{"title":"John L. Parker","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection of works by John L. Parker, Jr., a celebrated author renowned for his insightful portrayal of the athlete's world. Best known for his acclaimed novel \u003cem\u003eOnce a Runner\u003c\/em\u003e, Parker captures the spirit, struggle, and dedication inherent in the life of competitive runners, drawing from his own experiences as a former collegiate athlete.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOnce a Runner\u003c\/em\u003e, considered a classic in sports fiction, immerses readers in the life of a talented young runner chasing his dreams and pushing the boundaries of human endurance. Through Parker's engaging narrative style, each page vividly evokes the emotional and physical prowess of athletes, making it a compelling read for both sports enthusiasts and general fiction lovers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eParker's novels extend beyond just the thrill of running; they delve into the psyche of those who strive for greatness, providing relatable insights into ambition, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. His work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, appealing to anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story about overcoming challenges and the quest for personal achievement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore John L. Parker’s novels to experience tales that are as inspiring as they are entertaining, each one a testament to the author’s unique voice and storytelling prowess.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"once-a-runner-by-john-l-parker-9781416597896","title":"Once a Runner","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe undisputed classic of running novels and one of the most beloved sports books ever published, \u003ci\u003eOnce a Runner\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of an athlete’s dreams amid the turmoil of the 60s and the Vietnam war.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the author’s experience as a collegiate champion, the novel follows Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile. He is less than a second away when the turmoil of the Vietnam War era intrudes into the staid recesses of his school’s athletic department.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter he becomes involved in an athletes’ protest, Cassidy is suspended from his track team. Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medallist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to withdraw to a monastic retreat in the countryside and begin training for the race of his life against the greatest miler in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners, \u003ci\u003eOnce a Runner\u003c\/i\u003e is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46550323069164,"sku":"9781416597896","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9832283482692.jpg?v=1749971272"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/john-l-parker.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}