A Pilgrimage to Eternity

From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith

By: Timothy Egan

Narrated by: Timothy Egan

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From "the world's greatest tour guide," a deeply researched, captivating journey through the rich history of Christianity and the winding paths of the French and Italian countryside that will feed mind, body, and soul (New York Times).

"What a wondrous work! This beautifully written and totally clear-eyed account of his pilgrimage will have you wondering whether we should all embark on such a journey, either of the body, the soul or, as in Egan's case, both." (Cokie Roberts)

"Egan draws us in, making us feel frozen in the snow-covered Alps, joyful in valleys of trees with low-hanging fruit, skeptical of the relics of embalmed saints and hopeful for the healing of his encrusted toes, so worn and weathered from their walk." (The Washington Post)

Moved by his mother's death and his Irish Catholic family's complicated history with the church, Timothy Egan decided to follow in the footsteps of centuries of seekers to force a reckoning with his own beliefs. He embarked on a thousand-mile pilgrimage through the theological cradle of Christianity to explore the religion in the world that it created. Egan sets out along the Via Francigena, once the major medieval trail leading the devout to Rome, and travels overland via the alpine peaks and small mountain towns of France, Switzerland, and Italy, accompanied by a quirky cast of fellow pilgrims and by some of the towering figures of the faith - Joan of Arc, Henry VIII, Martin Luther. The goal: walking to St. Peter's Square, in hopes of meeting the galvanizing pope who is struggling to hold together the church through the worst crisis in half a millennium.

A thrilling journey, a family story, and a revealing history, A Pilgrimage to Eternity looks for our future in its search for God.

©2019 Timothy Egan (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Oprah's Must-Read Books of Fall 2019

“A glorious, laugh-out-loud, wipe-away-tears, blister-riddled, often rain-soaked, sometimes bone-chilled, desolate and desperate, quietly triumphant walk through church history - every last footfall in search of an elusive modern-day spiritual certitude.... Egan aimed high, and he reached it.” (The Chicago Tribune)

“One of Egan’s best books, a moving combination of history and memoir, travelogue and soul-searching, buoyed by Egan’s strengths as a writer: color and humor, a sense of wonder and a gift for getting to the point." (Seattle Times)

“If this book doesn’t quite settle the question of belief for you, it will at least fortify your faith in scrupulous reporting and captivating storytelling.... Egan is so well informed, he starts to seem like the world’s greatest tour guide.... Reading it, you feel yourself in the presence of goodness - the kind you might simply have to decide to believe in.” (The New York Times)

A good read indeed

Nice blending of history, theology, hiking tail and human introspection. Kept my interest up on a daily basis. Felt like I was especially hiking up the Swiss Alps and could feel the slobbery licks of the St. Bernards. Would put this on anyone's list of a must book to read.

A tour through faith, history, and human spirit.

Egan gave a voice to my struggles and hopes so succinctly that I ended the book in tears. There are so many places mentioned on the journey that I hope to visit. Thank you Mr. Egan
My favorite quote in the book: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience." De Chardin

Another reading treasure!

Tim Egan reading his own pilgrimage is delightful. Thank you so very much, Mr Egan.

History and spiritual reflection

I liked both the book and the author's narration. I enjoyed hearing the history of the area of his pilgrimage and of the church.

A Pilgrimage to Eternity

What an excellent book! I am so glad that I listened to this on audible, I felt I was able to feel like I was walking along with the author. I too , like the author, have a questioned my Catholic beginnings. What an amazing pilgrimage to experience. Unfortunately, I do not believe that I will ever be able to do the pilgrimage the way Mr. Egan did, but I truly felt I was going along with him. I have been to Rome and have seen many of the sites that the author talked about. Thank you for such an enlightening and historic experience!

Loved it!

Great spiritual journey written with words. I have wanted to walk this but at the time can not. Thank you for sharing this experience.

I loved this book

A testament to walking old paths; to thinking, pondering, reflecting, researching, exploring and opening your heart to new thoughts. An extra treat that Mr. Egan narrates it himself.

Wonderful Blend of History and Personal Reflection

Timothy Egan has the perfect voice for reading this book. I felt like an old friend was telling me a story. His reflections on church history are honest, sometimes scathing, but also beautiful in his appreciation of the mysteries and miracles of the Catholic church. He is open about his struggles with faith and the sins of the church, especially about its sexual abuse and how it has affected his family and friends in his small town in the Pacific Northwest.

As he wends his way from England to Rome, he takes us back in history, covering the events that happened and the people involved in each town he passes through. His story is grounded in the earthy reality of the people he meets and the places he walks through. He lets the listener into his personal world, with all his doubts, logic, and skepticism. Yet he retains an open mind, and reaches a surprising conclusion at the end of his journey.

Really good with history!

Excellent book narrated by the author. A good read, lots of history and personal reflections.

Brilliant

I felt I was also on a pilgrimage. A holy experience.
Praise be to God!