I have only read a small portion of The Marches, but I find it a little on the dull side and cannot relate to a lot of the contents because I am not Scottish.
This book is advertised as a travel book. This would have been true if there was less history included. About 75% is just that, a history journey. I wanted to read more about the actual walks themselves which is why I bought the book. I feel conned. I was also anoyed at the number of times Rory called his father "daddy" and his father calling him "darling".
If I wanted to read about the history of Hadrians Wall, the Black Watch regiment etc, then I would buy a book specifically on that subject.
I loved this book.
It's a wonderful mixture of history,geography and topography,laced through with anecdotes,some sentimental,many humerous.
I felt I learned alot about The Borders and it's people and now appreciate all sorts of features about it,of which I was previously unaware.
A good read from a good storyteller-I've already bought another copy for friends who live in there.
Rory Stewart’s The Marches is an engaging and introspective travelogue that takes readers on a journey through the landscapes and histories of the Anglo-Scottish borderlands. Rather than a straightforward hiking memoir, it is a beautifully layered exploration of personal history, politics, and identity. Stewart’s meticulous observations, both of the physical terrain and the cultural complexities of the region, offer a fascinating perspective on the shared history of England and Scotland.
Rory Stewart’s The Marches is an engaging and introspective travelogue that takes readers on a journey through the landscapes and histories of the Anglo-Scottish borderlands. Rather than a straightforward hiking memoir, it is a beautifully layered exploration of personal history, politics, and identity. Stewart’s meticulous observations, both of the physical terrain and the cultural complexities of the region, offer a fascinating perspective on the shared history of England and Scotland.
