Description:
LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021
'Could transform your running forever' - Runner's World
What we can learn from Ethiopian running culture - written by an anthropologist and 2:20 marathon runner who trained with the Ethiopians
Brief description: Michael Crawley is an anthropologist, writer and runner based in Durham. He has run a 2.20 marathon and represented Great Britain in road running. In 2019, Michael was awarded a PhD in anthropology by the University of Edinburgh, following fifteen months of research living and running alongside runners in Ethiopia. His book Out of Thin Air: Running Magic and Wisdom from Above the Clouds in Ethiopia won the prestigious Margaret Mead Award in 2022. Michael has written for the Guardian, Runners' World and Trail Running and his latest research is on endurance, self-tracking and doping which has taken him to Nepal and Mexico amongst other places.
Review Quotes:
"Excellent" --Runner's World
"Engaging, warm and humane... A delight" --TLS "Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia. I welcome everyone to experience the Ethiopian love of running, and to come and have the same life altering experience that Michael had. Running is life!" --Haile Gebrselassie "Inspiring ... evocative and easily paced ... Out of Thin Air peels back the layers of one of the world's most extraordinary and unexplored sporting cultures, and reveals a powerful simplicity at its core." --The Guardian "Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical." --Adharanand Finn "Out of Thin Air is marvellous. Crawley is a superb writer, runner and anthropologist. On every page, you'll learn something new about running, and about the culture of the people in the world who do it best." --Nick Thompson, CEO, The Atlantic "An evocative and clear-eyed portrait of Ethiopian running." --Ed Caesar "Out of Thin Air is a must-read ... We'd happily recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the sport. For the keen runner, it's a must-have!" --Trail Running "A deep dive into the rich and complex culture that produces some of the best runners the world has ever seen." --Alex Hutchinson, author of Endure "Fascinating ... This big-hearted tale will resonate with readers regardless of whether they've ever laced up a pair of running shoes." --Publishers Weekly "You don't have to be a runner to enjoy this book" --Woman's Weekly "Superb ... one of our favourite books ... recommended reading for anyone with an interest in distance running." --Athletics Weekly