Review of 26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square (Paperback)

The author ran the race as a "bandit", a fact that you don't discover until you buy the book (it is not stated anywhere on the book cover, reviews, etc.)In fact, Amazon states: "About the Author ...MICHAEL CONNELLY competed in the 1996 Boston marathon."This is simply a false statement.Legitimately qualifying for Boston is an integral part of competing, and the author did not do that.He did not "compete" in the Boston marathon any more than I "competed" in the U.S. Open by playing golf as a tourist at Pebble Beach (a frequent U.S. Open site).This taints the entire book and made me (as someone who has legitimately qualified for Boston) feel cheated (I am going to request a refund from Amazon on the basis of false advertising).

Now, I recognize that the BAA has more or less allowed bandits to run the course over the years.As such, it might not have been that bad if the author had simply stated something along the following lines: he respects the talent and effort it takes to qualify and he recognizes that, since he has not done so, his participation is not the same as a legitimate qualifier, but he is nevertheless giving his experiences as a first time marathoner, not as someone who has properly trained and qualified for Boston.But, the author makes no such statement.

In fact, the author berates Marty Liquori for suggesting that bandits should not be allowed to run.Here's an excerpt from the book (p. 43):

"Listen Marty, you're our guest.So mind your manners, pick up your check, and watch the race.When I cross that finish line some twenty-six miles down the road, not with a number but with the storied history of the Boston Marathon in my blood, then I will consider myself qualified!(By the way, Marty, a little fun fact for you: You and I are tied with the same number of Boston Marathon championships.)"

Give me a break.This statement is not only completely obnoxious, it also embarrasingly demonstrates a complete ignorance of running, as Marty Liquori was a middle distance runner (and an outstanding one at that), not a marathoner.Here's fun fact for Michael: your claimed time of 4:30 (p. 237) was more than an hour slower that the qualifying standard for your age.(I guess, by Michael's logic, when I completed the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, I qualified for the U.S. Open.)If there was any doubt before, that should be enough for anyone to reject the book.

But wait, it gets even worse.After completing the course, the author states the following (p. 261):

"I had arrived home safe and sound.Twenty-four hours before, I had walked out of that door a different man.Now I was the proud owner of a Boston Marathon medal and all the physical and mental benefits that come with it."

That is a flat out lie (or the author is delusional), as everyone knows that only legitimate qualifiers (who finish) are given medals, and again is highly insulting to all legitimate qualifiers/finishers.

If anyone is still considering buying the book, there is one other thing that you should be aware of.A good part of the author's description of his "experience" in running the course involves describing how he faced excruciating pain and/or a nearly overwhelming urge to quit at numerous points in the race, but someone he managed to overcome those and keep going to the finish, and how he was suffering after the finish (e.g., "As I walked down the street, with two mylar blankers taped around me like capes, a well meaning girl offered me a PowerBar.I fel like saying 'I don't need a PowerBar.I need to be read my last rites!'")

First of all, after a while, this stuff just becomes constant whining.More importantly, all of this "pain and suffering" was likely due to insufficient training on the part of the author.Apparently, up to six months before the race, he had done essentially no running and not a whole lot of exercise of any type (p. 7).Then, in late October 1995, he had heart surgery and apparently nearly died (p. 11).He then starting limited training in about mid-November (p. 12).Plus, the winter in New England was particular severe that year (p. 43).How could he have possibly done the proper amount of training to run Boston in April 1996?It appears that the author simply had no business running the course and, thereby, "suffered" more than a properly trained runner.Yet, he never admits to his lack of proper training.(Note: he claims to have run 4:30, but he provides no evidence to support that claim.)

Again, this ties back to his being a bandit.As a bandit who had not properly trained, his "experience" is simply not representative of the experience of a properly trained, legitimate qualifier.

You wouldn't buy a book about running by Rosie Ruiz.Don't buy this one either.




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Review of Outwitting Clutter: 101 Ingenious Space-Saving Tips and Ideas to Make Any House or Apartment More Livable (Paperback)

If you're anything like me,you've been fighting clutter all your adult life.Reading about how to control clutter to me is like reading recipes is to my wife.After all this reading we'll look at each other and say,"Let's go to the Mall,and then out to eat."Although newspapers and magazines are continually carrying articles about clutter,they're as common as those on energy conservation.The best book I've come across, several years ago, was "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett(see my review of December 29,2005).Despite my best intentions and efforts Clutter still stands.
When I came across Adler's book,and already having been familar with his other book,"Outwitting Squirrels",I thought it would be well worth reading.Both of these books are to the point,totally all encompassing,full of humor and will describe both you and your cluttering instincts to a tee.Whether reading this book will help you turn your habits around or will become another addition to the 'pile' ,all depends on you.So what's new about raising Hell on Saturday nite and reading the Bible come Sunday morning?Anyway,you gotta keep trying,just think how it would be if you didn't try.I am reminded of Larry McMurtry's novel "Cadallic Jack" and the old fellow who had his house stuffed with bird nests he had collected over the years.
I'll give you a little personal example.I came into a small collection of matchbooks and have no interest in them.Come to think of it I hardly see them anymore.I have offered them to several,but to date no takers.Now is the time to take advice from my title.Get rid of them!
The one big thing that comes into play with clutter is that it definately involves those we live with.Somebody elses clutter is a lot more easier to get rid of than your oun.Now if you want to really declare war on it,exchange control over one anothers clutter.However;one should also discuss divorce expenses before embarking on a War on Clutter..If you think Bush bit off a big one with his War on Terror,you're in for a biiiig surprise!
Don't loose heart completely.Just like his book shows how you can still continue to feed backyard birds and still live in peace with squirrels,he gives some of the same help in living with clutter.If all else fails,organized clutter beats disorganized clutter every time.My wife and I have declared two areas in our home off limits over clutter.I have half of the basement for my 7000 books,puzzle and other collections and she 3 closets and a bedroom,as a result of empty-nesting,for her treasures.The rest of the house is neat as a pin and off limits to clutter.
I think the best laugh in this book is where Bill talks about the clutter of hair shampoo and and conditioners ..check out 151.
while most advice on clutter deals with getting rid of clutter;Adler takes it a step further and gives some good suggestions on how to manage it,if you can't eliminate it all together.
While Adler gives us a great war cry,"Don't bring it home";an old friend of mine gave me this piece of wisdom,"Every thing you get,takes looking after."

Product Description
From the moment we're born we accumulate stuff. Over time this stuff turns into clutter, and instead of enjoying our possessions, our stuff becomes a burden. What was once a spacious apartment or house becomes a cluttered mess that's simply no fun to be in (and can even be hazardous to your physical and mental health).In Outwitting Clutter, you'll learn about: How to declutter your life in 1-, 5-, and 15-minute increments; dealing with broken stuff; imposing a time limit on underused clutter; how to determine: is it sentimental, or is it clutter?; clutter in all the wrong places; how to outwit kids' clutter without giving them away; how technology creates digital clutter; avoiding yard clutter/tool clutter/equipment clutter and hobby clutter; clutter at work-in your desk and home office; outwitting clutter, room by room; financial clutter and what you have to keep and what you don't; how to prevent clutter in the first place, and much, much more.Whether you seek to organize your office, or your life, Outwitting Clutter will save you time, space, money, and ultimately, your sanity! (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 272 pages, b&w photos)

Bill Adler, Jr. is the author of numerous Outwitting books, including Outwitting Deer, Outwitting Mice, Outwitting Neighbors, Outwitting Contractors, and Outwitting Critters. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, two daughters, and an enormous but extremely well-organized CD collection.

From the Back Cover
From the moment we're born we accumulate stuff. Over time this stuff turns into clutter, and instead of enjoying our possessions, our stuff becomes a burden. What was once a spacious apartment or house becomes a cluttered mess that's simply no fun to be in (and can even be hazardous to your physical and mental health).In Outwitting Clutter, you'll learn about:How to declutter your life in 1-, 5-, and 15-minute increments; dealing with broken stuff; imposing a time limit on underused clutter; how to determine: is it sentimental, or is it clutter?; clutter in all the wrong places; how to outwit kids' clutter without giving them away; how technology creates digital clutter; avoiding yard clutter/tool clutter/equipment clutter and hobby clutter; clutter at work-in your desk and home office; outwitting clutter, room by room; financial clutter and what you have to keep and what you don't; how to prevent clutter in the first place, and much, much more.Whether you seek to organize your office, or your life, Outwitting Clutter will save you time, space, money, and ultimately, your sanity! (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 272 pages, b&w photos)Bill Adler, Jr. is the author of numerous Outwitting books, including Outwitting Deer, Outwitting Mice, Outwitting Neighbors, Outwitting Contractors, and Outwitting Critters. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, two daughters, and an enormous but extremely well-organized CD collection.


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