What do you think?
Rate this book
The Way of the Wind: Embracing Life While Walking the Camino de Santiago
What Amazon readers are saying about The Way of the Wind:"Anyone planning to walk the Camino should read this book first""It will make you laugh and cry""Nothing has stirred me as much as this book""I was so moved""I absolutely loved this book"Seventeen years after surviving a family tragedy, a voice from deep within compelled John Pearson to walk the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. After two years of training, he stepped onto the Via Frances at St. Jean Pied de Port and an adventure began. At first, his motivations were unclear, but as the journey progressed, it became a pilgrimage and a Celebration of Life. This is a moving memoir of John's transformational journey into being an accepting pilgrim. He explores his humanity and spirituality with a practical voice. John takes you through each day providing an honest, humorous, and detailed account of the many challenges and triumphs on the trail. He holds nothing back.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2021
29 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 3, 2022
Stopped reading at page 181
This book was somewhat entertaining until page 181, and I quote “62 mi. (100 km.) minimum, so many Spaniards or foreigners who don’t have the stomach to walk further begin here. You can tell them apart from the regular long-walker pilgrims because they have tiny daypacks, clean and nice clothes, and smell good. We did not like them, but were generous in our empty greetings and shallow conversations.” Wow. What a completely rude comment, and arrogant. Why would you speak about people like that who you do not know? Some folks can’t take a month or more off work, some don’t have the physical ability to walk further than that but still want the experience. Some are recently recovered from major surgeries but despite that are determined to at least walk part of the Camino. Your remark that “we didn’t like them” clearly shows you did not have the true spirit of the Camino. Let others walk their walk without so harshly judging them and keep your “empty greetings and shallow conversations” to yourself. I can only hope that in some way the Camino changed your attitude but I won’t know as I returned this book before I finished it.
This book was somewhat entertaining until page 181, and I quote “62 mi. (100 km.) minimum, so many Spaniards or foreigners who don’t have the stomach to walk further begin here. You can tell them apart from the regular long-walker pilgrims because they have tiny daypacks, clean and nice clothes, and smell good. We did not like them, but were generous in our empty greetings and shallow conversations.” Wow. What a completely rude comment, and arrogant. Why would you speak about people like that who you do not know? Some folks can’t take a month or more off work, some don’t have the physical ability to walk further than that but still want the experience. Some are recently recovered from major surgeries but despite that are determined to at least walk part of the Camino. Your remark that “we didn’t like them” clearly shows you did not have the true spirit of the Camino. Let others walk their walk without so harshly judging them and keep your “empty greetings and shallow conversations” to yourself. I can only hope that in some way the Camino changed your attitude but I won’t know as I returned this book before I finished it.
December 11, 2023
The Way of the Wind: Embracing Life While Walking the Camino de Santiago is a terrific memoir by John W. Pearson. He walked the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port, France; a 500 mile journey.
Pearson saw a movie in 1981 when he was 20 years old about an Englishman hiking in Spain. That movie stayed with him throughout his life and he decided to walk the Camino at age 54 in 2015.
Pearson's family was in a serious auto accident in 1996 and his wife, Felicia, died at age 34. The seatbelt holding their six-month old daughter was torn from the carrier and the baby was ejected from their car but survived. Their three-year old son was unharmed. Pearson was seriously injured and had to learn to walk again.
Pearson's Camino journey is similar to reading a diary because each chapter is dedicated to one day on the Camino. His story provides terrific insight into relationships he developed on the path, gear, food, lodging, and weather.
I am planning on hiking the Camino in 2024 and I thoroughly enjoy reading books, blogs, and Facebook posts by those who have already journeyed on the Camino. Pearson's book is terrific!
Pearson saw a movie in 1981 when he was 20 years old about an Englishman hiking in Spain. That movie stayed with him throughout his life and he decided to walk the Camino at age 54 in 2015.
Pearson's family was in a serious auto accident in 1996 and his wife, Felicia, died at age 34. The seatbelt holding their six-month old daughter was torn from the carrier and the baby was ejected from their car but survived. Their three-year old son was unharmed. Pearson was seriously injured and had to learn to walk again.
Pearson's Camino journey is similar to reading a diary because each chapter is dedicated to one day on the Camino. His story provides terrific insight into relationships he developed on the path, gear, food, lodging, and weather.
I am planning on hiking the Camino in 2024 and I thoroughly enjoy reading books, blogs, and Facebook posts by those who have already journeyed on the Camino. Pearson's book is terrific!
July 26, 2024
A. dry good read
I had never heard of the Camino de Santiago till our Pastor told us of his plans for a sabbatical that included the walk. I have always enjoyed reading about others in their adventures of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I hiked a small segment myself while living in Pennsylvania, and hoped to walk a complete trip, but life got in the way. I found this book on Amazon and decided I needed to read it. I was not expecting much, but wow, I was sure surprised. The author, John Pearson, hooked me right at the start. His writing is smooth and even. His description’s while not wordy, conveyed a perfect picture. His description of why he decided to do the Camino, brought a tear to my eye, I to had lost a loved one, but not in the same way. I am glad I read this book and am glad it was John’s story.
I had never heard of the Camino de Santiago till our Pastor told us of his plans for a sabbatical that included the walk. I have always enjoyed reading about others in their adventures of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I hiked a small segment myself while living in Pennsylvania, and hoped to walk a complete trip, but life got in the way. I found this book on Amazon and decided I needed to read it. I was not expecting much, but wow, I was sure surprised. The author, John Pearson, hooked me right at the start. His writing is smooth and even. His description’s while not wordy, conveyed a perfect picture. His description of why he decided to do the Camino, brought a tear to my eye, I to had lost a loved one, but not in the same way. I am glad I read this book and am glad it was John’s story.
July 5, 2025
throughly enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews