Running with Sherman

The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero

By: Christopher McDougall

Narrated by: Christopher McDougall

"A delight, full of heart and hijinks and humor.... McDougall is a gifted storyteller who gets to the heart of the human-animal connection." (John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog)

From the best-selling author of Born to Run, a heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America, and, in the process, discovering the life-changing power of the human-animal connection.

When Chris McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder, he thought it would be no harder than the rest of the adjustments he and his family had made after moving from Philadelphia to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. But when he arrived, Sherman was in such bad shape he could barely move, and his hair was coming out in clumps. Chris decided to undertake a radical rehabilitation program designed not only to heal Sherman's body but to heal his mind as well. It turns out the best way to soothe a donkey is to give it a job, and so Chris decided to teach Sherman how to run. He'd heard about burro racing - a unique type of race where humans and donkeys run together in a call-back to mining days - and decided he and Sherman would enter the World Championship in Colorado.

Easier said than done. In the course of Sherman's training, Chris would have to recruit several other runners, both human and equine, and call upon the wisdom of burro racers, goat farmers, Amish running club members, and a group of irrepressible female long-haul truckers. An entire community comes together to help save Sherman, and along the way, Chris shows us the joy of a life with animals.

©2019 Christopher McDougall (P)2019 Random House Audio

Simply a Beautiful Story

I would rate this book 10 stars if I could. This is a fantastic story ... read by the author, who has a great voice by the way. Once I turned on the book I could not put it down. It was so charming, heartwarming and very informative about various subjects beyond animals. I was sorry when the story ended.

wasnt and animal lover when I started...I am now

This isn't just about Sherman it's about all the people who run with him or help to heal him or are healed because of him. Entertaining, informative, heartwarming, laugh out loud funny. A friend recommended it to me despite knowing I do not enjoy animal stories, usually. I put off reading it for months. It was perfect timing though, just like with the things that go wrong g in the book...something good steps in. This book appeared in time to help me with my own challenges. Read it!!!

Really enjoyed this book

This book was excellent - loved how the story was told; Funny, enjoyable, made me think about life, love, happiness. After reading this book, I had the urge to move to a farm, get a donkey and start running!

Uplifting and Great Narrator

An uplifting book with some eye opening education on the side. Narrator was very good. I enjoyed it.

love!

I've always wanted a burro after pet sitting for two sweeties when I was a teenager. 20 years later, I tell my husband regularly that it is still my dream to someday retire to a farm and have burros, goats, and chickens. He humors me and I think he's coming around. Listening to this book made me yearn for that day so much!

Inspirational, funny.

I truly enjoyed this book. Having just started walking after months of being sedentary, I was even more inspired by not only Sherman but the whole wonderful cast of characters. Christopher McDougall has an appealing way of narrating and writing that made this a pure joy to listen to.

Worth a listen

lovely, sweet story about a deeply neglected donkey, Sherman who becomes a long distance runner when he is adopted by the author. many interesting side stories along the way, like the Amish community. I thought the narration, just didn't quite hit for me, but still did the job. this story is also not quite as compelling as the author's first 2 books, but still worth your while.

Great Listen!

Loved it from start to finish. Full of quirky animals & people - entertaining! I got attached to the family & all the people involved.

Heartwarming story of the human/animal bond

This book forced my heart to fill with happiness and joy while listening to the author recount his story. There’s stories within stories that help paint pictures of the love we get and need to give to our animal companions.

shermy

I loved listening to this book. I learned a lot about donkeys, Amish life and the benefits of striving to be fit and healthy physically and mentally. it was a very entertaining read.