Latest 6 Reviews Here is what people are saying about the Bowerman : On the Wings of Nike
"Water sports?"
2009-10-04
- Reviewed By User: A2BKQQGBFTBQKB
I was a huge fan of Bowerman and the runners until I read about his penchant for urinating on his athletes in the locker room shower. You might disagree with me and try to justify his behavior as some sort of coaching tool or trick but no matter how you slice it it is still an old man peeing on boys in a shower. I would rather have not been given this insight into the "Great" and "Legendary" Bowerman.
"Kenny Moore can write!"
2009-07-15
- Reviewed By User: A1OXQ1BISL23NQ
It's almost not fair that Kenny Moore's talent for writing is nearly equal to his excellence and devotion to the sport of distance running. His obvious respect for Bill Bowerman jumps off of every page of this narrative of Coach Bowerman's life story. Any runner who would like to learn about the history and evolution of the sport would be well served to read this book. The cast of characters known as "the men of Oregon" are brought to life in these pages in a way that only someone who took the time to know them well or thoroughly research their lives could do. Kenny Moore has a knack for telling the facts in a way that expresses much more than the facts themselves. You read between the lines to learn about the characters and Kenny has enough respect for the reader's intelligence to let them draw their own conclusions. Among my favorite running books.
"Okay overall"
2009-05-27
- Reviewed By User: A2DSY0E57FK9L
Book is in good shape, but it looks like it was taken from a library, with the library's stamps all over it.
"Track and Field Classic!!!"
2009-03-17
- Reviewed By User: A32E8OSMMUJ8RA
More than just a book about Bowerman and Oregon running. This book is a classic piece of track and field history. I consider myself a knowledgeable runner, but I had no idea how influential Bill Bowerman was in the history of running worldwide! The book starts out kind of slow with the history of the Bowerman family, but once author Kenny Moore is actually part of the story the book takes off and never looks back. I was simply amazed at all the things Bowerman was involved with and it is so well told by Moore. Any respectable runner MUST read this book.
This book was recommended to me, and I am glad I took the recommendation. Kenny Moore, who wrote the screenplay for Without Limits, one of the two Prefontaine movies, does it again. One cautionary note: once you pick this book up be prepared to read for long periods of time without wanting to put it down.
Bill Bowerman lived an extraordinary life by any standards. He was a top college track coach who won four national NCAA track titles, the Olympic track coach during the fateful Munich Olympics, a decorated officer in the mountain/ski battalion during WWII, a co-founder of Nike, and with his millions from Nike, a generous philanthroper.
Bowerman seemed destined to live a life the generated great fascinating stories. Examples: He was coach to the stormy and supremely talented Steve Prefontaine. He (Bowerman) took on the American Athletic Union and its hypocritical stand on amateurism. He was in love with a woman who love him when he was a quarterback for the University of Oregon at the same time that she also loved the quarterback for the University of Southern California--a man who eventually become president of Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. (The woman decided to marry the winner of the UO-USC football game! I won't tell you how that came out.)
As a result, this book is amazingly enjoyable at multiple levels. The stories are fascinating in their own right, but especially because Bowerman's life had as its backdrop some of the most amazing events in American history: the settling of Oregon, the Olympic movement, the running explosion that helped Nike become a multi-billion-dollar company, World War II, Viet Nam, and unrest among black athletes. The stories are skillfully written by Sports Illustrated writer and Olympic runner Kenny Moore, whom Bowerman coached. The book is also a story about character, integrity, and the winning spirit.
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon is more interesting and exciting than fiction. It's a must read for all athletes, especially runners, and it's a great read for everyone else. I highly recommend it.
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"Water sports?"
"Kenny Moore can write!"
"Okay overall"