Out There by Chris Townsend
| Out There by Chris Townsend | |
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| Category: Animals and Wildlife, Travel | |
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Reviewer: Luke Marlowe
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| Summary: A lifelong walker, Chris Townsend imparts his years of wisdom, passion and respect for the natural world to the reader in this enchanting book. Filled with tales of magical landscapes, but also advice and tips for those wanting to explore, Out There is a must read for those wanting to explore the world of walking – whether for real or from the comfort of their armchair. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 320 | Date: March 2016 |
| Publisher: Sandstone Press | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1910124727 | |
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Chris Townsend has been Out There as a long distance walker for almost four decades. For most of that time he has been equally out there as a champion of the outdoors. He is the author of many books, many accounts of his treks, and his web site and blogs receive many thousands of visits. Here, for the first time, he gathers his thoughts and experience into a single volume, singing a hymn of praise for the Wild, and stirring defence against human predation.
I make no secret of the fact that I miss the great outdoors. I'm within ten minutes walking distance of two great parks in London, and I relish seeing foxes flit past my house in the light of the moon. However, the thrill of stumbling upon somewhere beautiful alone, finding hidden rivers and seeing wildlife undisturbed in its own habitat – it's tricky in London, to say the least.
So, despite trying to get away at weekend as much as possible, much of my rambling and exploring now happens in my mind – and Out There proved to be the perfect guide for that. Chris Townsend has a huge amount of experience – not only has he been walking for decades, he's also walked almost everywhere, giving him experience on all kinds of terrain, in all kinds of weather, and with all kinds of wildlife.
There is passion on every page – Townsend's love for the outdoors is palpable, and gives the book a beating heart that carries the reader along in its flow. For those who are reading for the descriptions of stunning wildlife, the areas examining the best equipment to use may seem a little dry. But turn a page, and you'll be plunged back into evocative depictions of incredible landscapes. And, likewise, those wanting tips and advice for future walks may find some of the language a little flowery in parts, but I've no doubt you'll be swept up, and receive helpful information as soon as you've recovered from being transported to strange new places.
This isn't just a light travel guide though – Townsend's fear for the future of open landscapes is clear, and this reads as a thrilling defence of the open land, stirring the reader to get out and explore as soon as they can. And when they do, thanks to Townsend's helpful advice, they'll know where to go, what to use, and to be respectful of the countryside around them – hopefully setting the way for a whole new generation of walkers who will explore the beauty of our wonderful world. Many thanks to the publishers for the copy.
People wanting a lighter version of walking might appreciate Unforgettable Walks by Julia Bradbury.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Out There by Chris Townsend at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Out There by Chris Townsend at Amazon.com.
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