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Debra Brown

Debra Brown

About

I have enjoyed creative pursuits for many years and have written my first book, The Companion of Lady Holmeshire. I have begun work on my second, For the Skylark.

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

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<p><b>The absorbing, definitive account of CrossFit's origins, its explosive grassroots growth, and its emergence as a global phenomenon.</b><br /> <br />One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, <i>Learning to Breathe Fire </i>combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die. <br /> <br />The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals. <br /> <br />In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that  cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out. </p>

Story Behind The Book

I used to watch period movies while I was making jewelry. I enjoyed them very much, but... I ran out! It was time to write a new story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did the writing.

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Reviews

<em>&quot;There is a cast of many interesting characters. I have to say, as well, that this read a lot like a variation of Upstairs, Downstairs. We are given a view of both the elite and servant classes through the cast of characters. It was fascinating.<br /><br /> &quot;Yet, what I enjoyed most was the surprises Brown managed to throw at me. None were what I expected and I appreciate that in an author. It was not till the end that all is revealed and I have a hunch Brown took a cue from Shakespeare’s Puck in a Midsummer Night’s Dream.<br /><br /> &quot;Debra Brown’s debut novel was a valiant and intriguing effort. Her writing style is sophisticated and on point and her ability to weave a story is unique and of a style I have not encountered before. I really enjoyed The Companion of Lady Holmeshire and wait for Brown’s next novel with anticipation.&quot;<br /><br /></em><strong>Kaydee, </strong><a href="http://fortheloveofausten.blogspot.com/2011/08/companion-of-lady-holmeshire-by-debra.html?spref=tw">For the Love of Austen</a><br /><br /><em>&quot;The suspense builds and the ending will shock you. Beautifully written with vivid details, the characters clever and well developed and the suspense intricately woven, it's hard to believe this is Ms. Brown's debut novel. Her attention to detail shows she has definitely done her research on the period. I really enjoyed this glimpse into the past and look forward to future works of author Debra Brown's.&quot;</em><br /><br /><strong>Wendy Hines; <span><a href="http://mindingspot.blogspot.com">Minding Spot</a></span></strong><br /><br /><em>&quot;Deborah Brown has mastered the genre of storytelling of historical, romanntic, mystery epochs and can spin a yarn right down to the Engish lisp and brogue. Is she our modern day Austen? <br /> &quot;For those of you who crave romantic intrigue combined with mystery, and humor - in all the right settings for all the right reasons- this is it.&quot;</em><br /><br /><strong>Antoinette McKain, <a href="http://www.kidsmartbooks.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="http://www.kidsmartbooks.blogspot.com">Kid Smart Books</a></strong>