Broke Through Britain: One Man's Penniless Odyssey

by Peter Mortimer

During the summer of 1998, Peter Mortimer set off on the 500-mile journey from Plymouth to Edinburgh, with no money, transport, or accommodation. This book tells of his experiences on the road, the physical demands placed on him, and the problems of life lived on the fringes of society.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sally Boocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get used to Peter's moaning but by the end of the book I really liked him. He told some very interesting stories and met some interesting people. Totally loved Sam. Was very sad when he left. A brave effort and it makes me wonder how hes settled back into townie life. Just goes to show we all have far more than we need.

[Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out as a good read but soon became a dull and repetative story of one man (and his dog) and their walk from Plymouth to Edinburgh in the summer of 1998. The idea was to do said journey with no money at all. The first thing that annoyed me was the author's use of actually getting people to give him a lift in their car! I mean if you are going to "walk" between two towns, then bloody walk, don't keep cadging lifts everywhere, it kind of defeats the object. There seemed a lot of "poor me" syndrome in this book as well and I got tired of reading of his poor feet lack of decent food etc. He also is not very complimentary to some of the people who help him with food and shelter and comes accross as rather ungrateful. There are a lot of really good books on travelling out there but this is not and never will be one of them.

[Pauline Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Peter Mortimer set off on a 500 mile journey from Plymouth to Edinburgh with his dog. He had no money, transport or accommodation arranged. He relied on the generosity of others for survival with some very surprising results. Its both funny and poignant and really shows the gulf between the rich and the poor.

[Andrew Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's been a lot of chatter recently over a certain book based on the SW Coast Path. Forget that and read this truly inspirational book on long distance walking. I read it when it was first published and wrote to Mortimer, I still have his charming letter reply. Since then I've re-read the book a number of times. His 500 mile walk without any money harks back to the ancient pilgrimages and the generosity of people along the way. It also explored what it means to be on the margins of society, not everyone welcomed a penniless 'tramp'. Mortimer sinks into dark places but always manages to somehow remain positive and keep going. I traced the route on a map once, it's staggering to think he did so much without money. [By the way the author profile on Goodreads is a different Peter Mortimer. This author is a journalist and writer]

[Ross Mountney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about his penniless journey and the philosophies it threw up on the way!

[Ann Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading your wandering from Plymouth to Edinburgh. It sounded funny ,sad ,frightening ,your so bloody brave and you met some unbelievable generous people.

[Lit Bug (Foram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1998, Peter Mortimer, in his 50s, decided to travel 500 kms through his home country Britain, but utterly penniless - a kind neighbor gifted him their terrier to accompany him, and the seemingly short journey, carried on foot brought to him, as well the readers, a wealth of experience never to be gained otherwise.

It sheds light upon one crucial aspect of life - what it means to exist on the fringes of a society, in a state of destitution, where you have no shelter and do not know where your next meal will come from, if it ever will.

On the way, he encounters all kinds of people - the outright rude, the outright kind and generous, the suspecting yet kind.

It is a very heart-warming account, told with no needless grandiosity - there is a consistent light-hearted, humorous, yet compassionate vein throughout the narrative, making it a light, easy read, despite being filled with the uncertainty of the journey and desperate lack of funds.

[Robert Garrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. For a start, there's just the idea of it. Walking without money from Plymouth to Edinburgh. The kind of idea that makes you just a little bit regretful that someone else has already done it, so you can't think of it yourself.
Then there's the story itself. The author encounters kindness and humanity in all kinds of places, from rich and poor alike, and also a good measure of fear and suspicion. There are some wonderful descriptions of the places he passes through, of parched afternoons, glorious sunsets, the relief of finding shelter for the night and the misery of trudging along the roadside in the driving rain.
Above all, its a great adventure story, and one that tells us it's not necessarily where you go that makes the adventure, but how you go there.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the Hindu idea of by the time you hit 50, you should make a pilgrimage, Peter Mortimer decides to trek through Britain from Plymouth to Edinburgh. There is a catch, he plans to make the journey with no money, reliant on the charity of those he meets. An interesting idea, on his trek, he finds the people who help him are those he would avoid in his previous life: Peter is a vegetarian agnostic, many of those who help him are associated with hunting or Christians. His is an inspiring story.

[Dave Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped Jenn and I survive in our first few months of our own nearly broke adventure in Britain. An amazing story of how one man walked from one end of Britain to the other all with no money. He survived through the generosity of others. An amazing story!!

[Jenn Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lovely surprise find in the Birmingham library while we were living in the UK, and it was such an inspiring read, especially at a time in my life when I was feeling rather lost and had no money myself, helped get me through :)

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read that reminds us there are plenty of genuine and wonderful people still out there.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Peter Mortimer decided to take a month out and walk from Plymouth to Edinburgh. He took no money and made no prior arrangements so was dependent upon the kindness and generosity of the people he met on the way. Some of them were suspicious of his intentions, some were just about helpful but there were some who were so good and kind it restored his faith in the human race.