Iron War: Dave Scott, Mark Allen, and the Greatest Race Ever Run

I really enjoyed this book. I dabbled with triathlon back in the mid 80's and it brought back a lot of fond memories. I still don't have any urge to actually do Ironman!!!

Great book that covers one of the biggest races in triathlon history as well as the beginning of triathlon in general. Well written, well researched, worth the read. Even if you 'know the story' you should still read the book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s a great read. I’m passionate about Triathlon even as a late-starter age group ‘athlete’, as I only started participating in this sport about 7yr’s ago. So, although I knew who Mark Allen & Dave Scott are, this book provided so much more context, insights & perspectives on that era of Tri-legends, how Ironman evolved as a race since the early times & of that greatest of all time Iron War Race. I was moved, inspired & excited and towards the end I could hardly put this book down. Great work Matt, thanks for telling Dave & Mark’s story in such a great way relating it back not only to sport science & research, but to the human condition & spirit too - it’s truly impactful, thoughtful & very inspiring.

The short answer is that I found Iron War to be an eloquently written homage to two great athletes who really, truly put on one of the most extraordinary displays of gumption, grit, and competitive fire I have ever known. So meticulously wrought is the human dimension of this epic saga that I should think even non-athletes would find the story compelling and meaningful. The book offers depth along multiple dimensions, from rich background on the sport itself, to a controversial degree of detail about the lives and psychologies of the athletes, to some of the latest, greatest science about what makes a human being capable of such extraordinary effort. It is a feast of ideas as much as a gripping account of an extraordinary day.I feel sad that the athletes themselves are so upset with this work; I myself simply cannot imagine how I could feel defamed by this beautiful tale, although I am sympathetic as to why public exposure of some very personal information would at least make someone uncomfortable-- after all, we human beings have a disturbing history of judging each other with little compassion for each others' foibles and flaws. The author certainly delves into the psychology and life history of these two men in lavish detail, but this for me serves to greatly enrich the story and leaves me with a deeper appreciation for Allen and Scott and what they accomplished. As much as they both may have strove for perfection and invulnerability, both men are nevertheless thoroughly human, warts and all. This only makes their achievements more inspiring, and I have come away from this book thinking more of them, not less.This book is obviously just one person's perspective on that fateful day nearly 22 years ago, and of the chain of events that lead up to it, who is himself an imperfect human being. But the book appears to be meticulously researched, with plenty of end notes for the interested reader to follow up on. Facts are one thing, though, and impressions are quite another. Not even the athletes themselves are necessarily the final arbiters of the truth of what makes them tick, or what happened on that day. All of us are always interpreting our experience, weaving imperfect stories out of the information we have available to us. The notion that Fitzgerald intended to defame, embarrass, or misrepresent Allen and Scott stretches credulity; to me the book is clearly the work of a person who loves the sport, loves his craft, and greatly admires these two remarkable athletes. Please read this book and judge for yourself!

Mark Allen and Dave Scott have emerged as the greatest ironman champions in the history of triathlon. Iron War by Matt Fitzgerald provides a detailed, passionate, and honest version of their path to being the best in the world. Both men are characterized by humble athletic beginnings, each earning their positions on the world's greatest triathlon stage via an incredibly disciplined, hard working, and unyielding desire to battle the demons in their lives. Mental imagery, lessons on breaking down huge, ambitious goals into manageable pieces, and a strong desire to follow a relatively organized, disciplined plan are just some examples of tools used and presented in this extraordinary book. I am an age group triathlete and author of two novels that attempts to share my journey to the finish line of six Ironman races in Lake Placid  Ironman: Journey to Lake Placid  and the one and only U.S. Championship in NYC  Ironman U.S. Championship Bring It On Home . I mention this because Mark and Dave, as World Champions share their intimate experiences that are reflective of the mental battle that age groupers as well as world champions can overcome. Clearly on an entirely higher and more intense level, but the similarities of the need to overcome suffering in such a grueling endurance event brings it home. The relationship to the "age grouper" triathlete," which makes up the largest portion of any field at a race, can help us all relate with similar emotions, training, and lifestyle. The human element of family struggles, establishing and maintaining relationships, searching for life's answers and finding solace in hard work, primarily manifested in brutal training hours and intensity is beautifully illustrated in this book. The very difficult challenge of retiring from and moving on from something both men loved more than life itself is the final great lesson in this emotionally charged story of champions - a true, dramatic, Hollywood scripted event that must be witnessed. The conclusion that puts both men in their new roles in life, helping others to accomplish and succeed at their very best level-pure poetry!

Thrilling and inspiring. This is a great read contrasting the competitive spirit of a born vs made top athlete, as the author puts it. That distinction might be an overly simplistic summary, in my view, of the clearly different paths and approaches chosen by two great athletes, Dave Scott and Mark Allen. The book feels a little desktop researched. I don't believe either of the two athletes contributed to it. Nevertheless it is a riveting read. 1-star less because at times it is too descriptive and repetitive and focuses on mundane details and trivia that take away, not add to the story.

Having dabbled in triathlon in the late 80s early 90s I well remember Dave Scott and Mark Allen. The book was a great reminder of those days. Overall it was a good read but I did find it took a long time to get to the actual race. But when it did it was well worth the effort. The book was recommended by my brother, a more fanatical athlete than me, I thank him for that.

I read this while recovering from injury so had a whole lot more time on my hands. The story is really gripping and kept me in until the very last page! I had vaguely heard about the race but did not know the specifics so it was a complete discovery for me. I definitely recommend to anyone into triathlon, it's a very good and easy read.

Having read both Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and also Iron War I can say that both are superb books. The story of the great rivalry between the two finest Ironman Triathletes is riveting.The author cleverly weaves in between the history of each athlete and sections of the race. This gives a non athlete the feel for the pain that is experienced in an Ironman Triathlon and also the mental fortitude it takes to complete such an event.It is a fantastic red for any Ironman triathlete and anyone who aspires to join the ranks of crazy people who have earned the title of Ironman. Having completed 3 Ironman races I know I have learned loads of great tips with this book and it has also helped me to realise that no matter what I might dream I will never be this talented or motivated!

I had already completed my first ironman prior to reading this but I had no idea of the real history of the sport... This spells it out but not in a boring history lesson style.... This tells the tale of the greatest era of ironman and triathlon racing ever.... Dave scott vs mark Allen.Dave is all about working harder than the next man. Mark is all about finish, aero and technology.... You can feel the pain on the guys faces as you read the words.Breathtaking and very inspiring to anyone, especially the budding triathlete!