Book Review: Five Minutes to Race Time by Bill Hanks

Five Minutes Till Race Time is an autobiographical story about the author, Bill Hanks, a retired physical education teacher and coach who feels he has lived the American Dream. He believes that his story is not so unusual, but he writes it because he wants people to realize that it's possible to rise above their situation in life and overcome obstacles if they refuse to give up.

The book cover states that Bill came from a poor family from the south side of St. Louis, Missouri. "Being too small to participate in other sports, Bill used cross-country running and a strong faith in God to propel himself to a college degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. It also gave him the opportunity to run in the NCAA cross-country finals in Wheaton, Illinois."

Growing up poor, Bill Hanks learned early in life that he had to set goals and follow his dreams in order to successfully overcome obstacles in his life. His book is an inspirational reflection of a boy who focused on the positives in his life, worked hard to overcome problems, and learned from his experiences. It's a quick read, just 74 pages, but I found myself reflecting on its message days after I read it.

Throughout the book, Bill Hanks demonstrates the strength of his family's love. The family was extremely poor, but he recounts numerous experiences where he spends time with his father and his uncles. He talks about how he learned to fish and hunt from his uncles and implies that he developed an excellent work ethic from both his mother and father. His writing is so sincere that I could feel his love of family as he recounted their experiences together.

Mr. Hanks' ability to pull something positive out of any situation struck me as admirable. He credits several people who helped him by providing food, shelter, advice, and inspiration along his way. His stories of his struggles are told in a wholesome, matter of fact way, sounding more like blessings rather than misfortunes. I found myself moved by his accounts of stories that could have been extremely sad but instead appeared as opportunities for Mr. Hanks to learn and grow. Simple remarks by individuals became motivation for him to continue to strive toward his dream of college and success as a cross country runner.

The author correctly remarks that he alone is responsible for his success because he chose to stay focused and follow his dream. This is what makes the story inspirational for me. He could have easily used his circumstances in life as excuses for failing to fulfill his dream, but instead he took responsibility for making the most of his circumstances and successfully met his challenges.

I highly recommend this book. The writing is heartfelt and the message is inspiring.