Katherine Switzer, Jeff Benjamin and Roger Robinson
When Running Made History – A Quick Unrevealing Review
By Jeff Benjamin
While it is the hope of a historical writer to attempt to put the reader into the era they’re writing about so to spark a connection and empathy to those events, it’s also the job of the book reviewer to hopefully praises that book and the author without giving away the store.
In Roger Robinson’s “When Running Made History,” the New Zealander & Upstate New Yorker has certainly done his job. This writer will now attempt to do his!
Robinson’s written eyewitness accounts to the Sport go back to the post-WW2 London Olympic Games back in 1948 and continue right into the 2016 Syracuse Festival of Races. In each time zone stop along the way Robinson is able to not only accurately write about the key people, places and events over the last 70 years, but also is able to bring the reader along for the ride as well. Whether it’s Emil Zatopek, Buddy Edelen, the 1960 Rome Olympics, the fantastic WR 1500 in 1974 at Christchurch, the birth and rise of road racing on all levels, Meb Keflezighi at Boston in 2014, Robinson successfully enables the reader, whether they’re a beginner or an all-Out Running Geek, To feel as if they are there right with him! It’s also interesting how Robinson takes the reader through some of his runs and surroundings, one of which this writer holds a special affection for as well in Upstate New York!
Adding to the book is Robinson’s ability to also cover the tragedies that affected not only running but the world, and how the Sport and Sportsmen & Sportswomen responded to it. Whether it was the events of September 11th, or the Boston Marathon bombing, Robinson chronicles the events in such a way that the reader will conclude that NOTHING will stop the running rise of the human spirit.
With “World Running Day”, just concluding, why not either get introduced or recharged into the Sport of Running by purchasing “When Running Made History?”
This writer sincerely hopes that my motivating writing style has enticed you without giving away the store. If I’ve accomplished that, I can feel that I’m closer to the writing level of the legendary Mr. Robinson.
To purchase a copy of “When Running Made History” check out –
https://www.amazon.com/When-Running-History-Sports-Entertainment/dp/0815611005