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Walking the line: Two oldies (and one dodgy hip) tackle the entire Western Front
One hundred years after the First World War ended in 1918, Nick and Fiona Jenkins set out to walk the entire Western Front - from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border - to find out what scars remain. They didn't even know if it was physically or logistically possible to complete their walk, but they discovered that much remains to be seen along the old front line. Join them on their walk to find out what they learnt - and share in the pain, the exhilaration and the sadness that they experienced.
"Can't think of better companions for an armchair trek across the Western Front than Nick and Fiona Jenkins. Entertaining, informative, witty and well written, it's one of the best travel books I've read."
And here's a selection of Amazon reader reviews for the 2018 first edition of Walking The
“This is a great read - thoroughly enjoyable and educational. It provides a real insight into the scale of the horrors of WW1. Not your run of the mill travel guide but does also serve that purpose as a sideline. All credit to the authors for the scale of their task, a very impressive physical feat.”
“Nick and Fiona Jenkins decided to fulfil a long-cherished to walk the entire length of the Western Front. Despite walking with the dead for six weeks, the Jenkinses seem to have remained remarkably cheerful. You are probably unlikely to try it yourself. But settle into your comfy armchair, with a cold bottle of Orangina - or one of the good Alsace wines which was their treat as they hiked over the Vosges mountains - and enjoy Walking the Line with Nick and Fiona, good companions in fair weather and foul.”
“As one with a great interest in WW1, I found out things of which I was unaware, particularly after leaving the Somme. I would recommend this book, it gives a different view and is more personally involving than others I have read.”
“Nick and Fiona Jenkins have written an interesting and enjoyable book about their ‘walk to end all walks’ from the North Sea to the Swiss border... They're very modest about the physical effort involved and they write in a thought-provoking way about the war and its suffering and the traces of it that remain in the different landscapes they travel through. Then they lighten the mood with the pleasures of an ice-cold beer or a chambre d'hote dinner after 20 or so miles of walking. Recommended.”
“Great book, very inspiring. Can highly recommend. Will walk at least some of the line next year.”
“A tender tribute to all those who fell in the Great War which unfolds with pathos and beauty as this intrepid couple plot their often arduous 1,000km course along the Western Front. Deserves its place on the bookshelves of the thoughtful. We will remember them, and their Great Walk.”
“A century ago the Western Front was a grotesque scar across the face of Europe. Time has softened the landscape but everywhere that Nick and Fiona Jenkins walk they find evidence of the horror and heroism of the Great War. This account of an epic journey along the Western Front is fascinating, moving and often tremendous fun.”
“This is an informative story of imagination and personal tenacity. I have been educated, entertained and challenged. I particularly love the juxtaposition of fascinating facts, tear-inducing reflections and prosaic details of survival. I also value the balanced response and empathy for all parties involved in that terrible war. Indeed, the book is woven through with a powerful, poignant sense of the utter futility of war. I guarantee that reading it will fill you with respect for this couple, but also make you wonder if you should follow in their footsteps! At the very least, it will stir you to read more and to do all in your power to promote peace.”
"Can't think of better companions for an armchair trek across the Western Front than Nick and Fiona Jenkins. Entertaining, informative, witty and well written, it's one of the best travel books I've read."
And here's a selection of Amazon reader reviews for the 2018 first edition of Walking The
“This is a great read - thoroughly enjoyable and educational. It provides a real insight into the scale of the horrors of WW1. Not your run of the mill travel guide but does also serve that purpose as a sideline. All credit to the authors for the scale of their task, a very impressive physical feat.”
“Nick and Fiona Jenkins decided to fulfil a long-cherished to walk the entire length of the Western Front. Despite walking with the dead for six weeks, the Jenkinses seem to have remained remarkably cheerful. You are probably unlikely to try it yourself. But settle into your comfy armchair, with a cold bottle of Orangina - or one of the good Alsace wines which was their treat as they hiked over the Vosges mountains - and enjoy Walking the Line with Nick and Fiona, good companions in fair weather and foul.”
“As one with a great interest in WW1, I found out things of which I was unaware, particularly after leaving the Somme. I would recommend this book, it gives a different view and is more personally involving than others I have read.”
“Nick and Fiona Jenkins have written an interesting and enjoyable book about their ‘walk to end all walks’ from the North Sea to the Swiss border... They're very modest about the physical effort involved and they write in a thought-provoking way about the war and its suffering and the traces of it that remain in the different landscapes they travel through. Then they lighten the mood with the pleasures of an ice-cold beer or a chambre d'hote dinner after 20 or so miles of walking. Recommended.”
“Great book, very inspiring. Can highly recommend. Will walk at least some of the line next year.”
“A tender tribute to all those who fell in the Great War which unfolds with pathos and beauty as this intrepid couple plot their often arduous 1,000km course along the Western Front. Deserves its place on the bookshelves of the thoughtful. We will remember them, and their Great Walk.”
“A century ago the Western Front was a grotesque scar across the face of Europe. Time has softened the landscape but everywhere that Nick and Fiona Jenkins walk they find evidence of the horror and heroism of the Great War. This account of an epic journey along the Western Front is fascinating, moving and often tremendous fun.”
“This is an informative story of imagination and personal tenacity. I have been educated, entertained and challenged. I particularly love the juxtaposition of fascinating facts, tear-inducing reflections and prosaic details of survival. I also value the balanced response and empathy for all parties involved in that terrible war. Indeed, the book is woven through with a powerful, poignant sense of the utter futility of war. I guarantee that reading it will fill you with respect for this couple, but also make you wonder if you should follow in their footsteps! At the very least, it will stir you to read more and to do all in your power to promote peace.”
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2018
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2 people want to read
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