Glass Box

Calum Marsh is a writer, reporter, and editor who specializes in art, culture, and sports. A regular contributor to The New York Times, his writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Playboy, Esquire, GQ, The New Republic, and New York Magazine, among others. He was a long-time critic with The Village Voice and served as the managing editor of Sharp, Canada’s leading men’s magazine. His long-form profiles and interviews have appeared in The Times (UK), Vulture, and elsewhere. His criticism has appeared in Pitchfork, The AV Club, GameSpot, IGN, Sight and Sound, and Film Comment.

"A gripping, deeply reported exposé of a billion-dollar empire built on sweat and shattered by hubris. Calum Marsh has delivered a definitive corporate thriller." — Bradley Hope, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Billion Dollar Whale"Fascinating story. Told with as much energy, fire and spirit as an early CrossFit class. With a lot less risk of injury." — Brian Koppelman, creator and executive producer of Billions and co-writer of Rounders and Ocean's 13"The Glass Box is a must read whether you're a die hard CrossFit addict or couch potato. Calum Marsh delivers a riveting account of one of the most influential fitness movements of our modern era, cataloging CrossFit's rise from a fringe workout to a global phenomenon through the shocking story of CrossFit's visionary and volatile founder, Greg Glassman. The Glass Box is sharp, deeply reported and reads like a thriller. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how ideas take hold in culture and how a groundbreaking company can veer into chaos." — Taylor Lorenz, author of Extremely Online"Once you read The Glass Box, you’ll see CrossFit everywhere. Calum Marsh’s book makes a convincing case that the fitness program has quietly been the defining movement of our time, that everything from gym equipment to online communities to politics has been shaped by the CrossFit philosophy and its fascinating, mercurial leader Greg Glassman. Full of fiery personalities, stunning twists, and underhanded betrayals, it’s a book just as magnetic as the movement that changed the lives of millions." — Mark Slutsky, author of the Something Good newsletter"As well-researched as it is unpredictable. Just when you think you understand CrossFit, you'll turn the page and your perspective will be flipped upside down. The first public account of the rationale behind the key decisions that shaped one of the most unique companies of our time. A must-read." — Brent Fikowski, nine-time CrossFit Games athlete and president of the Professional Fitness Athletes' Association"This is a wild story of greed, ego, death, chaos and so much money. Anyone who thought CrossFit was only about getting in shape is going to be extremely surprised." — Oliver Bullough, author of the Sunday Times bestseller Moneyland"Regardless of one’s relationship with the sport, the methodology, the individuals, or the community, The Glass Box should be part of every CrossFitter’s library." — Nicky Freymond, Morning Chalk Up"The chaotic rise, viral spread, and precipitous fall of CrossFit. This is the definitive account of how a fitness cult embraced by California law enforcement and rogue athletes exploded in the age of social media, and then crashed. Marsh has assembled a wide cast of true believers, elite competitors, and combative egos." — Patrick McGee, author of New York Times bestseller Apple in China"In this riveting exposé, investigative journalist and CrossFit participant Marsh draws back the curtain on the company’s launch, rapid expansion, and numerous legal and personality battles that pitted key employees against each other....One does not need to do handstand pushups or shinny up a rope climb to be interested in Marsh's inquiry. This is an intense and dramatic read chronicling the company culture behind a groundbreaking fitness program." — Booklist (starred review)“Captivating…It’s a wild account of how ego and recklessness undermined a groundbreaking fitness innovation.” — Publishers Weekly"[T]he story of this distinctly post-modern business/fitness methodology/internet sensation is vastly more gripping and unpredictable than you might expect. A page-turner with the momentum of an Aaron Sorkin screenplay." — Kirkus Reviews