Customer Reviews

Clear Waters Rising

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After only one year of mariage the author sets of on a journey walking from Cape Finistere (the most westerly point of continental Europe) to Istanbul (where Europe stops and Asia starts) following the high mountains of Europe. This also means that about half of the journey is in Eastern Europe, where no good maps are available. He is to travel alone most of the way, carry all his luggage with him and use no form of motorized transport.

The journey is long and hard, but also very interesting, not in the least because of the people who are met on the way. Some photographs reveal the beauty of the barren mountain landscape and the architecture found on the way (also beautifully described in the text). Several times red tape makes the journey all but impossible. It remains a question to the very end if the author will reach his goal walking.

I have a reasonable collection of walking books, but this one ranks among the best both in style as in the impressive journey undertaken.

Nicholas Crane embarks on a journey on foot through some of the remotest parts of Europe, travelling along the chain of mountains that run from the Atlantic in Spain, to Instanbull in the East. It's not just a story about travel, but also about the human condition, about growth and fulfilment.

In parts, it's a wonderful story written with humour. Very colourful characters, an endearing umbrella, beautiful descriptions and yes even some action bring this story to life. However, I think the book falls short in some of it's loftier goals. Nicholas Crane saw the trek as more than just a walk through the watershed of Europe. He describes how the chain fascinated him in part not just because of it's great length, but also with the associations with Christianity in the west where he climbs in Spain, with Islam in the East... a division between Northern and Southern Europe... as a median between Eastern and Western Europe. I felt that he never really succeeded in exploring some of these issues in much detail and I think that's one of the disappointments in the book. It's left to the reader to reflect on his experiences, rather than drawing on the writers thoughts.

It remains an incredible journey and a good treking story that is a good read for any travel enthusiast.

Unlike many travel books, this book does not try to 'manufacture' a narrative, or contrive humour. It portrays the real experience of long distance walking. I really didn't want to finish it, but lingered with the journey, following the route on google maps. The internet allows you to conjure up pictures maps, geography as you follow Nick's Journey.

I finished it tonight, reluctantly, over a good steak. Perfect ending Mr Crane - I raise my glass to you, wherever you are, for creating such a well written, magical, personal pilgrimage.