Customer Rating: 
Summary: a constant companion
Comment: I've just returned from a month in Spain, following the Camino Frances - I took John Brierley's book with me.
I must say, as a hardened long-distance walker, sitting at home before the Camino I was rather sceptical of the "spiritual journey" theme throughout this book. However, I persevered and found that there was some very practical content - maps, accomodation, history etc.
Once I was out there, JB's guide proved a huge asset to me. The suggested routes were excellent, particulary where he recommends a path less travelled. The distances were extremely accurate and I felt that there was an excellent balance of fact, history, and dare I say it, spiritual stuff. There were even blank pages in the book for your own notes - a very thoughtful addition.
Yep, there was the odd naff inspirational quote from rather bizarre sources, but they all kind of made sense. I travelled on my own and the book was a constant companion. I wouldn't have been without it and thoroughly recommend it. I bumped into lots of other people along the way using this book and everyone seemed impressed, a couple of people who had alternative books commented that this was far superior to the guide they were carrying.
I guess you could just follow your nose and bin all of your guide books, but you would miss a huge amount of history and background, which JB covered in just the right amount of detail for me. A truly excellent work from a clearly dedicated author. For a sceptic like me JB helped turn the Camino from "another long distance walk" to real a journey of discovery.
Buen Camino
Customer Rating: 
Summary: rubbish
Comment: we took this book as a guide to the camino, he could have slimmed it down a little ,the weight is first problem,he talks spiritual psychobabble throughout, trying to verbalise things that are deeply personal and when written just sound stupid,there are other quotes of obvious brain noise, such as a quote from dolly parton, the quotes made me wince , eventually we dumped the worthless guide and followed our noses,which i think is one of the points of pligrimage, is acceptance,accepting the will of god, you dont need a guide to do the camino, follow your own path.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant guidebook!!
Comment: I have just returned from walking the Camino, and this book was essential,all the information is clearly written, the maps are great and John writessome amazing things. As helpful as the camino arrows are it was nice tohave some alternatives..instead of walking the long N120 for...wellforever!
If ever you get the chance, walk the Camino....and take thisgem of a guide with you!
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best Guide to Santiago
Comment: I bought this guide with the purpose of doing the pilgrimage
to Santiago de Compostela, I was very surprised that not only
gave a detail description of the route but also has very good
maps of each stage of The Camino and a lot of history that goes
along the whole route, so I will recommend it 100% if you are interested in doing the pilgrimage along the "Camino Frances"
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