Reviews and Comments

Context on why I was sent this epub from my friend in the first place:

I was perplexed over people’s obsession with the most bizarre nonsense. Astrology, crystal healing, modern witchcraft, and many more things I see all too often. My friend suggested this book and sent me over an epub as they felt it’d give nice context around the phenomenon.

Well, I have a much deeper understanding of the issue after reading this book. Sagan deeply loves science and has made me view science in a completely new light, it’s truly inspirational. I’m doing so, he covers pseudoscience and the many wonders of why we believe in things we believe in. Little did I know my questions of why people believe crystals cure cancer has a lot to do with our belief in witches (leading to thousands of burned women at the stake just a few centuries ago) and even things like modern aliens abductions (which have almost no strong evidence to back them up)

Sagan deep-dives into science, morality, how to develop a BS detector, how to think critically, the state of the world and where it may lead, and much more.

As someone who loves science and applies many of its philosophies across my life, it was a wonderful read that opened my eyes to the devolution of our ability to appreciate the beauty of science and critical thinking - instead favoring our crystals and astrology symbols.

Amazing book, that has made me all the more critical of where the world is headed.

Let me start with the good.

I found this book to offer fresh insight on what it means to run, as well as actionable tips to shift the mental and spiritual state of most people’s running to a more favorable one. Especially in westernized running, people run for results and outcomes - but that’s not really what running is about. You can chase results and outcomes from any activity or sport; what separates running is the act itself, the magical feeling of gliding through the air and immersing yourself into a mystical world untraveled by most.

I actually read this book in high school, and while it did help me understand the importance of visualization, I feel the core message of this book was lost on me - being a less experienced runner. Reading this years later, I now understand what this book is trying to convey and teach.

So the bad? I feel this book doesn’t do a great job of truly selling itself to the less experienced runner. If someone just started running in a couch to 5k program, I have a hard time believing they’ll get much enjoyment out of this book. No mater how hard they visualize and tell themselves the importance of relaxation - they are probably struggling to just run a mile. I feel this book is targeted towards more advanced runners who already have an established relationship with the sport.

My other complaint is I feel much of the visualization/affirmation protocols can feel a bit loosey-goosey. In one section, I am told to visualize feeling smooth and gliding through the race to cross the finish line effortlessly. In another, I am told to picture myself fatigued but still being able to stay relaxed and work through the discomfort when finishing my race. The book clearly explains the benefit to each of these exercises, but how would each of these exercises fit into a broader approach? Are these done on different days? Am I supposed to do each of them in the same session? Do I only do the fatigued exercise when I feel I need to “improve” how I handle fatigue?

I feel that this book offers many different tools, but not much actionable structure around them, leaving it up to the runner to experiment and find what works for them. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, though I know many people would prefer a more structured approach towards all of this.

In summary, it’s not perfect - but for the moderate to advanced runners who want fresh perspectives on what it means to run and how to better their relationship with the mental and spiritual sides of running…it’s a good (and short) read.

It was a nice refresher read, with occasional bits of wisdom that were useful. With that said, not much in this book was very new information to me, as my own training seems to closely align with much of the book already.

Additionally, some recommendations aren’t really grounded in real science - like him recommending to land on your heels, especially on downhills? (What?)! And most importantly the 180spm figure which is a bizarre recommendation, given it’s based on the step count of elites mid-race. Why does the step count of elites mid-race being an average of 180spm mean anything to a novice runner on an easy day?

First, it’s an average. So there is natural variance amongst athletes. Second, we know SPM increases as pace increases - so a race environment isn’t representative of any running pace aside from the pace of the athletes running in that specific race.

These assumptions are made in a few other spots in the book.

With this all said, the lens I’m reading this book from is from an advanced athlete’s POV, if I was new to running this would probably be a much more useful read.

The emotions while I read this book were bouncing around the room.

One chapter has me yelling in agreement with Thoreau on his pro-animal stances toward hunting and dieting. The next on minimalism - inspiring me to gather more things I no longer need to donate. The next makes me put the book down to be high on nature. The next makes me rethink civil obedience and give up all I’m doing to commit to being my truest self with no external influences.

No review I am able to give can properly outline how impactful this book has been on the way I see the world. The philosophies are still ever true today, and Thoreau’s definition of “dull man” still appears to be the overwhelming majority of society today - all busy slaving away for the objects and powers that only serve to trap and control them.

Excellent read, all should read.

Warning: Definitely on the more difficult side. Though not unattainable.