Closing the Distance: Chasing a Father's Olympic Fencing Legacy

This book is fun to read, easy to understand for non-fencers, and full of both wit and emotion. As the self-described "bad-boy" of the fencing world, the author pulls no punches in describing his feelings at the time toward his adversaries. And he shares the emotional struggles of attempting to follow in his father's Olympian footsteps. Very well written. As a US foil fencer in the 80's and 90's, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it is written for non-fencers as well!

I was active in Metropolitan Division fencing during the time Jeff describes although I was a sabre fencer with Santelli New York but Jeff really captures fencing during that time and I knew many of the people he mentions in the book. Other reviewers have mentioned that he might have been unfair to some some of the fencers mentioned but people should remember that this is a product of Jeff's experience with them, primarily as a competitor. While he is brutally candid in his opinion of people such as Albie Axelrod, who was assistant coach at Hunter College while I fenced there, we have to remember that these are his experiences with Albie. Mine were somewhat different but given the fact that these are fiercely competitive people I can understand how they could have rubbed each other raw. Jeff's descriptions of the Fencer's Club in the West 70s brought back many memories and I could see the old place in my mind clearly has he describes episodes in his book. It was also great that he remembers Csaba Eltes, one of the great sabre coaches in the history of American Fencing who was also a very good foil coach. All in all, Jeff's story was enlightening and has inspired me to get back into the sport. I highly recommend this book and hope people will be able to read it in the spirit it was written. I only regret I never got a chance to meet Danny Bukantz while I did get to meet Jeff in passing way back when.

As someone who didn't know a thing about fencing, I picked up this book on a whim and LOVED IT! Jeff's writing style is so fast-paced and entertaining that I finished the book in just a couple of days. Who knew fencing could be so interesting?! This memoir tracks Jeff's journey following in his father's rather large footsteps. (His father, Danny, was a 4-time Olympic fencer.) Closing the Distance charts Jeff's highs and lows and culminates in the 2004 Olympics where Jeff led his team to the first Olympic gold medal in fencing in over 100 years. But, this book isn't just about fencing. It's about the relationships between fathers and sons. Anyone who is looking to find a good book that a dad can share with his son should look no further!

I especially enjoyed this book because Jeff Bukantz is my age, and I have met, and in some cases fenced, almost everyone mentioned in the book, including the author himself. as a member of the Portland, Oregon, club Salle Auriol, I viewed Jeff's club, the New York Fencers Club, the same way a Los Angeles Laker would view the Boston Celtics. until one of my former teammates writes his memoirs, "Closing the Distance" will be the best description of what it was like for me as a competitive fencer in the 80s. I'm back home in Hawaii now but in my heart I will always be a member of Salle Auriol (now the Northwest Fencing Center). because of this, Jeff and his New York Fencers Club will always be my natural enemies, but only in a sports/nostalgic way. not true enemies. and anyway, we're all retired now. Jeff's book is required reading at my current club, Salle Honolulu, and whether you "hate" the New York Fencers Club or not, it should be required reading at every fencing club.

Every child wants to be like their parents. If your parent is a superstar, that can be a hard act to follow. Closing The Distance is Jeff Bukants's memoir that reveals the trials and tribulations he encountered while trying to be like his father. He shows us what motivation, determination and hard work can do. He tells us about competing in the Olympics, and many other emotional and inspiring stories.