Running with the Pack

'Most of the serious thinking I have done over the past twenty years has been done while running.'

Mark Rowlands has run for most of his life. He has also been a professional philosopher. And for him the two - running and philosophising - are inextricably connected. In Running with the Pack he tells us about the most significant runs of his life - from the entire day he spent running as a boy in Wales, to the runs along French beaches and up Irish mountains with his beloved wolf Brenin, and through Florida swamps more recently with his dog Nina. Woven throughout the book are profound meditations on mortality, middle age and the meaning of life.

This is a highly original and moving book that will make the philosophically inclined want to run, and those who love running become intoxicated by philosophical ideas.

Life-affirming... gets straight to the heart of why running is has such an important place in our lives... perfectly captures the essence of what happens when we lace up a pair of trainers and close the door behind us... Outstanding -- Robin Harvie, author of Why We Run
Rowlands is a lovely writer, funny and moving... If you're of an optimistic bent, hopeful that life will offer up moments of wonder and delight, then Rowlands is your kind - my kind - of philosopher -- Miranda Sawyer Observer
Rowlands's book is an inquiry into contemporary understanding of "what is important or valuable in life"... Enjoyable -- James Vincent Financial Times
Engrossing -- Ben East Metro
A joyful reverie on running, its pain and purity... Witty, wry and thought-provoking -- Patrick Neale Bookseller
A real treat. It's a serious philosophical examination of why we run and the value of it -- Paul Tonkinson Runner’s World
A powerful read, which weaves in ponderings on everything from ageing to the meaning of life. I defy anyone to read this and not be inspired to lace up their trainers Top Santé
Rowland's argues that running returns us to something we have lost as humans in our pursuit of goals, material or otherwise Independent
Recommended -- Paul McGurk Norwich Evening News
Exercise energises your thoughts, and reading this book is a bit like thinking while you run -- William Leith Evening Standard

Mark Rowlands was born in Newport, Wales. He is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Miami and the author of a dozen books, including the bestselling The Philosopher and the Wolf, also published by Granta. His books have been translated into fifteen languages. His website is , and he blogs at

Mark Rowlands explores the intimate relationship between running and thinking, especially thoughts about the meaning of life, in this brilliant follow-up to The Philosopher and the Wolf. 'Most of the serious thinking I have done over the past twenty years has been done while running.' Mark Rowlands has run for most of his life. He has also been a professional philosopher. And for him the two - running and philosophising - are inextricably connected. In Running with the Pack he tells us about the most significant runs of his life - from the entire day he spent running as a boy in Wales, to the runs along French beaches and up Irish mountains with his beloved wolf Brenin, and through Florida swamps more recently with his dog Nina. Woven throughout the book are profound meditations on mortality, middle age and the meaning of life. This is a highly original and moving book that will make the philosophically inclined want to run, and those who love running become intoxicated by philosophical ideas.

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