Cross Country

April 17, 2020

After the presidential election of Donald Trump in November 2016, professional runner Gates found his life starting to fall apart. He questioned himself and his career path, and then he and his girlfriend broke up. He then decided to run from one end of the county to another, from South Carolina to California, mostly through the states that voted for Trump. He wanted to understand why so many people in the middle of the country voted for a man he found reprehensible. Along the way, Gates encounters people who are kind and generous. Yes, there are the occasional obtuse chatters, addicts, and pistol-toting locals, but the author's openness and charm seem to get him though each potentially threatening situation just fine. This book features more than 200 stunning photographs and portraits, with short essays and interviews highlighting Gates's travels and the individuals he met. VERDICT An unusual and personal work that should appeal to armchair travelers and runners.--Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

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