Author:Mark Whitaker
In 1928 two extraordinary Englishmen competed in an unprecedented event - a transcontinental road race across America that required them to run an average of 40 miles for 80 consecutive days.
Despite being separated by class, education and age, Peter Gavuzzi and Arthur Newton became close friends and formed a successful business partnership as endurance athletes. They raced in 500-mile relays, in 24-hour events, in snowshoes and against horses; and they became the stars of a craze for endurance events that swept across depression-era North America and the most famous long-distance runners in the world.
However, history has forgotten these two men, and in Running for Their Lives - in a story peopled with remarkable characters, unimaginable feats and tragic twists of fate - they only now receive the recognition they so richly deserve.
A poignant account of unrecognised achievement
—— Bryon Rogers , SpectatorWell-researched and entertaining... Whitaker's real achievement is to resurrect for recognition the careers of two genuine British sporting heroes
—— Times Literary SupplementRemarkable
—— New StatesmanA timely reminder of the best that the sport can achieve
—— The Sunday TimesAstonishing
—— Reader's DigestThese men were monumentally strong. They were not just sporting heroes but heroes in terms of human endeavour
—— Peter RadfordWhitaker paints a compelling picture of a world in which the virtues of old-fashioned professionalism and decency overcome class and race barriers... engaging, surprising and...affecting
—— Alexander Larman , ObserverAn examination of a legendary American pugnaciousness... no one ever made winning look quite the rutting alpha-male necessity that Connors made it appear.
—— ObserverThe Outsider, a rather overdue autobiography by Jimmy Connors, reads like the American played: full of testosterone and attitude. As a study of the making of an alpha male it is fascinating. Even if [Connors] didn't deal with his successes very well - succumbing to the trappings of fame all too easily - boy, did he work for them. No doubt there have been more gifted players, but no one has won as many tour victories and none, surely, have given themselves so totally to the animal spirit of competition.
—— The TimesClear as flying chalk: The Outsider takes in a volley of vignettes.
—— Independent on SundayAn ace.
—— Daily MailA gutsy streetfighter on court, the brash US tennis star covers rivals, romances and revelations with unsurprising candour, but also a welcome dash of humour.
—— Sport magazineEssential reading... With characteristic humour Connors sets the record straight on the tennis circuit on and off the court.
—— Daily ExpressThe atmosphere of the Sixties is re-created brilliantly.
—— The TimesHamilton through the stories and backstories of others broadens his horizons to explain the phenomenon that was Best and the world that destroyed him. Offering up new material and new perspective, Hamilton, as one reviewer would opined, mastered biography.
—— Irish Examiner