a magical read, one that elicits surprised chuckles even as it tugs at the heartstrings. The motley crew – both human and animal – that it introduces is an absolute delight; McDougall clearly has a gift for fully rendering the people that he meets. The term 'inspirational' is a loaded one when it comes to books, but it’s an apt descriptor here; the story of Sherman’s journey – and McDougall’s alongside him – does inspire, capturing the beautiful spiritual connection that exists between man and animal ... And while McDougall is at the story’s center, it is the characters at the tale’s outskirts that truly fascinate ... It’s a special thing to genuinely fall in love with someone you meet in the pages of a book. Rest assured: you can’t help but fall in love with Sherman the determined donkey. Running with Sherman is charming and hilarious, heartfelt and sincere. It’s a wonderful read for anyone who has loved an animal that needed to be loved … or has faced a challenge that seemed insurmountable but had someone there to stand (or run) alongside them.
... a charming story of rehabilitation, teamwork, athleticism, and the healing power of love between people and their four-legged companions ... McDougall has a colorful writing style that brings to life the animals’ personalities, as well as the various obstacles they encounter during their year of training ... As vivid as McDougall’s descriptions of his time with Sherman are, the author’s depiction of the humans involved in the donkey’s quest are even better ... Running 15 miles with donkeys is quite a different challenge than the 50-mile race McDougall tackled for his earlier book, but there are still plenty of technical details in Running with Sherman that athletes will surely appreciate ... McDougall describes all of it with exquisite detail, making Running with Sherman a fun and inspiring read, not just for runners, but for anyone who believes in the healing power of the human-animal bond.
McDougall’s account of how Sherman defied the odds to compete in the race is both inspiring and humorous, a testament to the depth of the animal-human connection.
