The Race of the Century

January 1, 2022
Three world-class runners, one impossible dream: to run a four-minute mile. In 1954, American Wes Santee, Australian John Landy, and Englishman Roger Bannister each independently endeavor to achieve the never-before-accomplished and seemingly superhuman goal of being the first person to ever beat the four-minute barrier that runners for decades had been unable to best. The three runners' grueling training regimes as well as the wins and defeats they experience along the road to breaking records are recounted in this riveting work. This is a who's who of iconic midcentury runners, the contemporaries of Santee, Landy, and Bannister who both challenge them and help them hone their techniques. Each race on the track becomes a race against time as the men strive to be the first and come ever closer to their goal. An overview of the history and science of running adds valuable context and emphasizes the historical significance of this feat. Heart-pumping, detailed play-by-plays of the tight races and devastating losses that shape the runners during their pursuit of a faster mile will bring readers trackside. Suspense builds as readers wait to discover which of the three athletes will achieve the ultimate win. Bascomb brings his signature meticulous style to this gripping narrative nonfiction tale. The focal runners in this book are White. An impressive addition to the sports history catalog. (author's note) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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Starred review from September 1, 2022

Gr 6-8-Once considered foolhardy or even dangerous to attempt, running a mile in under four minutes became a subject of peculiar fascination in the world of sports during the 1950s. In this adaptation for young readers of his 2005 bestseller The Perfect Mile, Bascomb sketches the intense competition by focusing on the three amateur runners considered most likely to achieve it. Wes Santee was a University of Kansas undergrad and later a Marine Corps recruit. Australian John Landy, also a full-time college student, was known for training late at night, after finishing with classwork and studying. But it's English medical student Roger Bannister, under immense pressure following a poor performance in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, who two years later smashed the barrier in an event at Oxford University. Though the narrative at times bogs down in detailed descriptions of track conditions, split times, and one-off mentions of other runners, Bascomb keeps the excitement high as the three main subjects face injuries, illness, drama in their personal lives, and at times taxing relationships with demanding coaches. Fascinating digressions examine topics like the history of running as a sport, advances in training and technique, and the legacy of speed records. With text unbroken by sidebars and few illustrations, the book is suited to stronger readers. The volume closes with a lengthy bibliography, detailed source notes, and a comprehensive index. VERDICT Amply researched, dramatically told, and an inspiring tribute to amateur sports, this work is highly recommended for libraries serving middle and upper elementary students.-Bob Hassett

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2022
In his latest nonfiction thriller, Bascomb (Sabotage: The Mission to Destroy Hitler's Atomic Bomb, rev. 7/16) turns to the race to break the four-minute-mile barrier. "Running the mile was considered an art form in itself, requiring a balance of speed and stamina." For decades, it seemed the four-minute mark was beyond human limits. Gradually, runners chipped seconds off the world record and, finally, it seemed that three men were poised to make history: Englishman Roger Bannister, Australian John Landy, and American Wes Santee. The 1952 Helsinki Olympics provided a showcase for all three amateur runners and proved to be a catalyst for each to make a final push for glory. Artfully drawing readers into the drama, Bascomb segues between the principal characters, fleshing out their personal histories, their setbacks and challenges, and their training regimens, running styles, and competition strategies. With much anticipation and acclaim, all three competitors eventually broke the four-minute threshold. Two advanced to meet in head-to-head competition, while the third, much to his disappointment, was forced to be not just an observer but a commentator for the live television broadcast. Bascomb interviewed each of the men, giving the suspenseful tale an additional level of detail and authenticity. An author's note, bibliography, and source notes are appended; a photo insert appears in the middle of the book. Jonathan Hunt

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2022
In his latest nonfiction thriller, Bascomb (Sabotage: The Mission to Destroy Hitler's Atomic Bomb, rev. 7/16) turns to the race to break the four-minute-mile barrier. "Running the mile was considered an art form in itself, requiring a balance of speed and stamina." For decades, it seemed the four-minute mark was beyond human limits. Gradually, runners chipped seconds off the world record and, finally, it seemed that three men were poised to make history: Englishman Roger Bannister, Australian John Landy, and American Wes Santee. The 1952 Helsinki Olympics provided a showcase for all three amateur runners and proved to be a catalyst for each to make a final push for glory. Artfully drawing readers into the drama, Bascomb segues between the principal characters, fleshing out their personal histories, their setbacks and challenges, and their training regimens, running styles, and competition strategies. With much anticipation and acclaim, all three competitors eventually broke the four-minute threshold. Two advanced to meet in head-to-head competition, while the third, much to his disappointment, was forced to be not just an observer but a commentator for the live television broadcast. Bascomb interviewed each of the men, giving the suspenseful tale an additional level of detail and authenticity. An author's note, bibliography, and source notes are appended; a photo insert appears in the middle of the book.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)