals alike. Rick Broadbent with his wonderful work provides a sterling tribute to the man, his mission and his methods.
May 9, 2016
Emil Zatopek was the best long distance runner ever as judged by his Olympic and international performances in the late 1940s through the early 1950s. He was a pioneer in exploiting interval training for long distances. Along with his athletic achievements Zatopek was strong voice in standing up to the Soviets in the Prague Spring of 1968. Broadbent's presentation is good balance of solid, well documented research, and, personal interviews and anecdotes. The book will sit on my shelf along with Bascom's, The Perfect Mile. These are by far the two best available books on the history of modern competitive running and two legends of the sport.
August 24, 2017
Zatopek had won the 5000m, 10000m and marathon at the Olympics in 1952. This book was one of two about him that came out at the same time. It is well researched, not only describing his upbringing and athletic feats but also gives a great feel for the man himself, his eccentricities and his hard training ethic. His life after his running career is only briefly described which does not fully illustrate the price he paid for the stance he took in 1968. I would have liked to hear more about that part of his life which was totally shaped by the oppressive hand of communism. However, it is an excellent read.
August 24, 2016
Very good work on not just the runner, but the man most running historians would consider one of the top 3 to 5 long-distance runners of all time.
In a sport that many people probably think only exists for Kenya and Ethiopia, its nice to see a biography of a person most running enthusiasts probably have either never heard of, or have forgotten about.
In a sport that many people probably think only exists for Kenya and Ethiopia, its nice to see a biography of a person most running enthusiasts probably have either never heard of, or have forgotten about.
July 25, 2016
An extraordinary read providing not only deep insights on arguably the greatest Olympian of all time but also the Games, governments, and love.
January 30, 2017
Amazing life.
Zatopek was a runner above all else - in very difficult times. I had no idea, compelling story and easy read.
Zatopek was a runner above all else - in very difficult times. I had no idea, compelling story and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews