The Marches: A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland – A Profound Father-Son Memoir of Historical Reflection and Heritage

I loved this book and plan to re-read it. It is one of the most thoughtful books I have ever read, full of meditations and thought-provoking passages on the specific history of the border between England and Scotland, with many explorations of the Roman Empire’s mark on the land, which prompt memories of Britain’s own empire, which intertwine with a memoir of his father, who served that empire in Asia for decades. But the author goes beyond recitations of history to reflect on its patchwork influence. Why are some aspects of history still vitally important today and why are some entirely forgotten? Why are some people drawn to preserve a place’s history and culture, while others migrate from it? And so on. As well, he gives the reader a very good feel for the residents of the area and what challenges they face in daily life.All of this organized around a narrative that recounts his walks through the region, reminiscent of The Places In Between, which I also read and loved. This is a wise and thoughtful book that I savored and heartily recommend.

This is a book in 3 parts the first part is short and deals with the early part of Stewart's walk through the Marches (borderlands of Scotland) accompanied occasionally by his aged father. They discuss a number of topics both historical and current. The final third returns, to be again about his relationship with his father. In between (the bulk of his 1,000 mile walk) is a lot of detail about the history of the borderland of Scotland, who lived there and who lives there now. Anyone with Scottish heritage could find it interesting. But as I got close to the final part of the book I thought that I had read something similar and not too long ago. It was Hillbilly Elegy (sic) about the problems of an Appalachian family, in this case an autobiographical novel by C.D Vance. In both instances the industries that the communities relied on closed down, in Scotland those workers moved on and new industries and people moved in. In C.D. Vance's community, it largely froze and decayed, though in the borders community continuity, was also lost but with less damage. I will leave it to readers of both books to conclude why this should be. I have read two other books by Rory Stewart, one is about his walk across Afghanistan, The Places in Between. And the Prince of the Marshes about his year as a regional administrator in Iraq. I recommend both books unless you believe that the west can administer an Arab country, in which case do not read The Prince of the Marshes.

I read this book 3 times and then bought this copy to give as a gift. It was at first a way of reliving walks I had on the Hadrian Way Pathway and learning more about the area I was familiar with. Then the relationship between the author and his father hit me as so personal and telling about the changes in people through generations. On the third reading I looked more for the way history had affected the different small areas between the Lake District and the area of Scotland where the father lived.

An onion peeling history of Scotland/England on foot blended with a father/son bonding. Especially appealing to Anglophiles and military enthusiasts.

A perspicacious and remarkable story of travelling the Scottish Borderlands.

Well worth reading regardless of your interest in the wall! I came to it knowing nothing about the wall and walked away with so much more than I expected.

I love Mr. Stewart's writing. Adored his book about walking across Afghanistan. This one is interesting especially comparing the Roman Wall in Britain to modern tactics in the Middle East. Mr. Stewart's father is one of the kind of whom it might be said that we will not see his like again. In the end it was too long and began to drag.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is extremely thoughtful and moving, a rare combination. Stewart demonstrates masterful storytelling and it was a pleasure to read.