Walking Toward Peace: Veterans Healing on America's Trails

by Cindy Ross

Walking Toward Peace shares the intimate stories of veterans who, post-deployment, have wrestled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through a process called "ecotherapy," spending time in nature to promote healing and mental health, they have found new tools to deal with issues that have resulted from combat survivor’s guilt, nightmares, lack of trust, depression, hypervigilance, thoughts of suicide, and lack of purpose. Some veterans profiled here have gone to extremes, spending months on long-distance expeditions, like hiking the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail or canoeing the 2,320-mile Mississippi River. For many others, however, brief excursions in the outdoors offer an opportunity for healing. Author Cindy Ross examines current research and perspectives of professional therapists and provides information on organizations devoted to healing veterans in the outdoors. Each featured veteran is depicted in an illustrated portrait.Veterans share their stories, frequently as they sit by a campfire, describing wartime traumas and their present lives. Through their collective voices what becomes clear is that anyone suffering from any form of PTSD may discover the powerful comfort and healing that can be found in the outdoors.

Genres: Outdoors

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2021

Reviews

[Brian Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a vet with ptsd, and an avid trail runner. Trail running has helped me immensely, way more than road running ever did. Also just getting out in the woods and mountains in general. So I thought I'd give this book a try.

CONTENT WARNING: There are descriptions of trauma, some fairly graphic. I should have expected it and prepared myself, but I didn't. I wasn't quite ready and had 2 rather intense ptsd moments.

There's a good variety of veterans' experiences, both in the military, and with the outdoors. And Ross personalizes them and their stories very well. Also, the focus on the ways some veterans are giving back and helping the community is great.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am probably not the typical audience for this book -- I am not a member of the military or a member of the community of people who help provide services for military members -- but I am a hiker/outdoorsy person. I learned a lot from reading this book -- about PTSD, about nature-based therapies, about services for veterans. While the book wasn't long, I felt that it should have been a little bit shorter, as the content felt repetitive to me at a certain point. A very important message though.

[Lampard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Toward Peace is a moving and compassionate look into the lives of veterans seeking healing after the trauma of war. Through raw, heartfelt stories and the transformative power of nature, this book shows how ecotherapy can restore hope, purpose, and peace. Cindy Ross masterfully blends research, personal narratives, and stunning illustrations to create a deeply inspiring and important read—not just for veterans, but for anyone impacted by PTSD. An essential, uplifting book.

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

Such an inspiring book. Ross is a true trail angel and het stories of the veterans she works with will inspire and fill your heart with love and caring. She is a true angel.

[Fonda B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is excellent. I could feel their pain.

[Haley Pauls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommendation from my chiropractor. Not my typical kind of book, but I enjoyed it.