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The Marches

A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland

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About this listen

Ten years after the walk across Central Asia and Afghanistan that he memorialized in his best-selling The Places in Between, Rory Stewart set out on a new journey, traversing a thousand miles between England and Scotland.

Stewart was raised along the border of the two countries, the frontier taking on poignant significance in his understanding of what it means to be both Scottish and English, of his relationship with his father, who's lived on this land his whole life, and of his ties to the rich history and culture of the region. Now representing this borderland as a Member of Parliament, Stewart's march begins as his father turns 90, Scotland is about to vote on independence, and Britain may disappear forever. At times alone and at times joined by his father, Stewart melds the story of his journey with an intimate portrait of the changing social and political landscape of the region.

Stewart has written for the New York Times Magazine, Granta, and the London Review of Books.

©2016 Rory Stewart (P)2016 Recorded Books Adventure Travel Europe Great Britain Travel Writing & Commentary Inspiring Thought-Provoking Stuart England
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Wonderful book! Thought provoking and companionable, authentic and profound.
The author reads it beautifully and with love.

An unusual and totally captivating book

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I'm a big fan of Rory Stewarts work and this book is much more than just a travelogue of a walk along the border of England and Scotland. It's a tribute to a father who was born in a different world from his son's and the story of how they bridged the gap from Empire to the present.

More than just a travelogue

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Interesting take on the impact of political borders. Lines on a map aren’t just problems for Africa.

Excellent view of our own borderland.

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Against the backdrop of the Borders and Hadrian’s wall, Rory Stewart paints a profound and moving narrative of his father and their beautiful relationship. In doing so doing his clear and resonant voice never fails to reflect his love and respect for his father and the history which surrounds both their lives.

À unique and moving testimony of life.

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I chose this book to learn more about Scotland and the borderlands, after listening to Rory on the rest is politics. I had not expected to be so moved by the relationship between him and his late father. An incredible book.

An interesting and moving book

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