As a devout peripatetic who walks 1&1/2 miles each way/each day to work and who loves hiking, I greatly enjoyed my downriver neighbor (Missoula Montana) Barbara Theroux's essay and book review. Enjoy! - EcoRover
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On the Bookshelf
The Lost Art of Walking:
The History, Science, Philosophy and Literature of Pedestrianism
By: Barbara Theroux of Fact & Fiction, Missoula MT
for Headwaters News
Feb. 11, 2009
It is no secret that I am a walker. Many people comment that they can determine how early or late they may be in the morning based on my position on the Higgins Bridge in Missoula, Mont.
Several years ago, I gave up my car, moved to a central location and began walking everywhere. OK, I'll admit to riding the bus and calling the Green Taxi but for the most part I use my two feet as I work, shop and connect to Missoula. So I was delighted to discover a new book by Geoff Nicholson entitled THE LOST ART OF WALKING.
The book gives an account of the intellectual and cultural history of a most common activity--walking. This simple activity has inspired numerous subcultures, literary and artistic legacies, sporting events, personal memories, epic journeys, mystical revelations and scandals.
The author began work on this story-filled volume with a jaunt through the Hollywood Hills near his home in Los Angeles, promptly took a header and broke his right forearm in three places, thereby joining the ranks of Aldous Huxley, Thomas Jefferson, Oliver Sacks and others who walked and fell.
Nicholson was soon back on his feet, with this historical account of the who, what, where, why, when and how of walking, including his own adventures on the streets of Los Angeles, Manhattan and London.
Nicholson's witty style and distinct way of describing an ordinary activity make this a thoroughly enjoyable read.
While by no means exhaustive, Nicholson does himself tread a lot of ground; readers may find the ultimate effect is that they are inspired to put the book down for a nice long walk with a newfound way of observing the scenery.
Each section of the book can be savored and discussed.
Chapter 5 "As I Tripped Out One Morning: Music, Movement, Movies" is sure to start one thinking. What songs to you think of as you walk? Bob Dylan's "How many roads must a man walk down?" Fats Domino's "I'm walking"? OrAerosmith's "Walk this way"?
Frankly, I never thought about songs or movies, I just learned to appreciate the sights and sounds of my surroundings: a heron on the river, the snow in the Rattlesnake, the slurry bomber on Mt. Sentinel.
When I finished reading THE LOST ART OF WALKING, I was reminded of an event with Edward Abbey. Years ago, he was scheduled to sign books on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. The fans arrived, lines formed and we all waited.
Ed strolled into the store and apologized for being late, but commented that he had been having such a good time walking in Missoula. He complimented us on living in a place where we could walk everywhere, and challenged us to do just that. So many years later, the challenge still exists.
Geoff Nicholson gives us reason to slow down, learn about walking, and then makes one want to stroll across town. Are you ready to walk and reflect?
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Barbara Theroux is the manager of Fact & Fiction, now part of the Bookstore at the University of Montana.
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5 comments:
Except for family hikes or Sundays in the park my family never walks anymore. This is somethign to think about.
Reminds me of one of the great Kierkegaard quotes..."Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it." or perhaps Steven Wright..."Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."
It reminded me of a couple of quotes as well, both from Thoreau's Walking:
"I wish to speak a word for nature, for absolute Freedom and Wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and Culture merely civil, — to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society."
"If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again; if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man; then you are ready for a walk."
Thanks for sharing the book review. I just finished a book about Newton and Leibniz and was very disappointed in it. This sounds like a good one to add to my reading queue.
David, thank you for the Existential (Kierkegaard) view--I should collect these philosophy of walking insights.
Kirsten, Thoreau's pragmatic and ecocentric approach to walking balances nicely Kierkegaard's walking-as-state-of-being. Thank you!
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