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You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on
bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Roads to Santiago, A Modern-Day Pilgrimage Through Spain
by Cees Nooteboom
An exhilarating but erudite portrait of modern and historic Spain. Nooteboom writes quite brilliantly of Spanish art, philosophy, history, architecture and culture, as well as of the people he encountered.
Wanderlust, A History of Walking
by Rebecca Solnit
Solnit's wide-ranging, literate and thoroughly enlightening essays on the multiple means of walking touches upon, among many things, the origins of bipedalism, famous flaneurs and walking as a form of rebellion. Terrific.
The Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago de Compostela
by William Melczer
This is the original guide used by 12th-century pilgrims along the sacred way, reprinted with an introduction by a professor of Medieval Studies, plus endnotes and a gazetteer. It's an excellent, hugely informative presentation of this curiosity.
The Camino Made Easy: Reflections of a Parador Pilgrim, Three Walking Tours on the Way of St. James through Spain and Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre
by Olivia Pittet
A fascinating, detailed account of the author’s three walking tours to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre on the path of St. James. Olivia Pittet describes her personal experience as well as thoughts and feelings, some quite intimate, of those she encounters. The book is rich in historical background, sprinkled with quotes from the likes of Keats, Dickens and Stevenson and contains several black and white photos.
Off the Road, A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route Into Spain
by Jack Hitt
An American abroad, popular NPR contributor Hitt unleashes his wit and wonder in this account of his trek, 500-miles across Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Naturally, he falls in with an odd assortment of fellow pilgrims, and adventures ensue.
Pilgrim Stories, On and Off the Road to Santiago
by Nancy Louise Frey
The sights, sounds -- and meaning -- of modern journeys along the "Camino de Santiago," according to interviews with those who travel it.
Eyewitness Guide Northern Spain
by Eyewitness Guides
A literate, visually rich guide to Northern Spain from Galicia across Asturias and the Basque Country to La Rioja to the Pyrenees.
Spain, A Traveler's Literary Companion
by Peter R. Bush (Editor)
A collection of 30 stories from a who’s who of contemporary Spanish literature, including writers from Galicia, Leon, the Basque Country, Madrid and Barcelona.
The Finest Wines of Rioja and Northwest Spain, A Regional Guide to the Best Producers and Their Wines
by Jesus Barquin
A detailed and informative guide to ancient and contemporary winemaking in Spain's most prominent wine region.
Pilgrimage to the End of the World, The Road to Santiago de Compostela
by Conrad Rudolph
An engaging, literary account of 11 weeks of travels from Le Puy along the way of St. James, 1,000 miles all told.
Steps Out of Time
by Katharine B. Soper
In her reflective memoir Soper recounts a secular pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, detailing the fascinating history and traditions of the ancient way along with its breathtaking beauty, great food and extraordinary camaraderie.
Northern Spain Adventure Map
by National Geographic Maps
A nicely detailed, overview map of the western (coastal) part of Northern Spain and the Way of St. James at a scale of 1:500,000. Extends as far east as San Sebastian. One Side. 33x49 inches.
The Miracles of St. James, Translations from the Liber Sancti Jacobi
by Thomas Coffey (Editor)
The English translation of a Medieval writings on the pilgrimage to Santiago, and the miracles of St. James, from the Codex Calixtinus.
The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago, The Complete Cultural Handbook
by David Gitlitz, Linda Kay Davidson
A kilometer-by-kilometer guide to the route of St. James across northern Spain with copious information on the historical and artistic sites along the way. You probably won’t want it in your daypack, but in your suitcase it will be invaluable for previews of the following day and reflections on the preceding one.
Pilgrimage: A Very Short Introduction
by Ian Reader
A quick, authoritative survey of the pilgrimage: its history, meaning and ongoing evolution.
A Traveller's History of Spain
by Juan Lalaguna
This survey of Spanish history features a useful chronology, historical gazetteer and a long section on contemporary life. It covers early settlements through the Romans, Goths and Moors to the present.
The Birds of the Iberian Peninsula
by Ernest Garcia, Eduardo De Juana
This definitive book on the birds of Iberia covers the status and distribution of each species in the region and also includes photos and introductory chapters on climate, habitats and the history of Iberian ornithology.
Travels with My Donkey
by Tim Moore
In this wickedly comic account of grand adventures on the 500-mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with a French-speaking donkey, Moore salts his anecdotes of fellow travelers and grand adventures with an account of the history and culture of the medieval Way of St. James.
The Sun Also Rises
by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway's great novel, which encapsulates the angst of the post-WWI "Lost Generation," is the story of unmoored American and British expats travelling from Paris to Pamplona.
The Camino, A Journey of the Spirit
by Shirley MacLaine
The much-reincarnated, ever-brave entertainer treks 500-miles across Northern Spain on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, interweaving travelogue, commentary and journeys both actual and interior in this personal journal.
The Basque History of the World
by Mark Kurlansky
Kurlansky's engaging portrait of the seven provinces of Basque lands takes in everything from language to culinary heritage, role in the Spanish Civil War and seafaring traditions.
Paris to the Pyrenees
by David Downie
David Downie's spirited book is haunted by the Gallo-Roman forebears of modern France. On ancient trails through the forests of the rugged Morvan, they continued across the celebrated wine country of Burgundy and the centuries-old Via Podiensis on the Way of Saint James.
