The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way

(Hardback, Main)

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Description

In August 2021, Anthony Seldon set out on a gruelling 35-day pilgrimage from the Swissborder to the English Channel, following the historic route of the Western Front. Fromsumptuous towns in the east of France to the haunting trenches of the Somme and Ypres, thewalk took in many important sites from World War I as well as some of Europe's most beautifulscenery.

The Path of Peace is the extraordinary story of Anthony's epic walk, combining memoir, naturewriting and travel, and touching on grief, loss and the legacy of war in a profoundly moving actof remembrance.

Reviews

There is much to admire in [The Path of Peace]... Seldon has a historian's eye for spotting and recounting good stories. * Observer *
Profound [and] compelling... there are many layers to this book, many cultural references, insights, thoughts and intriguing speculation. * Spectator *
A noble endeavour * New Statesman *
A deeply informed meditation on the First World War, an exploration of walking's healing power, a formidable physical achievement... and above all a moving enactment of a modern pilgrimage. * Rory Stewart *
In this compelling and well-balanced book, Seldon reaches some valuable and poignant insights, both about the ways we commemorate and remember the War and about his own life. * Times Literary Supplement *
A journey of self-discovery and a pilgrimage of peace... A remarkable book by a remarkable man. * Michael Morpurgo *
The Western Front Way, an idea that waited 100 years for its moment, is the simplest and fittest memorial yet to the agony of the Great War. Anthony Seldon's account of how he walked it, and what it means to all of us, will be an inspiration to younger generations. * Sebastian Faulks *
An incredible journey that will move and inspire. * Bear Grylls *
Timely, poignant and passionate. Seldon skilfully weaves the personal with the historical * Katya Adler *
A dazzling journey... The Path of Peace is a beautiful and generous gift. * Olivette Otele *
A beautifully-written heartfelt book. * Cherie Lunghi *
A haunting, intense, enjoyable and memorable book. * Tristan Gooley, author of The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs *
A timely, eloquent and convincing reminder that to forget the carnage of the past is to open the door to it happening again. If anyone needs persuading that a 1,000 kilometre Western Front Way would be both civilising and educational this is the book they should read * George Alagiah *
A compelling mix of travelogue and history, nature-writing and reflection * Church Times *
A mesmerising and deeply impressive book unlike any other on the First World War. * David Yelland *
[A] great read. * The Great Outdoors *
[I]n a book market packed with every type of First World War tome, this one truly deserves to be read. * Military History Matters *

Author Bio

Sir Anthony Seldon is an educator, historian, writer and commentator. He's a director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Chair of the National Archives Trust. He is author or editor of over forty books on contemporary history, politics and education, including The Impossible Office, May at 10 and Blair Unbound.