Description

‘Elegantly written, full of wit and charm, this is travel writing at its very best’ Orlando Figes

In the summer of 1849, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy’s legendary revolutionary hero, fled Rome and led 4,000 of his men hundreds of miles through Umbria and Tuscany, then across the Apennines, Italy’s mountainous spine, toward the refuge of the Venetian Republic. After thirty-two exhausting days of skirmishes and adventures, only 250 survivors reached the Adriatic coast.

This hair-raising journey is brought vividly to life by bestselling author Tim Parks, who in the blazing summer of 2019, followed in Garibaldi’s footsteps. A fascinating portrait of Italy past and present, The Hero’s Way is a celebration of determination, creativity and desperate courage.

Publisher Review

A delightful account of an enthusiast's romp through history and his adopted country... Parks shows one simple way...in which this troubled yet beautiful land and its constantly debated history can still offer nourishment -- Max Norman * Literary Review * Parks intertwines his travelogue with thought-provoking contemplation on leadership, history, memory, politics, idealism and the true meaning of love of country'... Parks's deep affection for Italy with all its flaws...is implicit and compelling -- Jeremy Cliffe * New Statesman * Park's prose reflects the hot sun overhead, the hard stone underfoot; it spares none of the senses, and it makes for sympathetic reading... the reader gasps at Garibaldi's charisma and intelligence -- Harry Cochrane * Tablet * The Hero's Way is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. Following in Garibaldi's footsteps, Tim Parks recreates the thrilling history of his legendary escape from Rome in 1849. Elegantly written, full of wit and charm, this is travel writing at its very best -- Orlando Figes