Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work In Her Own Words

by Peace Pilgrim.

The silver-haired woman walked away from her name and vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace". On New Year's Day, 1953, she walked ahead of the Tournament of Roses parade handing out peace messages. It was the beginning of a pilgrimage that would last eighteen years. Traveling on foot without money or possessions, with only the food and shelter offered by well-wishers, she carried her simple yet compelling message throughout the United States and Canada. After the first 25,000 miles she stopped counting.

Peace Pilgrim's account of her journeys across America and her spiritual discoveries along the way continues to inspire growing numbers of readers worldwide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Spirituality, Memoir, Philosophy, Autobiography, Religion

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I thought it would be too much about religion but it offered different views that were kind of cool. For example, she talks to people and changes their views on things and teaches them to lead a happier life. I wish I could do that. I try to be positive, but I feel like I fail more often than not and she just carries this view of good in everyone wherever she goes! I admire that. I sometimes think people are just bad, and she finds everyone to be good. I wonder if the world has changed so much in the past forty years or whenever she wrote the book to today. I wonder if there are any peace pilgrims floating around our country (or the world)?!? A lot of the things she said were very insightful and she must have talked to an huge amount of people to be so wise.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this one...it's a short book about a woman's journey for Peace. She walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world:

"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good,
and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."

It's so simple and yet, we manage to do just the opposite everyday...We repay evil with vengence and violence...we lie, cheat and steal...and we harbor resentment and anger. Haven't we learned that these things get us no where?? I hope that we can all find inner peace and in the process, peace within our communities and throughout the world. Don't give up hope.

[Baratang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book while I was browsing the internet, looking for tips/messages/anything that will guide me into attaining peace in in my life. The book was free, I ordered it, and it didn't even take long to atrrive at my door step in South Africa. It was written in a simple way and message was amazing and liberating. The Preparations, Purifications and Relinquishments stood out the most. I write them down in every year's diary and read them in the morning or whenever a need arise.

The publication is more of a reference book, and I am going back to reading it this week. Peace Pilgrim was the first person to make me realise that unnecessary possessions were unnecessary burdens. Of the the relinquishments that a person had to do to alleviate the stress of life, the relinquishment of attachment to material things/positions etc was understandable but very difficult to do completely.

[Jennifer Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to rate this book as "It was amazing" because the life of Peace Pilgrim is nothing short of amazing.

I first heard of Peace Pilgrim through an NPR story and couldn't believe that I'd never heard of her before. After reading this book, I'm even more amazed that more people don't know about Peace. Surely, her life was as remarkable and influential as Martin Luther King or Gandhi or any other great spiritual teacher. For 28 years, Peace walked across the country as a pilgrim, "wandering until given shelter, fasting until given food." She owned nothing but the clothes on her back and refused to take more than what she needed while others in the world had less. Her message for attaining peace: "overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love." She was a deeply religious woman with no religious training, unaffiliated with any spiritual organization. Those who knew Peace spoke of her boundless energy, wit and love; hardly anyone met her without being significantly transformed. Peace was undoubtedly a prophet, and her words read like scripture. I'm amazed that such a woman lived in our times.

Some quotes from Peace:

"Live this day! Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

"If you don't live the present moment, you never get around to living at all."

"Every good thing you do, every good thing you say, every good thought you think, vibrates on and never ceases. The evil remains only until it is overcome by the good, but the good remains forever."

"Life is like a mirror. Smile at it and it smiles back at you."

What a beautiful soul! The best thing about this book: it's FREE. A society called "Friends of Peace Pilgrim" exists to distribute her materials free of charge. Google it and request your copy. It's always worthwhile to spend time with people whose whole lives bear witness to their deepest truths, people who have left the "normal" path for a better way. I think everyone should know about Peace Pilgrim. Her live was inspired and inspiring, and her message remains timeless and essential.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peace Pilgrim can, in my mind, join the ranks of the very small group who has walked the talk and followed Jeshua Ben Joseph better known to the world as Jesus. Though she never claimed allegiance to any specific tradition she does use a lot of Christian terminology with references to karma and reincarnation. This book will have a permanent spot in my collection and likely be revisited often for inspiration. What a tragedy to have lost such a beautiful human being when and in the way that we did.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

i remember my sister had this book when she was a hippy following the grateful dead. i would see it around occasionally but not think much of it because of my negative association with hippies. at a vegetarian festival i was given a free copy. when i flipped through it i was surprised to find it much more coherent than i expected and so was encouraged to read the book and found it very insightful and enlightening.

[Dayva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman of truly inspirational faith. This walk of faith touches the heart in places you don't even know you have.
This little book has come to me again.....I am reading it with new eyes and wisdom that I didn't have years ago.
Having always been a flag waving patriot, I have failed to really truly 'give peace a chance'. In mid life, I am seeing the alternative from a new perspective with what feels like a new heart.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story and collection of parables, ideas and articles. This book is about a woman who walked 25,000 miles for peace and called herself peace pilgrim. She was an advocate of non-violence and overcoming evil with good. She had a remarkable lifestyle living with no money, only her clothing and her toothbrush, fasting until given food and walking until given shelter.
She is truly an example of someone whose values, words and actions were one. I recommend this book to anyone interested in non-violence, spiritual growth, minimalism and non-attachment.

“As I was walking in the city, on both sides of us were displayed the things we can buy if we are willing to stay in the orderly lines day after day, year after year. Some have a claim to beauty, many are garishly ugly. Thousands of things are displayed—and yet, my friends, the most important are missing. Freedom is not displayed, nor health, nor happiness, nor peace of mind. To obtain those things, you too may need to especially from the orderly lines and risk being looked upon disdainfully.

“The theory behind not buying spiritual truth is this: one who has it would not be selling it so one who is selling it does not have it. These are the pearls without a price. As soon as you are ready for the spiritual truth, it will be given. On the other hand, you are given as you give. But paying a fee is not giving a gift. And you do not need to give to the one from whom you receive as we are all cells in the same body of humanity.”

“The path of gradual relinquishment of things hindering spiritual progress is a difficult path for only when the relinquishment is complete do the rewards really come. The path of quick relinquishment is an easy path for if brings immediate blessings.
To me, it was an escape from the artificiality of illusions into the richness of reality. To the world it may seem that I had given up much. I had given up burdensome possessions, spending time meaninglessly, doing things I knew I should not do and not doing things I knew I should do. But to me it seemed that I had gained much, even the priceless treasures of health and happiness.”

“In my childhood, I was trained to be generous and unselfish and at the same time trained to believe that if I wanted to be successful I must go and grab more than my share of the worlds goods.”

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The review will follow. It's nearly midnight...time for some sleep.

06/20/2017
Peace Pilgrim walked tens of thousand of miles offering kindness and goodwill to everyone she met. Sacrificing material possessions and simple comforts, her goal was to speak about peace; peace between people and peace among nations. The book is created from newsletters, interviews, newspaper articles, private conversations, and personal correspondence stretching nearly three decades.
Peace Pilgrim was devout. Her religious beliefs and trust in God propelled her into spreading peace as her life's work, her calling. Believing in God is NOT a prerequisite to reading and appreciating this book. Atheists and Agnostics alike will benefit from Peace Pilgrim's story. Her beautiful spirituality and commitment to purpose are inspirational. Her respect for individuality and freedom is powerful.

"You do not possess any other human being, no matter how closely related that other may
be...anything that you strive to hold captive will hold you captive - and if you desire
freedom, you must give freedom."

Inner peace, purity, acceptance and freedom from fear are just a few topics covered by Peace Pilgrim's words and experiences. This is a book that needs to be purchased. After reading it through, it then becomes a reference book and must be revisited frequently. Although its message of peace is profound, the book's examples of tolerance, selflessness, and devotion are priceless. A magnificent story about a unique woman.....I highly recommend it!

[Sierra Luce · Rating 1 out of 5]

so many thoughts.

tbh did not have super high expectations going into this but thought it would be an interesting read because i'd read about Peace Pilgrim and was interested in what she did. glad i read it bc i'd been meaning to for a while but was pretty disappointed & had major major issues with it.

like. yes i believe in love and yes i think love is so fucking crucial to our collective survival and growth. a million times yes. AND fundamentally i can't get behind the message of this book. she is advocating for pacifism above and beyond everything else, and so explicitly tells marginalized ppl so many times to pray for their oppressors and love the people in power and eventually the world will be better. wtf??? when has that worked. and how many people die because those in power don't give a shit. ?!?!?!?!

also way more God talk than i was expecting (this one might be on me but it was a lot).

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable woman. The spiritual teachings in this book didn’t necessarily cover any new ground, but it was an excellent perspective on one individual’s spiritual maturation and I enjoyed it a lot. There is real wisdom here.

[BLEEPING Herald Newsletter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peace Pilgrim, as she was known in later years, started her mission in 1953 when she stepped out in front of the Rose Bowl parade, dressed as simply as she appears on the cover, and began her pilgrimage with the vow she held for 28 years: “I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until I am given shelter and fasting until I am given food”.

Think about that. Get up and walk out your front door, your only possessions from now until you depart this world: what you are carrying on your back. No money, no cell phone, no address, no plans, ever.

She ended up walking across the country many times, logging over 40,000 miles. As the pilgrimage progressed she did many interviews, talked to schools and citizens groups, and gave, gave, gave to everyone she could. And as she often remarked that because of that, she received, received, received.

For more review: http://www.bleepingherald.com/apr2008...

[Amy Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know when I first heard about Peace Pilgrim but I’ve been curious about this woman who walked all across the country for years with a message of peace. It seems so 1970s (yet she started decades earlier) and it seems the country needs more peace right now.

This is not a book written by her but a collection of her writing and notes published by her friends.

Some of her words did not necessarily age well.

I think her fundamental philosophy— that inner peace will help bring about world peace is fine. But as a white woman she had privileges she couldn’t see which negates the reality of many people — you can’t positive-think your way out of a system meant to keep some in power and others down.

That being said, her message on service and detachment has a place in my life and is worth working on some more.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a spiritual book with sentiments from a spiritual woman.

You can download the pdf for free or request a copy here:

http://www.peacepilgrim.net/book/inde...

[Fran Taber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what your belief system is. This woman is so amazing I don't know why I never heard of her when she was alive. A real message of hope with practical ideas for the average person.

[Esther Ruvalcaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

That 100% trust is how I would love to live my life

[Totochelamouche · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has given us an example of a person who lived in inner peace and was filled with a boundless energy that grew rather than diminished with age.

She began what was to be a fifteen-year period of preparation, not knowing just what it was she was preparing for.

She wore navy blue shirt and slacks, and a short tunic with pockets all around the bottom in which she carried her only worldly possessions: a comb, a folding toothbrush, a ballpoint pen, copies of her message and her current correspondence.

After walking 25,000 miles, which took until 1964, she stopped counting miles and speaking became her first priority, although she continued to walk daily. Her increasing speaking schedule made it necessary for her to begin to accept rides often.

She died quickly in a head-on collision as she was being driven to a speaking engagement.

I was filled with a runaway enthusiasm to help others, and one could argue that when I solved so many problems for others I was depriving them of the spiritual growth problem-solving brings.

There were some who became too attached to me and I had to work on breaking the attachment.

Each day I get as much fresh air and sunshine and contact with nature as I can. I want to do much of my living out-of-doors and be a part of the landscape.

I don't eat junk foods and I don't think junk thoughts!

Now someone could do the meanest thing to me and I would feel deep compassion for this out-of-harmony person, this sick person, who is capable of doing mean things. I certainly would not hurt myself by a wrong reaction of bitterness or anger. You have complete control over whether you will be psychologically hurt or not, and anytime you want to, you can stop hurting yourself.

Yes, it was most certainly a time for a pilgrim to step forward, because a pilgrim's job is to rouse people from apathy and make them think.

For that purpose I wear my short tunic with PEACE PILGRIM on the front and 25,000 Miles on Foot for Peace on the back. It makes my contacts for me in the kindest way ... and I like to be kind.
You're in a much better position to talk with people when they approach you than when you approach them. Those individuals who are attracted to me are either genuinely interested in some phase of peace or just have a good lively curiosity. Both kinds are very worthwhile people.

The key word for our time is practice. We have all the light we need, we just need to put it into practice.

I got into his car, but first I scratched a large 'X' on the highway where I had been picked up. During the time I was counting miles, if I left the highway I would make a large 'X' and then return to the spot to begin my walk anew.

I said to myself, "25,000 miles is enough to count." It kept me tied to the main highways where mileages are recorded on road maps. They're not good places to meet people. They're just good places to count miles. Now I'm free to walk where people are. Also, mileages are not given for my favorite places to walk: beaches, forest paths and mountain trails.

The most I have gone without food is three days, and then mother nature provided my food - apples that had fallen from a tree. I once fasted as a prayer discipline for 45 days, so I know how long one can go without food!

I usually average twenty-five miles a day walking, depending upon how many people stop to talk to me along the way. I have gone up to fifty miles in one day to keep an appointment or because there was no shelter available.
On very cold nights I walk through the night to keep warm. When the days are very warm I do a lot of walking at night to avoid the heat.

Most people interested in vacations are those who are doing things they are not called to do, which they want to get away from for awhile. I couldn't imagine feeling the need of a vacation from my pilgrimage. How good it is to travel south in the fall of the year, experiencing the tranquil beauty of the harvest time - but staying ahead of the frost; experiencing the brilliant beauty of the autumn leaves - but traveling on before they are swept from the trees. How good it is to travel north with the spring, and to enjoy the spring flowers for several months instead of several weeks.

If life is overcrowded then you are doing more than is required for you to do.

Most people do not wish to be free. They would prefer to moan and chafe about how impossible it is to give up their various enslavements to possessions, food, drink, smoking, and so forth. It is not that they can't give them up - they don't really want to give them up.

If you are free, I recommend a hiking trip on a wilderness footpath. How inspiring it is to walk all day in the sunshine and sleep all night under the stars.

From May to October of 1952, before the pilgrimage, I walked the 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, with 500 additional miles for side-trips to points of special beauty.
I lived out-of-doors completely, supplied with only one pair of slacks and shorts, one blouse and sweater, a lightweight blanket, and two double plastic sheets, into which I sometimes stuffed leaves. I was not always completely dry and warm, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. My menu, morning and evening, was two cups of uncooked oatmeal soaked in water and flavored with brown sugar; at noon two cups of double strength dried milk, plus any berries, nuts or greens found in the woods.
I had been thoroughly prepared for my pilgrimage by this toughening process. A walk along the highway seemed easy by comparison.

Beneath my outer garments I wear a pair of running shorts and a short sleeved shirt - so I'm always prepared for an invigorating swim if I pass a river or lake.

One outfit of clothing is enough. That's all I've owned since my pilgrimage started in 1953. And I take good care of my things. I can always find a wash basin in a public restroom or a nearby stream to wash my clothes, and drying them is even easier: I just put them on and let the energy from the sun evaporates any dampness.
I wash my skin only with water; soap removes the natural oils.

The first few years I used a blue scarf and a blue sweater during chilly weather, but I eventually discarded them as not really essential. I am now so adjustable to changes in temperature that I wear the same clothes summer and winter, indoors and out.

Of course, one can wear a hat or carry an umbrella. I do neither. Once when a reporter asked if by chance I had a folding umbrella in my pockets I replied, "I won't melt. My skin is waterproof. I don't worry about little discomforts." But I've sometimes used a piece of cardboard for a sun shade.

After a wonderful sojourn in the wilderness, I remember walking along the streets of a city which had been my home for awhile. It was 1 p.m. Hundreds of neatly dressed human beings with pale or painted faces hurried in rather orderly lines to and from their places of employment. I, in my faded shirt and well-worn slacks, walked among them. The rubber soles of my soft canvas shoes moved noiselessly along beside the clatter of trim, tight shoes with stilt-like heels. In the poorer section I was tolerated. In the wealthier section some glances seemed a bit startled and some were disdainful.
On both sides of us as we walked were displayed the things we can buy if we are willing to stay in the orderly lines day after day, year after year. Some of the things are more or less useful, many are utter trash. Some have a claim to beauty, many are garishly ugly. Thousands of things are displayed - and yet, my friends, the most valuable are missing. Freedom is not displayed, nor health, nor happiness, nor peace of mind. To obtain these things, my friends, you too may need to escape from the orderly lines and risk being looked upon disdainfully.

I once met a woman who had virtually no problems. I was on a late-night radio program in New York City. This woman called the station and wanted me to come to her home. I was intending to spend the night at the bus station, so I said okay. She sent her chauffeur for me, and I found myself in a millionaire's home, talking to a middle-aged woman who seemed like a child. She was so immature, and I wondered at her immaturity, until I realized that the woman had been shielded from all problems by a group of servants and lawyers. She had never come to grips with life. She had not had problems to grow on, and therefore had not grown. Problems are blessings in disguise!

Could we but see a bit deeper into life, we would grieve at birth and rejoice at death.

She spoke of her work in Washington, D.C., where she served as a legislative lobbyist for a peace group. (About ten years later, I attended a National Legislative Seminar in Washington, held by the Woman's International League for Peace and Freedom. I learned that she had been their peace lobbyist and that she had without a doubt been the most effective one they had ever had.) She told us that the longer she worked with Congressmen, the more convinced she became that the road which these men were persisting on following could only result in eventual war. As this conviction grew, she began to be consumed by a gnawing question. As she put it, 'I am not afraid for myself. But is a debacle occurs, what group will preserve for humanity the best in our culture? The monasteries served us well in this regard during the Dark Ages. What group is adequately structured to do it this time around?

I learned that I shouldn't be pushy about helping, but just willing.

The theory behind not buying spiritual truth is this: One who has it would not be selling it, so one who is selling it doesn't have it. These are the 'pearls without price'. As soon as you are ready for the spiritual truth, it will be given. On the other hand, you are given as you give. But paying a fee is not giving a gift. And you do not need to give to the one from whom you receive, as we are all cells in the same body of humanity.

Those who attempt to buy spiritual truth are attempting to get it before they are ready.

Am I unemployed? I work 16 hours a day, seven days a week. You mean I'm not earning any money. I don't need to earn any money. Everything I need is given.

You could say that a passive person does not use violence because of weakness, and a peaceful person does not use violence because of principle.

Q: Is it good to learn an art like karate in order to defend oneself?
A: My weapon is love, and I would not even think of learning any other defense mechanism. The immature and the fearful learn karate and other defense mechanisms.

A woman wrote recently to tell me that when I refused to sit next to her because she was smoking she stayed awake for hours thinking about it - and cut out smoking the next day.

There is a well-worn road which is pleasing to the senses and gratifies worldly desires, but leads to nowhere. And there is the less traveled path, which requires purifications and relinquishments, but results in untold spiritual blessings.

You have much more power when you are working for the right thing than when you are working against the wrong thing. And, of course, if the right thing is established wrong things will fade away of their own accord.

I wouldn't recommend civil disobedience except as a last resort. In general, people can accomplish much more out of jail than they can behind bars.

I would say to the military: Yes, we need to be defended; yes, we need you. The Air Force can clean up the air, the Marines can take care of the despoiled forests, the Navy can clean the oceans, the Coast Guard can take care of the rivers, and the Army can be used to build adequate drainage projects to prevent disastrous floods, and other such benefits for mankind.

It seems that all youths are forced to learn how to kill men efficiently. Those who succeed in killing a large number of men are rewarded with medals. Those who turn out to be poor killers and succeed in killing only a few men are punished by being put to death.

Although others may feel sorry for you, never feel sorry for yourself: it has a deadly effect on spiritual well-being. Recognize all problems, no matter how difficult, as opportunities for spiritual growth, and make the most of these opportunities.

[Greer Rutt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, and I tried so hard. She had some nuggets of wisdom in there, but the majority of this book i found a lot of self-serving reflections that did little to benefit the world around us. I was hoping to hear about her life as an activist, given that she was active during two major wars (Korea and Vietnam) AND the Civil Rights Movement. Yet there was no effort to even touch on these subjects minus a few lines here and there. Most of it was a stream of bad theology and ramblings that got pretty repetitive at times. I did love her coverage of nonviolence as this is something I aspire to as a Christian myself. But I found most of the book having a very self-centered approach to her spirituality. When we were made to connect with one another and care for one another in-depth. Aside from every so often where I'd definitely say "OH that's good!" I did not enjoy this read. Too shallow and held a significant amount of privilege that she seemed to be so disconnected from the reality that she lived in at the time. I hated the silence on a lot of real topics. The wisdom I did find, however, is better expressed in other more socially aware and spiritually educated books, so I can not say I recommend this to anyone.

[Ed Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anybody who utters the words, "One merges into a euphoria of absolute unity with all life: with humanity, with all the creatures of the earth, the trees and plants, the air, the water, and even earth itself," as Peace Pilgrim does on page 129 of this text, has clearly never monitored period 10 in-school-suspension. Way too up in the air for my experience.

Peace hits all of the mystic's favorite tropes: nature, asceticism, generosity, gratitude..., which is true and wonderful, but the standard is just way too high. How many of us can leave all of our commitments and relationships and just roam the earth, never knowing where our next meal will come from? Especially telling is that her marriage isn't even listed in the "Capsule Summary of Peace Pilgrim's Life" (Appendix I).

The ultimate irony here is that Peace Pilgrim had her head high in the clouds while at the same time everyone was impressed (yes, myself included) by what she did with her feet on the ground. The problem there is that her groundedness is merely literal.

[Julian Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable Companion for Spiritual Seekers: Relinquishing all non-essential belongings, Peace Pilgrim crisscrossed the United States on foot (as well as spending time on walking tours of Canada and Mexico) for a period of twenty-eight years.

Vowing to remain a wanderer until international peace was achieved, her life—of non-violence, simplicity and alignment with the Indwelling Christ—had a profound impact on the people she encountered. Her ministry, on a superficial level, may sound like unrealistic folly except that her example changed the direction of countless lives.

Collected and compiled by a group of her friends and followers, this book pays homage to the ministry of one woman—in her own words. The first half of the text contains stories reported by Peace about her own upbringing, life and spiritual growth. The second half of the book is a collection of answers to questions, newspaper clippings, letters from people to Peace and reports about the changes her work made in individual lives.

This book may be read through once, but plan to revisit it again and again—for those seeking inspiration and companionship on the spiritual path.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an attempt to capture and pass on the wisdom of a woman that walked her talk. Literally. It’s a hard read because it’s almost everything she ever said, in book form. It’s all pieced together carefully to support the title of each chapter. Her “inner peace” comes from a religious point of view - lots of reference to God. However, there are tidbits that can be taken even if one is not religious.

Regardless of beliefs, the main goal is world peace - one step, one person, one law, one community at a time. The responsibility we have to ourselves to find our inner peace before preaching/teaching it is clear. She spoke about immaturity, economic democracy, true meaning of wealth among other topics.

Worth the read especially in today’s societal climate. It’s just not a story, but a collection of works, which can make it difficult to get through.

[Ronald House · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly unique individual!!! She was no different than you or I. Born into this world in her own words "poor and with little education". She eloped and years later divorced. But then came her transcendence. She launched into a journey from which she never looked back and in the process reached thousands of individuals with the message of peace. A mystic bringing to bare the truths of inner and world peace. She held to a form of incarnation in order to explain the chaos of the natural world. In the end she became part of that chaos being dispatched from this world as a result of a car accident. In her own words she let us know where she was headed: into the spiritual realm of those who came to maturity in this present world.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable woman who walked for peace many thousands of miles back and forth across the US several times. [She stopped counting the miles when she reached 25,000, and still walked for many years thereafter.] She accepted food and shelter only when it was offered. She traveled on her own, meeting people where they were, sharing the message of peace. No politics, no weapons, no violence, just love and peace. The message she shared, captured in these pages by friends and admirers, is truly inspiring.

[Brittany Mackey Beus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan. The writing style wasn’t very intriguing. I was expecting to hear more about her stories and interactions with strangers through out her life time and the impact she had. The stories she shared were like “this women had pain in her back, I told her god puts trials in our life for a reason, then her pain went away.” The stories were lacking detail and intrigue. It seemed like every cliche life lesson was squashed into this book, and there was a lot of preaching about pacifism. I feel like complex topics were grossly oversimplified.

[Erica Figgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful! This book presents a lot of philosophical advice deeply-rooted on a God-centered nature in promoting a peace pilgrimage. Honestly, I wish Peace Pilgrim could have written a book while still alive, but I respect the people dedicated to her cause in putting this together. I feel like this is one of those books you will come back to time and time again throughout your life...through any type of spiritual journey within any walk of faith.

[Zchelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insights into an alternative life of a woman who eschewed keeping money and other possessions, relied on the generosity of others, and walked several thousand miles to spread a message of peace.
It was interesting to hear her philosophy on emotions (eg we cannot have external peace until we have inner peace), and appreciate her total sense of appreciation of the natural world and people around her, content in her situation no matter how difficult or basic (eg sleeping on the road).

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman fascinates me. She's a genuine, homegrown American pilgrim for peace. She walked hundreds of thousands of miles without money or any kind of survival equipment, over decades, for the cause of peace. Every couple of years I go to the website to read about her. I finally ordered the free book and read the whole thing. I recommend it!

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. I’ve read/experienced enough in my life of not even 2 decades to know what she’s preaching. It’s a whole ‘nother thing to practice it, though I do believes SHE does to a very good extent. I just didn’t get much from it because it wasn’t even meant to be a book in the first place. Still curious why it’s so highly revered...

[Jacqueline Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was more Christian based than I’d like and often repetitive, I was so intrigued to learn of a women who would get rid of all her possessions and walk for a peace movement. I was a little disappointed the book didn’t talk more about her experiences along the way but am grateful for many of the inspirational words that this book leaves me with.

[Charles Aulds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've re-read this book three times now. The first time in 2016.

I don't care how secular your mind is; you'll take something from this book. And she really did cover a lot of miles in her lifetime. In 1952, Peach Pilgrim (Mildred Lisette Norman) became the first woman to through-walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. 1952.

Peace.