Ten Million Steps: Nimblewill Nomad's Epic 10-Month Trek from the Florida Keys to Quebec [Paperback]

M. J. Eberhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2007

M. J. Eberhart, aka the Nimblewill Nomad, was a 60-year-old retired doctor in January 1998 when he set off on a foot journey that carried him 4,400 miles (twice the length of the Appalachian Trail) from the Florida Keys to the far north of Quebec. Written in a vivid journal style, the author unabashedly recounts the good (friendships with other hikers he met), the bad (sore legs, cutting winds and rain), and the godawful (those dispiriting doubts) aspects of his days of walking along what has since become known as the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT). An amazing tale of self-discovery and insight into the magic that reverberates from intense physical exertion and a high goal, Eberhart’s is the only written account of a thru-hike along the ECT. Covering 16 states and 2 Canadian provinces, Ten Million Steps deftly mixes practical considerations of an almost unimaginable undertaking with the author’s trademark humor and philosophical musings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press; First Trade Paper Edition edition (March 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897329791
• ISBN-13: 978-0897329798
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best..., February 2, 2010

By 

Gordon H. Ripley "Renaissance Man" (Rindge, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ten Million Steps: Nimblewill Nomad's Epic 10-Month Trek from the Florida Keys to Quebec (Paperback)

I have a whole bookcase filled with hiking books. Most of them are about the Appalachian Trail as I am a thru hiker myself. This book is really a terrific read and certainly spells out the reality of life on the trail. I have to be honest, as I read about "Nomads'" first couple of days on the trail in Florida I was amazed at the perseverance of this man. Quite frankly, I would have quit when I found myself in the dark up to my waste in swamp water - water containing who knows what critters! He also took time during his hike to stop and meet people. Rarely did he give anyone the impression that he just had to get going and didn't have time to talk. I'd like to have met him in my travels. His age at the time (59) reminded me of my hiking at that age. I think anyone who would like to share the travails of long distance hiking from their comfortable arm chair will enjoy this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Odyssey, December 29, 2009

By 

Red School Morgan "Red School Morgan" (Longwood, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ten Million Steps: Nimblewill Nomad's Epic 10-Month Trek from the Florida Keys to Quebec (Paperback)

This is the journal of M.J. Eberhart, a retired optometrist, who walked from Key West, Florida to Cap Gaspe, Quebec, not necessarily in that order. Each entry contains his mileage, where he slept that night, a short poem or quote and his thoughts and descriptions of his travails and the people he met on the way. Mr. Eberhart is a kind, decent man who never has a bad word to say about anyone. Everyone he meets is a friend, and I mean that in an admiring way. Despite having done something few others have ever done before he is not the least bit boastful.

I enjoyed meeting fellow hikers and seeing the Florida, Appalachain, and International Appalachain Trail through his eyes. This is not a "how to" book. There are no real maps and the paperback edition has only a few black and white pictures.

Mr. Eberhart does describe his motivation for making this hike. I only wish he went a little deeper. He shies away from his Christianity to an extent which may have been at the insistence of his publisher, which publishes hiking and adventure books. We also don't hear much about what led to this journey. I'd imagine working in a windowless eye examining room for many years would give someone the impetus to get outside.

Those minor criticisms aside, it was a fun read and I'd recommend it to anyone with even a mild case of wanderlust.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ****Where in the World is Nimblewill****, October 3, 2009

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Lady Jane (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ten Million Steps: Nimblewill Nomad's Epic 10-Month Trek from the Florida Keys to Quebec (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my husband whom ran into Mr. Eberhard while hiking in MI. on the north country trail. I want to say how much he enjoyed reading this book. It carried him on the trail beside Nimblewill. I know he was sorry the book came to a close. But he will remember meeting Nimblewill on the North Country Trail for a very long time. We also hope your knee is recovering, We have read how this trek came to a close. Best wish'es to You,