Wild Words Newsletter
Get monthly recommendation on all the latest nature writing, heritage and conservation related reads available at Sherlock & Pages
Currency
Guaranteed safe and secure checkout
Oliver Smith, the esteemed travel writer, embarks on a captivating journey to redefine the concept of pilgrimage in Britain. In this masterful exploration, Smith traverses sacred landscapes, delving into ritualistic travels from the Ice Age to contemporary spiritual quests.
With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for adventure, Smith immerses himself in the heart of Britain's holy sites. From scaling forgotten sacred peaks to nestling in remote sea caves and spending nights in Neolithic tombs, his odyssey is nothing short of extraordinary. The author's quest leads him along ancient pathways to churches, cathedrals, and enigmatic standing stones, whilst also uncovering the unexpected sanctity of modern-day pilgrimage destinations such as football stadiums and music festivals.
This enlightening travelogue weaves together prehistoric, pagan, and Christian traditions, revealing the timeless human desire to seek meaning through journeys. Smith's encounters with contemporary pilgrims add a fascinating layer to his narrative, demonstrating that while the routes may be ancient, the spiritual seekers are decidedly modern.
Hailed as "excellent" and "imaginative" by critics, this meticulously researched yet playful account offers a fresh perspective on Britain's sacred geography. Smith's evocative prose invites readers to join him as he unravels both physical paths and the intricacies of the soul, reminding us that the act of pilgrimage remains a profound means of self-discovery in the 21st century.
Book ISBN: | 9781399409032 |
Book Author: | Oliver Smith |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | Bloomsbury Continuum |
Book Publisher: | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
Book Dimensions: | 242 x 162 x 29 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2024-03-28 |
Book Pagination: | 256 pages, 10 black and white interior photos |
Book Weight: | 466g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’