This book is aimed at beginners, and it is a fantastic resource for that audience. This is the manual you want if you're a couch potato- or maybe just a timid novice. It offers a low mileage schedule that doesn't intimidate those just starting out even as it garners results.

Especially helpful is his 'run a mile, walk a minute' technique. It makes the idea of having to run 26.2 miles in one go a little less daunting. And let's face it, anything that makes that distance less daunting is worth it.

My only complaint is that instead of offering a straight guide to running the marathon, Galloway works in a story about a group of runners trying to finish their own marathon, which was a little cutesy and unnecessary. But if you can overlook that, this is a solid resources for those just starting.