Strangely inspiring ... - Rated 
I bought this book out of pure curiosity, as I do some distance running and am looking for future challenges(!). Initially I found myself struggling a bit with the format, which is basically an extended diary. However, the more I read, the more I found myself drawn along with the author's 'journey' in his training for this event and while the event was a relatively small part of the book, I felt it worked for me.
If you are looking for a book that will tell you what training you need to do to complete this event, this is probably not for you (although if you do what the author did, that would probably work - it did for him!). If however, you are looking for something inspirational that will motivate you to longer term goals, then I would recommend this.
Probably my only criticism is that the photos were not great, but I did not find that too detrimental. On the plus side, I have read it three times now, which must say something!
Must Buy! - Rated
In preparation for the Marathon des Sables 2008 I purchased "The Marathon Des Sables: Seven Days in the Sahara" written by Mark Hines. This book proved to be a indispensible guide in preparation for the 'toughest footrace on earth' providing a accurate and real world experience of what it takes to get prepared and then make it through the event. There are a number of tips for future competitors intending to take on the challenge of a lifetime. This is a easy to read book for anyone looking to experience the journey in preparation for the Sahara and for anyone looking to discover what the event is all about! Simply a "must buy" ...
poor - Rated 
i find the book light on relevant information, it took nearly 300 pages to reach the marathon. The training described is not in depth enough for someone wishing to compete in the event itself and the diary format made gave the book an amateur feel to it, definitely not value for money. There are better written books of this ilk on the market.
Original and Entertaining! - Rated 
Contrary to some reviewers, I actually think that this book exhibits a good level of English, with no more mistakes than I have seen in most other publications. As someone new to running I think that the diary style of the book works well, and there is a clear progression from basic fitness to completion of the event. Those purely interested in the race could probably skip some parts, but I enjoyed reading about the training sessions in Egypt and around the United Kingdom, and getting back to fitness after the operation. Like some others, I can't wait to get my rucksack on and head to the hills!
Very Disappointing - Rated
Having read many running books of this nature previously I was very disappointed with this book on many levels.
Should somebody be looking for a training guide for the Mds then this is not the book for them, and nor is it intended to be.
The intention of this book was to provide an inspiring insight into how the author came from a background of very little running experience,to train and to complete the toughest footrace on earth !!
I bought the book for this reason and I was let down. I expected something akin to "Feet in the Cloud",(but in the desert) Richard Askwiths excellent book about completing the Bob Graham Round or maybe a Hugh Symonds type book (running all the 303 peaks of Britain and Ireland),alas this is not a patch on them.
The best way i can descibe this book is a badly written school essay about "what i did in my school holidays". As much as I admire somebody who has completed this epic event, this book,apart from the last chapters where we finally get to the race are monotonous, badly written and with poor grammar.
The worrying thing is that the author has more books planned in the future ! If that's the case please get somebody to proof read them first.
p.s This book must hold the record for the use of the word "procrastinators"
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