Makin a Mackem is a riveting and emotional memoir which charts Julie Carter's three-day run across the north of England from Cumbria to Tyneside, and the way it becomes both an ancestral pilgrimage and a journey of self-discovery. Reflecting on her own family background, growing up in the North-East, Julie considers running as her method of personal survival, and discovers how the modern global running movement actually started in the North-East, with her own ancestor playing a pivotal role.
Mackems are people from Sunderland in the North of England. This story of one Mackem explores universal topics: inheritance, community, our need to belong. Drawing on her expertise in genetics and medicine and her own lifelong running journey, Dr Julie Carter gives insights into how our human evolution shapes our emotional needs and the extent to which our genes influence our lives.
By Julie Carter.
Card cover, 22cm x 14cm, 320 pages.
Published 2023 by Mindfell.
ISBN: 978-1-9999554-5-8.
"Aimed at those seeking connection in a fractured society, this is a fascinating and inspiring running story"
Lisa Jackson, author of Your Pace or Mine?
"This beautifully articulated book took this non-runner on a fast paced journey up and down as I laughed and cried my way to the finish line. An incredibly inspiring and powerful experience."
Jo Watson, Founder of adisorder4everyone.com, Editor of Drop the Disorder and We are the Change-Makers.
"This raw, wise, humorous and touching memoir is an inspirational and compelling read for any human being engaged in the often troubling and difficult endeavour of growing into the history of their own life. It is utterly candid, compelling, poetic and staggeringly good."
Maggie Gregson, Professor of Vocational Education, University of Sunderland.