Review by Booklist Review
In this tender memoir about his intertwined identities of acclaimed scientist, nature writer, and runner, Heinrich (White Feathers, 2020) is especially attentive to clocks internal, biological, and oriented to racing. Time, speed, and distance have had profound sway on his life. An accomplished long-distance runner, he calculates, "I've run at least four times the circumference of the globe." He recalls his childhood as an immigrant to America, his deep affection for nature and the woods of Maine, a productive career in biology, and his running of many miles. He describes participating in ultramarathons and even outrunning a spitting cobra when it chased him. He writes passionately about the natural world, from sphinx moths and bees to ravens, the chicory plant, and the Central American "suicide tree." The passage of time, aging, memory, the importance of setting goals, and the value of exercise are central themes. Now an octogenarian, Heinrich imparts wisdom accrued from an intense life. "Every day is a potential disaster or an opportunity." An appealing account of a life spent observing and enjoying nature and frequently running within it.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Biologist Heinrich (Why We Run) delivers a powerful reflection on his decades of competitive running that's nicely colored by an exploration of the effects of aging on the human body. Heinrich spent his childhood in a cabin in the woods of northern Germany, where his family subsisted on berries, nuts, and mice, and later moved to rural Maine, where cross-country running became his "entry into American society." In adulthood, he balanced his passions for science and running, beating his own records on the campuses where he taught. Along the way, Heinrich explores the science behind running, covering metabolism, temperature regulation, and endurance, and finds parallels in the natural world. Studies of moths and bees, for example, show that their breathing is "synchronized with their blood flow pattern," something Heinrich became conscious of in his long-distance running when his "unlabored" strides matched his breathing. In evocative prose, Heinrich treats readers to precise explanations of such diverse subjects as the physiology of tree frogs and the life cycle of the "suicide tree" of Central America. Heinrich's keen observations and unique story will keep readers hooked. Agent: Sandra Dijkstra, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (July)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Many runners love the connection they feel with nature. Breathing in crisp air on a morning run. Observing seasonal changes. Knowing that they are a small part of something larger. Few runners are as connected to the natural world as naturalist Heinrich (biology, Univ. of Vermont). He's also a best-selling author of over 20 books (Why We Run; Mind of the Raven; Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival). He has applied the same focus and curiosity needed for scientific study to his running, using himself as the subject and earning numerous ultramarathon records. His most recent book combines memoir, scientific findings, and reflection on the processes of living and aging. Heinrich's scientific expertise adds a fascinating layer to the genres of runners' memoirs and histories of running. Even at his level of accomplishment, he presents an engaging protagonist, inviting readers to think about animals, insects, running, and the human body in new ways. He also introduces other runners and running groups such as Black Men Run. VERDICT A beautiful meditation on the author's lifelong connections with nature and running, and the inevitable end of those relationships. Readers who enjoyed Heinrich's other books will find, and welcome, the familiar themes of his extraordinary life.--Meagan Storey, Virginia Beach
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The award-winning biologist chronicles his experiences with long-distance running. Heinrich has two main passions: biology and running. In his latest book, similar in spirit to Why We Run (2001), he takes us back to his childhood in the woods of Maine, where his love for both began. After moving to the U.S. from Germany, running provided the author with an in to American society, allowing him to forge friendships with other running enthusiasts. Heinrich discusses his educational pursuits in the field of biology and his career as a professor at the University of California and the University of Vermont. Through his scientific research, he writes, the author became aware of similarities between humans and other animals. Throughout the book, he examines many of his theories, including concepts related to speed and endurance, temperature regulation, and the effects of body rejuvenation, exercise, and aging. Heinrich switches gears frequently, weaving details about his professional research and published works into accounts of his successful career as a runner. At age 39, Heinrich won his first marathon. Beginning with his first victory, he longed for more, aiming to increase his speed and endurance with each passing race. Heinrich went on to compete in numerous ultramarathon events, and though he experienced setbacks, like any runner or athlete, he also set numerous records. In 1986, he appeared on the front cover of Running Times, which featured an "unreal headline" that read, "Ultra-Fast: At Age 45, Bern Heinrich Is the Best Runner in America at Four Different Distances." Of course, as time has passed, the effects of aging have forced him to pace himself more efficiently. Fittingly, at age 80, Heinrich's most-recent race (and last, according to him) was a 50K trail race, which offered him the opportunity to combine his love of running and nature. Passionate meditations on the pleasures and pains of a lifetime of running, with greatest appeal to fellow runners. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
