I rarely write reviews – I think there is just one other on my blog, and I rarely feel compelled to write a review about a book, but I feel these two books deserve a recommendation.
I’ve read many hiking and mountain books, and whilst many are engaging and well-written, they don’t end up being page-turners, after all, the pleasure of a walk is in its simplicity. The very simplicity we all love doesn’t exactly make for engaging plots, and much of the time by the end, once the novelty of escapism has worn off, you feel a bit tired and bored.
Andrew’s books are different. There is the best part of a thousand pages detailing his 7000-mile journey from Calabria to Nordkapp in Norway, and throughout every section, reading his book was something I looked forward to and often was the highlight of my day, an escape from stress and a valuable source of wisdom. Andrew managed to capture the joys of being out in nature, the journey of self-discovery that the mountains can motivate, and capture funny and meaningful encounters.
Beyond this, the book made me (and my flatmate, who started reading it soon after me) look more deeply into nature around us. Andrew took a very relaxed and appreciative view to nature: there was no worry of how far he walked, he’d spend days in the same spot if he felt it beautiful enough, and he conveyed his pure joy and being out in the mountains. This relaxed attitude felt like an antidote to the trendy world of FKTs, mile munching, and a “faster is better” attitude to the outdoors which I’ve definitely fallen into in the past and seems to be trendy on Instagram and the like. Now, I walk slower, stop more, and have a much better time for it.
I had the pleasure of finishing the second book, on Sacred Ground, on top of Goatfell. I was deeply sad to finish – the end of the book felt like losing a companion and a friend. After a stressful day of uni, I’d climb on to the roof of my flat with a camping stove, make tea, and read a few chapters – being transported to the Apennines, Alps, or Trollheim mountains.
I’d strong reccomend you read these books yourselves – they truly are excellent and well worth the time.
Oscar Outdoors 