Review by timd -- Dolphins Don’t Run Marathons
3 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dolphins Don’t Run Marathons" by Sam Brand.]
[rbc=4]id361066-125[/rbc]
The author divides humanity into three groups of people. Ants, who run marathons. Chimps who largely support the runners, and the dolphins who are intelligent enough to understand that there are far pleasanter ways to live than running marathons. Apart from discussing the actual running of marathons, the author extends his arguments to include other human activities. He even includes countries into his three categories, and briefly discusses how each type responds to different situations.
Each chapter consists of advice as to why it is better to be a chimp or a dolphin. The ideas range from the time that it takes to prepare for, and to run marathons. Included in these thoughts is information as to why running marathons is actually detrimental to your health.
Yoga, water sports, and even sex are included in the author’s alternatives to running marathons. The discussion is light-hearted and comical, but the reasoning is accurate. The final chapter consists of a simple heading with some serious advice, delivered in a humorous manner.
The writing is clear and deliberately amusing. Despite this humour, there is a serious undertone to the writing. It is apparent that the author is serious about his opposition to running marathons. This negative approach is based on his own experiences. He ran the New York marathon successfully, twice. Once as a so-called, ant, and the second time as a so-called, dolphin.
The opening chapters discuss his experiences, and in the following chapters, he discusses the negative aspects of running marathons. Theses aspects include the detrimental health factors and other impacts on one’s social and work life. He mentions that running long distances is something that the human body is simply not designed to do.
Further on, his comments concerning other activities, are both amusing and make a lot of sense. It is amusing to read what happened when he joined his wife at a yoga class. Unlike with marathon running, this was an enjoyable experience for him, and he felt the benefits immediately.
Using the same sarcastic and humorous tone, he discusses the other benefits of alternative activities. He makes interesting comments regarding people concerning their behaviour at work and at other activities, depending upon where they fit into his classification of humans. His comments even include whole nation's.
Although this sounds dry and boring, the style of his writing is engaging and humorous. This allows one to smile and laugh. Each chapter is very short and it is possible to read this book in a short space of time.
I found this book enjoyable and fun. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the repetition of certain things such as definitions. But this was a minor detail which did not bother me unduly. Most marathon runners that I know take their sport very seriously. I am not sure whether they will appreciate this book. I do think that it may be suitable for friends and family of marathon runners who wish to give it as a gift in the hope that they will take the advice in it.
This is not a long book, and I read it several times. I could not find any errors in grammar, editing, or typos. There is also nothing graphic in it that can upset any readers. However, I am sure that many committed marathon runners will not appreciate it.
Whatever one’s attitudes towards life and marathon running, this is an entertaining book to read. The arguments against the running of marathons are quite logical. Despite the humorous tone of the book, I believe that the author seriously believes the message that he has written about. I enjoyed this book and have awarded it a rating of 4 stars out of 4.
******
Dolphins Don’t Run Marathons
View: on Bookshelves |
The author divides humanity into three groups of people. Ants, who run marathons. Chimps who largely support the runners, and the dolphins who are intelligent enough to understand that there are far pleasanter ways to live than running marathons. Apart from discussing the actual running of marathons, the author extends his arguments to include other human activities. He even includes countries into his three categories, and briefly discusses how each type responds to different situations.
Each chapter consists of advice as to why it is better to be a chimp or a dolphin. The ideas range from the time that it takes to prepare for, and to run marathons. Included in these thoughts is information as to why running marathons is actually detrimental to your health.
Yoga, water sports, and even sex are included in the author’s alternatives to running marathons. The discussion is light-hearted and comical, but the reasoning is accurate. The final chapter consists of a simple heading with some serious advice, delivered in a humorous manner.
The writing is clear and deliberately amusing. Despite this humour, there is a serious undertone to the writing. It is apparent that the author is serious about his opposition to running marathons. This negative approach is based on his own experiences. He ran the New York marathon successfully, twice. Once as a so-called, ant, and the second time as a so-called, dolphin.
The opening chapters discuss his experiences, and in the following chapters, he discusses the negative aspects of running marathons. Theses aspects include the detrimental health factors and other impacts on one’s social and work life. He mentions that running long distances is something that the human body is simply not designed to do.
Further on, his comments concerning other activities, are both amusing and make a lot of sense. It is amusing to read what happened when he joined his wife at a yoga class. Unlike with marathon running, this was an enjoyable experience for him, and he felt the benefits immediately.
Using the same sarcastic and humorous tone, he discusses the other benefits of alternative activities. He makes interesting comments regarding people concerning their behaviour at work and at other activities, depending upon where they fit into his classification of humans. His comments even include whole nation's.
Although this sounds dry and boring, the style of his writing is engaging and humorous. This allows one to smile and laugh. Each chapter is very short and it is possible to read this book in a short space of time.
I found this book enjoyable and fun. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the repetition of certain things such as definitions. But this was a minor detail which did not bother me unduly. Most marathon runners that I know take their sport very seriously. I am not sure whether they will appreciate this book. I do think that it may be suitable for friends and family of marathon runners who wish to give it as a gift in the hope that they will take the advice in it.
This is not a long book, and I read it several times. I could not find any errors in grammar, editing, or typos. There is also nothing graphic in it that can upset any readers. However, I am sure that many committed marathon runners will not appreciate it.
Whatever one’s attitudes towards life and marathon running, this is an entertaining book to read. The arguments against the running of marathons are quite logical. Despite the humorous tone of the book, I believe that the author seriously believes the message that he has written about. I enjoyed this book and have awarded it a rating of 4 stars out of 4.
******
Dolphins Don’t Run Marathons
View: on Bookshelves |
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