To the limit The meaning of endurance from Mexico to the Himalayas

Crawley, a British anthropologist with a personal best 2:20 marathon, follows up his award-winning book, Out of Thin Air (2021), chronicling his time living with a group of Ethiopian runners, with this in-depth look at "the connection between endurance and what it means to be human." This should not be mistaken for an homage to running-- the book includes wide-ranging topics from eighteeth-century pedestrianism to Native American traditions to cycling, mountaineering, and, yes, ultrarunning. Noteworthy chapters include: "Technology and the Elephant in the Room"--a relevant topic for this time--and "Enduring Social Media," where he draws back the curtain on athletes who must devote energy building their brand in addition to scraping by on a meager salary. Whether Crawley is in Mexico or Nepal, as a gifted storyteller he deftly balances his role as an observer and active participant. This will appeal to endurance athletes and readers who wonder why people participate in extreme endeavors. Overall, an interesting look at customs, beliefs, and what it means to endure in cultures around the world.