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Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography
by
Usain Bolt
The autobiography of the fastest man of all time and a superstar whose talent and charisma have made him one of the most famous people on the planet.
Whether you know Athletics or not, and even whether you know sport or not, chances are you know Usain Bolt. The fastest man on the planet, not just now but ever, Usain has won the hearts of people everywhere with his mind-blow ...more
Whether you know Athletics or not, and even whether you know sport or not, chances are you know Usain Bolt. The fastest man on the planet, not just now but ever, Usain has won the hearts of people everywhere with his mind-blow ...more
Hardcover
,
320 pages
Published
September 12th 2013
by HarperSport
(first published 2013)
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Community Reviews
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A great easy to read autobiography that traces the life to date of the fastest man to have walked (or ran) this earth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as being a sprinter myself I could relate to many aspects of his personal story. Any lover of the sport will appreciate the commitment and dedication that Usain has expressed over his long reign at the top. He has done wonders for the sport due to his lively personality and off track performances. Before reading the book I had the impression that U ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as being a sprinter myself I could relate to many aspects of his personal story. Any lover of the sport will appreciate the commitment and dedication that Usain has expressed over his long reign at the top. He has done wonders for the sport due to his lively personality and off track performances. Before reading the book I had the impression that U ...more
This book is all about confidence and self belief.A must read for all who loves to dream..who wants to make it big in their life.One of the best sports autobiographies I have ever read(Obviously after Open-Andre Agassi). This book uses the opportunity to show the author the fastest man on earth not so much as “Lightning Bolt”, the man of confidence and swagger, but at the same time scared that on any given day age, injury or the new breed of athletic talent can take away what he has fought for,
...more
Usain Boltin (tähänastinen) elämäkerta oli mielenkiintoista ja mukaansa tempaavaa luettavaa. Olin aiemmin nähnyt tästä juoksijalegendasta kertovan dokumenttielokuvan ja nyt aloitin illalla kirjan ja luin seuraavana aamuna loppuun.
Kerronta on tavanomaista muistelua lapsuudesta Cherwood Contentin pikkukylässä Jamaikalla aina vuoteen 2013 saakka menestyksen huipulle. Kuitenkin Boltin rennon letkeä ote välittyy myös käännöksessä varsin hyvin. Lukuja on yhteensä kuusitoista, ja ensimmäinen alkaa dram ...more
Kerronta on tavanomaista muistelua lapsuudesta Cherwood Contentin pikkukylässä Jamaikalla aina vuoteen 2013 saakka menestyksen huipulle. Kuitenkin Boltin rennon letkeä ote välittyy myös käännöksessä varsin hyvin. Lukuja on yhteensä kuusitoista, ja ensimmäinen alkaa dram ...more
Brother gave me this to read, because it's not something I'd normally pick up. I mean, I think Bolt is cool and am as amazed by his athletic feats as anyone, but I can't say I've ever felt any reason to get to know behind the amazing runs better.
But I thought it was a solid book. The blurb tries to play up some hardships from Bolt's life, all "oh it hasn't always been easy, I've suffered injuries and I was in a car crash once", which fell flat if you ask me. The car crash sounded horrible, but t ...more
But I thought it was a solid book. The blurb tries to play up some hardships from Bolt's life, all "oh it hasn't always been easy, I've suffered injuries and I was in a car crash once", which fell flat if you ask me. The car crash sounded horrible, but t ...more
Sep 07, 2014
Amy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sports and athletics lovers or fans of Usain Bolt
Let me start by saying that I've never thought much to books written by people that are still alive today. I always thought it was pointless, their life isn't over yet so the story isn't over. I'm glad to say this book proved me wrong.
The main reason I bought this book is because I've recently started jogging with my mum, I wanted an insider's view on running, all the pro's and con's. I thought, "what would be a better place to start than the world's best?" So Usain Bolt it was.
This book is tru ...more
The main reason I bought this book is because I've recently started jogging with my mum, I wanted an insider's view on running, all the pro's and con's. I thought, "what would be a better place to start than the world's best?" So Usain Bolt it was.
This book is tru ...more
It's an interesting story about Usain's life and his challenges from his early days till the Olympic Games in London. A humble family, a humble man who has achieved great things - which surely won't be easy to beat.
But I am missing more details about crucial events, details about how he prepares for big races, how he trains. For me it seems like it is an overview but not much depth behind it. Except his story itself there is not much to take away for me, except one thing:
"'The Moment of No Retu ...more
But I am missing more details about crucial events, details about how he prepares for big races, how he trains. For me it seems like it is an overview but not much depth behind it. Except his story itself there is not much to take away for me, except one thing:
"'The Moment of No Retu ...more
This is a good read. Easy English, almost like a long interview so it turned out to be a real fast read for me.
There is no doubt Bolt is the best in business today and it will be great if he goes on to defend his titles in 2016 Olympics.
But my reading has been clouded with the fact that I felt let down after what happened with athletes like Lance. So I am erring on the side of caution and not idolizing Bolt yet. There is nothing that can take away the work ethic and the hundreds of hours an at ...more
There is no doubt Bolt is the best in business today and it will be great if he goes on to defend his titles in 2016 Olympics.
But my reading has been clouded with the fact that I felt let down after what happened with athletes like Lance. So I am erring on the side of caution and not idolizing Bolt yet. There is nothing that can take away the work ethic and the hundreds of hours an at ...more
Sep 29, 2015
Brian Stump
added it
This book was a fantastic read! I enjoyed every part of this book. His struggles were so detailed. I enjoyed this book and I hope he writes more
Urheilijoiden omaelämäkerrat ovat vaikea laji. Useinhan huippu-urheilijoiden huippuus omassa ammatissaan tarkoittaa sitä, että menestystä on joutunut kompensoimaan keskittymällä vähän vähemmän muihin asioihin, kuten akateemisen sivistyksen hankkimiseen. Tämänkin "oma"elämäkerran on "muistiin kirjannut" Mark Allen, ja tekstistä kuulta hyvin läpi se, että se on melko editoimatonta puhetta kirjan aivuille painettuna. Vaikka osittain mennään hyvinkin syvälle Boltin motiiveihin ja rutiineihin, on kir
...more
An interesting and inspiring read for sports fans, sports people, and inspiration seekers. Usain bolt talks about his life and his sporting career from a perspective of his mental standing which took him to glory. This book certainly made it seem like the first steps towards true greatness and glory is having the right frame of mind and the right people around you to get there. Though he certainly doesn't understate his raw talent.
This book presents a man who may appear to be arrogant or egotis ...more
This book presents a man who may appear to be arrogant or egotis ...more
An all-round interesting book on the life and making of the fastest man on earth, the living legend - Usain Bolt.
I have not read many biographies of sporting heroes so I found it insightful to read about all the hard agony of background training and rigorous discipline, day in and day out, continually pushing to strengthen muscles for a couple of seconds of competition and in Usain’s case, a life time of glory after winning 6 Olympic gold medals and numerous others in other championships.
There ...more
I have not read many biographies of sporting heroes so I found it insightful to read about all the hard agony of background training and rigorous discipline, day in and day out, continually pushing to strengthen muscles for a couple of seconds of competition and in Usain’s case, a life time of glory after winning 6 Olympic gold medals and numerous others in other championships.
There ...more
"Believe me, my time isn't up just yet"- That's how one of the epic autobiographies has just ended. Usain Bolt's autobiography named "Faster than Lightning" is another biography by a sportsman that I loved after Brett Lee's. While Brett Lee's was published by Random House, this one is published by none other than HarperCollins's print- Harper Sports. They have some amazing names in their autobiography section and I am happy that I picked up this book initially to start with. According to my mem ...more
Usual autobiography of an unusual personality. Most of the autobiographies are inspiring and this one is no different. Usan came like a bolt from the blue. Surprised everyone, including himself through his unprecedented performances over and over again. He had his ups and downs like most of the celebrities have. He came through all the downs to be on the up almost always. However, though Milkha Singh was no where near Usan in terms of accomplishments, his autobiography hits you harder as was his
...more
Sep 27, 2015
Harshad Kumar
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-worth-a-second-read
Faster Than Lightning is a wonderful book and is beautifully written by the world's fastest man.It involves all the elements that a fantastic book needs.This is the first autobiography that i read and i thoroughly enjoyed reading this.Usain Bolt explains each and every phase of his life in detail without missing any highlighting element.People who watch Bolt race may think that he is a kind of party guy who loves entertainment a lot and enjoys and works less.But if go through this you'll be amaz
...more
Jul 30, 2014
Theta Sigma
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reading-challenge-2014
Now with the outdoor athletics season soon upon us, I decided to prep up by reading this second autobiography from Usain Bolt.
The content of this book follows Bolt from childhood up to the IAAF World Championships in Moscow last year and is your typical athletics fayre – his beginnings as a youth athlete growing up in Coxeath, his choice not to accept an American sports scholarship and, instead, ply the beginnings of his athletic career based in Kingston, his rivalries – some friendly, some less ...more
The content of this book follows Bolt from childhood up to the IAAF World Championships in Moscow last year and is your typical athletics fayre – his beginnings as a youth athlete growing up in Coxeath, his choice not to accept an American sports scholarship and, instead, ply the beginnings of his athletic career based in Kingston, his rivalries – some friendly, some less ...more
Faster than Lightning is a unique insight into the world of the 'worlds fastest man'. It shows how Bolt grew up as a cricket-mad kid from Trelawny, Jamaica to one of the most recognisable sportsperson and an Olympic great. It shows how different things effect him and what he takes away from him such as a car crash that he luckily walked away from. This book sums up Usain Bolt showing how he rose from a tiny village in Jamaica to a global superstar.
What a delightful read. I've always been a HUGE fan, much to the chagrin of my hubby who is adamant that you're too good to be achieving what you have without some help from banned substances! I of course rise to your defense all the time. I pray that what you've written in this book is completely honest. You're a remarkable young man and I wish you everything of the best in Brazil in 2016. Pity I will not get to see you run in this lifetime but I will be cheering from afar!
A light read given the first person account.
Seems to me that Usain wants people to acknowledge his 'humility'...even if the humbleness comes across as contrived.
That he is competitive, and extremely so at that, is quite clear from his performances over the years. His large ego feeds on all the adulation, but if he wants to know what it is to handle that respectfully, he could take some lessons from other top sportsmen.
One message that the book delivers very well is about how even a supremely gif ...more
Seems to me that Usain wants people to acknowledge his 'humility'...even if the humbleness comes across as contrived.
That he is competitive, and extremely so at that, is quite clear from his performances over the years. His large ego feeds on all the adulation, but if he wants to know what it is to handle that respectfully, he could take some lessons from other top sportsmen.
One message that the book delivers very well is about how even a supremely gif ...more
took this book for a light read. Good autobiography. As a person outside track and field, you wont get to feel the hardwork they(track and field athletes) put in background training. This book illustrated his experiences and how the guy's rigorous training under his favourite coach has moulded him to where he is now.
Simplicity is the word. Written with a lot clarity.
One will actually enjoy reading in one go without getting tired.
Inspiring story too, few lines & moments will give goose bumps.
Do this for yourself first , country comes the second !
You can't keep a good man down !
Worth Reading once !
One will actually enjoy reading in one go without getting tired.
Inspiring story too, few lines & moments will give goose bumps.
Do this for yourself first , country comes the second !
You can't keep a good man down !
Worth Reading once !
One of the best read around Sports. Each moment described in the book is adventures :)
Parents - do read this book, help your kids to overtake on challenges, adjust with physical and environment challenges and become champions.
Great living legend Usain Bolt.
Parents - do read this book, help your kids to overtake on challenges, adjust with physical and environment challenges and become champions.
Great living legend Usain Bolt.
Bolt being one of the most celebrated sportsperson around makes his autobiography a must read for sports lovers irrespective of your interest in track & field.
It is a well written book which gives you the insight into the early days of bolt and his journey to becoming the "living legend". It moves at an even pace and leaves you with a hope that bolt goes on to win medals in 2016 too..
Still I will rate it below "Open by Andre Agassi" which as per me is the best autobiography of a sportsperson ...more
It is a well written book which gives you the insight into the early days of bolt and his journey to becoming the "living legend". It moves at an even pace and leaves you with a hope that bolt goes on to win medals in 2016 too..
Still I will rate it below "Open by Andre Agassi" which as per me is the best autobiography of a sportsperson ...more
His youth was really interesting, but the story further than the olympic games in Beijing wasn't really interesting anymore. I read the book in 2 days, so it is pretty good written
At first I thought this book was similar to his other book, especially in the earlier chapters, but then as the book went on, it was definitely different and there were more personal thoughts and feelings in this book which I definitely enjoyed.
Täitsa mõnus raamat, lihtsalt ja otsekoheselt kirja pandud, ei mingit liigset targutamist. On ikka andekas mees küll!
This was a very good book. It was interesting to find out about one of my idols and what his life was like.
Great read, frank and candid about his thoughts on not just the sports he leads the way in but relationships, training partners and competitors. It truly is a deep insight into the mind of a world champion in his chosen field.
Loved this book! No fairy tales here .. just the story as is. I love his style of communicating his path. Absolute joy, reading this one!
Honest confession of hard working athlete life . Highly recommended
Påminde mycket om Zlatans bok, och verkligen verkligen kul att läsa självbiografier men nu behöver jag en fantasy!! :)
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“Thankfully, Coach had taught me a way of embracing the pain. He called that overwhelming rust of hurt 'The Moment of No Return', a point of pure agony when the body told an athlete to quit, to rest, because the pain was so damn tough. It was a tipping point. He reckoned that if an athlete dropped in The Moment, then all the pain that went before it was pointless, the muscles wouldn't increase their current strength. But if he could work through the pinch and run another two reps, maybe 3, them the body would physically improve in that time, and that was when an athlete grew stronger.”
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“You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success.”
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