Sun, Storm, and Solitude: Discovering Hidden Italy on the Cammino di San Benedetto

I found this title while browsing Italian travel books and thought the idea of walking the Cammino St Benedict very interesting. I had hoped this book would provide both good information and some inspiration to undertake this pilgrimage. I found neither. The book is a disappointment, especially in the way it is written and designed.Here are some clues. So buyer beware.The book is self-published. There is an obvious lack of professional editorial input.There are no professional reviews of the book offered. (As you would expect if from a real publishing house.)There are no maps, no photos, and no illustrations.There is no index. (This would help the reader cross-reference info on places from other sources.)There is no suggested reading list. (This would help guide you for further research.)While the author does talk some about what to pack, a more detailed and organized appendix specific to back packing issues would have been appreciated. There is none.The actual travel narrative is plodding and pedestrian. It is written at a level of perhaps a college sophomore who had not taken a creative writing course. The powers of description are weak, with little imagination or depth of thought and feeling.The author is a Catholic writer but you would never know it from the writing. I'm not sure why he wrote the book. He states in the beginning there was no real meaning for him in undertaking this trek. And at the conclusion he can still find no significance in the journey. The best he can summon is "gratitude" to those who helped him along the way. So this is not a pilgrimage in any significant spiritual sense; it is just a trip, told in a superficial manner.You will also find nothing of the spirit of Benedict here. All that you will learn about is where and when he was born, died and established a monastery. Again, strange coming from a self-proclaimed Catholic writer.The idea of walking the Cammino St. Benedict is still interesting, but you will have to look elsewhere for guidance.Caveat emptor. Buona fortuna.

If you're looking for a "guidebook" with maps, etc. this isn't it...but if you're looking for a realistic experience through a part of Italy that most people rarely see, then click "buy"! A good read for me incorporates humor, honesty, and history and you get all three, plus some (can't wait to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj the next time I'm in Rome!) The humor is peppered throughout the book with one-liners and curious questions that come in the form of pondering. I enjoyed the refreshing honesty as he doesn't color-coat his observations, perceptions, and experiences. He descriptively shares the good, the bad, and the reality in-between while walking with a backpack and limited resources, all while experiencing the unexpected and unknown. His historical tidbits were intriguing and left me wanting to learn more, i.e. the sixth-century B.C. Etruscan bronze parade chariot that was unearthed in 1902 and it's ultimate resting place! Save yourself a few overpriced coffee drinks at the coffee chain, make your own at home, and then snuggle up with this good read.

I found this book and was excited to read about an Italian Camino. I had walked 200 miles of the Camino Frances in Spain a few years back. I also have been hiking trails in Arizona. I knew of Karl from Catholic Answers. After reading the book I knew I would never want to hike this Italian Camino. The weather, the poor signage, and the lack of others making the trek made me decide that I will head back to Portuguese Camino instead.

This was enjoyable to read.If you're not afforded the opportunity to hike the Cammino Di San Benedetto, you can walk it with Karl Keating.The visuals clearly painted in the mind's eye.Rich in facts, history, details, you can appreciate reading it while sitting in your favorite chair, or out on a sunny deck as I did and not have to endure a sudden downpour; rain pelting the face and feet stuck in mud puddles.The author does that for you in relatable descriptions.

I really enjoyed this book. For someone who, even in the best of times rarely ventures outside the country, I felt like I was trekking along with Karl on the commino. Karl Keating's snappy punchy writing style makes this book a real page turner and a fun read. This book would be a great escape for anyone suffering from COVID cabin fever or perhaps someone who is "spiritual, but not religious" who wishes to explore new avenues in their spiritual journey.

Very good' pilgrimages are a favorite

As someone who has visited and greatly enjoyed Italy, I looked forward to reading this book. The author describes a trip he made following a pilgrimage route. Unfortunately the book reads more like a casual blog. There are no maps, photos, and the text often lacks cultural and historical context. This could have been a much better book if the author had put more time into it.

This is nothing more than a sterile journal, the kind that one looks at years later and throws away in embarrassment. It contains nothing of interest to anyone other than a lost hiker; its wretched prose will evoke utter boredom in anyone else. To top it off, there is not one map, anywhere. The cover photograph is the only attraction of this failed monograph, a complete waste of money and time. SKIP IT.