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The Boy Who Runs: The Odyssey of Julius Achon
In the tradition of Uzodinma Iweala’s Beasts of No Nation by way of Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, this is the inspirational true story of the Ugandan boy soldier who became a world-renowned runner, then found his calling as director of a world-renowned African children’s charity.
“Julius can’t remember who first saw the men. He heard no warning sounds—no dog barking or twig snapping. Until this point, events had moved too swiftly for Julius to be afraid, but now panic seized him. In another instant, he realized that his old life was finished.”
Thus begins the extraordinary odyssey of Julius Achon, a journey that takes a barefoot twelve-year-old boy from a village in northern Uganda to the rebel camp of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army, where he was made a boy soldier, and then, miraculously, to a career as one of the world’s foremost middle-distance runners. But when a devastating tragedy prevents Julius from pursuing the gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he is once again set adrift and forced to forge a new path for himself, finally finding his true calling as an internationally recognized humanitarian. Today, Julius is the director of the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund, a charity whose mission is to improve the quality of life in rural Uganda through access to healthcare, education, and athletics.
While pursuing his destiny, Julius encounters a range of unforgettable characters who variously befriend and betray the demonic Joseph Kony, a “world-class warlord”; John Cook, a brilliant and eccentric U.S. track coach; Jim Fee, an American businessman who helps Julius build a state-of-the-art medical center deep in the Ugandan bush; and finally Kristina, Julius’s mother, whose own tragic journey forms the pivot for this spellbinding narrative of love, loss, suffering, and redemption.
Written by award-winning sportswriter John Brant, The Boy Who Runs is an empowering tale of obstacles overcome, challenges met, and light wrested from darkness. It’s a story about forging your true path and finding your higher purpose—even when the road ahead bends in unexpected directions.
Advance praise for The Boy Who Runs
“Brant proves again why he is one of our best sportswriters, masterfully weaving a compelling narrative of an African country at war, along with the transformation of a young man from athlete to humanitarian. . . . [Achon’s] life story is a shining example of the Olympic spirit.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Fantastic . . . Brant does a beautiful job of chronicling the tension. . . . Indeed, his work is first-rate throughout the book, and it makes for a read-in-one-sitting story.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Inspiring . . . Achon’s difficult journey as an athlete and humanitarian reveals how sport can provide a valuable avenue of hope for those seeking to rise above tragic circumstances.” — Library Journal
“This is an astonishing story about an amazing athlete who outruns not only the grinding poverty and deprivation of the Ugandan bush but brutal war and imminent death, then dedicates himself to saving his family and friends. This man has the heart of a lion. I couldn’t put this book down.” —John L. Parker, Jr., author of Once a Runner
“An instant classic . . . John Brant has given us an epic, moving, and ultimately hopeful story about the power of sport and friendship to transcend boundaries and make the world a better place.” —Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code
“Julius can’t remember who first saw the men. He heard no warning sounds—no dog barking or twig snapping. Until this point, events had moved too swiftly for Julius to be afraid, but now panic seized him. In another instant, he realized that his old life was finished.”
Thus begins the extraordinary odyssey of Julius Achon, a journey that takes a barefoot twelve-year-old boy from a village in northern Uganda to the rebel camp of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army, where he was made a boy soldier, and then, miraculously, to a career as one of the world’s foremost middle-distance runners. But when a devastating tragedy prevents Julius from pursuing the gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he is once again set adrift and forced to forge a new path for himself, finally finding his true calling as an internationally recognized humanitarian. Today, Julius is the director of the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund, a charity whose mission is to improve the quality of life in rural Uganda through access to healthcare, education, and athletics.
While pursuing his destiny, Julius encounters a range of unforgettable characters who variously befriend and betray the demonic Joseph Kony, a “world-class warlord”; John Cook, a brilliant and eccentric U.S. track coach; Jim Fee, an American businessman who helps Julius build a state-of-the-art medical center deep in the Ugandan bush; and finally Kristina, Julius’s mother, whose own tragic journey forms the pivot for this spellbinding narrative of love, loss, suffering, and redemption.
Written by award-winning sportswriter John Brant, The Boy Who Runs is an empowering tale of obstacles overcome, challenges met, and light wrested from darkness. It’s a story about forging your true path and finding your higher purpose—even when the road ahead bends in unexpected directions.
Advance praise for The Boy Who Runs
“Brant proves again why he is one of our best sportswriters, masterfully weaving a compelling narrative of an African country at war, along with the transformation of a young man from athlete to humanitarian. . . . [Achon’s] life story is a shining example of the Olympic spirit.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Fantastic . . . Brant does a beautiful job of chronicling the tension. . . . Indeed, his work is first-rate throughout the book, and it makes for a read-in-one-sitting story.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Inspiring . . . Achon’s difficult journey as an athlete and humanitarian reveals how sport can provide a valuable avenue of hope for those seeking to rise above tragic circumstances.” — Library Journal
“This is an astonishing story about an amazing athlete who outruns not only the grinding poverty and deprivation of the Ugandan bush but brutal war and imminent death, then dedicates himself to saving his family and friends. This man has the heart of a lion. I couldn’t put this book down.” —John L. Parker, Jr., author of Once a Runner
“An instant classic . . . John Brant has given us an epic, moving, and ultimately hopeful story about the power of sport and friendship to transcend boundaries and make the world a better place.” —Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code
248 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2016
19 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 28, 2019
Wow. Talk about an eye opening story. Julius Achon has lived one incredible life. It was an exercise in perspective to hear about this man's journey from Northern Uganda to the United States and back again.
December 28, 2019
Ok, great story, great man and great runner. And penned, if not great at least some parts were beautiful and touching.
BUT, in my opinion, the author portrayed Julius like a superhuman; no flaws or mistakes on his behalf. Boring. It annoyed me. Whenever I read a book like this I want to learn about real human beings, not only the public figures. Dig deep into the person. The author did not do this.
Hell, we all fuck up n make mistakes. I do it all the time.
So I missed this part. Also, reading between the lines one could sense that there was more to the stories told than was in ink. (Searching on the Internet also added to this feeling...)
John Cook (his US coach) seemed to be a real asshole; exploiting and taking advantage of young African runners and never caring much for their well-being. Once a Nazi always a nazi? Maybe.
Also Julius wife Grace came across as somewhat negative. Always bitching or complaining.
And many persons mentioned or connected to Cook and Atchon (Salazar, Rupp, Gouchers, Aden etc) have been connected to doping one way or another so it makes you wonder to what extent they (Cook n Atchon) were involved...
As some reviews mention here it was a bit repetitive and I can agree. I loved reading about the running but the story was slow at times.
I knew who Atchon was before I started the book but I did not know his background. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in running.
BUT, in my opinion, the author portrayed Julius like a superhuman; no flaws or mistakes on his behalf. Boring. It annoyed me. Whenever I read a book like this I want to learn about real human beings, not only the public figures. Dig deep into the person. The author did not do this.
Hell, we all fuck up n make mistakes. I do it all the time.
So I missed this part. Also, reading between the lines one could sense that there was more to the stories told than was in ink. (Searching on the Internet also added to this feeling...)
John Cook (his US coach) seemed to be a real asshole; exploiting and taking advantage of young African runners and never caring much for their well-being. Once a Nazi always a nazi? Maybe.
Also Julius wife Grace came across as somewhat negative. Always bitching or complaining.
And many persons mentioned or connected to Cook and Atchon (Salazar, Rupp, Gouchers, Aden etc) have been connected to doping one way or another so it makes you wonder to what extent they (Cook n Atchon) were involved...
As some reviews mention here it was a bit repetitive and I can agree. I loved reading about the running but the story was slow at times.
I knew who Atchon was before I started the book but I did not know his background. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in running.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. Really inspiring and shows that if you are determined and work at something hard enough your dreams will come true. Julius is so dedicated to his cause and the hardship he goes through himself but just bounces back.
April 27, 2017
Three quarters of the way through The Boy Who Runs, it still felt like this would earn a 5-star rating and the top spot on my list of running books, superseding Charlie Engle's Running Man. John Brant is a master of prose and storytelling. His characterization of Julius Achon from boy to Olympian to struggling runner is brilliant, as are the vivid scenes with which he surrounds Achon all throughout those three phases. The excitement is unrelenting, as Brant knows how to plant seeds of uncertainty later to be reaped in setting the stage for a powerful climax to come.
Except the climax the reader hopes for never materializes. We keep our fingers crossed for a Hollywood ending, for Julius to overcome the odds and ascend to glory, but we also understand that this is a work of nonfiction and it could just as easily have a Greek-tragedy ending if Julius fails in his quest. Either way would represent a worthy climax. But we get neither. We get a strange Wall Street anticlimax -- from a book about a runner and running, it devolves into a book about business and dollar figures.
The Boy Who Runs tackles the question, How far can hard work, dedication and dogged self-confidence get a person? In that sense, the book's ending is valid. We get an answer. But in the context of a running book, the answer is disappointingly irrelevant. Reading this, one can't help but want to push Julius Achon to run one more race, one that will end in either epic triumph or epic failure but at least be a definitive resolution. That was painfully missing from the last quarter of the narrative and left it feeling empty and stretched thin.
Except the climax the reader hopes for never materializes. We keep our fingers crossed for a Hollywood ending, for Julius to overcome the odds and ascend to glory, but we also understand that this is a work of nonfiction and it could just as easily have a Greek-tragedy ending if Julius fails in his quest. Either way would represent a worthy climax. But we get neither. We get a strange Wall Street anticlimax -- from a book about a runner and running, it devolves into a book about business and dollar figures.
The Boy Who Runs tackles the question, How far can hard work, dedication and dogged self-confidence get a person? In that sense, the book's ending is valid. We get an answer. But in the context of a running book, the answer is disappointingly irrelevant. Reading this, one can't help but want to push Julius Achon to run one more race, one that will end in either epic triumph or epic failure but at least be a definitive resolution. That was painfully missing from the last quarter of the narrative and left it feeling empty and stretched thin.
August 28, 2017
Biography #15 of my Library Biography.
Julius Achon's life story is simply inspiring. Here is a boy from war torn Uganda who is able to follow his dreams, make something of himself, and find a way to use his accomplishments to give back to his family and his community. To me Achon's life provides proof that you should follow your dreams - but to know when you need to use what you have learned along that journey to benefit you.
What is truly amazing, to me, is that Julius' real dream is to ride on an airplane. As a child, he asks his father how can I ride an airplane? His father tells him to strive to be a runner like
the famous John Akii-Bua. Julius realizes this is what he must do. From that point on Julius works to obtain his first goal - become a successful runner. As he accomplishes each goal, his dream transforms to obtain new goals. And, thus, we have the important and influential man, Julius Achon.
I did not know who Julius Achon was when I started this book - but I am so glad I was able to get a glimpse at the person he is and how sheer determination can make all the difference in life. The book was well written - but I was not a fan of how it was broken up - in basically two parts and an epilogue. There were no chapters - which was fine, but I thought the two parts were too broad, and it could have been made into at least 3 parts - or maybe even longer chapters - just to give Julius' story more structure.
Julius Achon's life story is simply inspiring. Here is a boy from war torn Uganda who is able to follow his dreams, make something of himself, and find a way to use his accomplishments to give back to his family and his community. To me Achon's life provides proof that you should follow your dreams - but to know when you need to use what you have learned along that journey to benefit you.
What is truly amazing, to me, is that Julius' real dream is to ride on an airplane. As a child, he asks his father how can I ride an airplane? His father tells him to strive to be a runner like
the famous John Akii-Bua. Julius realizes this is what he must do. From that point on Julius works to obtain his first goal - become a successful runner. As he accomplishes each goal, his dream transforms to obtain new goals. And, thus, we have the important and influential man, Julius Achon.
I did not know who Julius Achon was when I started this book - but I am so glad I was able to get a glimpse at the person he is and how sheer determination can make all the difference in life. The book was well written - but I was not a fan of how it was broken up - in basically two parts and an epilogue. There were no chapters - which was fine, but I thought the two parts were too broad, and it could have been made into at least 3 parts - or maybe even longer chapters - just to give Julius' story more structure.
July 27, 2017
One of the reasons I write reviews in Goodreads is that I don't remember authors nor titles very well, mostly not the stories either. However, this book "The Boy who Runs; the odyssey of Julius Achon" which is about a boy from war torn Uganda and gets into the Olympics to run reminds me so much of a fictionalized story of Lucas Radebe ( whose title I don't remember) who came from the ghetto of Soweto, South Africa, to win in soccer Olympics. Lucas Radebe was held up by Nelsen Mandela as South Africa's superstar, a wonder for his country. Julius Achon did not do as well in the Olympics but participated, came to America, got coached, participated in college athletics, worked for Nike as a salesperson who also did workouts with Nike's champs, and started a non-profit that established a health clinic for his birth and growing up village "Awake".
Way back in the 1800's, Horatio Alger wrote novels about teenage boys who worked hard to escape poverty, but is was not always hard work that rescued the boys but something else. I read a batch of my Father's copies of this series as a child. This kind of story continues to inspire me. All is not lost in life when youngsters pursue their goals nor when I work on mine.
Way back in the 1800's, Horatio Alger wrote novels about teenage boys who worked hard to escape poverty, but is was not always hard work that rescued the boys but something else. I read a batch of my Father's copies of this series as a child. This kind of story continues to inspire me. All is not lost in life when youngsters pursue their goals nor when I work on mine.
June 13, 2019
This book didn’t just give me a glance into the reality of childhood in Uganda, it opened wide the door and provided a wonderful, albeit very difficult, story or survival & love for one’s home. The lengths that Julian went to to protect, provide for, and love his family are incredible. I am so thankful to get a behind-the-scenes look at why this great athlete was so driven to run, and I respect him all the more for it. He could have been even better in terms of worldly success, but his heart was focused on the people of Uganda. He ran for the Lord and for them, and the impact of that choice is substantial.
November 28, 2016
*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This was very informative and inspiring. There are so many things in my life that I take for granted and this gave me even more reason to be grateful.
The style of this worked really well. It was told more like a story than a textbook, but never felt like a novel. Everything was presented very well and sourced, so you know where it came from.
This book leaves me with the desire to help improve the lives of those around me and those far away.
Full review coming on my blog.
This was very informative and inspiring. There are so many things in my life that I take for granted and this gave me even more reason to be grateful.
The style of this worked really well. It was told more like a story than a textbook, but never felt like a novel. Everything was presented very well and sourced, so you know where it came from.
This book leaves me with the desire to help improve the lives of those around me and those far away.
Full review coming on my blog.
September 25, 2016
I probably would not have picked this book out for myself if I went shopping for a book.
I read this book in class, and it was touching. I found it a bit of a long drag, but it wasn't so bad.
It was quite a formidable story, in the way that it was about "a boy who runs"..
I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't read it a second time.
I read this book in class, and it was touching. I found it a bit of a long drag, but it wasn't so bad.
It was quite a formidable story, in the way that it was about "a boy who runs"..
I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't read it a second time.
June 4, 2017
Incredible story of a young man who grew up in Uganda, one you won't regret reading!
January 1, 2018
I read this because a woman in the writing group my wife belongs to is writing a children's book based on Julius Achon's story. Closely skimmed is probably more accurate. I found it more engrossing than expected for the Portland/Oregon/Nike Project connections. Of course the human interest angle is of note if you like your stories of Africa as first, bloody, grim and corrupt, and then, stage 2, inspiring.
If you're a recreational runner, you may find the esoteric details of training runs interesting, but it seems even less likely the general reader would. I don't read Runner's World, but I would guess that this book is adapted from several articles.
Wish there was an index, but that's not on the author. Not a great title either.
Floating through the background of this book like a ghost is Alberto Salazar, the alleged mastermind of current doping efforts. I didn't learn much about him from this book, despite Julius Achon's proximity to Salazar. Well, I learned in The Boy Who Runs that he is a devout Catholic. Thanks. So no illumination on what really is going on in the upper echelons of running, except that it sounds like a grind.
If you're a recreational runner, you may find the esoteric details of training runs interesting, but it seems even less likely the general reader would. I don't read Runner's World, but I would guess that this book is adapted from several articles.
Wish there was an index, but that's not on the author. Not a great title either.
Floating through the background of this book like a ghost is Alberto Salazar, the alleged mastermind of current doping efforts. I didn't learn much about him from this book, despite Julius Achon's proximity to Salazar. Well, I learned in The Boy Who Runs that he is a devout Catholic. Thanks. So no illumination on what really is going on in the upper echelons of running, except that it sounds like a grind.
June 28, 2020
Growing up in northern Uganda, Julius was one of a group of boys abducted by Kony’s forces and spent three months as part of the Lord’s Resistance Army. After escaping and making it back home, it wasn’t enough for him to be back in his village. When he heard about another Ugandan who had been an Olympic champion, Julius started to run. He became a world-class middle distance runner for several years. A twist of events introduced him to Jim Fee who encouraged him to start a health clinic in his home village as a way to give back.
Incredible story of rising out of trauma to a degree of success while remembering where he came from and his responsibility to family.
Incredible story of rising out of trauma to a degree of success while remembering where he came from and his responsibility to family.
January 11, 2018
The main character of "The boy Who Runs" is Julius Achon. Julius was very outgoing and determined when he knew he wanted to be a runner. The only problem is getting out of his little city in Uganda with no cars or way of anybody even knowing he was alive. He first started getting known around 1990.
I thought the hardest part in Julius Achon's life to overcome was before he decided to run he was captured by rebel soldiers so he could become one of them. Luckily, he had a chance to escape. We really don't know what it's like being in another country because of the freedoms like we have.
I thought the hardest part in Julius Achon's life to overcome was before he decided to run he was captured by rebel soldiers so he could become one of them. Luckily, he had a chance to escape. We really don't know what it's like being in another country because of the freedoms like we have.
July 24, 2017
I saw this in Barnes & Noble. I thought "I run. I might like this". Truthfully, the first part was ok. Not great but okay. The second part, however, leads me to not in good conscience be able to recommend this book. The book went into great detail, which is good. The book was short, which was really good. It's nice to read new things. Sometimes you like it. Sometimes you don't. No harm, no foul.
November 30, 2016
Two of my favorite topics all wrapped up in one book...Uganda and Running! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Julius Achon's life and how he persevered and overcame great difficulties. This is such an inspiring book.
August 2, 2017
Great story but a bit repetitive in the telling. Julius is an amazing man!
October 28, 2017
Fascinating biography of a Ugandan runner.
November 12, 2017
Compelling story of success despite adversity, though a bit slow in places.
April 13, 2019
An interesting tale of a young man's profound challenges, deep humility and innate desire to provide more for others.
January 1, 2022
Well, a good end to this year of reading as it's 31 December so I don't think I'll be finishing any additional books for 2021. But, happy to go out on a positive.
This was a really interesting, and inspirational, story of a boy from Uganda using his natural gift for running (and natural gift for tenacity, hard work, etc) to build a life much bigger than was ever expected based on his roots in a rural village of Uganda. The story takes him from his few months as one of the very early kidnapees of the LRA (what a fascinating perspective since most of the LRA escapees whose stories are known were from the later years when the group had essentially abandoned any real goals other than causing terror in the north of Uganda), to pushing himself to learn to run, to that bringing him to the US and then the disappointment of nothing really coming of that running promise - though his making it into something great through the founding of his charity group. Definitely a story worth reading and knowing about. (his NGO is still going, you can find the site here - https://www.achonugandachildren.org/)
Not a 5 star review because of a few things. The book was quite repetitive: I get it, he ran 40 miles, ok say it a few more times. And, to pad out the story it seems, they went deep into the history of his first US coach at George Mason who by all accounts basically exploited Julius and ruined his long term running career before just dumping him... and then doing it again. I get it, he was an important figure, but going all through his background and childhood was unnecessary. Maybe just because he was willing to give long interviews? Who knows. But it didn't ultimately add to the story, in my opinion.
This was a really interesting, and inspirational, story of a boy from Uganda using his natural gift for running (and natural gift for tenacity, hard work, etc) to build a life much bigger than was ever expected based on his roots in a rural village of Uganda. The story takes him from his few months as one of the very early kidnapees of the LRA (what a fascinating perspective since most of the LRA escapees whose stories are known were from the later years when the group had essentially abandoned any real goals other than causing terror in the north of Uganda), to pushing himself to learn to run, to that bringing him to the US and then the disappointment of nothing really coming of that running promise - though his making it into something great through the founding of his charity group. Definitely a story worth reading and knowing about. (his NGO is still going, you can find the site here - https://www.achonugandachildren.org/)
Not a 5 star review because of a few things. The book was quite repetitive: I get it, he ran 40 miles, ok say it a few more times. And, to pad out the story it seems, they went deep into the history of his first US coach at George Mason who by all accounts basically exploited Julius and ruined his long term running career before just dumping him... and then doing it again. I get it, he was an important figure, but going all through his background and childhood was unnecessary. Maybe just because he was willing to give long interviews? Who knows. But it didn't ultimately add to the story, in my opinion.
December 23, 2020
About a guy born and raised in Uganda, Africa. He is abducted as a boy soldier for some BAD experiences. He escapes and after seeing a plane fly overhead asks his father how he could fly in an airplane. His father responds with that he could become a famous runner. So, that is what he does, he trains himself, win some local races and then moves onto bigger towns until he gets a scholarship!
Her gets noticed and invited to the United States to run in college. Two Olympics appearances, out of college he has no visa so he bounces around. He visits his homeland which is in all out Civil War, DANGEROUS!
He gets a job with...NIKE and with help builds a health clinic in his home town. Pix. Insightful. Swearing.
Her gets noticed and invited to the United States to run in college. Two Olympics appearances, out of college he has no visa so he bounces around. He visits his homeland which is in all out Civil War, DANGEROUS!
He gets a job with...NIKE and with help builds a health clinic in his home town. Pix. Insightful. Swearing.
June 26, 2018
The story of Julius Achon is one that needs to be told. His story illustrates the reality of life in Uganda, the struggle of civil war, the possibility in hard work, and also the acceptance that sometimes things don’t work out how we’d like them to. If this story was fiction, it would have went so differently, but his story is more compelling than fiction. So often we get so wrapped up in first world, or localized problems, that we overlook what is happening in the broader world. Also, I love a story that involves track and field!
February 1, 2020
I recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer alongside Julius and his foundation in Northern Uganda this past November. It's still hard for me to find the words to describe how incredible this experience was. Reading his book added another dimension to my love and gratitude for Julius and the incredible foundation he worked so hard to build. I still pinch myself that I got to see firsthand all the amazing work he's done for his community - and still continues to do! Julius's story is one of hard work and perseverance. I cannot recommend this book enough.
January 23, 2021
Great story well told. I had heard of Julius Achon and his success as a young runner from Uganda but frankly I had little knowledge about his journey from rural Uganda at a time of tremendous political upheaval and violence - as an elite young runner - eventually to the US - transition from runner to philanthropist. And so much more. I recommend this book as an intimate and detailed portrayal of a humble, noble man who gave back much more than he ever received - at least in material terms. Be prepared to be inspired!
April 15, 2019
Great book
This book touched so many cultures
The book touched on the culture of Uganda and tribal kidnappings and warfare
It touched on the culture of college athletics and the pressure coaches put on their athletes
It touched on the culture of Nike and its beloved Oregon project
and lastly, it touched on the non profit sector, especially in how it deals with villages in Africa
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in running, Africa, or not for profits
This book touched so many cultures
The book touched on the culture of Uganda and tribal kidnappings and warfare
It touched on the culture of college athletics and the pressure coaches put on their athletes
It touched on the culture of Nike and its beloved Oregon project
and lastly, it touched on the non profit sector, especially in how it deals with villages in Africa
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in running, Africa, or not for profits
December 10, 2019
Julius Achon is an inspiring individual. John Brant's novel details Achon's life which is full of obstacles unimaginable to a large portion of the world's population. The author's repeated breaks between thoughts make the story seem to fly by while still retaining emotion and critical specifics. This novel is a must-read for aspiring athletes, humanitarians, and anyone else interested in shrinking their sense of self-pity.
February 18, 2019
Julius decided that he was going to get out of his village of Awake, he just didn't know how. He finally did through running. He sent back all his money to help save his family and a few others that he could. The story is just amazing, I read it in two sittings. The way heartbreak crushes, but he just keeps going. Trust me, you'll never complain about anything again after reading this.
September 2, 2024
Sometimes, I think this narrative could have used more details to really paint the scene and fill in characters and their relationships. Overall, though, I appreciate that Brant doesn’t get bogged down in sentimentality. He allows events to speak for themselves and trusts the reader to empathize. Achon’s life is remarkable.
January 28, 2020
This book was heart-breaking at times, but other times it was full of hope and joy. The story of Julius Achon as an Olympic runner and his life before in Uganda and afterwards in the USA was told without any undue hype.
Did anybody make a movie about that?
Did anybody make a movie about that?
May 31, 2017
An inspirational read about two inspirational men and a country struggling to heal. An amazing way to learn something about the modern history of Uganda.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews