In May 2006, armed only with a small rucksack and a staff, Tony Kevin, an overweight, sedentary, 63-year-old former diplomat, set off on an eight-week trek across Spain. But this was not just a very long walk - it was a pilgrimage. Tony followed the Camino Mozarabe and the Via de la Plata, two of the many pilgrim trails that crisscross Spain and Portugal and that all lead to a single destination. Every day towards noon, hundreds of hot, tired, and dusty pilgrims stream into Santiago Cathedral for the daily Pilgrim's Mass. What, in our busy, materialistic 21st century, is this apparently anachronistic phenomenon all about? What drives tens of thousands of people of all nationalities and creeds to make long, exhausting walks across the cold mountains and hot tablelands of Spain, to take part finally in a medieval Christian liturgy of spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God? Walking the Camino beautifully captures the flavour of this epic journey, and is filled with fascinating observations and anecdotes about contemporary Spain. It is also a profound personal meditation on the nature of modern life.

In this lovely book about an inspiring journey, this 'rather overweight and sedentary 63-year-old man' writes about the enormous challenges of walking across Spain and the rewards he found in contemplation, reflection, and the spirit of fellowship he shared with his fellow travellers. This memoir is a deeply personal journey, but Kevin also ponders the old-fashioned notion of pilgrimage in the frenetic 21st century.' Sunday Telegraph

About the Author
Tony Kevin served in the Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister's departments over a 30-year period, and was Australia's ambassador to Poland and Cambodia. His other award-winning book is A Certain Maritime Incident: the sinking of SIEV X (Scribe 2004).

Reviews

'While this very personal journey is a cathartic one for the author, his recounting of it also provides provocative and inspirational messages for those concerned with the future of Australian communities.'

-- Warren Brewer * Hobart Mercury *

'Go the distance with Kevin this one: it may well help inspire your own faith journey.'

-- Marjorie Lewis-Jones * Insights *

'In this lovely book about an inspiring journey, this 'rather overweight and sedentary 63-year-old man' writes about the enormous challenges of walking across Spain and the rewards he found in contemplation, reflection, and the spirit of fellowship he shared with his fellow travellers. This memoir is a deeply personal journey, but Kevin also ponders the old-fashioned notion of pilgrimage in the frenetic 21st century.'

* Sunday Telegraph *

'Its strength ... is its observant, informed, humane reflectiveness. Kevin's excursions into practical advice alone make the book worthwhile.'

-- Gerard Windsor * Sydney Morning Herald *

'Walking the Camino is like a cold Spanish beer .... [Kevin] takes the less travelled trail from south to north; longer, but a lot more interesting.

....

If you're brave or foolish enough to tackle the trip, Walking the Camino, as replete with travel tips as it is with wisdom, would be the perfect partner.'

-- Barry Oakley * Weekend Australian *


Awards
Winner of Australian Capital Territory Book of the Year (Australia).



Book Information
ISBN 9781921372339
Author Tony Kevin
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Scribe Publications
Publisher Scribe Publications