I just finished reading a Camino guidebook that I absolutely fell in love with. Full Disclosure: A copy of this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Camino for the Rest of Us by Tim Mathis
Let me start by saying how much I adored the cover the second I saw it. It is eye-catching and dynamic. I love it!
The sub-title: A Comprehensive Guide to a Life-Changing Journey on the World’s Most Approachable Pilgrimage. The Camino Frances pilgrimage path is definitely an approachable one, and this guide will explain how easily navigable it truly is. And there’s no escaping the fact that the Camino is a life-changing journey.
What separates this guidebook from others is its approachability. This is a guidebook for people who prefer not to use a guidebook…or for those who find plain fact-driven guidebooks to be unapproachable and boring.
This is a guidebook that puts story first without compromising information. From the very beginning, Mathis eases us into the idea of taking a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. He entertains us with a plethora of Camino tales and folklore throughout the book, which he doles out with a wonderful sense of humour verging at times on the nudge-nudge-wink-wink variety.
I’ve never been this entertained by a guidebook in my life. I did not know what I disliked about almost every guidebook I’ve ever picked up, until I picked up this one. It’s a lovely read…plain and simple.
I’ve never before experienced that inescapable urge to turn the page while perusing a guidebook. And let’s face it, when you have a guidebook in front of you…perusing is exactly what you usually do with it. Scan. Skim. Skip. You’re grabbing information in a very unattached utilitarian way.
Let’s stop for a second at that word, utilitarian, shall we?
That is exactly what a guidebook is…a book filled with useful and practical information, delivered in a dry unattractive way. Nothing wrong with that…it is what it is, right? But…
Not this book. I was fully engaged throughout. Mathis has made sacred of the profane. He’s made a book of information an engaging read. This is the type of guidebook I’ll be seeking out going forward. It has all the information I need, in a format delivered in the exact way I prefer to have my information given to me.
I’ll be taking this book with me to the Camino de Santiago in September of 2025 when I return to THE WAY. I know I’ll be referencing it often.
Meanwhile, I highly recommend it for those of you who love words and storytelling. If you have yet to walk the path, this captivating read will ignite your Camino dreams. If you have walked the path, you’ll discover some new insights about the Camino in this book.
Here’s my Goodreads review of THE CAMINO FOR THE REST OF US:
You can find this book on Amazon:
AMAZON USA – THE CAMINO FOR THE REST OF US
AMAZON CANADA – THE CAMINO FOR THE REST OF US
If you pick it up, don’t forget to review it on Goodreads:
THE CAMINO FOR THE REST OF US on GOODREADS
TIM MATHIS on the web:
KEVIN CRAIG 