Praise for An Anthropology of Wandering
“If you’ve ever said ‘Someday’ to yourself, Justin Bailey’s ‘An Anthropology of Wandering’ is a masterwork that should be required reading for anyone who dreams of adventure and far off vistas. Bailey’s cogent analysis of why and how our modern world makes us fear fulfilling dreams will make you reconsider. Following in the tradition of Margaret Mead, Frank Waters, and other noted scholars who applied anthropological principles to illuminate the pitfalls of modern existence, this single volume can change your life.”
“Adventure is among the oldest of human endeavors, and one of the least understood. Why do some push the boundaries while others seek safety? What can be gained? What are we willing to risk? Justin Bailey takes the reader on an adventure through these questions and more.”
The Book
Winner of the 2026 National Indie Excellence Award for Best Midwest Nonfiction
In An Anthropology of Wandering: How Adventure Can Alleviate a Fearful Culture, anthropologist Justin S. Bailey takes readers on his journey along the Appalachian Trail to better understand why humans seek travel and adventure and what ancient and modern forces prevent more of us from incorporating these instances of wandering into our lives. What role do our brains, media-saturated culture, and a fast-paced society play in shaping our behaviors and inhibiting our innate wanderlust?
The book dives into anthropology, travel, the nature of fear, and the meaning of adventure in society. Bailey entwines an adventurous narrative with compelling research to provide a rich, deeply reflective, and intellectually engaging work that blends memoir, anthropology, philosophy, and cultural critique. If you love social science, adventure, and travel, this book will be for you.
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