[quote=GrahamB;78945]Yep!
narcissistic: much of the book is about himself
overwritten: too many adjectives and too much purple prose
quote]
oh dear ! I don't think your'e going to like 'anoraknophobia' !
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[quote=GrahamB;78945]Yep!
narcissistic: much of the book is about himself
overwritten: too many adjectives and too much purple prose
quote]
oh dear ! I don't think your'e going to like 'anoraknophobia' !
Are there so many books written about fellruning that we can afford to knock them? A lot of general sports books are terminally boring especially "autobiographies" by 22 year old sports celebrities. It might be fun to read A Year on the Fells by Sylvester Stallone (cf Cliffhanger) and have a really good ding dong about it but the three books being discussed on this thread are all estimable in their different ways. A power to all three!
Breezie and Yorkshire Thug should get married.
Their domestic discussions/arguments would be phenomenal...
I have never read FITC, but prompted by all the fuss have bought a copy off Amazon Marketplace which I should receive soon
I will settle this argument with my definitive opinion after I have read it... :D
That's OK.Then you can buy Off-Road Running (Sarah Rowell) which is shorter and far more practical.Quote:
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug
[QUOTE=Anorak;79007]Come on... give the guy a break. He went out and did it (and is still doing it) and the general tone is either immense respect for the legends or very self-deprecating... hardly narcissitic. He raised the profile of the sport and is probably directly responsible for attracting people to participate in it. It probably isn't as "pure" as Stud Marks but that's why its still in print and appealed outside of the sport. I'd also argue that the alledged over-use of adjectives and purple prose is actually good, descriptive and passionate writing. He doesn't simply present dates, facts and figures in a bland robotic way. Ok, he probably made a few quid from it (although not as much as folks think... I'm a writer.. I know) but its ridiculous to hold that against him.Quote:
Originally Posted by GrahamB
[QUOTE=nikalas;79151]Erm - you can't really compare these two books in this way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anorak
FITC was published through a publisher, commercially, and got fairly good promotion, IIRC, whereas SMOTS was paid for, printed and distributed by the author and friends, presumably because the publishers Bill approached didn't think it would sell.
This is not to detract from the obvious merits of FITC, but the full print of SMOTS sold out - every single copy - never remaindered, pulped etc. You can't say that about many commercially produced books these days.
SRORR is OK, decent book but I wouldn't say it would benefit an already 'serious' fell runner, using the words of GrahamB. Arguably the early chapters may but most of that is quite well known.
The physiology section is addressed in many other books such as Elite marathon running, the navigation section better addressed in Mountain Navigation for Runners. IMO. I just found the navigation section to be almost a page filler, just thrown in, when it is such a big part of the sport, especially fell running. I know fell races generally follow strong hand rails but a few don't and even those that do still cause many runners to get lost.
The sections on trail, fell, mountain and orienteering are neat enough but again offer little to the serious runner. Interesting though she divides Fell and Mountain running, something which I was accused of 'berating' mountain running, by doing so myself.
Overall though chapters 1 through to 4 are good and make it worth reading, but I wouldn't put it on the pedastal that Graham has. But most of what is in the book is available elsewhere. I don't think she mentioned anything new. Whereas FITC did, if he hadn't had gone out and interviewed and laid down in text the thoughts and opinions of many of the older characters of the sport much of that knowledge would have been lost for ever.
Might be my final word or two:
My point, which has been lost along the way, was:
FITC has sold over 18,500 copies so far. Obviously it was written for an audience outside fell running and I think it is overrated but never mind. It may inspire some people but it won't help you become a better runner.
SMOTS sold 1800 copies. It is sui generis. I have written 350 columns for local newspapers and 30 articles for The Fellrunner but I remain in awe of what Bill did. I always make a point of speaking to Bill when I see him. His book is a monument and he is a very kind man.
O-RR is still in its first edition. It is a practical book and brings together a wide range of information-some of which will make you a better runner.
Now I know why the sales figures are as they are and you cannot compare apples, pears and plums: but as someone who occasionally writes about fellrunning I find the difference in sales interesting.
Anyway, moving on....
has anyone downloaded the new version of MNFR ? Is it worth a fiver??
Mountain Navigation for Runners