Review of Running the Sahara
Posted: 20 Sep 2021, 07:03
[Following is a volunteer review of "Running the Sahara" by Marcel Nickler.]
The adventure of a courageous family man, runner, and considerable planner who believes in setting goals and sticking to them. Marcel Nickler takes part in the Marathon des Sables in Morocco. His only constant companion for about 250 kilometers of the Sahara dessert is a backpack containing necessities and equipment. He gets to survive the desert heat, thunderstorms and conditions that could have made an average man quit. As the days and nights pass by, he holds on to the inspiration from his favorite songs and the motivational conversations he had with his associates prior to the ultramarathon. Marcel shares his intriguing journey flowingly through a 178-page book, Running the Sahara.
The author demonstrates exceptional story telling which includes drawings and pictures that showcase precious moments that he lived through. What a brilliant way to carry a reader with you in a book, the images helped me imagine his encounters throughout my reading. The writing point of view is perfect for this kind of book and it helped him express his personal experience including his great admiration for his wife. He also reflects on everyone who had influenced his life up to the point of the ultramarathon. I was tested psychologically throughout the book, it felt like I was with him. I couldn’t bear the part where he talks about the toilet facilities setup, at that point I knew I was not meant for this kind of adventure. My take away is the cool idea for a makeshift shower, and how he created it.
Marcel’s adventure is related in 6 stages. My special part is on stage two where he shares details of preparation and equipment. It shows how meticulous he is and how as an ultramarathon runner you must understand the dynamics of your destination and prepare accordingly. One gets to also understand the author as a person who takes seriously everything in which he is involved. It also shows his high level of positive attitude and ambition for success. His resilience and tenacity helped him pass through the dunes of the Sahara and saw him complete the marathon with joy and appreciation for all the challenges and discomfort that he experienced.
I chose this book because I have always wanted to know what goes on in the minds of people who run marathons and my expectations were met. I could not find anything negative about his writing. I thoroughly enjoyed his tone and the book is of great quality for a first time published author. My imagination was captured from the beginning to the end of the book.
I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars because it is well written and edited. It has empowered me to chase my dreams, set goals and achieve them.
I recommend this book for those who want to run an ultramarathon, for the curious minds who like to read non-fiction books, and dreamers who have outstanding things to do in their bucket list.
******
Running the Sahara
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The adventure of a courageous family man, runner, and considerable planner who believes in setting goals and sticking to them. Marcel Nickler takes part in the Marathon des Sables in Morocco. His only constant companion for about 250 kilometers of the Sahara dessert is a backpack containing necessities and equipment. He gets to survive the desert heat, thunderstorms and conditions that could have made an average man quit. As the days and nights pass by, he holds on to the inspiration from his favorite songs and the motivational conversations he had with his associates prior to the ultramarathon. Marcel shares his intriguing journey flowingly through a 178-page book, Running the Sahara.
The author demonstrates exceptional story telling which includes drawings and pictures that showcase precious moments that he lived through. What a brilliant way to carry a reader with you in a book, the images helped me imagine his encounters throughout my reading. The writing point of view is perfect for this kind of book and it helped him express his personal experience including his great admiration for his wife. He also reflects on everyone who had influenced his life up to the point of the ultramarathon. I was tested psychologically throughout the book, it felt like I was with him. I couldn’t bear the part where he talks about the toilet facilities setup, at that point I knew I was not meant for this kind of adventure. My take away is the cool idea for a makeshift shower, and how he created it.
Marcel’s adventure is related in 6 stages. My special part is on stage two where he shares details of preparation and equipment. It shows how meticulous he is and how as an ultramarathon runner you must understand the dynamics of your destination and prepare accordingly. One gets to also understand the author as a person who takes seriously everything in which he is involved. It also shows his high level of positive attitude and ambition for success. His resilience and tenacity helped him pass through the dunes of the Sahara and saw him complete the marathon with joy and appreciation for all the challenges and discomfort that he experienced.
I chose this book because I have always wanted to know what goes on in the minds of people who run marathons and my expectations were met. I could not find anything negative about his writing. I thoroughly enjoyed his tone and the book is of great quality for a first time published author. My imagination was captured from the beginning to the end of the book.
I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars because it is well written and edited. It has empowered me to chase my dreams, set goals and achieve them.
I recommend this book for those who want to run an ultramarathon, for the curious minds who like to read non-fiction books, and dreamers who have outstanding things to do in their bucket list.
******
Running the Sahara
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon