The Man Who Broke Out of the Bank and Went for a Walk across France

by Miles Morland

At the age of 45 Miles Morland resigned from his highly paid job as head of the UK division of a major American bank and went for a walk with his wife in France. Neither of them was used to walking further than the distance between a restaurant and a waiting taxi. They walked from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, 350 miles through the foothills of the Pyrenees, staying in small country inns and occasionally sleeping out along the way. The author describes the pleasures and agonies of the walk and reflects frequently and with relief on the life from which he has escaped. The pressures of his former life had affected him in many ways, the repercussions including divorce and then remarriage to his former wife Guislaine.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2014

About the author

Mr. Miles Quintin Morland is the Founder, Partner, Co-founding Partner, and Chairman of Development Partners International LLP. He spent many years in money management and investment banking in London and on Wall Street, as Head of First Boston's office in London. He founded London Business School and served as its Chairman of Africa Advisory Board for five years. He serves as a Director of a number of emerging market funds, the Dubai Investment Group, and of various companies active in Africa.

Reviews

[Rouleauville · Rating 1 out of 5]

In my opinion, not better than Peter Mayle (contrary to the blurb on the front cover). Not even close.

As a travelogue this is barely passable and is very repetitive (we walked, it got hot, we checked into a hotel below our standards, we ate).

Note that this is a reissue of a prior book (A Walk Across France) - the 'walk' took place in 1989. So even if you plan to be travelling in the same area and are tempted to read this book I'm not sure how much info you can glean from it. Part of me wishes I could have read Guislaine's version of events - who seemed to interact much more with the locals.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading it. Perhaps just like Miles Morland & his wife weren't sure about their walk when they started it. As I continued to read and follow them on their walk across part of France I became hooked on the book. Being a hiker but not a trekker ( yet) their idea fascinated me. Perhaps some day I just might do a trek, not quite as rough and I would do it on designated trails. Worth a thought

[Indy Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud Miles Morland for his bravery in giving up his job to walk across France. I can only dream of following in his footsteps, financial constraints keep me from exploring all life has to offer. I did enjoy reading the theory about the reason for the rose bush at the end of every row in the vineyards, but the rest of the story was, not to put too fine a point on it, lacking in flavour, bland almost. Not descriptive or witty enough.

[Maciek Brzeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read (as expected). Perfect for vacation reading by the pool or ocean.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun walk and now I know how hot south France can be.

[Pamela Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please See My Full Review at:
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