Slaying the Dragon.
By
Woody Green
of
RUNNERS NICHE
Michael Johnson may be the very best sprinter to ever grace the
track.
There are those who would say his 19.32 world record in the 200
meter
finals at the Atlanta Olympics is the best performance in the history
of
track and field. (I am one of those, by the way.) Fans of Michael are
eager to know more about the man. I think they will be pleased with
what
they find in his new book "Slaying the Dragon."
It is hardly surprising that Michael picked this time to put out a
book.
Published by Regan Books only months after his historic double gold
performance in the Olympics, the book will be an obvious money
maker.
Many athletes have done the same. Books often appear shortly
following
the Olympics. All too often, they are disappointing, quickly scribed,
unsubstantial biographies. I'm happy to say that "Slaying the Dragon"
is
a well thought out, stimulating and entertaining work.
This book is not a biography as such, although there is a good amount
of
biographical information included. The inner sleeve explains: "This
book
is about how to identify what you really want and how to get there;
to
set goals based on realism and confidence; to work with discipline
and
resolve; to learn from the requisite failures and the too-early
successes; to achieve a clarity of focus and a sense of purpose; to
stick to your plan; to deal with pressure, to thrive on it, and make it
your own; to carve away the distractions that slow us down; and
perhaps
most important, to keep going after you lose the biggest race of your
life. Because you will. I did several times."
With tips highlighted after each chapter, this book offers a system of
setting and meeting goals in your life pursuits - a sort of pathway to
success which Johnson uses in his own life. I believe that young
people
and adults alike will find useful insights here.
The book, for me, was much more than a self help book, though. We
learned a good deal about what makes this athlete tick.
Johnson values his family highly, and credits his mother and father
for
showing him the way to success. He doubts the value of athletes as
role
models and says: "My parents were my heroes; their sacrifice and
discipline were the things I aspired to." In fact, the book's dedication
reads: "To my parents, Paul and Ruby Johnson, who are my role
models."
The now famous superstar had his share of disappointment. We
discover a
Michael who considered quitting track in college due to a string of
injuries that kept him from winning an NCAA crown until his senior
year.
Johnson reveals how he dealt with the disappointment of illness right
before the Barcelona Olympics, and his failure to make the finals in
the
200 meters there.
Of different personalities Michael tells us a little of what he thinks
of Carl Lewis, and why he admires Muhammad Ali and Jesse Owens.
We learn
about the close relationship of Michael and his coach, Clyde Hart.
Other interesting tid bits include the class he nearly failed in
college, why his seven or eight fishing trips a year are so important
to
him, the kind of music he listens to before a race, why he looks so
mean
when he is getting ready to run on the track, the reason he kept the
old
pick-up truck his father gave him even after earning a good bundle
of
money on the European track circuit, and even what made him cry
on the
victory stand in Atlanta.
The book's layout is fun. There are some great photos and interesting
graphics. Also, included are inspirational quotes from such varied
individuals as Benjamin Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre (a rap
artist), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Albert Einstein, Malcolm X, and
Martin Luther King Jr.
I can honestly say I couldn't put this book down. I highly
recommend it
to anyone, whether they are a track fan or not. Go get a copy. Now.
