{"title":"John Brant","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of John Brant, a renowned author whose compelling narratives in the realm of Biography and Memoir bring real-life stories to the forefront. Brant has a knack for transforming extraordinary lives into page-turning accounts that resonate deeply with readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his celebrated works, \u003cem\u003eThe Boy Who Runs\u003c\/em\u003e stands out as a gripping chronicle of courage and perseverance. Brant delves into the incredible journey of a young athlete overcoming insurmountable odds, weaving a tale that is both inspirational and filled with profound insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Brant's storytelling is characterised by meticulous research and a deep empathy for his subjects, offering readers not just stories but meaningful experiences. His books are perfect for those who love to explore the adventurous paths of remarkable individuals through expertly crafted prose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a seasoned biography enthusiast or new to the genre, John Brant's works promise to enlighten and engage, inviting you into the lives of those who dared to dream big.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-boy-who-runs-by-john-brant-9780553392159","title":"The Boy Who Runs","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor runners and readers of \u003cem\u003eOutcasts United\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eRunning for My Life\u003c\/em\u003e, the story of Julius Achon, the Ugandan boy soldier who became a world-class runner, then found his true calling as director of a charity that saves lives and inspires people every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the tradition of Uzodinma Iweala's \u003cem\u003eBeasts of No Nation\u003c\/em\u003e by way of Christopher McDougall's \u003cem\u003eBorn to Run\u003c\/em\u003e, this is the inspirational true story of the Ugandan boy soldier who became a world-renowned runner, then found his calling as director of a world-renowned African children's charity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Julius can't remember who first saw the men. He heard no warning sounds—no dog barking or twig snapping. Until this point, events had moved too swiftly for Julius to be afraid, but now panic seized him. In another instant, he realized that his old life was finished.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThus begins the extraordinary odyssey of Julius Achon, a journey that takes a barefoot twelve-year-old boy from a village in northern Uganda to the rebel camp of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army, where he was made a boy soldier, and then, miraculously, to a career as one of the world's foremost middle-distance runners. But when a devastating tragedy prevents Julius from pursuing the gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he is once again set adrift and forced to forge a new path for himself, finally finding his true calling as an internationally recognized humanitarian. Today, Julius is the director of the Achon Uganda Children's Fund, a charity whose mission is to improve the quality of life in rural Uganda through access to healthcare, education, and athletics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile pursuing his destiny, Julius encounters a range of unforgettable characters who variously befriend and betray him—the demonic Joseph Kony, a \"world-class warlord\"; John Cook, a brilliant and eccentric U.S. track coach; Jim Fee, an American businessman who helps Julius build a state-of-the-art medical centre deep in the Ugandan bush; and finally Kristina, Julius's mother, whose own tragic journey forms the pivot for this spellbinding narrative of love, loss, suffering, and redemption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by award-winning sportswriter John Brant, \u003cem\u003eThe Boy Who Runs\u003c\/em\u003e is an empowering tale of obstacles overcome, challenges met, and light wrested from darkness. It's a story about forging your true path and finding your higher purpose—even when the road ahead bends in unexpected directions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdvance praise for \u003cem\u003eThe Boy Who Runs\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Brant proves again why he is one of our best sportswriters, masterfully weaving a compelling narrative of an African country at war, along with the transformation of a young man from athlete to humanitarian. . . .  Achon's life story is a shining example of the Olympic spirit.\"—\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Fantastic . . . Brant does a beautiful job of chronicling the tension. . . . Indeed, his work is first-rate throughout the book, and it makes for a read-in-one-sitting story.\"—\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Inspiring . . . Achon's difficult journey as an athlete and humanitarian reveals how sport can provide a valuable avenue of hope for those seeking to rise above tragic circumstances.\"—\u003cem\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"This is an astonishing story about an amazing athlete who outruns not only the grinding poverty and deprivation of the Ugandan bush but brutal war and imminent death, then dedicates himself to saving his family and friends. This man has the heart of a lion. I couldn't put this book down.\"—John L. Parker, Jr., author of \u003cem\u003eOnce a Runner\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"An instant classic . . . John Brant has given us an epic, moving, and ultimately hopeful story about the power of sport and friendship to transcend boundaries and make the world a better place.\"—Daniel Coyle, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Talent Code\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46628270833900,"sku":"9780553392159","price":70.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/112443482385.jpg?v=1751908356"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/john-brant.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}