The Lance Mackey Story 1st edition by Lance Mackey (2010) Paperback

by Lance Mackey, Joe Runyan (Introduction), Jon Van Zyle (Illustrator)

Lance Mackey, the incredible Iditarod Champion, writes about his Alaskan childhood, his knock down battle with throat cancer, and how his obsession with dog mushing saved his life. Mackey has the distinction of being the only musher to win four Iditarod races. Not only that, he did it back to back two times by also winning the famous 1000 mile Yukon Quest. He did all this after overcoming battles with addiction, and after surviving cancer. Mackey's loyal and boisterous fans believe he is the greatest musher ever.

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

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Larisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the last book I read in 2012 becomes the one book I want to buy 20 copies of to give to friends. Friends who've survived serious medical issues, friends who live with chronic medical issues, friends who love animals, friends who train and compete with four legged teammates.

Start 2013 inspired...read this man's story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased the book when I met Lance Mackey in Alaska. His story is of a cancer survivor's determination to overcome physical challenges to pursue his love of mushing enough too win both the Yukon Quest and Iditirod two years in a row.
Inspiring story and a good read.

[David Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his story, very inspiring. I've watched a lot of video of him and it was good reading his book. Good encouragement, if you fall down, do like Lance, get up and keep going.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always admired Lance's career as a musher but to have so many obstacles thrown at you as in such a competitive sport is remarkable.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing man

[Carol J BRUEMMER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about dog sled racing. My neighbor gave this book to me, and I'm glad he did. Informative and interesting. I love the compassion and heart that Lance clearly feels for his sport and his animals.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very compelling and interesting story. Lance’s story highlights why having a father-figure is so important. He was rebelling and on a course for disaster. Fortunately, he and Tonya were able to break away from their downward spiral, at least temporarily. From 2001-2010, Lance had a highly successful nine years on the dog sledding circuit, achieving what no one else has done. The book storyline ends in 2010 and the downward spiral began anew. A great read!

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this around this time because I'm rooting for Lance in the Iditarod. What an amazing story, and an amazing man. Lance became an angry young man after his parents divorced when he was ten. After that, he was uncontrollable, causing his mother to send him to Coldfoot to be with his father, some 500 miles away from his friends.

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lance is as personable in his writing as he is when you meet him. His humor regarding his cancer is refreshing and it shows his determination to succeed in spite of his physical limitations. This is a must read for anyone dealing with cancer, addictions, or other situations dealing with family difficulties.

[Danthony74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I had it signed by the author when in Alaska and it was a fun read. His love of dogs made my heart happy. His perseverence thru hardship gave me strength!! Want to meet his Zorro.

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cousins sent me this autographed edition from Alaska, where they had the opportunity to meet Lance Mackey. It's a wonderful, heart warming story and you can't help but learn about mushing from reading this book!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mushing is a whole new fascination for me. This is an amazing story of recovery, determination, love of life, and empathy with animals. Now I understand what draws people into this extreme sport. The relationship of trainer with dogs is the most amazing part for me.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars: There are some truly remarkable people in this world. Mackey is a fine example of over-coming battles of long-term addiction, fighting cancer, and winning a competition based on survival, skill, determination, and bad ass inner toughness.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting more about Lance's struggles, but the insight of a champion's intense connection with his dogs and racing strategies were just as interesting.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring story of a dog musher who overcame addictions and cancer to win some of the most prestigious mushing races in Alaska. Great story especially if you like dogs.

[Maryann Winship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Well written. Lance faced a lot of obstacles and overcame them. His wife is amazing too.

[Laury Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Iditarod, I loved this book!