The Complete Book of Running

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF RUNNING — JAMES F. FIXX (1977) First Edition, First Printing Book Condition: Fine — Apparently Unread Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+) — Presents as Fine HISTORICAL AND LITERARY SIGNIFICANCE James F. Fixx's The Complete Book of Running is a landmark work in American sports and fitness literature. Published in 1977, this influential bestseller helped fuel the recreational running revolution of the 1970s, introducing millions of Americans to the physical and psychological benefits of running. Tragically, James F. Fixx died of a heart attack in 1984 while running, the thing he loved most. His death remains one of the most poignant ironies in the history of American fitness. BOOK CONDITION — FINE, APPARENTLY UNREAD An exceptionally well-preserved first edition, first printing, exhibiting compelling physical evidence of having remained unread. The original red boards retain their rich, uniform coloring, without visible fading, scratches, dents, indentations, or other signs of handling. The black cloth covering remains exceptionally clean, free of visible particulate accumulation, scuffing, scratches, stains, or other surface imperfections. The interior boards retain their original white color along with the pages indicating a lack of exposure to oxygen and light for nearly half a century. In my experience as a bibliophile of 64 years a book that shows no loss of color interiorly or exteriorly for 50 years has and no accumulation of dust on top pages has been stored. The gilt JFF initials on the front board retain their original brilliance, while the lettering on the spine remains bright, sharp, and exceptionally fresh in appearance. Indicating the dust jacket remained on the book doing it's job for 50 years. Particularly noteworthy is the exceptionally tight, apparently unbroken binding. When gently opened, the book resists opening beyond approximately twenty degrees without additional pressure. The spine remains uncreased and unbroken, with no apparent evidence of repeated opening remaining unread. Photographs document the book's remarkable condition, including its pristine-appearing boards, brilliant gilt lettering, sharp corners, bright page edges, and exceptionally tight binding. ORIGINAL DUST JACKET — VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) The complete original dust jacket retains its brilliant, high-gloss red finish, with exceptionally sharp corners and edges. The exterior exhibits no apparent foxing, creasing, wrinkling, scratches, fading, or significant surface wear. If graded on exterior appearance alone, the dust jacket would merit a Near Fine or Fine grade. The Dust Jacket with high gloss finish no creases or tears presents beautifully. the Dust Jacket The Very Good Plus designation reflects three small areas of preventive repair; all located exclusively on the white interior surface of the jacket. The original tears are clean and straight, with edges that align naturally and lie flat. The largest measures approximately one inch, while another repaired area measures approximately one-quarter inch by one-quarter inch. These areas were reinforced with translucent, pH-neutral repair tape as a preventive conservation measure, intended to stabilize the existing tears and prevent further separation rather than cosmetically alter the jacket's appearance. No repair tape was applied to the exterior artwork. The repairs are exceptionally unobtrusive and virtually imperceptible during ordinary exterior examination. Detailed close-up photographs of all three repaired areas are provided for complete transparency. COLLECTOR'S CLOSING An exceptionally preserved first edition, first printing of a seminal work in American fitness history. As The Complete Book of Running approaches its fiftieth anniversary, this apparently unread copy offers its new owner a rare opportunity to be its first reader after nearly half a century. …