From the acclaimed author of The Wild Places and Underland, an exploration of walking and thinking In this exquisitely written book, Robert Macfarlane sets off from his Cambridge, England, home to follow the ancient tracks, holloways, drove roads, and sea paths that crisscross both the British landscape and its waters and territories beyond. The result is an immersive, enthralling exploration of the ghosts and voices that haunt old paths, of the stories our tracks keep and tell, and of pilgrimage and ritual. Told in Macfarlane’s distinctive voice, The Old Ways folds together natural history, cartography, geology, archaeology and literature. His walks take him from the chalk downs of England to the bird islands of the Scottish northwest, from Palestine to the sacred landscapes of Spain and the Himalayas. Along the way he crosses paths with walkers of many kinds—wanderers, pilgrims, guides, and artists. Above all this is a book about walking as a journey inward and the subtle ways we are shaped by the landscapes through which we move. Macfarlane discovers that paths offer not just a means of traversing space, but of feeling, knowing, and thinking.

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Hale provides a tour of our buildings and our social history, examines the principles that animate beautiful buildings, and offers hope for recapturing the lost magic of architecture.

The outdoor survival expert’s complete primer on traditional camping techniques—newly revised and updated with color photos and illustrations. Before the days of RVs and nylon sleeping bags, people still went camping. In this comprehensive volume, wilderness educator David Prescott explains the methods used during the golden age of camping, including woodcraft, how to set a campfire, food preparation, pitching a tent, auto camping, and canoeing. More than a simple how-to guide, Camping in the Old Style explores the rich history of American camping, with wisdom from classic books written by camping pioneers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Wescott also discusses his own methods, techniques, and philosophies. The information and ideas are brought to life through both archival and contemporary photographs.

An exploration of the Oberholtzer-Magee expedition and the hidden history-both natural and human-of this vast and beautiful wilderness.

In a land like ours, the old beliefs bring pleasure and wisdom... Exploring the legends, special places and treasured practices of old, Jo Kerrigan reveals a rich world beneath Ireland's modern layers. So many of today's Irish traditions reach back to our ancient past, to the natural world: climbing to the summit of a mountain at harvest time; circling a revered site three, seven or nine times in a sun-wise direction; hanging offerings on a thorn tree; bringing the ailing and infirm to a sacred well. Old Ways, Old Secrets shows us how to uncover the wisdom of the past, as fresh as it is ancient. 'Inviting, lyrical text and beautiful, atmospheric photographs ... A fascinating read.' Evening Echo on West Cork: A Place Apart