Ultramarathon Man Amazon.com Review Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes claims "There is magic in misery." While it would be easy to write off his habit of running for 100 miles at a timeor longeras mere masochism, it's impossible to not admire his tenacity in pushing his body to reach one extreme goal after another. Sure, it's gory to read about how he lost one of his big toenails from shoe friction during the Western States Endurance Run. But what registers more is that here's a guy competing in an event that includes 38,000 feet of elevation change--the equivalent of scaling the Empire State Building 30 times.  Despite his considerable athleticism, "Karno" argues that the first half of any race is run with one's body, and the second half with the mind. Without delving into excessively touchy-feely territory, he explores "the possibilities of self" as he completes an ultra-marathon in 120-degree heat in Death Valley, and later the first-ever marathon at the South Pole. It's an odd combination: a California surfer dude contemplating how, as Socrates said, "Suffering leads to wisdom." But Karnazes's self-motivation is utterly intriguing, and it's impossible to read this memoir without wanting to go out and run a marathon yourself.--Erica Jorgensen  Review "Heart-stopping stuff. The world's #7 biggest sports bestseller."--The Economist"Fascinating"--Sports Illustrated"Full of euphoric highs. Rusisng with Karnazes [is] like setting up one's easel next to Money or Picasso... His book describes a journey into distance running that is much less about sweat than about the emotional terrain that unfolds at the frontier of endurance."--The New York Times"Buzz book."--People"[Karnazes'] spirited memoir... can help mere mortals who want to push past their perceived limits or simply jump-start their sedentary lives."--Chicago Tribune"There is clearly something Nietzschean in Karnaze's makeup...that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'--Los Angeles Times"Iron man Dean Karnazes is no mere mortal."--Time"Makes the extraordinary look easy."--GQ"An exhibition of unadulterated courage and mental and physical stamina [for] anyone who likes to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things."--Boston Globe"Dean's masochism is a reader's pleasure."--Publishers Weekly"The perfect escapist fantasy for couch potatoes and weekend warriors alike."--Kirkus Reviews"Passionate"--San Francisco Chronicle"Eye-popping."--Asociated Press"[Dean is] like a comic book superhero who remains undercover by day, every bit the unremarkable family man."--The London Daily Telegraph"A real life Forrest Gump... [Karnazes] has pushed his body to limits that are beyond masochistic. They're inhuman."--Newsday"Ultrarunning legend."--Men's Journal               See all Product description