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Today We Die a Little

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Emil Zátopek won five Olympic medals, set 18 world records and went undefeated over 10,000 metres for six years. He redefined the boundaries of endurance, but his toughness was matched by a spirit of friendship and a joie de vivre that transcended the darkest days of the Cold War. His triumphs put his country on the map, yet when Soviet tanks moved in to crush Czechoslovakia's new freedoms in 1968, Zátopek paid a heavy price for his defence of 'socialism with a human face'.

Rehabilitated two decades later, the world had all but forgotten him. Today We Die a Little strips away the myths to tell the complex and deeply moving story of the most inspiring Olympic hero of them all.

©2016 Richard Askwith (P)2022 Isis Publishing Ltd Olympics & Paralympics Politics & Government Sports
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As a Czech runner myself I thought I knew quite a bit about our national treasure. However, Richard’s book is full of facts and stories I didn’t know about and it was a fantastic read, even the often dark history of postwar communist Czechoslovakia. It’s always great to hear the author read his own book and Richard’s pronunciation of Czech is very impressive.

Inspiring and interesting even for us Czechs

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A thoroughly researched labour of love. Richard has great affection and respect for Emil Zatopek, but he doesn't shy away from covering the anachronisms and controversies of his life, alongside the formidable will, engaging personality and tremendous achievements. Zatopek lived through such turbulent political times and is an extraordinary giant of athletics. We also get a positive portrayal of his wife Dana Zatopkova, herself a champion javelin thrower and Olympic gold medallist. I got a great historical insight into the difficulty and horror of those times from the war years to the cold war, totalitarianism, and on to the Russian invasion and subsequent liberation. Very well narrated by the author.

Superb

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Emotional and insightful about a time in running and politics we should not quickly forget

Fascinating story well told - about a running legend

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enjoyed story but found it quite technical in places but for runners they may enjoy that aspect. narrator was very monotone and left long pauses. did not like his style but grew used to it by the end of the book.

story was very good although a little technical

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Such depth and passion on every page. This is no ordinary biography, merely listing off races and achievements.
Instead a deep exploration into how it might have felt to be Emile Zatopek as he journeyed with optimism and oppression through pre war, wartime and post war politics. Thank you Richard Askwith 👍

What a wonderfully written and researched tribute to the great man

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