Heroes and Sparrows: a Celebration of Running (1986 - out of print)
“Robinson eloquently shares his views on 32 topics all over the running landscape, balancing experience, perspective, and impressions both personal and historical. This is running literature at its best.”
(Scott Hubbard, “25 Books Every Marathoner Should Own,” in Marathon & Beyond)
Running in Literature: a Guide for Scholars, Readers, Runners, Joggers, and Dreamers (Breakaway Books, 2003)
“It is a tour de force of scholarship and creative writing – a very enjoyable read and simultaneously a valuable and handy reference book.”
(Bernd Heinrich, author of Why We Run)
“Robinson’s wit and intelligence crackle through this masterful guide to running’s place in literature.” (Julia Emmons, PhD, Director, Peachtree Road Race & 1996 Olympic Marathon)
Hard covers, new, $22 (if you would like it signed personally, please indicate)
Order from books@roger-robinson.com
26.2 Marathon Stories (co-author with Kathrine Switzer)
“It should be assigned a special place on every runner’s coffee table…But don’t be surprised if you can’t put it down until you have savored each one of the 26.2 chapters. It covers the history, the mental and physical challenges, the contrasts, and the diversity of cultures all sharing one goal, to reach the finish line. And the accompanying photography is stunning. If you want to truly experience the marathon in all its glory, take a run with 26.2 Marathon Stories.” (Lindsey Molloy, Cool Running)
“The best combination of inspiring photos and memorable essays I’ve ever seen in a running book.”
(Amby Burfoot, Executive Editor, Runner’s World)
“In truth, a marathon has no finish. Its effects are carried within the body, the memory, the life story, and the self-image. The marathon’s long, inspiring history and its cultural importance in the modern world add another dimension, a deeper significance. To finish a marathon is to attain a small piece of immortality.”
(Closing sentences, 26.2 Marathon Stories )
In USA hard covers, US$30; in New Zealand/Australia, soft covers, NZ$35.
Order from books@roger-robinson.com
Some other running books that I contributed to and recommend:
Steve King and Dan Cumming (eds), Running in the Zone: a Handbook for Seasoned Athletes ( Trafford Publishing , Victoria , BC , Canada , 2005)
A lively compilation of writing about being an older runner - inspiration, motivation, and information - featuring writers as good as Rich Benyo, Bernd Heinrich, Joe Henderson, and Don Kardong, and competitors and coaches as good as Earl Fee, Paula Fudge, Diane Palmason, and Bart Yasso. My chapter is the book’s Introduction: “The Seasoned Runner as Hero, in History and Literature.” Order from Trafford.com/05-1768
Rich Benyo (ed), Boston Marathon & Beyond (a special edition of Marathon & Beyond, Champaign , IL , 2006).
An outstanding anthology of Boston memories, history, and stats, with top-quality original writing: Rich Benyo, Tom Derderian, Hal Higdon, Scott Hubbard, John J. Kelley, Tito Morales, and Kathrine Switzer. My contribution is the first ever history of “Masters at Boston ,” a colorful narrative based on original research, with results and record-progression that had not been compiled before.
Order from www.marathonandbeyond.com
Vince Boyle, The Fastest Old Man in the World: the Derek Turnbull Story (Craig, Invercargill, NZ, 2006)
The rural life and global records of the great sheepfarmer-runner. My Foreword pays the tribute of a friend and fellow-runner to Derek’s achievements and droll integrity, and became the basis of many obituaries when he unexpectedly died just short of his 80 th birthday in late 2006:
“Veteran runners, veterans in physical activity of any kind, used to be a source of comedy or embarrassment, but no one who ever saw Derek Turnbull run could think of him as anything but a wonderfully mobile, graceful and gifted athlete.”
NZ$48. Order from iere@southnet.co.nz or sales@craigprint.co.nz