Looking for historical guide

[viclindal]

My buddy is now redoing the Camino after watching The Way
Last year he hired a walking guide
He needs a guide who ca give the history
April 15 start date from Roncesvalles
Any ideas
He will pay
Vic

 

[viclindal]

Looking for suggestions

 

[sillydoll]

He could buy the Camino 'Bible' and read it as he walks.

The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago by David Gitlitz and Linda Davidson is a cultural handbook that covers the history and folk lore, saints' lives, art and architecture, geology, flora and fauna of the Camino Frances and also the Aragones route from Somport. It is a heavy book but would be better than any guide.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Gitlitz-Davidson was published in 2000, so does not make a good route guide (see Preface page XI below), but the history does not change, and the descriptions of things and events is excellent. Unless you need to read something as you are standing before it, read the book beforehand, and save the weight of carrying it.

You can read the first 262 pages here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=gbWa7P ... &q&f=false

 

[sillydoll]

Linda Davidson says clearly in the book, 'This is not a route guide." They do not provide directions or information on lodging or restaurants. She goes on to recommend route guides for walkers and cyclists.
"What you are holding is your Handbook to the cultural contexts of the pilgrimage. It is meant to accompany your route guide, to be the second item you put into your rucksack. From the Pyrenean border between France and Spain we will walk with you, providing useful and interesting information about the history, people, natural environments and artistic monuments that you are passing."

 

[sillydoll]

Linda Davidson says clearly in the book, 'This is not a route guide." They do not provide directions or information on lodging or restaurants. She goes on to recommend route guides for walkers and cyclists.
"What you are holding is your Handbook to the cultural contexts of the pilgrimage. It is meant to accompany your route guide, to be the second item you put into your rucksack. From the Pyrenean border between France and Spain we will walk with you, providing useful and interesting information about the history, people, natural environments and artistic monuments that you are passing."

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A book on the Codex Calixtinus:

http://books.google.com/books?id=eshHE- ... &q&f=false