Being neither a runner or history buff, Betty Robinson was a new name for me. Betty was just a regular young woman in high school, whose running talent was first noticed when she was observed running after a train. At a time (1928) when women were encouraged to learn sewing and other domestic skills, the idea of training to run competitively was a novelty.
Amid Betty's story, the author sprinkles historical tidbits about sports in general and about the Olympics. Competitors (and their coaches) that Betty encountered were also introduced with some commentary on their backgrounds.
Chronicling events from three Olympics: Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932) and Berlin (1936), the author recreates the tensions and trials of the women who competed. This book is a fascinating read and honors the women who blazed a trail in the arena of world-wide sports. Montillo captures the spirit and grit that shaped not only their own future, but the futures of female athletes for years to come.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Fire on the Track from Blogging for Books for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.
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