Inspirational and Aspirational
This is not a guide, in the sense that it doesn't offer such things as mile by mile lists of accommodations or sights. It isn't just or only a collection or gallery of photographs. Rather, it is a temptation and an inspiration.
The author covers ten major historic pilgrimage routes. A few are revisits to the classic Santiago de Compostela routes from Brabbs' earlier book. The rest are drawn from around Europe and offer surprising variety. Amongst others, you will travel the Scottish Borders, and to Mont-St-Michel, and through Germany, and deep into Italy. The point, if a project like this needs a point, is to get your motor running, to remind you of a glorious holiday you once took, or at least to provide you with a good and satisfying armchair trip.
After a very brief introduction the book is divided into different chapters for each route. We start with a basic route map, which overlies a medieval map of the territory. That's both charming and not especially helpful, which isn't an unusual combination for a book like this. We start the narrative at the beginning of the route and end at the end. Along the way we learn some history, are favored with an historical tale or two, have some of the sites pointed out, and then arrive at our destination safe and sound.
The photos are gorgeous, and well chosen. They aren't always the standard postcard views, and include details as well as landscapes.
Our guide for all of this is articulate and good humored. The balance achieved between and among historical fact, telling detail, fanciful story, route description, architectural description, and church history is impressive and nicely paced.
There is a listing of websites for different routes, but apart from that this is not a practical guide for planning a sojourn. But it will inspire, educate and entertain, which for me was quite enough.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)