To the Edge: A Man, Death Valley, and the Mystery of Endurance

This is a tough book to review. It’s about motivation, what logic and emotional processes keep an endurance athlete going, and why would they ever start. The story is non-fiction, written from the perspective of an outsider who then gets bitten by his own curiosity. It’s not a shock and awe tall tale. Instead, it’s a level headed accounting of an arguably not so level headed endeavor. You don’t have to be an endurance freak to enjoy the read. However, if you’ve ever bargained with your own body, “just three more miles and I promise we’ll never do this again…” then you will relate with a smile.

A fascinating read. I read it cover to cover in less than a week. With an anti-atheletic background, after the death of his brother he somehow became enchanted with the prospect of running the most grueling ultra distance in the US. This book is his story. As a newspaper reporter, he already knows how to write. Thus he was able to enter the race even though he didn't have the usual qualifications.

Along the way he dropped hints of his "Mormon" background, but never did say much about it.
His brother Gary (or Greg) was the active LDS among his siblings.

There is quite a bit of philosophising, and there are also aspects that get scant coverage.

I had hoped to get Carol to read at least part of it so she might gain some understanding of
why show more guys do this sort of thing, but even though I read the first few pages aloud she didn't gain enough interest to have any desire to continue reading it. Actually, it seems to have had the
opposite of the effect that I expected. It seemed to cement her conviction that men are crazy, and
that her husband is a man, and thus in that group. show less

Anyone who is thinking about taking on a big challenge should read this book. I actually got it from one of my daughters friends who plays field hockey in College, their coach asked them to read it. I like to run so this book was perfect. While the book is certainly about the courage to continue on when you think you cannot, it also shows how much a person and endure when they put their mind to it.