It's Only a Mountain: Dick and Rick Hoyt, Men of Iron

by Sam Nall

Book by Nall, Sam

Genres: Nonfiction

331 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2002

Reviews

[Suezq · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is difficult to rate this book. It is a VERY inspiring story with terrible writing. There are other books out there about this father and son racing team, including one by Dick Hoyt himself. You might be better off choosing one of those.

[Lmcn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a special gift from a friend who had it autographed for me. After completing 6 Ironman Triathlons myself I knew who these two characters are! They inspired me and the love they had for each other is immeasurable! Loved it!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I never heard about these two until I read this book and now I am determined to know more. They are so inspiring!

[Amy Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've watched the annual coverage of Ironman Hawaii, you likely have seen the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt -- a father and son team who has defied all odds to participate in triathlons, marathons and a cross-country duathlon. Rick Hoyt was born with cerebral palsy and is a non-vocal quadriplegic. But his parents, Dick and Judy, made the decision to treat him like any other child. The book chronicles the family's story to do just that -- from fighting for his educational and access rights to finding ways to include Rick in all the typical family and boyhood activities. Through a teacher, his father Dick learned there was a way for his sports-fanatic son to participate, if he carried and pushed him. And thus began their athletic career. In triathlons, Dick pulls Rick through the triathlon swim on a raft, bikes with Rick perched in a special seat at the front of the bike and then pushes Rick in a running chair. Their story is inspiring and motivating and will make you examine the way you look at "disability" and "special needs."

While the story is fantastic, the writing in the book is pedestrian at times. The author injects himself into the beginning and end. He is repetitious to a fault (yes, we get that Rick likes Hooters girls) and has a tendency to over describe media accounts (such as giving a play by play of the NBC coverage of Ironman Hawaii after already describing the race.) I would have liked to hear more from the wheelchair athletes who weren't entirely welcoming to the Hoyts at the start of their athletic journey, about how competing helped, changed, encouraged RIck, particularly through his collegiate years.

The story of the Hoyts makes it worth the read, but the quality of writing is a bit lacking.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how many times I actually said out loud while reading, "man, i don't believe this guy." Dick Hoyt is some kind of super hero. This father/son duo not only completes ridiculously impossible athletic events including marathons and ironman triathlons but is actually extremely competitive with their times.

I'll tell you this though, all the wind would leave my sail if I'm running along at mile 23 in a marathon and I get passed by some 65 year-old man pushing his 100 lb. son in a chair...amazing.

If your eyes don't water on numerous occasions as you flip through pages, I'll personally give you a crisp 10 dollar bill. well, maybe a 5.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to meet Team Hoyt at the Hyannis Marathon Expo, and was able to get a signed copy of this book. Watching the way they interacted with everyone who stopped at their booth was very impressive. Dick made sure that Rick was involved in every conversation.

The book is a wonderful story about the love between a father and his son, and what they have accomplished together. I'd read about the Hoyt's before, but the details and insights into their family life were truthful, and even painful.

Much more than another "super-Crip" story.

[Heather Ekola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Team Hoyt. LOVE THEM!!! This is not a 5 star book by any stretch of the imagination, but their story is out of this world, and this is the only book in print that captures it. I've heard rumors they have a new book coming out, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I am not a sports fan, definitely not star-struck, and least of all a fan of athletes in general, but I would be truly honored to meet these fine men. This book is inspiring, uplifting, and will have you convinced anything is possible.

[Ciara]

i just watched the ironman on t.v. and sobbed the whole way through. they kept interviewing a dad who raced with his son. he swam tied to a raft to pull his son along, carried his son to the bikes and biked with his son on the front of his bike, and pushed his son across the finish line in a wheel chair. i can't wait to read this.

[Heather Jaynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing story, which I had never before heard of. Thanks to my sister for asking for it for Christmas. It might not be enjoyed by people that don't run or do triathalons in such a long format but for everyone else its still cool to hear about. I wonder if there is a movie.

[Susan Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational beyond words from both a physical and mental perspective.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Gives a great insight into a family who never saw their son as disabled and the dad who helped him become all that he can be.

I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very motivating and endearing father & son relationship.

[Matthew Wolfertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!!! Made me want to run. So I did. Trained and ran 19 miles one day.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read a hundred books about this amazing father son team. So inspiring!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring story....this father gives true meaning to devotion! Very uplifting.

[Mary Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a father and son's perseverance. Look up their video on you tube. Inspiring!

[Sara D'alessio · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will never feel the same way about doing a race after reading this book. So inspiring.