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marytweed's review
3.0
This is the perfect book to read during lockdown for the avid walker and armchair explorer. Sinclair McKay lyrically describes the most beautiful parts of the British Isles - and sometimes the not so beautiful - whilst interweaving literature and the history of walking for leisure into his narrative.
The right to walk across many footpaths has been a hard won battle, fought by left wing workers wanting access to countryside on their precious days off, all the way to MPs in the House of Commons passing laws to allow such access. Out of this movement grew the protection of tracts of unspoilt land that became National Parks and also the development of long distance trails, such a the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast Walk, which we now take for granted.
McKay considers the conflict between townies and country dwellers and discussed the economic benefits to rural economies diversifying away from less lucrative traditional incomes.
If you like the idea of being transported to a variety of locations around the nation from the luxury of your armchair, whilst pondering the significance of walking, then this is a great opportunity to read this book and seek inspiration for when lockdown is lifted.
The right to walk across many footpaths has been a hard won battle, fought by left wing workers wanting access to countryside on their precious days off, all the way to MPs in the House of Commons passing laws to allow such access. Out of this movement grew the protection of tracts of unspoilt land that became National Parks and also the development of long distance trails, such a the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast Walk, which we now take for granted.
McKay considers the conflict between townies and country dwellers and discussed the economic benefits to rural economies diversifying away from less lucrative traditional incomes.
If you like the idea of being transported to a variety of locations around the nation from the luxury of your armchair, whilst pondering the significance of walking, then this is a great opportunity to read this book and seek inspiration for when lockdown is lifted.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
The act of taking a stroll in the countryside is now a right that we take for granted, and this right has been fought for on the land and in the political arena for decades.
McKay takes us on a series of short walks, and whilst doing so he considers the political, social, and historical aspects of walking in the UK. We go from the Kinder Scout mass trespass, to urban walks in London, skirting the edge of Salisbury Plain and up to Rannoch Moor, one of the few wild places left in these isles. Some of the book is purely dedicated to the political struggle, and there are chapters on the clothing that walkers use, ley lines and night walking.
Over all it was a reasonable read. He has researched the book well, and there are plenty of facts and anecdotes and he seems to have covered most things that are walking and rambling related. What he does seem to be missing though is a chapter on maps. I know that there are lots of other books on maps out there, mostly because I have read a lot of them, but it would have made this more complete. Really a 3.5 star book, but I am feeling generous.
McKay takes us on a series of short walks, and whilst doing so he considers the political, social, and historical aspects of walking in the UK. We go from the Kinder Scout mass trespass, to urban walks in London, skirting the edge of Salisbury Plain and up to Rannoch Moor, one of the few wild places left in these isles. Some of the book is purely dedicated to the political struggle, and there are chapters on the clothing that walkers use, ley lines and night walking.
Over all it was a reasonable read. He has researched the book well, and there are plenty of facts and anecdotes and he seems to have covered most things that are walking and rambling related. What he does seem to be missing though is a chapter on maps. I know that there are lots of other books on maps out there, mostly because I have read a lot of them, but it would have made this more complete. Really a 3.5 star book, but I am feeling generous.
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