Tim Salmon

“On Foot Across France” by Tim Salmon is a travelogue that chronicles the author’s journey on foot from Dunkerque to the Pyrenees. The book is a slow and intimate look at the country that Salmon has grown to love and know so well. The author’s journey is inspired by the old Paris meridian line, which runs from the North Sea at Dunkerque to the Spanish border. The book is a well-written and engaging account of the author’s travels, with vivid descriptions of the French countryside and its people. The author’s passion for France is evident throughout the book, and his love for the country shines through in his writing.

However, the book may not be for everyone. The slow pace of the journey may not appeal to readers who are looking for a fast-paced adventure. Additionally, the book is light on historical and cultural information, which may disappoint readers who are looking for a more in-depth exploration of France.

Overall, “On Foot Across France” is a beautifully written travelogue that will appeal to readers who are looking for a slow and intimate look at the French countryside. However, readers who are looking for a more fast-paced adventure or a more in-depth exploration of France may be disappointed. I would give this book a score of 3 1/2 out of 5.… (meer)

Tim Salmon sets off alone on a hike across France which he narrates for the reader. He tells of the history of France and the world, geography, horticulture, French idiom, sex, opinions on youth and immigration, and the transformation of ancient France to the a degraded, modern, immigrant-packed country. Salmon writes well and interestingly, and introduces the reader to various characters he meets on his journey. The viewpoint is a very personal one, and this reader found Salmon's multitudinous references to the sexual lushness of women encountered and to his own "princesses" (apparently a reference to any woman he has ever bedded, including his current wife), to be a jarring note in an otherwise enjoyable and sometimes thought-provoking book.… (meer)

I love France and I love travel books, so I was looking forward to this, and for the most part, I was rewarded. Tim Salmon comes across as a slightly grumpy old man in a country he enjoys; his descriptions of the landscape and people were detailed and evocative, but many of his comparisons of other places and other times and often unnecessary interspersions of French ("I will provide a translation when I feel it necessary") condescending and irritating.
Having just read also David Downie's "Paris to the Pyrennees" I felt this gave more of a feel for the country and countryside itself and was overall very enjoyable.… (meer)