This is one of the most read books on the Camino that has truly had an impact. Pilgrims from all over the world frequently refer to it. Perhaps I'm just too academic or perhaps my psychic energy just hasn't yet matured, but I had difficulty stomaching the fantastical metaphysical accounts in this book. It came off to me as pure self aggrandizement, and I find it an unfortunate use of MacLaine's star power considering how many people have been influenced to embark on the Camino because of this book. You will be sorely disappointed if you are looking for practical advice. But, ok, it's her story and she can have it.

If you are looking for an inner look at the Camino with some practical advice, I would direct you to Nancey Frey's very nice book. If you are looking for a nice, concise, guidebook with great practical advice and maps I would direct you to the John Brierley series.

Or, read this website and blog.

This book does a great job of examining why people embark upon the Camino, what happens to them along the way, and how they deal with reaching or not reaching the end of the journey. It does not contain packing lists or detailed maps, nor is it intended to be carried along as a guidebook. Its greatest strength lies in giving us a view of the journey going on inside the pilgrim, which is always the real issue anyway. A wonderful pre-Camino and post-Camino book.

Revised for 2005, this is one of the four books (Don't do it!) that I took along on my Camino journey. It proved to be accurate and helpful. It was one of the few sources, including print and online, that gave me what I was searching for: a straight forward packing list. Also greatly appreciated were the explanations for taking the items on the packing list. Another very useful aspect of this book are the photos of the Alberques throughout. Not all Alberques are obvious, and when you've just walked 26-32 kilometers, believe me you don't want to have to start guessing. This provided a source of reassurance that one had made it "home" for the night. The maps were also helpful, I liked the alternative routes and the explanations provided. This can be of great significance, if say, the road is snowed over, as is possible in the Pyrenees. There are pages with small lined blank areas designed for your reflections. I preferred to record my reflections in a Moleskine journal, but I did use these blank areas for notes on specific items, or people that I met, sometimes how much the Alberque cost, the terrain, or something that I knew I might later forget at journal writing time. Really a very fine source of information and service to the Camino, with good maps, concise historical information, practical advice, and gentle spiritual reflections. One does wish that it could be even lighter.

I only saw one pilgrim on the road carrying this book. Unless you are taking a donkey with you (some people have and do) to help with carrying the load, or are doing the Camino by car or bus, I would discourage you from taking this book. It is hefty and not practical for the pilgrim on foot. I do highly recommend it as a very thorough guide to the architecture and history of the Camino. Some very nice aspects of this book are the simple drawings and explanations of the types of architecture you will see on the road. I could conceive of copying these pages and taking them along as a reference. I have often wished that this book would be revised and reorganized to include photos, and a better layout design.

The format of this book is the same as for the Camino Frances. If you take this book because you are planning to go to Fisterra, mail it ahead to Santiago at the first opportunity that you have in Spain. Don't carry an extra book that is only going to be used for the way from Santiago to Fisterra!

I did see this book being carried on the Camino. If memory serves me correctly it was nicely lightweight and contained the flora and fauna section that so many people rip out. Note to the authors: take the flora and fauna section out, make a separate guidebook for it that pilgrims can use as a pre or post Camino book. I was fascinated by the variety of the vegetation, and how 50 kilometers could bring a change in the diversity of plants, but the average pilgrim just doesn't have the time to contemplate these things in referenced detail while walking. I only briefly saw this book, but it seemed to be helpful and a popular choice. I remember it being very lightweight.

Like Shirley MacLaine's book, this books is a metaphysical, spiritual story that will not give you any practical information regarding the Camino. To each his own.