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Reviews
The Land Beyond: A Thousand Miles on Foot through the Heart of the Middle East by Leon McCarron
feabhas's review against another edition
4.0
Much better than I had expected. Very well written and very engaging.
jawomersleyjackman's review
3.0
One of my favorite parts was Ruman the camel and Ahmad having an argument over a cucumber.
catcaird's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, full of insight into Leon's walking adventure in the middle East. I enjoyed the people he met, the scenery he describes and the thoughts he has on the way. It was so interesting!
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Travel to the Middle East with Leon and his book
When I was given this book to read my first thought was - walking through the Middle East? It would be amazing no doubt but my sensible head wondered if this was even possible and wise?
Well Leon is the man to show you! It read like my own journey of discovery and he writes like you are there with him, with the sights, sounds and smells.
What I liked about this is that it’s a really personal challenge as well as being really informative about the history, the various peoples and religions he meets along the way. He’s so self-deprecating but you feel like saying to him - do you realise what a huge challenge this was to do and how much you’ve achieved? He’s everything you want in a guide - witty, informative and knows all the best places off the beaten track.
It’s one heck of an interesting journey and the best bit for me was he walked through and detailed the old trails from the past with historic and political links which was fascinating! I’d not read about some of these before.
A fascinating read! Highly recommended.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book engrossing and fascinating. Walking in the Middle East is not a task for faint of heart but reading about it was great.
I like the mix of travelogue and history and I like how the author deals with the political issues of the area.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I like the mix of travelogue and history and I like how the author deals with the political issues of the area.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
queencandytoppenmarble's review
5.0
Amazing read, I can highly recommend this book. So interest, I want to visit myself.
annarella's review
5.0
I found this book engrossing and fascinating. Walking in the Middle East is not a task for faint of heart but reading about it was great.
I like the mix of travelogue and history and I like how the author deals with the political issues of the area.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I like the mix of travelogue and history and I like how the author deals with the political issues of the area.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Leon McCarron is different to most. Not only has he walked from Mongolia, right across China to Hong Kong, he has crossed the Empty Quarter in the footsteps of Sir Wilfred Thesiger and has cycled right the way across America. So if you were to ask people to list places where they'd like to take a walk, then the Middle East is unlikely to be at the top of that list. McCarron though relishes a challenge, so a 1000 mile walk from Jerusalem to the heights of Mount Sinai begins.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Lao Tzu
He will be following a set of trails that have been recently re-established but trace their origins back to the ancient trading and pilgrimage routes that crisscross the landscapes of the West Bank, Palestine and into Jordan. It is a hotly contested region, that is still subject to aggression and violence, especially in the West Bank. He is accompanied by friends and guides along the way and sees some of the most beautiful landscapes as he walks through. Apart from one tiny incident with some exuberant teenagers, all the people that he meets are warm and welcoming and generous with their time and experience.
I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour - Rebecca Solnit
These troubled lands are affected by the volatile mix that is geopolitics, cultural differences and religion, but as McCarron finds on his walk, people are the essence of this place that can trace its history back thousands of years. There are some people who want to ensure that the differences are amplified and use that to drive wedges between people, but there are many others who want to live in peace in their own country and trade with their immediate neighbours. One nice touch to the book is the photo of all those who walked with him on his journey to Sinai. This book is a great insight into a troubled land that could only have been achieved at the speed of a walk.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Lao Tzu
He will be following a set of trails that have been recently re-established but trace their origins back to the ancient trading and pilgrimage routes that crisscross the landscapes of the West Bank, Palestine and into Jordan. It is a hotly contested region, that is still subject to aggression and violence, especially in the West Bank. He is accompanied by friends and guides along the way and sees some of the most beautiful landscapes as he walks through. Apart from one tiny incident with some exuberant teenagers, all the people that he meets are warm and welcoming and generous with their time and experience.
I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour - Rebecca Solnit
These troubled lands are affected by the volatile mix that is geopolitics, cultural differences and religion, but as McCarron finds on his walk, people are the essence of this place that can trace its history back thousands of years. There are some people who want to ensure that the differences are amplified and use that to drive wedges between people, but there are many others who want to live in peace in their own country and trade with their immediate neighbours. One nice touch to the book is the photo of all those who walked with him on his journey to Sinai. This book is a great insight into a troubled land that could only have been achieved at the speed of a walk.
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