Why do so many men over 50 trumpet their desire to climb mountains—and do so—while fewer women over 50 act similarly? Caroline Paul, author of The Gutsy Girl, isn’t having it. In Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking—How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age, she profiles numerous women who scuba dive, surf, race BMX bikes and more in defiance of what our culture might not-so-subtly suggest about age-appropriate outdoor activities for women. She begins with herself: 57 years old, riding an electric skateboard into Yosemite, en route to meet a 52-year-old grandmother and adventure trainer who also happens to be a BASE jumper. As Paul details, science confirms that having a positive attitude on aging can do a body good; refusing to bend to fear or stereotypes is as solid advice as “use it or lose it.” Her storytelling here goes deep, exploring the nuances of each woman’s quest to understand her own pull to outdoor adventure. Tough Broad is as engrossing as it is inspiring.
Valiant Women is a vital and engrossing attempt to correct the record and rightfully celebrate the achievements of female veterans of World War II.
