Rome Alone

In March 2008 Bristol GP, Dr Phil McCarthy, started to walk from Canterbury to Rome along the ancient pilgrims’ route the Via Francigena. Phil has been a Bristol GP since 1988. He has had a lifelong interest in politics, was Director of Avon LMC, and is also a GP trainer. This was to be a sabbatical to recharge the batteries. The walk would take 3 months and was in fact, a modern-day pilgrimage.

The structure for the book was built around Phil’s weekly diary and each chapter deals with a segment of the journey. Within this pilgrimage are a number of parallel and simultaneous journeys through Phil’s spiritual and professional life. Life on the road afforded him time and space to reflect. His comparison between the daily timetable of a monk and a prisoner compared to that of a busy modern professional is fascinating. There is a persuasive argument that the first two are infinitely healthier with emphasis during the day for some exercise, community life, and meals. The life of a modern worker, however, is dominated by eating food on the go and reading e-mails with little time for education, reflection, and silence. What is your working day like?

I found the book to be both informative (I knew little about the Catholic Church), but also humorous, (check the joke about Jesus returning as a GP for the day).

The book is simply illustrated with handwritten maps and each chapter is well referenced. I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it.

We GPs are currently on a journey and the destination is not clear. We all need to keep some perspective in our lives in order to stay on track. Phil succeeded in achieving this with his pilgrimage and has also written a fine book about his experiences.

The proceeds from the sales of this book support Mary’s Meals (www.marysmeals.org), a very deserving charity.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2013