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applesodaperson's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.5
This book did not end up being what I expected it to be like. I expected it to be all about walking, and the different places you can walk, like in nature or in cities, and along with that I expected long, beautiful descriptions of nature and how being in nature makes people feel. But it really was not like that at all. And what it actually was was so much worse. Because it seriously ended up being exclusively about random male historical figures or authors/writers. Like it had chapters on Thoreau, Socrates, and Nietzche. And like yes all these men had a love of walking, and wrote about walking a lot, but I didn't read this to hear about those people's lives, I read it to learn more about the benefits on walking, both physical and mental. And beyond this, it was a little all over the place in terms of topic.
Basically, it all comes down to me having the wrong expectations. But I feel like most people would make the same mistake. I also expected this book to make me want to get out in nature and go for a long walk, but it didn't inspire those feelings in me at all, in fact it just made me feel annoyed mostly.
Read from the Provo library.
Basically, it all comes down to me having the wrong expectations. But I feel like most people would make the same mistake. I also expected this book to make me want to get out in nature and go for a long walk, but it didn't inspire those feelings in me at all, in fact it just made me feel annoyed mostly.
Read from the Provo library.
rileslovesyall's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
I quite enjoying this meandering set of essays exploring walking as a part of human life. If you’re a walker, this is definitely good food for thought.
carlybroady's review against another edition
This book was not my cup of tea, but there are some nice tidbits in here.
cintain's review against another edition
5.0
I positively, thoroughly loved, loved, loved this book. As a person who enjoys walking so much, I really wanted what this book offers. The author approaches walking from his own perspective, as well as from famous writers and philosophers. Never trite or predictable (and very much like a long walk in the great outdoors) Gros manages to surprise the reader by meandering through intriguing, obscure, and little known facts to arrive at conclusions that are at once surprising and familiar, like a grand landscape one knows well arrived at through an unknown route. The chapters read as stand-alone essays which focus on a topic, an element of walking, food for thought before taking to the road.
To be read in small increments, over and over again, this is truly a philosophy for walking on this Earth. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
To be read in small increments, over and over again, this is truly a philosophy for walking on this Earth. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
_tourist's review against another edition
a delightfully overwritten, overthought, idiosyncratic meander through the intersection of predominantly white-male literature and white-male walking. thoroughly enjoyable.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
5.0
Life is a journey, a pilgrimage. We walk to see, learn and appreciate. We walk, frolick, stroll, climb, even trip or stumble, but we do not need to rush, stampede and trample. Amen.
leevoncarbon's review against another edition
4.0
The author puts so much significance into the experience of walking, I am now inclined to pause before stepping through the door and ask "Am I ready for this grand life changing moment?" I found the stories of various philosophers and their take on walking to be a mixed bag but the other chapters with various musings about walking were quite inspiring. They even led to some conversations with my wife about a walking vacation. Also in one chapter, as he described walking as an experience of slowness, simplicity, uprightness and steadfastness, I got to thinking about how that opens up insight into the Biblical reference to walking in the Spirit.