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Duel in the Sun (book)
Encyclopedia
Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon is a 2006 book by freelance sportswriter John Brant. Expanded from an article featured in Runner's World
magazine, the book tells the story of two American distance runners, Dick Beardsley
and Alberto Salazar
, and how their lives changed after both men ran the 1982 Boston Marathon
. Brant, a regular contributor to Runner's World since 1985 and a contributing editor at Outside
, uses a writing style in the book that relies heavily on flashbacks
and foreshadowing
. The result of this style is that the story of the marathon
and the story of the two men's lives are told simultaneously throughout the book.
Although the book has a plot and often reads like a work of fiction, it is in fact a non-fiction work, and the events described in the book actually occurred in real life.
There are three concurrent story lines: Beardsley's life, Salazar's life, and the marathon itself. It is revealed early on that Salazar, who was already a renowned distance runner in the late 1970s and early '80's, was the favorite to win Boston. Beardsley, described as a small-town farmboy, is clearly the underdog. But as the race progresses and the stories of the two men's lives are developed in greater detail, it becomes clear that both men will have a chance at winning the Boston Marathon, generally considered to be the most prestigious in the world.
The story gradually becomes an intense contest between Beardsley and Salazar as they leave the rest of the runners behind during the latter part of the marathon. The title comes from the two men's shadows cast by the hot sun onto the pavement as they run "in each other's pockets" during the final miles of the race, and anticipation builds as to who will win the "duel." The shadow is also featured prominently on the cover of the first edition as part of the title.
After the race, the lives of both runners spiral downhill. The book describes in detail Salazar's depression and compromised immune system
, and Beardsley's industrial accident and drug addiction.
, was a Cuban
expatriat who had fought alongside Fidel Castro
to overthrow the government of Fulgencio Batista
in the 1950s. Jose Salazar remained a Castro supporter until Castro assumed power and aligned with the communists. This story and the influence it had on Alberto Salazar is told in some detail in one of the flashbacks during the early part of the book.
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine, the book tells the story of two American distance runners, Dick Beardsley
Dick Beardsley
Dick Beardsley is an American long-distance runner best known for his close finish with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon.-Running career:...
and Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar is an American marathon runner of the 1980s. Born in Cuba, Salazar emigrated to the United States with his family. They ultimately moved to Wayland, Massachusetts, where Salazar competed in track and field in high school...
, and how their lives changed after both men ran the 1982 Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
. Brant, a regular contributor to Runner's World since 1985 and a contributing editor at Outside
Outside (magazine)
Outside is an American magazine focused on the outdoors. The first issue debuted in September 1977 with its mission statement declaring that the publication was "dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors..."Its founders were...
, uses a writing style in the book that relies heavily on flashbacks
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
and foreshadowing
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing or adumbrating is a literary device in which an author indistinctly suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the story.-Repetitive designation and Chekhov's gun:...
. The result of this style is that the story of the marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
and the story of the two men's lives are told simultaneously throughout the book.
Although the book has a plot and often reads like a work of fiction, it is in fact a non-fiction work, and the events described in the book actually occurred in real life.
Plot summary
The early part of the book describes the preparations that Beardsley and Salazar underwent before the marathon, along with many other aspects of the men's running backgrounds and personal lives.There are three concurrent story lines: Beardsley's life, Salazar's life, and the marathon itself. It is revealed early on that Salazar, who was already a renowned distance runner in the late 1970s and early '80's, was the favorite to win Boston. Beardsley, described as a small-town farmboy, is clearly the underdog. But as the race progresses and the stories of the two men's lives are developed in greater detail, it becomes clear that both men will have a chance at winning the Boston Marathon, generally considered to be the most prestigious in the world.
The story gradually becomes an intense contest between Beardsley and Salazar as they leave the rest of the runners behind during the latter part of the marathon. The title comes from the two men's shadows cast by the hot sun onto the pavement as they run "in each other's pockets" during the final miles of the race, and anticipation builds as to who will win the "duel." The shadow is also featured prominently on the cover of the first edition as part of the title.
After the race, the lives of both runners spiral downhill. The book describes in detail Salazar's depression and compromised immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
, and Beardsley's industrial accident and drug addiction.
Connection to Cuba and Fidel Castro
Salazar's father, Jose SalazarJosé Salazar
-Achievements:-References:*...
, was a Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
expatriat who had fought alongside Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
to overthrow the government of Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was the United States-aligned Cuban President, dictator and military leader who served as the leader of Cuba from 1933 to 1944 and from 1952 to 1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution....
in the 1950s. Jose Salazar remained a Castro supporter until Castro assumed power and aligned with the communists. This story and the influence it had on Alberto Salazar is told in some detail in one of the flashbacks during the early part of the book.
Criticism and Praise
- The book has received positive reviews for its message, which some critics consider to be inspirational and uplifting. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/16/SPGD5HOPOD1.DTL&hw=duel+in+the+sun&sn=013&sc=367
- Other critics complain that the unique narrative style "creates distance instead of allowing readers into the runners' heads." http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6297203.html?q=duel+in+the+sun
See also
- Grandma's MarathonGrandma's MarathonGrandma's Marathon is an annual road race held each June in Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. The course runs point-to-point from the town of Two Harbors on Scenic Route 61 and continues along Lake Superior into the city of Duluth...
- Greater Boston Track ClubGreater Boston Track ClubThe Greater Boston Track Club , a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 in Boston, Massachusetts to provide coaching for runners looking to remain competitive beyond their collegiate running careers....