Not to Santiago - Some reactions

Below you can find some reactions to Not to Santiago and back again (and some comments which came with book orders) .

Your reactions, too, would be greatly appreciated. You can leave them in the guestbook.

Recently I finished reading your book. I would like to congratulate you. What I noticed and what stuck with me is that in a very short time you must have read an enormous number of pages about topics which are not always easy to digest. And at the same time you have achieved considerable insight into the matters. The selfcriticism - of historians and sources - in the epilogue also demonstrates real insight. My summary - for what its worth - is well digestable through the centuries[...]
[...] Sometimes complex but when you say what you say at the end, you do so well and clearly. [...] It is not always clear where you want to go [...] a clear argument but not always easy. I had to really struggle sometimes [...]
Thanks for the tip. [...] an interesting book - clearly different from other Santiago-stories.
I am a former collegue of [...]. During our annual dinner she told me about your journey. I loved the story and would like to read your book!
Very curious. Heard good reports about your book!
Nice book [...] it confirms again my ideas about religion. It is good to see these kinds of facts set out end-to-end. I have a friend who gives courses about cultural- historical walks and another who often delves into history and the church. Both are going to receive a copy from me.
Still it is worth reading. Not so much for the story of the walk itself as for the meaning of the pilgrimage - in general, as a phenomenon - for the history of Europe.

[...]

Not to Santiago and back again is a real oddity in the realm of pilgrim books because of the mix of travelstory and extended history lessons. It is a strange, sometimes disturbing, book. But friend and foe will have to agree: Hans Rottier has something to say. I wish that were true of all pilgrimstories.

(From de Jacobsstaf, 2005, nr 67, pag. 127 - pdf, 4 Mbyte )
A stubborn travelreport by a contemporary compatriot who does not wish to call himself a pilgrim but nonetheless walked 3,500 km through Europe thinking about history and the future, about standards and values, about religion and power, about being and being useful. In my view as such, a real pilgrim, but also an incorrigeable grumbler (from compostela.nl).
YOUR book, took the book, three weeks in a tent. First in Bavaria, later along Lake Zurich. Man, I enjoyed it...a masterpiece, for me. Have to get used to the first part but you get used quickly...had to continue with a lamp, with lots of wine inside the tent when everybody was asleep. After reading it, I reread it, because the historical excursions refreshed and enriched my interest in history... I am grateful and expect to reread it again, once I am home.
One book I think is very special. It is called Not to Santiago and back again by Hans Rottier. He sells his house and furniture and starts walking in the direction of Santiago. Stimulated by the surroundings where he is walking he describes the local history. It is almost a reference work. He takes a lot of time and spends the winter in southern France. Then he returns. A wonderful book; I take it with me when I take to the road.
(from Henk naar Jakob)

One thing all reactions have in common: the majority does come from non-religious people or from religious people with an open mind. The book has been read by several Roman Catholics. One of them called it an interesting book, nonetheless but did not want to discuss it further. It seems to be a book which Catholics specifically do not like much.

Not to Santiago and back again

Some reactions

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