Endurance: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Emil Zatopek (Wisden Sports Writing) - Softcover

Rick Broadbent is an award-winning journalist and author. He has been staff writer at The Times for 15 years and spent 2007-13 as the paper's athletics correspondent. He has written eight books, including That Near-Death Thing and Ring of Fire, both shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. He was also the ghostwriter of Jessica Ennis's bestselling autobiography. He lives in Dorset. @ricktimes

FINALLY, the hidden life of a blazing star has been revealed, and it's even more spellbinding than I imagined. No one accomplished more on the Olympic track than Emil Zatopek, no runner was more revered and beloved, yet none of us knew what happened when he suddenly vanished from the outside world. I've been hungry to read this story for years, and in Endurance I found all the secrets, drama, and heartache of an extraordinary life. Endurance reminded me why we share this odd urge to burst out the door and run till we can't breathe, and how for one rare talent, it created greatest and most devastating moments of his life. * Christopher McDougall, author of Natural Born Heroes and Born to Run * Broadbent reveals Zatopek's remarkable, poignant story with thoughtfulness and journalistic energy * The Times * Meticulously researched and boasts extensive interviews with people close to Zatopek * The Independent * This is the first proper biography of the man who revolutionised running but whose misfortune was to do so in troubled political times * The Times * Zatopek's is a fascinating story of determination and drive... For the real tale, read the book. * The Pink (Bournemouth) * Rick Broadbent is an outstanding journalist and he has researched his subject deeply * Athletics Weekly * This 314-page book, although thoroughly documenting his races, constitutes a fascinating and often disturbing account of Zatopek's life off the track. * Athletics Weekly * Endurance is an excellent biography * Goodreads * A fantastic read from beginning to end * Goodreads * Rick Broadbent is a skilful and experienced sports writer * Times Literary Supplement * Rather than focus solely on Zatopek's life, Broadbent spends many pages writing about the men Zatopek's life touched. It's an approach that works splendidly ... [It] gives the reader a better sense of Zatopek's place in the world * LetsRun.com *