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Endurance: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Emil Zátopek (Wisden Sports Writing) Hardcover – 21 April 2016

by Rick Broadbent (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings
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Short-listed for the Williams Hill Prize.
A Guardian, Observer and Financial Times sports book of the year 2016

'A runner must run with dreams in his heart.' Emil Zatopek.

In the summer of 1952 Emil Zatopek became the king of the running world with an unprecedented distance treble at the Olympic Games in Helsinki. Together with his wife Dana, who won another gold medal in the javelin, they were the embodiment of sporting romance. Born on the same day, they were champions on the same day too. Yet in 1968 this affable but eccentric Czech solider was betrayed by his Communist paymasters and cast out into wilderness. Hidden from world view, monitored by the secret police and forced to live in a caravan in mining country, he became the invisible hero. 'Endurance' is the first biography to document the remarkable rise, fall and rehabilitation of a man voted the 'greatest runner of all time' by Runner's World in 2013.

It is also the story of a golden age of sport played out against a backdrop of Cold War politics and paranoia. From the London Olympics of 1948 to Czech concentration camps, this is an uplifting and harrowing story of survival. As Emil rises to global fame, his old coach is locked up and tortured by StB henchmen. Their diverging paths expose the fickleness of popularity and eventually cross again when Zatopek s world is torn asunder. All both men can do is endure.

The running world of this era is brought to life by dramatic accounts of Zatopek s great triumphs, manifold records and a rich collection of characters vying to dethrone him. In Britain the sharp-tongued Gordon Pirie falls foul of the media as he becomes obsessed with Zatopek and adopts increasingly-masochistic methods; mild-mannered marathon champion Jim Peters begins a quest that would make women weep and grown men lose their lunch. In France Alain Mimoun crawls from the bloody carnage of his war-time exploits to overcome racial snubs and become known as Zatopek s Shadow; and in the Soviet Union, the tragic figure of Vladimir Kuts is moulded into a brutal running machine at huge cost. Only Zatopek manages to bridge this East-West divide as a savage power struggle is fought in both the Olympic arena and in the corridors of power.

Due to extensive access to those involved, including Dana herself, award-winning Times author Rick Broadbent has written a vivid history involving blood and guns and a love that sustained the cruellest twists of fate. From heady nights at White City to the brave resistance during the Prague Spring, this is a book that plants the son of a carpenter at the very centre of a revolution. Whether talking to his rivals on the track or Red Army troops as tanks roll into Prague, Zatopek's humanity shines through and carries all.

With traces of 'Chariots of Fire' and Laura Hillenbrand's 'Unbroken', Endurance is both a wonderful love story and a landmark tale of hope and strength in the face of crushing opposition.

'It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.' Emil Zatopek
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wisden
  4. Publication date
    21 April 2016
  5. Dimensions
    15.9 x 3.12 x 24.38 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1472920228
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1472920225
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

FINALLY, the hidden life of a blazing star has been revealed, and it's even more spellbinding than I imagined. No one accomplished more on the Olympic track than Emil Zatopek, no runner was more revered and beloved, yet none of us knew what happened when he suddenly vanished from the outside world. I've been hungry to read this story for years, and in Endurance I found all the secrets, drama, and heartache of an extraordinary life. Endurance reminded me why we share this odd urge to burst out the door and run till we can't breathe, and how for one rare talent, it created greatest and most devastating moments of his life. ― Christopher McDougall, author of Natural Born Heroes and Born to Run

Broadbent reveals Zátopek's remarkable, poignant story with thoughtfulness and journalistic energy ― The Times

Meticulously researched and boasts extensive interviews with people close to Zátopek ― The Independent

This is the first proper biography of the man who revolutionised running but whose misfortune was to do so in troubled political times ― The Times

Zátopek's is a fascinating story of determination and drive. For the real tale, read the book. ― The Pink (Bournemouth)

Rick Broadbent is an outstanding journalist and he has researched his subject deeply ― Athletics Weekly

This 314-page book, although thoroughly documenting his races, constitutes a fascinating and often disturbing account of Zátopek's life off the track. ― Athletics Weekly

Endurance is an excellent biography ― Goodreads

A fantastic read from beginning to end ― Goodreads

Rick Broadbent is a skilful and experienced sports writer ― Times Literary Supplement

Rather than focus solely on Zátopek's life, Broadbent spends many pages writing about the men Zátopek's life touched. It's an approach that works splendidly . [It] gives the reader a better sense of Zátopek's place in the world ― LetsRun.com

Former Times athletics correspondent Rick Broadbent artfully weaves together the drama and heartache of Zatopek's extraordinary life, taking in the principles and eccentricities of a man who was, first and foremost, a phenomenal athlete . a compelling read ― Sport

Broadbent's biography is stylish and discursive ― Financial Times

A brilliantly absorbing account of the life of the great 1948 and 1952 Olympic champion Emil Zatopek and his fall from grace during the Prague Spring ― The Observer

Book Description

The story of the greatest long-distance athlete in history - a tale of running, redemption and political exile

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisden (21 April 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472920228
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472920225
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.9 x 3.12 x 24.38 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

About the author

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Rick Broadbent

Rick Broadbent

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Rick Broadbent is an award-winning author

and sports writer at The Times. He has been a winner at the British Sports Book Awards and has made the shortlist of the prestigious William Hill Prize three times. His 13 books cover a range of subjects including a fatal boxing bout, and Olympic hero’s Cold War fall, and the most dangerous race in the world. He has also written for children and runs literacy workshops @ www.presspackers.com. Rick is also a trainee counsellor.

Follow Rick Broadbent on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ricktimes

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
158 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating, excellent, and informative. They describe the story as brilliantly evocative, cracking, and enjoyable. Opinions are mixed on the writing quality, with some finding it well-written and wonderful, while others say some parts are not well-crafted.

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ReadabilityStory qualityWriting quality
13 customers mention ‘Readability’13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, excellent, and informative. They say it's a great running read and a good history lesson.

"...The book is meticulously researched and the level of detail particularly of Zatopek's upbringing and his rise to stardom is impressive...." Read more

"Brilliant read. 10/10 . If you enjoy reading books about old school sporting legends this book is for you...." Read more

"Very good informative read" Read more

"...It's inspiring stuff!" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Story quality’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the story brilliant, evocative, and enjoyable. They say the world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love, and political intrigue.

"...or sport, this is an amazing read of an incredible man, whose world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love, political intrigue and, above all..." Read more

"Really enjoyable story. Would highly recommend it to anyone interested in running and reading about sporting giants of the past. It's inspiring stuff!" Read more

"A Remarkable life story..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing quality’2 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some mention it's well-written and brings the story to life, while others say some parts are not well-crafted, especially the interviews.

"...you don’t like running, athletics or sport, this is an amazing read of an incredible man, whose world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love..." Read more

"Interesting read, some parts of it are not well written, especially the interviews which have evidently been translated from Czech." Read more

"...of the times and the brutality of a Communist regime told in a wonderful monologue. Throughly recommended." Read more

"Surprisingly poorly written. But fascinating subject" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Philip W. Newstead
5.0 out of 5 stars Emil Zatopek - the man - the athlete - the world star
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 May 2016
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This is a great story of an outstanding athlete Emil Zatopek (probably the greatest ever) that covers his athletic career, including his great races at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics and the European Championships of 1950 and 1954 plus more. The book is, sort of, in two halves - his athletics career and his years in the political and social wilderness under the communists and his subsequent rehabilitation when communism finally collapses.

His feat of winning the 5000m, 10000m and Marathon is never likely to be repeated and is described in detail. There are mini biographies of the other great rivals of the time most notably, Chris Chataway, Gordon Pirie, Vladimir Kuts, Jim Peters and Alain Mimoun, invoking the atmosphere of the period..

In the intervening years after his retirement for running the communist government of Czechoslovakia treated him appallingly - this was the great Zatopek after all - and it says much about the indomitable spirit of the man that he came through these dark days and remained Zatopek - the man - the athlete - the world star.
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Trevor Hunter
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read about the extraordinary life of the greatest athlete ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2017
Philip my son recently asked me who I thought was the greatest runner of all time , to which I responded probably Zatopek because he had won the triple crown of 5k 10k and Marathon in Helsinki in 1952. Father's day arrived and Philip unwrapped this fine book for me !!.
It is an excellent read, well researched which not only describes in detail his upbringing and athletic feats but also gives great colour to the man himself his humour eccentricities and insane work ethic. It paints a picture of an athlete and character bigger than Usain Bolt is today , he was lauded throughout Europe long before the media age.
His life after his running career is only briefly described which does not fully illustrate the price he paid for putting his head above the parapet in 1968. His sad disappearance from public life for 30 years into a world of greyness, hardship, working in uranium mines, and denuded of his self esteem and status had few witnesses. One would have liked to hear more of the man in that half of his life which was totally shaped by the oppressive dehumanising hand of communism.
An excellent read
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Jules
5.0 out of 5 stars this is a brilliantly evocative tale of perhaps the greatest runner to have ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2017
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Set in what many feel was the golden age of running, and against a backdrop of the Cold War and rising communism, this is a brilliantly evocative tale of perhaps the greatest runner to have ever dignified a race.

Even if you don’t like running, athletics or sport, this is an amazing read of an incredible man, whose world is full of drama, exhilaration, betrayal, love, political intrigue and, above all, a zest for life.

Emil Zátopek may not be a name known in every household, but this book should be.

Endurance is a cracking story, supremely well written and brought skilfully to life.
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michael briggs
5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable life story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2021
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A great story both from a running perspective and from the perspective of a remarkable life lived through the entire communist era.
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Ben
3.0 out of 5 stars Sad to say, but hard going
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2017
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I was excited about reading this book as Zatopek is someone who has fascinated me. The book is meticulously researched and the level of detail particularly of Zatopek's upbringing and his rise to stardom is impressive. However, I found reading through this to be hard going and a real chore if I am honest. In a way, I find this hard to say as I normally love this style of book. Perhaps if you were alive at the time when Zatopek ran, then it might come more to life for you, but I just found I couldn't get into it. In the end, I skimmed through the last 1/3 to 1/4 of the book just to get it finished as I knew I would never come back to it. I did find the last section about his post-running life to be surprisingly brief given some of the highlights that were presented; this sounded like a particularly interesting time but perhaps the author could not get sufficient detail on this. Who knows.

So in summary, probably 4/5 for the research and level of detail, but only 2/5 for readability.
3 people found this helpful
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John Dixon
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2017
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Brilliant read. 10/10 . If you enjoy reading books about old school sporting legends this book is for you. I do run a few 5k and 10k races per year and I got some good training tips. Emil was years ahead of any other coach and runner of his generation. It's a good little history lesson too.
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Mrs M
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 April 2021
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Very good informative read
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Alan M
5.0 out of 5 stars Great running read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2018
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Really enjoyable story. Would highly recommend it to anyone interested in running and reading about sporting giants of the past. It's inspiring stuff!
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Top reviews from other countries

RayZar
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read into the history of Emil Zapatic .... Great story it highlights the early era of training and Zapatic's impact on the sport!
Reviewed in the United States on 28 May 2020
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Athlete's life story shows a great, probably greatest runner of all time. He changed the sport forever. If he was a US or English athlete we would know about him!
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Aniruddha Thakur
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth money
Reviewed in India on 15 September 2018
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This book is not only about Zatopek, readers can go back to the era where Zatopek was, fluently written
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on 29 June 2017
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Great insight into the successes and problems of one of the all-time great. Well researched and very well written
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John Kernan
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Legacy for the Sport of Track & Field
Reviewed in the United States on 14 May 2022
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Historical compilation of the life and times of the greatest distance runner of his time.
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Thailand Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars Graet book!
Reviewed in the United States on 20 October 2017
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Great read about one of the world's greatest athletes EVER!
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