Christopher Gortner, author of The Secret Lion, talks with award-winning author/explorer Brandon Wilson about the rigors and pleasures of his recent 2600-mile peace walk from France to Jerusalem. (adapted from the web blog Historical Boys: Historical Fiction for Men and Women)

Christopher: Congratulations on the publication of Along the Templar Trail. Please tell us what inspired you to take a journey of seven million steps for peace?

Brandon: In 1992, during a walk across Tibet, what began as purely an adventure transformed into a journey with greater meaning. Since then I’ve been fortunate to walk many early pilgrimage routes. They nourish a sense of brotherhood, connectedness with nature, physical and mental growth, as well as a Zen-like link to the spiritual.

In 2006, I was surprised by an invitation from an old pilgrim friend. Would I be interested in walking to Jerusalem? The historic path would take us over 2600 miles across eleven countries and two continents.

From the very start, I was determined to make the trek not only as a personal pilgrimage, but also as a walk for peace. To that end, I eventually hoped my book would re-launch this historic trail as an international path of peace that others could walk in brotherhood, regardless of nationality or religion.

Eventually thousands will walk this same path each year, sharing blisters, food and conversation. Once they walk together, they’ll discover a connectedness, a personal peace. They’ll return to their families, jobs, communities and countries with greater tolerance and belief in our commonality as human beings. They will embrace the ideal of cooperation on our increasingly fragile planet.

Christopher: Of all your experiences in your travels, which has left its biggest impact?

Brandon: Each journey leaves its mark. Walking from France to Jerusalem presented many challenges, even though the setting was more “civilized” on the surface. Politics turned out to be the greatest unknown. By the time we arrived in Serbia, Israel had bombed Beirut Airport, southern Lebanon was being evacuated, there was a bombing attempt on the Embassy in Damascus, and Western travelers were gunned down in Amman, Jordan. Oh, and an Ebola-like virus raged in central Turkey.

Still, without exception, the people were curious and kind when they discovered the reason for our journey. Our message found great acceptance. The people are so very tired of endless war and some were moved to tears.

By the end of 160 days, I felt more strongly that we all share the same dreams. When we realize this, it becomes more difficult to take up arms against each other. Every war becomes a civil war when all men are brothers.

Brandon Wilson’s books are available from your favorite bookseller. Preview them at http://www.pilgrimstales.com.

Author Christopher Gortner’s new book, The Last Queen, a tale about Queen Juana la loca of Spain, will debut in 2008 from Ballantine Books. http://historicalboys.blogspot.com/





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