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| A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: The Way of St. James (Camino Guides) | 
 enlarge | Author: John Brierley
Publisher: Findhorn Press
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (14 reviews)
Sales Rank: 163901
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2nd
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 4.7 x 0.6
ISBN: 1844090698
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9781844090693
ASIN: 1844090698
Publication Date: January 1, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
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| Customer Reviews:
 Critical to the success of my 2007 Camino de Santiago pilgrimage November 6, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
On July 14th, 2007, I began the Camino pilgrimage in St. Jean Pied-de-Port (France), and 500 miles later I finally walked into the Spanish city of Santiago on August 24th, 2007. During my preliminary research for the trek, I came across "A Pilgrim's Guide" and bought it due to the positive reviews. I'm glad I did, because without this guidebook I might not have completed the Way.
"A Pilgrim's Guide" contains helpful information for the Camino peregrino beginning his or her trek in St. Jean (or anywhere after that point), such as getting in and out of Spain, basic Spanish phrases, what to bring (and leave at home), easy-to-follow trail maps, and well-formatted text. In addition, the author has included many excellent color photographs from his personal collection. Mr. Brierley recommends 33 daily stages to walk the Camino - one stage for each day Christ spent on earth. Each stage has its own section with a route map, along with simple maps of large towns and cities where appropriate, and other relevant historical, topographical, and accommodation information. The front cover flap and first page also contain small numbered maps of the thirty-three daily stages for easy reference.
The cover flaps can be used as bookmarks, although I used the front one to hold my "credencial," or pilgrim passport. As for portability, "A Pilgrim's Guide" was small and thin enough to fit in the front pocket of my North Face lightweight pants. I constantly used it to keep me on track, and its terrain analysis and extensive listing of places to stay were invaluable for planning my daily walking distance. Indeed, it was so complete and comprehensive that I ended up giving away my Confraternity of St. James guidebook - another highly touted Camino resource.
"A Pilgrim's Guide" has more than enough practical information about the Camino. However, it goes beyond the dry factoids found in most guidebooks. As befitting a pilgrimage, Mr. Brierley delves into spiritual matters in an ecumenical fashion. In each stage section he includes a number of reflections from his multiple walks on the Camino. They add a personal touch that serve as a reminder of the Camino's religious roots. Blank lined pages are included so you can add your own reflections as well. I had a separate journal, so I used them for ink stamps from various restaurants, bars, tourist offices, and churches that I didn't want to put in my credencial.
As for issues, there were a few minor ones. Like any guidebook, this one was obsolete right off the printing press. Some of the listed albergues were closed, new ones were unlisted, and prices and services had been altered or eliminated (updates and further resources are available at the author's website). Also, Mr. Brierely's spiritual musings might be a bit melodramatic and New Agey for some. Finally, some of his recommended stages were overly long, even for a fit hiker. Indeed, I had to halve them until I got in better shape and lightened my load. But these dings are far outweighed by the many positives.
"A Pilgrim's Guide" is one of the best and most helpful travel guidebooks I've ever used, so it merits my highest recommendation. I hope to someday walk the Portugal and Finisterre routes, and Mr. Brierley's guides for these paths will be a priority purchase. If the Camino is on your mind and heart, then make time to do it. As the author states, "don't forget to go!" And when you do, make sure you bring this book with you.
Excellent October 26, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent guide! Richly illustrated, with all the necessary information for the peregrination for the way, with information of lodging, meal and other tips. I recommend.
 A glitzy tourst guide for the Holiday tripper. An alternative view of this guide August 6, 2007
11 out of 19 found this review helpful
This guide looks like a Tourist guide with glossy paper and plenty of, coloured eye candy, picturs and graphics. THis sort of thing I feel serves padding as it replaces real textual information. This guide looks like in format, as a cross between a commercial guide and a glossy magazine. After you have looked at them the pictures are useless.
Secondly I do not Not recommended this guide for the Ecclesiastical and religious pilgrim
I feel that the Camino is being used by Tourists as a cheap holiday. This guide will be loved by holiday trippers seeking to walk this religious path as a cheap holiday. But I do not see any priest using it on his pilgrimage.
The glossy photographs of everything destroy the surprise and the simple nature for the pilgrimage.
If you travel the camino for St James then Go for one of the religious guides which are formatted like the bible, but packed with black and white text and no eye candy.
Amongst the good church guides are The Camino Frances from the Confraternity of St James and guides approved by the catholic church sold by amazon. They have plain formatting and no pictures and are packed with information in black and white and most of them are updated by the clergy themselves reporting changes.
Great and compact March 21, 2007
I haven't even gotten to Spain yet and I know this is going to be exactly what I need. The maps are very informative without being overwhelming. The info is just what you need to know - nothing more. It seems very thought through and is light weight which is very important when you count every ounce.
Walking the Camino January 31, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a practical, essential, comprehensive guide to the Camino de Santiago, with an added spiritual focus - after all, this is a Pilgrimage for most who walk it. I used it 2 years ago and after a week I dumped the competitor that I had also taken. This book covers everything you need to know in pleasant prose without hype and with a mass of data. I bought the new edition for my next journey on this magical route; it looks just as good if not better, but remember that the maps are not to scale!
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