North

Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail

By: Scott Jurek, Jenny Jurek

Narrated by: Scott Jurek, Jenny Jurek

From the author of the bestseller Eat and Run, a thrilling memoir about his grueling, exhilarating, and immensely inspiring 46-day run to break the speed record for the Appalachian Trail.

Scott Jurek is one of the world's best known and most beloved ultrarunners. Renowned for his remarkable endurance and speed, accomplished on a vegan diet, he's finished first in nearly all of ultrarunning's elite events over the course of his career. But after two decades of racing, training, speaking, and touring, Jurek felt an urgent need to discover something new about himself. He embarked on a wholly unique challenge, one that would force him to grow as a person and as an athlete: breaking the speed record for the Appalachian Trail.

North is the story of the 2,189-mile journey that nearly shattered him. When he set out in the spring of 2015, Jurek anticipated punishing terrain, forbidding weather, and inevitable injuries. He would have to run nearly 50 miles a day, every day, for almost seven weeks. He knew he would be pushing himself to the limit, that comfort and rest would be in short supply -- but he couldn't have imagined the physical and emotional toll the trip would exact, nor the rewards it would offer.

With his wife, Jenny, friends, and the kindness of strangers supporting him, Jurek ran, hiked, and stumbled his way north, one white blaze at a time. A stunning narrative of perseverance and personal transformation, North is a portrait of a man stripped bare on the most demanding and transcendent effort of his life. It will inspire runners and non-runners alike to keep striving for their personal best.

Critic reviews

"Pure suspense, adventure, and inspiration. When Scott Jurek went into the woods to create his masterpiece, no one knew if he would make it back out again. He was America's greatest ultra athlete, a runner whose brains and singular intensity led him to years of extraordinary victories. But this time, Jurek was pushing himself into realms more dangerous than Death Valley, more treacherous than Mexican canyons, and only slightly less crazy than the time he chased after a wild bear. His story of plunging into the wilderness in pursuit of a dream is both heartwrenching and spellbinding."—Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run and Natural Born Heroes

"Scott Jurek's record-setting journey on the Appalachian Trail was the most punishing, most demanding, most grueling feat I've ever personally witnessed. By mile 2,000, he was a hollowed-out, broken-down carapace of a person. And unless he found something, some way not just to keep going but to speed up, he was going to miss the record. Over those final 200 miles, I watched him dig deeper than I thought humanly possible: he not only claimed the fastest known time, but - most impressively - never failed to greet a fellow blaze-hiker with a smile and a cheery, 'How far ya' going?' Now, reading his immersive and engaging book, where he asks and pushes himself to find the answers to all of the 'whys,' I almost don't want his suffering to end, just so I can enjoy another chapter."
—Aron Ralston, adventurer and author of 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

"When Scott first shared with me that the AT would be his next record setting challenge, I was in awe at the stamina it would require and the precision in planning and preparation that it would ultimately entail. Scott, and Jenny, are both living proof that what you dream you can also make manifest. Read this book and redefine your own personal limits."
—Christy Turlington Burns, Founder & CEO Every Mother Counts

"What sucks you in is the fact that the Jureks' daily struggles matter. Their candid sharing of each day's minutia places you on the trail alongside them."—American Trail Running Association

"North chronicles the highs and lows of an epic journey, both inward and outward."—New York Post

"North will cement Jurek's position and reputation. It is a heartfelt, honest, exciting account of an inner, metaphorical journey."—The Daily Camera

"Like his first book, Eat and Run, Jurek's journey is nothing less than inspirational."

—Live Kindly

A Vulnerable Account of More Than A Guy Hiking

I told my friend about the book and she asked "Why would you read something like that? It sounds so BORING!" And truth be told, I kind of expected it to be. But there were so many moments that this book touched me in unexpected ways. I expected to hear about the grit and determination, but not what was happening internally to Scott, and not what was happening with the people around him. I loved that Jenny was a major voice, and I loved how open she was about her needs and their relationship. Her perspective probably made the book twice as enjoyable for me, and emphasized one of the major themes of the book, community.

I'd say more, but I don't want to give much up. Scott's wholehearted narration and perspective makes listening to his earlier book more difficult.

terrific telling of an epic tale

the story of the Jurek’s adventure North up the Appalachian Trail in 2015 is both inspiring and harrowing.
they share the highs and lows with honesty and candor you rarely find in “running” books.
great book.

North

Great to hear both sides of an ultra running event. A great read about the AT with the opposite approach of A Walk in the Woods.

Another great book from Scott

this book was inspiring, entertaining, and brutally honest. at first I thought I was not going to like listening to Scott and Jenny read this book but they grew on me quick and I ended up loving hearing them tell this epic adventure. hearing the story from 2 different perspectives was unique and fun. this story brings one on an emotional rollercoaster and just builds in suspense and excitement throughout.

Excellent!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent storytelling and great production. Thanks for taking us along for the trip!