Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Marches
- A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland
- Narrated by: Rory Stewart
- Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.00 for first 30 days
The Marches
Buy Now for £20.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
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.
What listeners say about The Marches
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lorna
- 09-06-23
Beautifully written, moving and fascinating
Fascinating account of Border history. Eloquent, poetic prose. Moving homage to a clearly much loved father.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- R.
- 18-07-20
Great ‘father and son’ story
Rory is a devoted and loving son. His father was an adoring and loving father. One may interchange the adjectives. It was read brilliantly. It was written excellently. Gives an idea how one of the best statesmen of current times was brought up and loved. The words used to describe the environs, The Highlands and all, take readers there without having to physically travel. Amazing read!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- AF
- 17-12-17
The Marches
Delightful journey alongside Hadrian’s Wall and meanderings back through the Borderland Marches. Plenty of fascinating facts, impressions and opinions. Anyone who enjoys delving into the history of the Scottish/English border, its languages, landscape will love this book. Relationship with his somewhat eccentric but highly intelligent father is obviously very close. Very touching section on his father’s end. It is a delight to hear the author read his book with such clarity and feeling.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Leo
- 15-04-23
Splendid
So interesting, and what a man Rory’s father must have been. Also makes me want to visit Crieff again, and see the borderlands as a walker.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Chairman
- 13-06-23
Absolutely fancinating!!
A remarkable account of a remarkable journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to others.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Phil
- 17-01-23
fascinating
I enjoyed this contemplation of his country (both Scotland and England) and his relationship with his father. Thoughtful and well read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- melfish
- 01-12-23
Enviable family love and care
The great love and respect between Rory and his father was very enjoyable and to listen to in their exchanges.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- S
- 24-01-24
Moving
A very moving account of Rory Stewart’s deeply affectionate relationship with his elderly father. The geopolitical aspects were interesting too, if inconclusive.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- enquirer
- 09-05-24
Fascinating
We especially enjoyed the history of the Celtic Cumbrians & the border country. Less interested in final chapters
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-05-17
The chronicle of a father and son coming to a fuller understanding.
I loved this book.
It was a very articulate yet understated expression of a son's affection for and devotion to his delightful and singular father who loved him as devotedly, though their directions and attitudes to life were quite distinct.
Lots of very descriptive chapters about the borders between Scotland and England and what they signify today in a historical context. Also he is tangibly disappointed by the diminishing of historical reference points and their importance or lack of it in modern times for the people he met. His conclusions were far removed from what he had expected but honestly worked through and arrived at with a refusal to try and romanticise, and an acceptance of the motives of many "champions" of places or events he encountered as alien to those he had hoped for. These were often unrelated to historical truth and more to trying to make a profit or lure visitors into a managed experience far removed from what was real. Some of these modified expectations chimed with those he experienced in the planned father and son expeditions but the latter were illuminated by new insights and knowledge of his father's life and how he had lived it.
The story ends with a singular send off.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful