The Earth Beneath My Feet: A 7,000-Mile Walk of Discovery into the Heart of Wild Nature: 1 (A 7,000 Walk of Discovery into the Heart of Wild Nature)

Someone I know suggested this book, a keen walker and camper. But to be honest I wasn’t sure. I go on walks in the countryside, and I’ve climbed a few mountains in my time, but I thought a book about a long walk might be repetitive.But the Earth beneath my feet is a riveting read. The author describes an extraordinary adventure across Italy and Austria, through wild places I didn’t know exist. I love travel, Greece especially, and Italy has always interested me, although I haven’t been there. But now I feel I have! The writing took me there in a way I hadn’t expected, and kept me wanting to find out what happened next. It was so easy to picture being in some dusty hilltop village surrounded by locals who hadn’t seen many tourists. Or on top of a remote summit in the middle of nowhere. The scenes and events were painted in vivid detail.But what really made this book stand out is that it’s so much more than just a walking narrative or a travel book. It covers elements of nature, people, humour, geography, history, life, as well as all the ups and downs of the actual physical walk. The author comes across as thoughtful, observant, determined, and ordinary. He’s not a boastful adventurer or a ‘look at me’ endurance athlete but a likeable person who sometimes struggles and is honest about it. This honesty and the youthful optimism and the author’s inward journey really bring this book to life.So I’m glad I spent time on this book. It was time well spent. I look at Italy differently now, and I wouldn’t mind going backpacking myself for a few nights. (Although probably not where wolves roam, or in deep snow!) This is an outstanding and inspiring book. Walkers are certain to love it, but many other people will too.

My Best read of the year so far. As a wild camper, although nowhere near as ambitious as Andrew, I can totally relate to the story, the highs and lows, the challenges and joys of camping in the mountains. The story is both remarkable in it's challenging nature - just this first book/part, walking the length of Italy, sticking to the mountains and then traversing the Alps in winter, but also in how well it is written, with much humour, and heartfelt encounters. It also didn't fall into the trap of going down some rambling side track stories or monotonous, I got up and walked some more, which is difficult to avoid with such a journey. Instead the author wrote with great depth and sentiment about moving through a stunning but often challenging landscape in a highly engaging manner. I didn't want the book to end but at least I can go and buy the next one. Would have loved to see colour rather than black and white photos but guess the printing cost and hence price of the book would be increased considerably so probably a good compromise. All in all a stunning read for those who love the mountains or just want to read about other people’s adventures.

I loved this book and am currently really enjoying the second book; On Sacred Ground. I read this whist bikepacking along the French Coast and like Andrew I don’t mind some extra weight if it makes the journey more enjoyable, this book certainly did. I think travel/adventure books can be mundane and it takes a creative mind to make them a page turner- Andrew achieves this effortlessly. Through captivating descriptions of landscapes, routes, equipment pros and cons, weather and mesmerising skies mixed with the mental dilemmas, annoyances, aggravations, self doubt and low moods that inevitably accompany such a huge solo exploit as well as characters he encountered for good and for bad Andrew manages to get the reader on the journey, not a distance from it. Fantastic.

He is so enthusiastic and happy in the mountains! It is the right place for him! Good descriptions; we get to know his route

I'm always on the hunt for a well written book about overseas adventures. I love to vicariously travel with the author, experiencing their highs and lows and feeling like I myself am gazing across foreign climes. I was not disappointed with Andrew Terrill's first half of his epic journey across the wilder side of Europe.Andrew is the perfect adventurer. He is candid enough to admit his fears and challenges upon setting off, has amazing physical and mental determination and also has a wonderful way with words, so we too may be carried along with him. The trials and the tribulations were many and my world became broader for reading about them. He knows how to use details to describe a scene in all its glory, or how to summerise part of The Walk when needed, so we really do get the distilled essence of what is a truly epic journey.I highly recommend this book if you enjoy adventure travel reading and look forward to concluding his journey in On Sacred Ground.

What a wonderful read life affirming, looking forward to reading book 2 . Felt like an invisible companion along his walk so vivid was Andrews description ,the sense of space, air ,fauna ,wildlife ! Loved the maps and photos too .

I loved this book. I have always been a voracious reader. I will read anything from absolute rubbish to sometimes impenetrable tomes. I truly gobble books. But this book was an absolute pleasure, a truly well written and crafted literate experience. So I did not gobble or rush but read with care and recognition. Usually I just want to get to the end of a book, however as I approached the last chapters and pages I noticed that I was reading slower and slower. I did not want to finish. For me, that is the sign of a fabulous book, beautifully written, emotional and honest. And it is in that last word ‘honest’ that I sum up this book and my experience in reading it. It has even made me reassess so many of my beliefs about freedom and choices. I too, some days now, just sit and watch my trees and the sky and the birds flying nearby. I cannot wait to read the next stage of this European journey. With many thanks for a life enhancing read!"

Andrew Terrill wrote two books about "The Walk". I read both. It is hard to imagine how he finished walking from the most southern part of Italy to the most northern spot in Norway. He did this and wrote pages of thrills, agony, joy, fear, wonders he encountered and shared with his readers. Details that would not be known by most humans about the mountains, valleys, woods, villages, people, all along the entire route were inspiring, uplifting, exciting from the first to the very last pages of his two books. His writing is superb, the pages turn and there is no lull. Simply put, I am so glad I found his two books and hope others are also drawn into the wonderful world of Nature and her magic and beauty.

I really connected with the essence of Andrews quest to reconnect and appreciate nature, the joys and challenges it presents. So different from living an urban lifestyle, no sirens and city noise, just the sounds, smells and the tactile connection with the trees, plants, animals and the land itself. All that nature has to offer.As someone from London myself, and now living in the beautiful Kootenay’s of British Columbia, Canada, I think I understand what Andrew was seeking in his incredible journey.A great book, written with sincerity and humour and passion. 5 STARS

I couldn't put it down, it's definitely one of the best descriptions of a stunning walk through Europe's wildest and most inhospitable environments imaginable. Much more than the description of the walk itself (as incredible as it is), it is a description of stunning nature, of impressions, of reflections. Anybody who has ever done walks of a day, a week, a month or more will regularly recognize joys, doubts, feelings, that sense of reward when accomplishing something special, something hard. Those very special and unforgettable moments created by nature and unexpected encounters. And anybody who ever thought about undertaking something like this, even on a much smaller scale, will no doubt be convinced immediately.

I've read a lot of books by long distance hikers and enjoyed them, but this is much more that merely a day-to-day description of a hike. I absolutely loved it and found it very moving. I liked the way Andrew shared his motivations, feelings, the things he learned and also the bits of history and information about the countries/regions, animals etc. Since the hike happened in the 90ies, it brings back memories of travelling in a time before cell phones, GPS or the internet. It was one of those books I read very slowly, since I just didn't want it to end.

My brother Stephen recommended this book and I'm glad he did. Andrew Terrill is a talented author whose skilled use of his vocabulary and engaging writing style helps transform the reader to feel like they are there with him on his inspirational walk. You would not even need to be an avid nature lover to enjoy this book, though you may be one after finishing. I look forward to the sequel coming out soon!