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Women's Distance Running Comes of Age
The Silence of Great Distance
by Frank Murphy
$19.00
Frank Murphy has done it again. In an engaging and evocative style,
Murphy breathes life into the story of the developing world of women's
athletics, focusing on long-distance running. With significant chapters on
Doris Brown Heritage, the women of the Soviet Union, and Mary Decker
Slaney, the primary narrative is carried by Stephanie Herbst, a nine-time
all-American who competed for the University of Wisconsin between 1984 and
1988.
This remarkable historical document, balanced with the ongoing
individual challenges and struggles of several women, may well take its
place as a literary piece of writing.
Essential reading for anyone interested in women's distance running.
Elsewhere in this catalog you will find Frank Murphy's other two books on running: "A Cold Clear Day" and "The Last Protest: Lee Evans in Mexico City."
$19.00 The Silence of Great Distance
Frank Murphy’s “Silence”
A Review by Katie McGregor
The very first thing Frank Murphy tells us is that one day he reached into his pocket to find a note stating, “Don’t forget Stephanie Herbst.”
Stephanie Herbst was an extremely talented girl who grew up and began her running career in Chaska, Minnesota. Her journey to find herself through running begins on a friendly run with her sister, continues through high school, leads to an athletic scholarship and extremely successful tenure at the University of Wisconsin, and ends as a result of someone else’s tragedy.
This amazing journey itself could be a book of its own. But before the story of Stephanie Herbst is exposed, other stories must be told. The extraordinary female distance runners who came before her built their sport and made it into the respected establishment it is today. Their record-breaking times and experiences are astounding.
Overall, The Silence of Great Distance presents a very in-depth look at
the rich history of women’s distance running. Stephanie Herbst may have been an inspiration, but she is just one story among many. Just like the note in the author’s pocket, the reader continuously needs a reminder or is likely to forget about her as well. How each individual reacts to Stephanie Herbst's story will be different, but everyone will end up with a greater appreciation for the sport and the women who brought her story to us.
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Cross Country Journal’s Publisher’s Note: Any reader who follows all aspects of our sport will recognize that Katie McGregor has represented the USA at the World Cross Country Championships. Her book review first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2003 issue of Minnesota Running & Track. We are republishing it here by permission of Teri Dwyer the editor of that issue.
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