A mostly interesting look at the world of ultra running. It was fascinating to learn how much running is actually not involved with lots of walking, climbing, map reading, first aid and such as these maniacs traverse 100+ mile races. Also surprised at how many sub-segments there are in ultra from the more mountainous races to the looped races to more road races. The author played the role of journalist-becoming-an-ultra-runner in order to understand the ultra world. The problem was he was fairly egotistical and just not likeable. The culmination of the book, his running of one of the premiere ultras, was conveniently marked with the drama of him giving up, but then somehow finding the will to finish the race after being persuaded by friends and family. A worthy read, just not an outstanding one.