by Rob Hadgraft (July 2007) 234x156
mm
paperback
224 pages
ISBN 978-1-905328-52-9
£14.99
The hardback edition is out of print.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR AMAZON KINDLE
Deerfoot:
Athletics' Noble Savage - From Indian Reservation to Champion
of the World (Kindle edition UK)
Deerfoot:
Athletics' Noble Savage - From Indian Reservation to Champion
of the World (Kindle edition USA)
Deerfoot: Athletics'
Noble Savage - From Indian Reservation to Champion of the World
(Kindle edition Euro)
TRACK STATS magazine:
‘This absorbing account of Louis Bennett, known as Deerfoot,
completes a trilogy by Rob Hadgraft, who has done athletics history
a huge service in chronicling three great pioneering runners.
These are meticulous, yet inspiring accounts, written with empathy
for the athletes and an understanding of the times. It would be
difficult to name the best of trilogy, but I can say for sure
that Deerfoot’s story entertained me the most.’
RUNNING TIMES (USA):
‘The first book-length biography of this extraordinary American
athlete, who dominated English professional running from 1861-3,
has been written by the assiduous Rob Hadgraft, the English enthusiast
who already gave us fascinating books on Shrubb and George. Hadgraft’s
usual thoroughness brings to life the noisy, rough-edged vigour
of 19th century running. It also gives insight into matters as
important as racism, Victorian popular culture and the colourful
early history of advertising and promotion. Hadgraft is commendably
forthright about the prevalence of race-fixing and show-boating
– Deerfoot often terrified the crowds with bloodcurdling
war whoops as he crossed the finish line.’
ATHLETICS WEEKLY:
‘Hadgraft has written biographies of Alf Shrubb and Walter
George and now he has focussed his skills on the recounting the
amazing tale of Deerfoot. Thousands turned out to watch a man
who became known as the ‘noble savage.’
TRACK & FIELD NEWS (Forum):
‘Hadgraft's newest book [on Deerfoot] looks remarkable! He
has done superb work on the leading figures of this early period.’
COOL RUNNING (Australia):
‘Hadgraft is a meticulous researcher, a freelance journalist,
who consults every available source: other athletics historians,
contemporary newspapers, magazines and books. He even managed
to find family members and thus accessed family papers. Deerfoot’s
British tour saw him run 130 events in 87 weeks and Hadgraft documents
each of these.’
RUNNING NETWORK (website):
‘Such detailed and painstaking biographies as this, of the
great distance runners of the past, are few and far between.’
JOEFELSO (Chicago website):
‘Baseball fans debate Barry Bonds or Babe Ruth and football
fans argue over Bret Favre or Bart Starr. I quietly hold onto
Deerfoot as the backwater great. Rob Hadgraft’s book may
not make the bestsellers’ list, but it’s consoling to
think Deerfoot’s legend trickles through the web, assuring
him the immortality he deserves.’
GLENHUNTLY ATHLETICS (Australia):
‘A fabulous story. With its combination of sporting excellence
and freak show, this is Deerfoot’s story told in full for
the first time. I recommend it very highly to anyone interested
in the early history of our great sport.’
BUFFALO NEWS (USA):
‘Deerfoot was arguably the greatest runner in Western New
York history, but as author Rob Hadgraft lives in England, scene
of Deerfoot’s greatest triumphs, word of this book needed
time to get here. But the internet makes it easy to obtain a copy.
It is acknowledged that Deerfoot was best in the world at distances
of around 10-15 miles – he would have been perfect at the
half marathon had it existed back then.’
ARRS NEWSLETTER:
‘Deerfoot was the first American distance runner to make
a big impact on the world scene, even greater than that of the
first Kenyan runners because he came in at the top, beating runners
who were acknowledged as best in the world. It took years for
the Kenyans to reach that level. In 1968 the notable athletics
historian Peter Lovesey wrote "The Kings of Distance"
which is unfortunately now out of print and staggering prices
for second-hand copies are quoted. Fortunately another British
author, Rob Hadgraft, has now written separate biographies of
the first three Kings of Distance.’