Kings of the Road: Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar
Kings of the Road is a history of the 1970s running boom, told through the careers and rivalry of Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar. It follows their connection to the era’s growing distance-running culture, including the Falmouth Road Race, rather than serving as a training manual.
At a glance
- Centers on the running boom and distance-running culture of the 1970s.
- Follows the rivalry among Shorter, Rodgers and Salazar, with the Falmouth Road Race as a key episode.
- Kindle listing states that screen reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip are enabled.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The historical focus links three prominent runners to the wider growth of distance running in America.
- Customer feedback describes the book as entertaining and informative, which may suit readers seeking narrative history rather than workout guidance.
- Kindle reading features include supported screen reading and enabled Word Wise.
Technical specifications
11 specifications| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |
|---|---|
| Publication date | April 9, 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 245 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0547774008 |
| File size | 20.6 MB |
|---|---|
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Page Flip | Enabled |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Runners interested in the history and personalities of the 1970s running boom.
- Readers who enjoy sports history centered on rivalries and notable races.
- Kindle readers who value Word Wise or screen reader support.
Less suited to
- Readers primarily seeking training plans, coaching advice or a practical running manual.
- Readers looking for a consistently satisfying plot or epilogue, since customer feedback on the plot is mixed.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
55% 55% - 4 stars
31% 31% - 3 stars
13% 13% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
1% 1%
Customer feedback describes the book as enjoyable, entertaining and informative, with historical context about the running era and an inspiring quality. Readers may appreciate that emphasis if they want a narrative sports history. Reactions to the plot are mixed, including disappointment with the epilogue, so the storytelling may not satisfy everyone equally.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the book as entertaining and informative.
- Feedback characterizes it as inspiring and recommends it to runners.
Mixed feedback
- Customer reactions to the plot differ, and some express disappointment with the epilogue.
Frequently asked questions
What period does Kings of the Road cover?
The listing presents it as a history of distance running’s 1970s heyday and the broader running boom.
Which runners are central to the book?
Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar are the main figures, with their rivalry and the Falmouth Road Race included in the account.
Is this a running training guide?
The supplied description focuses on history and athlete rivalry. It does not identify training plans or coaching instruction.
What Kindle reading features are listed?
Screen Reader is supported. Enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip are enabled, while X-Ray is not enabled.
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