This book took over a month to finish, and in this case that does reflect on the book. I think a good history could be written for this region, but this book is more a muddled memoir and travelogue. While the maps were nice, it certainly didn't live up to the cover blurb.

The first part of the book covers the Romans as the author and his father walked along Hadrian's wall. Stopping after this would have resulted in a better book, though short. In the second (and longest) section, the author walks the borders solo, ruminating primarily on history and geography and politics. Near the end of this rambling walk and rambling narrative, he laments that the people he met didn't really fit the story he was trying to write. The third (and shortest) section is an attempt to salvage the second, ending in the very personal experience of his father's last days. While moving, this portrait of a man feels incomplete.

A good friend pestered me about whether or not this is recommended. I was on the fence during the first part, but in total I must answer, wholeheartedly not. 1½ stars.