A Philosophy of Walking

In this French bestseller, renowned philosopher Frédéric Gros explores the many forms walking can take—from pilgrimages and leisurely strolls to protest marches and nature walks—and what each reveals about the human condition.

Gros reflects on how walking shaped the lives and minds of great thinkers. He considers Thoreau’s retreat into Walden Woods, Rimbaud’s furious pacing, and Nerval’s meandering attempts to soothe his melancholy. Rousseau walked to think, Nietzsche roamed the mountains to write, while Kant followed the same route daily through his hometown to free himself from thought.

Insightful and richly intellectual, A Philosophy of Walking is both a celebration of walking and a thought-provoking journey through its role in history, creativity, and contemplation.