I first heard the name Joss Naylor about 18 years ago when walking with a friend in Snowdonia and discussing the 14 peaks record. Feet in the Clouds set out his place in fell running legend very clearly, but you did not get to know much about the man. When I took up fell running again 18 months ago, the name also kept cropping up as holding various records for races.
Joss by Keith Richardson describes more of the man and the place he lived and work. It is a month since I read it now and I can remember more about the sheep and dog discussions than about the running. It gives a insight into life in Wasdale as a sheep farmer and less direct insight into the runner, but perhaps that is the point. Joss as a hard case was a product of both environment and genetics.
It is a beautiful book and reminds you there is more to running than just running.
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