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

by Miles Morland

Witty and beguiling, this Sunday Times bestselling memoir chronicles the hilarious and inspirational adventures of a man who escaped a career in finance to walk across France.

After twenty-two years spent "shouting down a phone," Miles Morland gave up his highly paid city job and walked across France with his wife. With no plans for the future, and accustomed to walking no further than the distance between a restaurant and a waiting taxi, they set off to walk from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, through the foothills of the Pyrenees.

The Man Who Broke Out of the Bank is an enormously entertaining account of the pleasures and frequent agonies of walking twenty miles a day in search of a long lunch in the shade of a plane tree. Looking back with relief and hilarity on the life he has escaped, Miles Morland wonders whether his recent remarriage to Guislaine will survive the abrupt change of lifestyle and a 350-mile walk . . .

Many people dream of doing what Miles Morland did. His book, first published by Bloomsbury in 1992, shows not only that it is possible but that the rewards can be immeasurable.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel

272 pages, Paperback

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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