Running for My Life

One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games

By: Lopez Lomong

Narrated by: Brandon Hirsch

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Running for My Life is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible: faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more.

Lopez Lomong chronicles his inspiring ascent from a barefoot lost boy of the Sudanese Civil War to a Nike sponsored athlete on the US Olympic Team. Though most of us fall somewhere between the catastrophic lows and dizzying highs of Lomong's incredible life, every reader will find in his story the human spark to pursue dreams that might seem unthinkable, even from circumstances that might appear hopeless.

©2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. (P)2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Lopez Lomong's story is one of true inspiration. His life is a story of courage, hard work, never giving up, and having hope where there is hopelessness all around. Lopez is a true role model." (Michael Johnson, Olympic gold medalist)

"This true story of a Sudanese child refugee who became an Olympic star is powerful proof that God gives hope to the hopeless and shines a light in the darkest places. Don't be surprised if after reading this incredible tale, you find yourself mysteriously drawn to run alongside him." (Richard Stearns, president of World Vision US and author of The Hole in Our Gospel)

Great Inspiring Story!! A must read!!

Loved this story! Wonderful narrator. If you enjoy feel good true stories, you won't regret this purchase. Listened every spare moment until finished in a couple of days.

Eye-opening read

This is an amazing story told by a tremendous human being. Truly displays the effects faith can have on one's life.

Absolutely Amazing and Inspirational Story

This is the story of a boy born in South Sudan that overcomes many obstacles through life. He endures kidnapping, a refugee camp, and is blessed to end up in the US. Running is a major part of his life, but his faith in God is truly the one thing that keeps him focused. He believes God has placed every person in his life and every situation there for a reason.

The book does not have any graphic scenes, but situations are described in a way that you get the point. Lopez does a wonderful job explaining everything from his childhood, his experience in coming to the US, learning about very basic things that we take for granted (such as a light switch), and his road to achieving his goals.

The narrator grew on me. At first I felt like he made the story feel somewhat 'simple.' But not long into the book I realized Lopez was young and mostly uneducated while in Africa (and when he first came to the US), so I grew an appreciation for the narrator.

I highly recommend this book. I didn't have a favorite part of the book, because the entire book is so good

The book inspired me to evaluate what I'm doing (and not doing) in my life, and to appreciate things like being able to flip a switch to turn off the lights.

Deeply inspirational story

I felt certain throughout the story I was listening to Lopez himself tell his story because the reader brought such conviction with his voice in the reading of Lopez' life story. I found renewed faith in God to be with me in my own life trials and see how powerful is the attitude of acceptance of NOW rather than worrying about the future or regret of past loses and trials. His story also renewed my appreciation of this great country I live in despite our current political situation. Lopez' FORCE DARFUR Foundation gives me hope for positive change in that tortured country and a way to do something to help. God never gives us more than we can bear. Lopez is proof of the undauntable human spirit. I'll join the race.

Be inspired to run (live, work, study, DO) BETTER!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Running for My Life?

Lopez tells his story in a way that you can't pick just one memorable moment! ALL of them are memorable. He paints the picture of his life in a way that you can see him moving through it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Lopez started describing his first days with his US family, and describing his thoughts at seeing his new house, I was laughing and crying at the same time. Even after so many years, you can still hear the gratitude in his words.

Any additional comments?

I have read as many books on Sudan, South Sudan, and by South Sudanese refugees as I can find! THIS is now one of my absolute favorites. Lopez describes his transition to the United States SO WELL. I think for many of us Americans, even those of us who have traveled to other countries, it's still hard for us to imagine what exactly it must be like to adjust to life here when you've never slept on a soft bed, or you don't know how to use a light switch! Lopez made that transition come alive for me in this book.

The narrator, Brandon Hirsch, did a fabulous job!!! The only reason I gave 4 stars is because I wish that Lopez had performed it himself. But it's still a fantastic performance of a book that inspired me more than I can really express!

From Sudan To Syracuse!

his was an interesting story. I had heard of the Lost Boys of the Sudan, but didn't know much about them. I knew that some of them had relocated to Syracuse, where I lived recently for several years. Imagine my surprise when I listened to this and read that he was one of them who went to Syracuse. This made the book even more enjoyable to me, as I could relate to the local references.

I enjoyed his story and learning about the troubles he faced in Sudan. Despite the serious nature of the book, some parts were laugh out loud funny, like the first time he touched snow when they were teaching the boys about life in America. I also thought his issues with figuring out how the shower worked was also amusing, although I'm sure he didn't find it that way at the time.

One of the things I appreciated about this book was his optimism and ability to see the good in things. He really appreciated his life in the U.S. and what others did for him along the way. When you listen to the news today and hear how many people hate America, this was quite refreshing. Many Americans who don't appreciate what we have would benefit from reading this book and listening to his words of joy and hope.

Incredible story and read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is my favourite book in a long long time. From the moment I started reading - I could not stop. I am sad now that it is over. Lopez has an amazing story. It is told in a light hearted way that had me laughing and crying.

Excellent

This audio book is a must listen. It is incredible what Lopez went through and still triumphed. The story is very well written and well narrated. I couldn't put the audio book down.

amazing book

one of the best and moving books I've ever read/listened to. would most definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to read something about achieving insane life goals.

Beautifully Told Story

This book is Olympian Lopez Lomong's account of being taken as a child soldier at the age of 6, his run to freedom and his journey to become an American citizen and to represent the United States in the Olympics. His story is beautifully told.

In 2019, I read "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier", an account of a boy soldier of Sierra Leone in West Africa written by Ishmael Beah. Beah's account is much more graphic and detailed, and might be difficult to read for some. Lomong's account of his experience is told in a much gentler fashion, but I suspect what he went through was far more horrible than what he shared. I am so very sorry that these things happened/are happening to anyone any where. I am thankful that some are able to share their story and that they have survived so beautifully.

I highly recommend this book. It is suitable for any age group.