This book was not what all the hype suggested; of course, Parker probably knew his audience pretty well: the physically gifted (for running, that is) and the insiders of the elite running world. Kind of like a junior high clique, only it never stops with age. If you've turned your life around from being sedentary, inactive, and unhealthy and used running as a main tool to do it, don't think that this book will address your wonderful journey toward fitness. The first chapter sneers at joggers' "flabby thighs" and the hopeless attempt for these lesser beings to appear attractive to a future mate. Very condescending.
Kudos to Parker for being one of the few who have worked the world of running into fiction; he's made some good sales from being one of the few (or only?). But I'm guessing runners were so anxious to scoop up any story including running as an integral part they've looked past the arrogance of the described characters. Running, including sprinting in track meets, hardcore trail running, elite marathoning, 5K fun runs, and slow, gradual jogs for those working into a new lifestyle, is truly the "people's sport." This book thumbs its nose at such a concept.
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