Again to Carthage

its been available for weeks

Not at book stores such as Barnes and Noble.

Has anyone read it? Any good? Compares to OAR...etc? Whats the premise?

I read it, it was very good, I'd say just as good as Once a Runner and maybe even more motivating. The premise is that people in Cassidy's life start to die, and he begins to realize that he dosen't have much more time where his body is capable of running competitively. Therefore, he begins to train for the U.S. marathon trials.

What type of law does he practice? Where does/did he go to law school? Southeastern?

1. This is not news, it's been out forever.

2. I've already read it, twice

3. The college is fictional, read the back of once a runner.

4. Not to ruin it, its not that good. At least not "once a runner" good

This from Borders:

Again to Carthage

Bibliographic Data: Hardcover, 1 Pages, Breakaway Books, March 2008

Author: Parker Jr Joh / Joh, Parker Jr

List Price: $23.95

In-store prices may vary. See your local store for the most up-to-date pricing.

Status: Not Yet Published

BINC: 9296552

ISBN: 1891369776

Shelf Location: Literature/ Fiction

Description: John L. Parker, Jr.'s first novel, Once a Runner, is the cult novel for runners. Self-published in the late 1970s, and for years sold out of the trunk of the author's car at running events, it went on to sell over 100,000 copies and achieve legendary status among runners. For over twenty-five years, fans of Once a Runner have wanted more. Parker has finally written the sequel, which begins in the early 1970s where the previous book left off. The protagonist of the first book, Quenton Cassidy, has lost his best friend and teammate from college, a helicopter gunship pilot who dies a horrific death after crashing in the jungle. Cassidy is plunged into a depressive spiral in which he is forced to re-examine his studiously carefree life as a young, single attorney. Cassidy's return to the world of competitive running is dramatic and revelatory both to Cassidy himself and to the reader, as is his desperate, all-out attempt to make one last Olympic team.

Is it necs to read OAR before ATC?

vwe wrote:

...Therefore, he begins to train for the U.S. marathon trials.

After about 200 pages of nothing.

I don't believe that it will interest the younger runners that much but for those of us at a more advanced stage in our lives, it offers some interesting moments. We all eventually come to the realization that we can no longer do the runs we took for granted and we begin to miss that time. In this we share Cassidy's feelings. However, Parker seems to spend too many pages getting us to this point.I understand that Parker wants us to understand Cassidy's motivation, but this portion of the story does take too long.

does anyone know the history behind John L Parker?

We've got copies at my store, let me know if anyone wants a copy. $24 & FREE SHIPPING.

centralcoastrunning.com

I loved Once a Runner....but I find myself able to relate even more to Again to Carthage simply on the marathon level - I by no means am a 4 min miler, and although I love reading Once a Runner for motivation and all, the way Parker describes the marathon training, and then the race - that hit dead on with me, and it was more something that I have experienced. So...as I agree that the first half takes forever to get into the groove of things and at times seems just 'filler', once he gets into the running and the race...it is freakin' awesome! Both books are a must read.

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cassidy rules!

So does Bruce Denton

I thought that ATC was fantastic.

Why did it take Parker twenty years to do this?

An article appeared in a recent Runners World on Parker. Gives his background.

He trained with Frank Shorter, Jeff Galloway, Byron Dyce, Barry Brown and Jack Bachelor back in the 1970's when the Florida Track Club was one of the top running clubs in the country. He was admittedly a lessor member of that group but still pretty fast. He ran a mile in the very low 4 minute range. I believe 4:06 but I am not sure.

He qualified for and ran in the 1972 trials if memory serves but don't quote me.

I have corresponded with him by email in the past when he wrote for Running Times. Seems to be a really decent guy.