Books - Harriers Harriers ISBN: 1-932802-95-9 Price: $5.95 180 pages Authors: Paul & Joe Shivers Cover photo: Nick Cool Cover design: Shannon Mattiza The young cross country team of Salem High School places in the State Meet, only to have the state athletic association eliminate them from the competition after a scoring error. Told from the perspective of two members of the team, Harriers details how coach Mike Almond brought his team back to pursue the state title the following year. The book tells the boys' story of teamwork, dedication, and overcoming the odds. Review Excerpts: "'Harriers' is more than 'Rocky' in spikes and singlet. The book yields insights about hard work and disappointment, about trust and relationships, and, as do all good books, about life itself." - Larry Shields, in The Salem News "Highly recommended for cross-country runners and their coaches. As a writer, I was amazed at the quality of writing these high school authors exhibited. Excellent job! Their personal insights into the runner's feelings and moods were top notch." - Jim Enright, author of Flagstaff Hill, as posted on Amazon There is suspense, a great finish marred by technical officiating failures that leave you guessing what will happen and what is fascinating is that it is a true story. There is also the cross-country/track coach's greatest fear, exemplified in Runner's World editorials by Marc Bloom, that soccer may steal your best runner as it almost does in this story. The book is ideal for young high school aspiring runners and in fact it could be used as a HS coach's recruitment. This book is an excellent view of cross-country from the trenches or from the ground. - Coach Daniel Hurley, Chesapeake, VA, as posted on Amazon This the true story of a high school cross country team from Ohio that grows from "also rans" to champions (with a lot of controversy in between). The story is quite compelling. The fact that it was written by two of the athletes on the team will stun you. It is extremely well written. In my estimation it becomes the third volume of the cross country trilogy which started with "Running with the Buffaloes" and continued with "God on the Starting Line". It offers a unique perspective of the high school runner. It is the season seen through there eyes. It rings true with their hopes, dreams, disapointments and triumphs. I'm not sure anyone has written so clearly about the "feeling" of racing. This a very well written little gem of a book. - Coach Michael Dennisuk, Trenton MI, as posted on Amazon Read a sample chapter. Click Here to Order the Shivers' Book! Click Here to Order 6 copies of Harriers School purchase orders gladly accepted. Details here. Links: Check out the Running resources - directory of Running related websites. . This page current as of May 24, 2007 8:43 AM |