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The Fastest Man Alive: The True Story of Usain Bolt
A skinny kid from the Jamaican parish of Trelawny, Usain Bolt’s life changed in August 2008 when the Olympic men’s 100-meter starter pistol was followed just 9.69 seconds later by his streak across the finish line and the first of his three gold medals was placed around his neck. In this illustrated celebration of his influences, background, and career trajectory, Bolt shares his story of growing up playing cricket and soccer, and discovering that he could run fast—very fast. He shares stories of his family, friends, and the laidback Jamaican culture, and reveals what makes him tick, where he gets his motivation, and where he takes his inspiration. He tells of the dedication and sacrifices required to get to the top, and also discusses fast food, partying, music, fast cars, and that signature lightning bolt pose.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 25, 2026
A quick, shallow glimpse at the life of Usain (a.k.a. "V.J.") Bolt, the greatest sprinter of all time. This short autobiography features several essays contributed by friends, family, coaches, and teachers of Bolt, as well as dozens of photos (including childhood photos). The book tells the story of how Bolt emerged from a rural Jamaican community to become an elite athlete (he also played cricket and soccer, but gave up those sports after dedicating himself to track). It's a fast read; I finished it in a single day.
Bolt is such a likable, humble, and chill dude that the book downplays some of the serious challenges he's faced, such as intense stress of competition, his medical battles with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), the injuries he suffered, and his several car wrecks. The book avoids any discussion of classism or racism, which Bolt has spoken about publicly since this book’s publication.
Unlike other famous and extremely wealthy athletes, Bolt has successfully avoided any taint of scandal, and according to his family and friends appears to be unchanged by fame and celebrity. He has a happy personality and a laid-back style. He enjoys video games, dancing, dancehall music, cars, and soccer. He likes Jamaican food, citing pork, corn porridge, and fresh cow's milk as favorites. Bolt famously ate an estimated 1,000 McDonald's Chicken McNuggets during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, averaging about 100 nuggets per day for 10 days. He has many of the same friends he had in school. He sees himself as a cricketer who only did track because he was fast. Although his training regimen was lax and unconventional, it helped him become a world class track athlete. On top of that, he also realized he had raw talent. He thanks his father and teachers for the discipline they instilled in him that has allowed him to stay grounded and focused.
This book was originally published in 2010 by Harper Collins, and this edition was released in 2012 by Sports Publishing. It predates Bolt’s triumphs at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Bolt retired from athletics after the 2017 World Championships.
Bolt still holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs, respectively. He won 8 Olympic Gold Medals and is the only sprinter in history to win both the 100m and 200m at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He's estimated to be worth about $90 million today. His most lucrative endorsement deal is with sportswear giant Puma, which he signed in 2003 when he was 16, but he also has long-term deals with Hublot (a watch company) and Gatorade. He lives in Kingston, Jamaica with his longtime partner Kasi Bennett, who's been with him since 2013. They share three children together—a daughter named Olympia Lightning (born 2020) and twin sons, Thunder and Saint Leo (born 2021).
Bolt is such a likable, humble, and chill dude that the book downplays some of the serious challenges he's faced, such as intense stress of competition, his medical battles with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), the injuries he suffered, and his several car wrecks. The book avoids any discussion of classism or racism, which Bolt has spoken about publicly since this book’s publication.
Unlike other famous and extremely wealthy athletes, Bolt has successfully avoided any taint of scandal, and according to his family and friends appears to be unchanged by fame and celebrity. He has a happy personality and a laid-back style. He enjoys video games, dancing, dancehall music, cars, and soccer. He likes Jamaican food, citing pork, corn porridge, and fresh cow's milk as favorites. Bolt famously ate an estimated 1,000 McDonald's Chicken McNuggets during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, averaging about 100 nuggets per day for 10 days. He has many of the same friends he had in school. He sees himself as a cricketer who only did track because he was fast. Although his training regimen was lax and unconventional, it helped him become a world class track athlete. On top of that, he also realized he had raw talent. He thanks his father and teachers for the discipline they instilled in him that has allowed him to stay grounded and focused.
This book was originally published in 2010 by Harper Collins, and this edition was released in 2012 by Sports Publishing. It predates Bolt’s triumphs at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Bolt retired from athletics after the 2017 World Championships.
Bolt still holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs, respectively. He won 8 Olympic Gold Medals and is the only sprinter in history to win both the 100m and 200m at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He's estimated to be worth about $90 million today. His most lucrative endorsement deal is with sportswear giant Puma, which he signed in 2003 when he was 16, but he also has long-term deals with Hublot (a watch company) and Gatorade. He lives in Kingston, Jamaica with his longtime partner Kasi Bennett, who's been with him since 2013. They share three children together—a daughter named Olympia Lightning (born 2020) and twin sons, Thunder and Saint Leo (born 2021).
January 9, 2022
A great way to learn about Usain’s journey but wish the book came together differently. It was not written as well as I would’ve liked due to the content being disjointed. The paragraphs would awkwardly shift from subject to subject within each chapter. The testimonials were a great add but I would’ve liked if they flowed with the chapters (ie, parents testimonials came at the end but we read about them about them more in the beginning).
The flow did make it a little difficult for me to want to continue at times but it’s hard to rate lower as I truly adore Usain and loved learning more about him.
The flow did make it a little difficult for me to want to continue at times but it’s hard to rate lower as I truly adore Usain and loved learning more about him.
April 20, 2023
So this book the" fastest man alive " deals with ussains different aspects of life and its challenges to achieve greater heights in his career. This books starts with his childhood background and finishes at 2012 London Olympics where he created world record to beat the legends of running.
So if anyone who is intrested to know about bolts story this book is must read.
So if anyone who is intrested to know about bolts story this book is must read.
Currently Reading
March 10, 2026PAGES 19 22 THE BOOK ISE NJOYING AND REFLECTS ON THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE 3/3/26
Im learning about his family and youth page 23 25
Im learning about his family and youth page 23 25
May 15, 2014
Athletes learn how to endure suffering. Elite athlete are masters at motivating themselves to give their best at critical times. Track athletes often prepare for the whole year to be at their peak performance for just one day, or even only 10 seconds for sprinters. I recently read Usain Bolt "Faster than lightning: my autobiography" and this is what I have learned about motivation.
RIVALRY:
Yohan Blake won both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Olympic trials for London. Usain Bolt finished only second and he was vexed. A few days later, while watching the race on TV, he noted something that gave him "such a fury": "the kid was running to the stands and celebrating in front of the bleachers. A finger was pressed on his lips Ssshhhhh! It seemed to me like he was telling the rest of the field to keep quiet - me included. (...) That one gesture had got my engine running. In an instant, I was psyched, revved up. Every step I made on the track after that evening on the sofa came from a place of pride, because I was training for Blake as well as the defense of my Olympic titles. I wanted to show up in London and prove to him and the world that I was a champion."
FAITH:
Usain Bolt starts his book recounting a serious car accident where he nearly lost his life. "This accident was the realization that my life had been saved by somebody else, and I didn't mean the designer of my airbag, or the car's seat belts. instead, a higher power had kept me alive. God Almighty. I took the accident to be a message from above, a sign that I'd been chosen to become The Fastest Man on Earth. My theory was that God needed me to be fit and well so I could follow the path He'd set me all those years ago when I first ran through the forest in Jamaica as a kid. I'd always believed that everything happened for a reason. (...) The Man Above had given me a gift and it was now down to me to make the most of it. My eyes had been open, I had God in my corner, and he had put me on earth to run _ and faster than any athlete, ever."
He continues in another chapter: " God always helped people who helped themselves. So whenever I was on a start line and I knew I'd done the work my coach had set me in training, I grabbed the crucifix around my neck, looked up in the sky and asked Him for enough strength to do my best."
INSPIRATION:
Usain Bolt recalls his early years of training and his coach's advice: "Coach told me to get a focus, an inspiration, something I could aim for whenever I trained, either on the gym or on the track. - You have to want something, he said. You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success."
RIVALRY:
Yohan Blake won both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Olympic trials for London. Usain Bolt finished only second and he was vexed. A few days later, while watching the race on TV, he noted something that gave him "such a fury": "the kid was running to the stands and celebrating in front of the bleachers. A finger was pressed on his lips Ssshhhhh! It seemed to me like he was telling the rest of the field to keep quiet - me included. (...) That one gesture had got my engine running. In an instant, I was psyched, revved up. Every step I made on the track after that evening on the sofa came from a place of pride, because I was training for Blake as well as the defense of my Olympic titles. I wanted to show up in London and prove to him and the world that I was a champion."
FAITH:
Usain Bolt starts his book recounting a serious car accident where he nearly lost his life. "This accident was the realization that my life had been saved by somebody else, and I didn't mean the designer of my airbag, or the car's seat belts. instead, a higher power had kept me alive. God Almighty. I took the accident to be a message from above, a sign that I'd been chosen to become The Fastest Man on Earth. My theory was that God needed me to be fit and well so I could follow the path He'd set me all those years ago when I first ran through the forest in Jamaica as a kid. I'd always believed that everything happened for a reason. (...) The Man Above had given me a gift and it was now down to me to make the most of it. My eyes had been open, I had God in my corner, and he had put me on earth to run _ and faster than any athlete, ever."
He continues in another chapter: " God always helped people who helped themselves. So whenever I was on a start line and I knew I'd done the work my coach had set me in training, I grabbed the crucifix around my neck, looked up in the sky and asked Him for enough strength to do my best."
INSPIRATION:
Usain Bolt recalls his early years of training and his coach's advice: "Coach told me to get a focus, an inspiration, something I could aim for whenever I trained, either on the gym or on the track. - You have to want something, he said. You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success."
January 8, 2017
I think this book is a reflection of the man. who he is, and what is important to him. not much about his training lots about his likes, dislikes, His Jamaican roots, lifestyle and national pride. If you are a fan of reading about life and times of... Athletes, you may like it.
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September 27, 2016really good book
August 5, 2020
Chillest dude to win the olympics
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews