Twin Tracks: The Autobiography

by Roger Bannister

It was a blustery late spring day in 1954 and a young Oxford medical student flung himself over the line in a mile race. There was an agonising pause, and then the timekeeper announced the record: three minutes, fifty-nine point four seconds. But no one heard anything after that first word - 'three'. One of the most iconic barriers of sport had been broken, and Roger Bannister had become the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. To this day, more men have conquered Mount Everest than have achieved what the slender, unassuming student managed that afternoon. Sixty years on and the letters still arrive on Roger Bannister's doormat, letters testifying to the enduring appeal of the four-minute mile and the example it set for the generation of budding athletes who were inspired to attempt the impossible. In this frank memoir, Sir Roger tells the full story of the talent and dedication that made him not just one of the most celebrated athletes of the last century but also a distinguished doctor, neurologist and one of the nation's best-loved public figures. With characteristically trenchant views on drugs in sport, the nature of modern athletics and record breaking, the extraordinary explosion in running as a leisure activity, and the Olympic legacy, this rare and brilliant autobiography gives a fascinating insight into the life of a man who has lived life to the fullest.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Sports, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2014

About the author

Sir 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...

Reviews

[Aleksandar Jovcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book to read, this man has lived an incredible life and it is very well written.
The detail and expression of his journey to the 4 minute mile is amazing and it’s not too long and very interesting to read.

I really enjoyed reading this book especially reading about how his personal relationships played a part in his sporting success and how he perceived them and felt about those around him in his younger years compared to when he was older.

[P.F. Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evocative. The Four-Minute Mile chapter and Noris McWhirter's announcement of the 'Result of Event Eight: One mile. First, R.G, Bannister of Exeter and Merton Colleges, in a time which, subject to ratification, is a new Track Record, British Native Record, British All-Comers Record, European Record, Commonwealth Record and World Record...Three minutes....' being stirring and emotive reading.

[MRS EMMA JEFFREY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insight into the history of UK sport. Also links to Harrow where I grew up.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abandoned on page 25 of 362. Too rambling, reads like he’s just telling his memoirs in person rather than actually in a book.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it is the twin tracks of his life, but the first half on his running was very good but the second was rather tedious, as it wound its way through his medical and sports administration work. A good book about an amazing athlete, who was also an outstanding and very special human being.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twin Tracks covers the Bannister’s life starting from his childhood in Harrow, through his studies and running in Oxford, and ending with his work at Pembroke College and his subsequent retirement. I came away from the book with a feel for the wide scope of Bannister’s accomplishments, which included not only his racing, but also his work as a neurosurgeon and his involvement with The Sports Council and the International Council of Sport and Physical Education.

While reading about his work with sports organisations, I realized what a determined and principled person he was. He comes across as a man immune to political bullying, with very clear views on sports and its importance to society.

Where this autobiography truly shines are in the sections Bannister devotes to his running career and his thoughts on the future of sport. You can feel Bannister’s love of sport through the writing, which gains a spark and excitement in these chapters that are not present in many of the other sections.

Bannister’s descriptions of his races are particularly thrilling. I especially enjoyed his memories of “The Miracle Mile,” his race against John Landy during the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Much was made of the match up and it seems Bannister saw it as not just a race, but also another chance to defend his training methods, which were constantly scrutinised in the press. Landy enjoyed training publicly, running lap after lap of impressive intervals on the main track. Bannister’s training looked feeble in comparison. As Bannister recounts the race, you can feel the tension mounting. Landy led the whole way and it was only in the last stretch that Bannister shot past Landy as he looked over his left shoulder, a moment now imortalised in a statue. You have to feel a bit sorry for Landy. It’s not many people who have their second-place finish cast in bronze.

[Charlie Lovett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after seeing Sir Roger at the Chipping Norton Literary Festival and finding him delightful (as well as inspiring for an old runner like myself). Reading the book is a little like having a conversation with a grandparent—it sometimes wanders and digressions become the main point of a story, but what it lacks in structure it makes up for in content. Sir Roger has lead a remarkable life that extends far beyond his breaking the four-minute-mile barrier in 1954. his writing is at times eloquent—especially when he writes of the importance of sport—and at times inscrutable (some of his medical anecdotes were beyond my comprehension). Not great literature, but a good read nonetheless.

[Chris Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry as a bone. Enough interesting content to make reading (most of) it worthwhile, in particular about his fairly innovative training methods and his relatively unfulfilled racing career. Otherwise a fairly rudimentary hagiography, full of lightweight name dropping and jarringly contrasting views - very modern views on doping, professionalism and corruption, but a surprisingly fawning view on Royalty and politicians. He has much to be proud of and has definitely lived a life worth describing, but seems a more interesting interviewee than autobiographer.

[George Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ultimate Sportsman

Roger Bannister accomplished what very few can even imagine - breaking the 4 minute mile record in 1954 and then dedicating himself in the medical discipline of neurology. His autobiography reveals a gifted athlete, a decent and caring family man, and one who keeps giving back to his beloved England thru medicine and sport. The success of Britain in the 2012 London Olympics is a testament to his legacy.

[Stefan Zak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger Bannister is my role model, i have so much respect for him. How he combined a running career with a rigorous oxford degree is very admirable. His achievements in the world of sport, medicine and the community are exceptionally great. Loved this book

[Sally Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met and hosted Sir Roger I found this book highly interesting and tender. Autobiography always inspire me.

[John Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Great achievements both in the sporting field and throughout the rest of his life but found some of the passages on medicine a bit lengthy and difficult to plough through.

[Alhaslam · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting individual, great story, but not riveting