"The Marathon Man" is a thriller novel written by William Goldman in 1974. The story follows Babe Levy, a graduate student and marathon runner, who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy involving his estranged brother, Doc Levy, and a Nazi war criminal named Christian Szell. The plot unfolds as Babe unwittingly discovers a hidden secret that puts his life at risk. The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the psychological effects of trauma, culminating in a tense climax that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.