Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine

by Tom Jordan

Book Overview

The story of America's greatest running legend. For five years, no American runner could beat him at any distance over a mile. But at the age of 24, with his best years still ahead, long-distance... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875964575
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Rodale Books
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

THE SPIRIT OF STEVE PREFONTAINE CONTINUES TO CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION OF AMERICA'S YOUTH. IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 25 YEARS SINCE PRE DIED TRAGICALLY BUT HE IS STILL THE HERO TO NEARLY EVERY HIGH SCHOOL DISTANCE RUNNER. TOM JORDAN'S BOOK HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. THE STORY OF PRE'S LIFE READS LIKE A WELL CONSTRUCTED NOVEL. THE TRACK GEEK'S LIKE MYSELF ENJOY THE WORKOUT AND RACE RECREATIONS. MR. JORDAN'S BOOK IS A TREASURE.

i am only 15 and once i started reading, i couldn't stop

I loved this book and it is very easy to read. This book up to today is still my favorite

No matter how many times I read this book, I feel inspired!

Next to my Mother who raised me Steve Prefontaine is my only hero. For the last 23 years I've been a distance runner and there's been plenty of days when it hasn't been easy. But everytime I pick up this book and read a few pages I'm out the door before I know it. This book isn't just about the greatest distance runner that the US ever produced. It's about believing in yourself and giving all you have no matter what you do in life. I have an old copy that sits on my desk and no matter how many times I read it I'm still inspired. Steve Prefontaine lives on through this book. It tells the story of not only his triumphs on the track but off it as well. His legacy are the people who he touched and embrace what he stood for, courage.

PRE: A heartbreaking story of human will and inspiration.

In PRE, Tom Jordan uses common and simple language to chronicle the life of the incredible Steve Prefontaine. Whereas this book does not attempt to be a literary masterpiece, Mr. Jordan has done the reader an enormous favor by putting between covers this heartbreaking story of remarkable human will and spirit, by which we may all feel motivated and empowered and certainly inspired. Of special significance to me, a native Oregonian, is the fact that Steve Prefontaine was a true Oregon boy from a small Oregon town. Steve's characteristics of being independent, hard working, a bit of a rebel, and charismatic all at once, embody the pride and essence of what it means to be a true Oregonian. The story of PRE makes me want to live each day more fully in some way, rather than to simply exist. For the athlete and non-athlete alike, this story is well worth reading. It may even change your life.

Review of Tom Jordan's book Pre!

Tom Jordan's book Pre: the story of america's Greates Running legend Stever Prefontaine, is a very inspiring story of the life, and tragic death of one of the greatest American distance runners ever. The book starts before Steve (as he was called then) even began running. In Jr. High when he saw the High School cross country team runn by he said "What kind of crazy nut would spend two or three hours a day just running?" Soon he became hooked on running. And the story takes off from there. Tom Jordan's writing in places still gives me chills every time I read parts of the book. The description of Pre's Olympic 5000m final is one of these sections. Even after reading the book over ten times, I still get chills reading the chapter on this race. if it was possible, I would have rated this book a 15, but the scale only goes up to 10. If you are a runner of any kind, even a sprinter, or someone who jogs evey morning, and could never break 9 minutes for the mile, I would suggest reading this book. Perhaps it will inspire you to run faster, and set a new PR. I'm going to end this review with the same sentance that Pre used to end talks to children: "To give anythig less than your best is to sacrafice The Gift."