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The First Four Minutes
On 6 May 1954 Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, establishing himself as one of the most famous sportsmen in history. Bannister has written a substantial new introduction of this 50th anniversary edition of The First Four Minutes, reflecting on his experiences in 1954, his life ever since then and the evolution of mile running over the last five decades. The First Four Minutes, first published in 1955, covers not only the great race but also those preceding it (including the 1952 Helsinki Olympics) and the ones that followed, where Bannister triumphantly proved that his record time was more than just a one-off. He retired from competition in 1955 and went on to pursue a distinguised career as a neurologist. He was Chairman of the first executive Sports Council from 1971 to 1974. During his years in office the organisation developed the Sport for All programme and the first effective drugs test for anabolic steroids, a test still used today. He was Master of Pembroke College, Oxford for eight years and still lives in the city. He is chairman of the St Mary's Hospital Medical School Development Trust.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Roger Bannister
19 books7 followersSir Roger Bannister, the first such person, of Britain in 1954 ran the mile under four minutes.
People best know Roger Gilbert Bannister, commander of the empire, as an English former athlete and the man in history. Bannister, a distinguished neurologist and master of Pembroke college, Oxford, retired in 2001.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_o...
People best know Roger Gilbert Bannister, commander of the empire, as an English former athlete and the man in history. Bannister, a distinguished neurologist and master of Pembroke college, Oxford, retired in 2001.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_o...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 16, 2023
There’s a moment in this book that made me chuckle, when Bannister speaks of worrying about burning himself out with a grueling 7.5 mile run while running as an undergraduate at Oxford. While gunning for the then-unprecedented feat of running a 4-minute mile, he also marvels at the 200 miles a month run by one of his rivals for this achievement, while even very ordinary amateur runners will do the same training for a marathon today. As a training book, very little of what Bannister did would be applicable to any distance today (and he's fairly scanty about those details).
Bannister achieved his feat on remarkably little training, sometimes as little as 20 miles a week. Yet his passion for amateur sport shines through in this book, and his poetic descriptions of what running meant to him. Part of his aim at running the 4-minute mile was to prove it was possible for an amateur to do it, with the level of support given to athletes in the US and USSR. Ironically, the professionalism he feared now dominates elite racing.
Some of the exhaustion he complains about with pairing hard training and medical school may be do to the scanty food available in postwar Britain. He speaks of making a soup he'd eat for an entire week, reheating it every night. But Bannister was no weakling--he decompressed from racing by arduous hikes in the mountains and hills, and even hitchhiking on many occasions to many remote areas.
The book concludes with a discussion of his later participation in promoting youth and amateur sports. Tragically, Bannister was deprived of the ability to run by a car accident in the 70s, but he channeled his energies into sailing (which he could still do). Overall, the book is a compelling window into a gentle, decent, humorous man who was a gifted writer as well as an athlete. He chose neuroscience as his path in life, but I'm rather sorry he didn't write more. Many less gifted writers who chose words as their profession have.
Bannister achieved his feat on remarkably little training, sometimes as little as 20 miles a week. Yet his passion for amateur sport shines through in this book, and his poetic descriptions of what running meant to him. Part of his aim at running the 4-minute mile was to prove it was possible for an amateur to do it, with the level of support given to athletes in the US and USSR. Ironically, the professionalism he feared now dominates elite racing.
Some of the exhaustion he complains about with pairing hard training and medical school may be do to the scanty food available in postwar Britain. He speaks of making a soup he'd eat for an entire week, reheating it every night. But Bannister was no weakling--he decompressed from racing by arduous hikes in the mountains and hills, and even hitchhiking on many occasions to many remote areas.
The book concludes with a discussion of his later participation in promoting youth and amateur sports. Tragically, Bannister was deprived of the ability to run by a car accident in the 70s, but he channeled his energies into sailing (which he could still do). Overall, the book is a compelling window into a gentle, decent, humorous man who was a gifted writer as well as an athlete. He chose neuroscience as his path in life, but I'm rather sorry he didn't write more. Many less gifted writers who chose words as their profession have.
November 8, 2023
I didn't read this for the flowing prose, though it is well written. And I didn't read it to find out what happened; I already knew. But I did read it to see the epic chase from the original eyes of the chaser. And the result was a little surprising. The book isn't for everyone, as it is solely focused on the training and mindset of this famous middle distance runner. But for me, as a runner and a coach, it provided some interesting insights. For instance, his training was pretty mild by today's standards. Hint: it is more about your mindset, your belief in what you can do than about the training. He did not have a coach, though he occasionally talked to a couple of different coaches. He believed that many people were over-coached, so that they no longer knew who they were as a racer. And he quit racing nearly immediately after breaking the four-minute barrier to focus on his medical career. Running, to Roger Bannister, was a dream he was chasing, a part of his life, but not his whole life.
A few nuggets I find important:
"...running in an easy relaxed way imposes less strain without loss of speed."
"Records [or PRs] should be the servants not the masters of the athlete, preparing him [or her] for a forthcoming encounter with a respected opponent. They should not be an end in themselves."
"I think it is the duty of the coach to encourage resource and initiative in each one of us."
"The mental approach is all important, because the strength and power of the mind are without limit."
A few nuggets I find important:
"...running in an easy relaxed way imposes less strain without loss of speed."
"Records [or PRs] should be the servants not the masters of the athlete, preparing him [or her] for a forthcoming encounter with a respected opponent. They should not be an end in themselves."
"I think it is the duty of the coach to encourage resource and initiative in each one of us."
"The mental approach is all important, because the strength and power of the mind are without limit."
June 21, 2020
Very much enjoyed this book, particularly after reading “The Perfect Mile”. Bannister’s perspectives on training and the purpose of running in general are unique and interesting — especially today — and his writing style is very engaging. The slightly lower rating has to do with my thinking “The Perfect Mile” was a better book overall, and not being a very big fan of autobiographical works.
January 2, 2017
Stunning athlete, stunning writer.
June 4, 2011
After reading "The Perfect Mile", I wanted to get Roger Bannister's perspective, and read this book also.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Perhaps I enjoyed this book more than some of the other reviewers because I am a runner, and thus it had a lot of meaning for me. Here are a few things that I quoted to my extended family in a letter when I had only read half the book.
“As a neurologist, I now understand more about such sources of pleasure and pain and the strange, some say mystical experiences that come to those who extend their physical powers to the limit and beyond.” (P.10)
“... my grasp of the reasons why I run continues to grow.” (P.13)
“Until quite recently, if I had been asked what running meant to me I should have replied ‘I don’t know.’” (This was written 10 years after he ran the sub-4 minute mile!; P.14)
“It is strange how we strive unwittingly towards our own treatment and cure, battling our heads against many doors until we find one already open.” (P.39)
“If we aim at a star we may occasionally reach a height normally beyond us. I think we are sometimes wrong to criticize ambition,” (P.48)
“...that select group in Oxford, one of whom had boasted, ‘Yes, I have occasionally felt the urge to take exercise, but I just lie down until it passes off.’” (p49)
“The Greek ideal was that sport should be a preparation for life in general. Physical perfection was a worthy end, and the striving heightened rather than dulled perception of other things.” (P.82)
I enjoyed this book immensely. Perhaps I enjoyed this book more than some of the other reviewers because I am a runner, and thus it had a lot of meaning for me. Here are a few things that I quoted to my extended family in a letter when I had only read half the book.
“As a neurologist, I now understand more about such sources of pleasure and pain and the strange, some say mystical experiences that come to those who extend their physical powers to the limit and beyond.” (P.10)
“... my grasp of the reasons why I run continues to grow.” (P.13)
“Until quite recently, if I had been asked what running meant to me I should have replied ‘I don’t know.’” (This was written 10 years after he ran the sub-4 minute mile!; P.14)
“It is strange how we strive unwittingly towards our own treatment and cure, battling our heads against many doors until we find one already open.” (P.39)
“If we aim at a star we may occasionally reach a height normally beyond us. I think we are sometimes wrong to criticize ambition,” (P.48)
“...that select group in Oxford, one of whom had boasted, ‘Yes, I have occasionally felt the urge to take exercise, but I just lie down until it passes off.’” (p49)
“The Greek ideal was that sport should be a preparation for life in general. Physical perfection was a worthy end, and the striving heightened rather than dulled perception of other things.” (P.82)
November 4, 2011
This is the best book on running that I’ve read.
In 1954, at the age of 25, Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute barrier for the mile, with a recorded time of 3:59.4. A little over a year later, Bannister retired from racing, and wrote a book entitled, "The First Four Minutes". This 2004 edition has been updated with new material in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Bannister’s feat.
Bannister was one of the last great amateur champions. No special diet or training program. No coach. No stipend from his university or paid endorsement from a shoe company. During his eight years of competitive running, he also completed college and medical school. In fact, he even worked at the hospital on the morning of his record-breaking run.
What I enjoyed most about this book is Bannister’s unrestrained love of running. Whenever his training bogged him down, or his nerves began to strain before an important race, he fell back to the basics – he loved to run. He loved the freedom, the confidence and the joy that running brought him.
If you're a runner - whether you're a sprinter, miler or marathoner – a champion, mid-packer, or the last person to cross the finish line – if you’re a runner, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Roger Bannister.
In 1954, at the age of 25, Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute barrier for the mile, with a recorded time of 3:59.4. A little over a year later, Bannister retired from racing, and wrote a book entitled, "The First Four Minutes". This 2004 edition has been updated with new material in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Bannister’s feat.
Bannister was one of the last great amateur champions. No special diet or training program. No coach. No stipend from his university or paid endorsement from a shoe company. During his eight years of competitive running, he also completed college and medical school. In fact, he even worked at the hospital on the morning of his record-breaking run.
What I enjoyed most about this book is Bannister’s unrestrained love of running. Whenever his training bogged him down, or his nerves began to strain before an important race, he fell back to the basics – he loved to run. He loved the freedom, the confidence and the joy that running brought him.
If you're a runner - whether you're a sprinter, miler or marathoner – a champion, mid-packer, or the last person to cross the finish line – if you’re a runner, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Roger Bannister.
April 5, 2020
A modest but full account by Roger Bannister of his running days, written shortly after his retirement from competition in 1955.
Bannister provides eloquent descriptions of the pivotal moments that formed the landscape to both his running career and post-war British Athletics.
In addition to the titular feat which he is most known for, there are insights into training methods, balancing running and medical work, and absorbing reports of his famous battles and rivalries, such as those against the likes of John Lundy at the 1954 Empire Games.
The book provides a great personal narrative of an athlete at the height of his powers at a time when athletics was the domain of amateurs, and of how, as Bannister describes it,
Bannister provides eloquent descriptions of the pivotal moments that formed the landscape to both his running career and post-war British Athletics.
In addition to the titular feat which he is most known for, there are insights into training methods, balancing running and medical work, and absorbing reports of his famous battles and rivalries, such as those against the likes of John Lundy at the 1954 Empire Games.
The book provides a great personal narrative of an athlete at the height of his powers at a time when athletics was the domain of amateurs, and of how, as Bannister describes it,
the intrinsically simple and unimportant act of placing one foot in front of the other as fast as possible for 1760 yards was heralded as such an important sporting achievement
January 8, 2021
Many runners were chasing this goal of breaking 4 minutes in the ever elusive mile run (4 laps on a 1/4 mile track). What makes this book special is that record breaker Roger Bannister authored this book only 1 year after the goal was attained. He was just 25 years old and created a wonderfully written story that has you at his side in every event. How could he be such a descriptive writer at 25 and this being his first book? Was not Stephen Crane only 25 when he wrote his first book (The Red Badge of Courage)?
Many books have since been written of Bannister's accomplishment, yet Roger's version so soon after the event is realism at it's finest. Not a "one-trick-pony" Sir Roger was an Olympian (while in med school!), Oxford grad, MD, Neurologist, International Sport Chairman, Director of the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, and Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
It was an honor to read the story of a true gentleman and scholar.
Many books have since been written of Bannister's accomplishment, yet Roger's version so soon after the event is realism at it's finest. Not a "one-trick-pony" Sir Roger was an Olympian (while in med school!), Oxford grad, MD, Neurologist, International Sport Chairman, Director of the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, and Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
It was an honor to read the story of a true gentleman and scholar.
August 18, 2021
This was a very enjoyable book for me. I have always thought of how many psychological barriers have been torn down by what Roger Bannister in his landmark achievement in the mile. This book allows the reader to understand thoroughly all the ins and outs of went into this accomplish not only by Roger Bannister, but my many other track and field athletes from his era.
You really get an opportunity to get inside the mind of Bannister and the emotions he felt in his pursuit of something no one had ever done before. I would read this book again and probably enjoy it just as much as I did the first time.
You really get an opportunity to get inside the mind of Bannister and the emotions he felt in his pursuit of something no one had ever done before. I would read this book again and probably enjoy it just as much as I did the first time.
December 11, 2017
This is considered one of the top five greatest books ever written about running. I would have to say, I also felt it was excellent!
It’s the autobiography of the first man to break the four minute mile. Bannister is very flowery in his writing style (typical old-style British), but he also captures his sheer joy in and love of running. It’s a very fast read because you get caught up in the emotion of the effort. I found it interesting that the climax of the book is not his breaking the four-minute barrier, but his winning the one on one competition with his main rival of the time.
It’s the autobiography of the first man to break the four minute mile. Bannister is very flowery in his writing style (typical old-style British), but he also captures his sheer joy in and love of running. It’s a very fast read because you get caught up in the emotion of the effort. I found it interesting that the climax of the book is not his breaking the four-minute barrier, but his winning the one on one competition with his main rival of the time.
February 28, 2017
Not nearly as interesting as I hoped it would be.
January 28, 2025
Came across this book on a giveaway table at a local library. As a longtime track athlete and coach I was interested to hear Roger Bannister's account of his great achievement. The competitive athletics landscape has changed enormously since 1954 and today the "4 minute mile" is quite commonplace, but there remains great value in reviewing the efforts that went into Sir Roger Bannister's epic achievement. A good read.
February 9, 2024
If you're a middle distance track athlete, you'll love this wonderful slice of athletics history.
Want to read
April 29, 2024Roger Robinson says this is written "with lyrical passion that nobody's quite matched" on the Runner's World Show.
April 18, 2025
A statement so obvious it's almost stupid: Bannister captures this mindset so incredibly well.
Read this!
Read this!
June 27, 2015
The Japanese author Murakami, on his book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, explicitly avoided sounding dogmatic as he recounted his life as a marathon runner, his passion for the sports and his love of running.
Murakami was merely a runner, not an advocate after all, talking about running, recounting it, writing about it. But not Bannister.
Bannister of course was the ultimate idol of the sports. When he wrote, as much as advocated, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves." Amateur athletes will accept it as fact as he is one of those still untainted by the dark side of modern sports-- doping, bribery, corruption, illegal betting.
No better man can advocate running as Roger Bannister. And no one better can help us understand the importance of cultivating sports in our society than the man. He wrote of running, "It gives the (person) the chance to bring out the power that remain locked away inside... The more restricted our society and work become the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say you must not run faster than this or jump higher... (As) the human spirit is indomitable."
This is a must-read!
Murakami was merely a runner, not an advocate after all, talking about running, recounting it, writing about it. But not Bannister.
Bannister of course was the ultimate idol of the sports. When he wrote, as much as advocated, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves." Amateur athletes will accept it as fact as he is one of those still untainted by the dark side of modern sports-- doping, bribery, corruption, illegal betting.
No better man can advocate running as Roger Bannister. And no one better can help us understand the importance of cultivating sports in our society than the man. He wrote of running, "It gives the (person) the chance to bring out the power that remain locked away inside... The more restricted our society and work become the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say you must not run faster than this or jump higher... (As) the human spirit is indomitable."
This is a must-read!
June 26, 2007
I was pretty disappointed with The Four-Minute Mile. While it served as an interesting look into amateurism through the eyes of one of its strongest supporters, the book really failed at getting the reader to relate to Bannister. It seemed to have almost an over-emphasis on telling stories about racing and a huge under-emphasis of detailing training. The races described were fairly detailed, yet somehow their telling failed to excite me.
This particular 50th anniversay edition also includes a new section titled "After the Four-Minute Mile," where he goes on to mindlessly ramble on about issues he thinks are important and at one point makes an attack on Arthur Lydiard.
The language of the book, though very casual in voice, was at times difficult to understand (perhaps it's something cultural).
Overall, I was disappointed with the book, but I'm glad I read it because I now know that Roger Bannister does not deserve all the respect that is given to him.
This particular 50th anniversay edition also includes a new section titled "After the Four-Minute Mile," where he goes on to mindlessly ramble on about issues he thinks are important and at one point makes an attack on Arthur Lydiard.
The language of the book, though very casual in voice, was at times difficult to understand (perhaps it's something cultural).
Overall, I was disappointed with the book, but I'm glad I read it because I now know that Roger Bannister does not deserve all the respect that is given to him.
February 27, 2013
About 58 years ago, on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister of England broke the four-minute barrier for a Mile race for the first time in history. I read The Perfect Mile that detailed how the stage for this athletics breakthrough was set up among Bannister, John Landy of Australia and Wes Santee of the United States. In his memoir, The Fout-Minute Mile, Roger Bannister himself tells how such great milestone was achieved. This is not his training log or a ‘how to run a strong Mile race’ text book. In fact, he does not say much about his training in the book, other than he never spent more than half an hour a day in training. This is a book where... Read more.
August 22, 2012
This book, the autobiography of the first man to run a sub-four minute mile, Sir Roger Bannister, is interesting and inspiring. At times, it gets a little dry, as Bannister talks about races and times for too long. But throughout the book, and especially when he details his successful attempt at breaking the four minute mile, and then his duel with fellow sub four minute miler John Landy at the Empire games, he brings great insight to about the truths of running: why run? what do we get out of it? why is it meaningful, both individually and as an art. The reflections and wise words of the most important figure in middle distance running are as good a reason as any to read this book.
April 12, 2008
There are not many books that a skinny and mediocre high school cross country runner could read for inspiration, this is the only one that I can recall. Bannister ran the first sub four minute mile while he was a medical student in Oxford. Dry prose but did I mention he ran the mile in less than four minutes? Imagine chariots of fire without the poetry.
Roger went on to become a distinquished doctor and wrote medical textbooks showing that he was more than a athlete.
Roger went on to become a distinquished doctor and wrote medical textbooks showing that he was more than a athlete.
February 2, 2011
A matter-of-fact read about Sir Bannister's quest to run a 4 minute mile, complete with his underlying theories on sport. Interesting to hear about the extended process behind his famous run, though not especially entertaining.
March 6, 2013
Bannister's tale is inspiring to people in all walks of life - not just runners. It was a hard read to get through at times (sometimes a little dry), but in the end I feel a little more inspired to be more reflective in those things that I pursue and want to succeed in.
September 20, 2023
Deeply inspiring. Bannister explains some of the technical side of his road to the 4 min. mile as well as his own feelings towards the sport. An excellent autobiography to read for running enthusiasts.
July 13, 2007
A bit dull at times, not fast enough (the book) to be inspiring..
March 1, 2008
This is a classic first-person account of the path to the historic first four-minute mile. Highly recommend.
December 28, 2009
Every student of the sport should know this history. You have to wonder what Bannister could have done had he been able to train and perform in a modern arena. Running on cinders- incredible!
April 11, 2011
Interesting perspective on the value of sport in a post-WWII context, some good insights into the mind of the elite runner.
May 8, 2011
More January running motivation, but I ended up loving his understated writing style. One reviewer said he writes as gracefully as he runs - I'll go along with that.
June 19, 2012
Brilliant! A fascinating insight into when elite running was still an amatuer sport.
May 25, 2015
Interesting hearing Bannister's story in his word. Probably wouldn't read it again though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews