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Along Hadrian's Wall
Cover worn, page edges tanned. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.
- GenresTravel
223 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1975
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August 20, 2015
There are many books out now about walking the length of Hadrian's Wall, but this is one of the first (1956) and, as far as I'm concerned, the best. The author is a humble, self-deprecating but well-informed amateur, unafraid to ask for advice or interpretation as he stumbles (mostly in the rain) from fort to vallum to milecastle. His love of all things Roman and his passion for the English countryside shine through the text.
The first two sentences of David Harrison's Foreword testify to the elegance and good humour that distinguish the book: "Let me at the outset disclaim all pretence that there is anything noteworthy in walking the length of the Roman Wall. In these days, when youth is so strenuous and middle age so youthful, seventy-three miles is a trifle."
I had considered using that quote as a chapter heading for my book The Toronto Carrying Place , but my own walk was a paltry 26 miles (45 kilometres)and I felt outclassed. In fact, David Harrison wrote the book that I would have wanted to write -- but he is far more knowledgeable about his theme; and, in all fairness, there is far more information available about Hadrian's Wall than about the Toronto Carrying Place. Harrison's work was very much on my mind when I began to write. I did my best, but Harrison's gentle and civilized book is not to be outdone by the likes of me.
The first two sentences of David Harrison's Foreword testify to the elegance and good humour that distinguish the book: "Let me at the outset disclaim all pretence that there is anything noteworthy in walking the length of the Roman Wall. In these days, when youth is so strenuous and middle age so youthful, seventy-three miles is a trifle."
I had considered using that quote as a chapter heading for my book The Toronto Carrying Place , but my own walk was a paltry 26 miles (45 kilometres)and I felt outclassed. In fact, David Harrison wrote the book that I would have wanted to write -- but he is far more knowledgeable about his theme; and, in all fairness, there is far more information available about Hadrian's Wall than about the Toronto Carrying Place. Harrison's work was very much on my mind when I began to write. I did my best, but Harrison's gentle and civilized book is not to be outdone by the likes of me.
Displaying 1 of 1 review