Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-Founder

My sister already has a copy and loves it so much she wouldn't let my mother borrow it. So, I copy as a gift for my mom and she can't put it down. For anyone who is a runner and loves reading about the history of the Oregon running team and the history of Nike, this is the book for you. This book has history and sports. Enjoy!!

Bowerman was one of the best XC and Track coaches in the Nation. His story is captured in this books and tells remarkable tales of his life that will live in distance runners hearts for years to come. This is a must get book and is much better than any other book even Running with the Buffalos. Dont pass this book up!!!

Even though I am a big track and field fan, and I even went to the NCAA National T & F Championship meet at Oregon in 1962, I never realized how big an influence Bill Bowerman was on his athletes and on the whole state of Oregon. This well-researched volume gives the reader a true understanding of Bowerman-the-man, his roots and his impact on Oregon society. It was a wonderful read and an inspiring personal journey.

Kenny Moore has written an OUTSTANDING book about an EXTRAORDINARY man. Bill Bowerman coached the University of Oregon track and cross country teams for 25 years. He led them to National Championships in both sports. He led an extaordinary life. He was raised by a single mother and participated in track and football as on the high school and collegiate levels. He fought in WWII in the 10th Mountain division. While at UO he help start a shoe company because his athletes could not get a decent pair of running shoes. The company became NIKE. He coached many Olympians including Kenny Moore(4th place - marathon - Munich '72). He was the head track and field coach at the '72 games. He coached Steve Prefontaine. Kenny Moore tells the Bowerman story with loving detail. His unique perspective of being one of Bowerman's former athletes gives the book a special glow. Moore is also an excellent writer (Sports Illustrated: "Best Efforts" is a classic). Bowerman was a great man with flaws. Moore paints the complete picture in a loving, understanding fashion. THIS AN OUTSTANDING BOOK!!!

Those who have read Kenny Moore's articles in Sports Illustrated recognize him as one of the most knowledgeable and eloquent writers ever on the subject of track and field. Moore has reached a higher plateau with his exceedingly readable biography of Bill Bowerman. Moore, an excellent interviewer and researcher, covers every facet of this complicated man's life, leaving no details unexplored and no questions unasked. He writes with the ultimate insider's background and knowledge. At the University of Oregon, he was coached by Bowerman and became a world class runner. Moore tested shoes handcrafted by Bowerman before he eventually co-founded Nike. Moore and teammate Steve Prefontaine were together during the tragic killing of Israeli coaches and athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Bowerman was coach of the U.S. team, and again on the night Pre was killed in a car crash three years later. He also writes about Bowerman's World War II experiences with the 10th Mountain Division, his 1980s confrontations with the Rajneeshee in his native eastern Oregon and his unpublicized philantropy during the waning years of his life. I got misty-eyed as I read the final pages, so awed was I by the depth of character of this true Renaissance man.