Although the first sub-four minute mile was run 50 years ago, this feat still manages to inspire awe throughout the world of athletics. Even though the barrier has been broken hundreds of times since then, that first race stands a s a symbol of man's ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Neal Bascomb commemorates this event with the timely publication of his book The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, one goal, and less that four minutes to achieve it.

In this fast-paced account, Bascomb attempts to address what exactly what it is about running a mile in under four minutes that leaves us still celebrating the event 50 years after the barrier was first broken. While many athletic accomplishments go largely unnoticed by all but a relatively small number of devoted fans, the breaking of the four-minute barrier was one of those rare feats able to transcend individual interests and unite people throughout the world. Bascomb offers a number of suggestions as to the causes of the fascination with this event. The fact that so many had come within seconds of reaching the barrier, making it seem impossible, made it all the more desirable. Bascomb also describes how part of the fascination with the event stemmed from the fact that "The four- minute mile had to be won alone. There could be no teammates to blame, no coach during halftime to inspire a comeback.Winning a footrace, particularly one waged against the clock, was ultimately a battle with oneself, over oneself." The element of the individual struggle and triumph, so different from team sports, helped add to the challenge.

Whatever the cause of the fascination with breaking the four- minute barrier, Bascomb is able to capture the struggles and excitement as three men attempted to become the first to reach the goal. He is able to weave the stories of Sir Roger Bannister, John Landy, and Wes Santee in such a way as to keep the reader on edge, constantly changing his mind as to which athlete he hopes would be the first to break the barrier. Bascomb is able to describe the extremely different yet equally grueling training styles of each of the athletes in a way that inspires awe at the sheer speed and volume of each of their workouts. His descriptions of the athlete's races and record attempts are so vivid as to leave one feeling as if he is in the stands watching the races unfold.

The unique backgrounds and interests of each of the athletes trying to break the barrier are part of what that makes the story all the more remarkable. Bascomb narrates the backgrounds of each of the three athletes beginning with the story of Sir Roger Bannister who is able to ultimately be the first to break the record while training only 30 minutes a day as he works through medical school and pursues his own research into the physiological effects of running. The story then shifts to John Landy who puts himself through hours and hours of grueling training while at the same time working on his agricultural sciences degree at the University of Melbourne and pursuing his hobby of butterfly collecting. And finally is the story of Wes Santee who overcomes a difficult childhood and abusive father to eventually earn a spot at the University of Kansas where he was able to run while also working towards his degree, but must constantly battle with the AAU to be able to compete.

The book culminates with the race between Landy and Bannister at the Vancouver Empire Games in the race to determine who is the fastest miler in the world. Bascomb describes how this race became one of nationalistic pride and was one that was able to capture the attention of the whole world. Bascomb is able to illustrate this race in page turning detail that is fascinating to both the runner and non-runner. This book is a great read for anyone who is in any way interested in sports.

Editor note: Elaine Binkley is an avid reader and was All State in Cross Country and Track at Bishop Watterson High School. Last fall, as a freshman at Denison University she earned All American honors in Cross Country. In June she ran the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships.

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