Camino Books, Films, Etc.: There’s a lot to read & see

Narratives about the Camino offer inspiration and provide glimpses into ‘pilgrim life’ on the trail. They’re also helpful with the ‘preparation journey’ and good resources for learning about the art, architecture, & history of the route. In addition, pilgrimage stories reflect the transforming journey that walkers often experience. Below are listed some of the many books, films, etc. available —

Camino narratives:

The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho — author Coelho’s allegorical account of his 1986 Camino walk
Pilgrim Stories: On and Off the Road to Santiago, Journeys Along an Ancient Way in Modern Spain by Nancy Louise Frey — an exploration of how the Camino transforms & impacts pilgrims’ lives by anthropologist/author Frey
Following the Milky Way: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago by Elyn Aviva — author Aviva’s account of walking the Camino in 1982 as part of her Ph.D. work in cultural anthropology
A Furnace Full of God: A Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago by Rebekah Scott — a memoir by journalist/author Scott about her life in a small town on the Camino
The Way of the Wild Goose: Three Pilgrimages Following Geese, Stars, and Hunches on the Camino de Santiago by Beebe Bahrami — anthropologist Bahrami’s account of her Camino walks to explore the symbol of the goose and its association with the ancient/medieval trail.
Camino Chronicle by Susan Alcorn — author Alcorn’s account of her first Camino in 2001; check out her backpacking newsletter with news about the Camino + other trails
Healing Miles: Gifts from the Camino Norte and Primitivo by Susan Alcorn
A Hug for the Apostle: On Foot from Chartres to Santiago de Compostela by Laurie Dennett — account of Canadian historian Dennett’s 1986 Camino journey to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research
I’ll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair by Patrick Gray & Justin Skeesuck — inspiring story about two best friends & their Camino journey together (also a documentary film)
Travels With My Donkey by Tim Moore — British travel writer & humorist Moore’s account of his Camino accompanied by a donkey in 2001
Steps Out of Time: One Woman’s Journey on the Camino by Katherine B. Soper — account of walking the Camino in 2002 by author/linguist/lawyer Soper
The Lore of the Camino de Santiago: A Literary Pilgrimage by Jean Mitchell-Lanham — Camino history/folklore by author/traveler Mitchell-Lanham who walked the route in 2013
Off the Road by Jack Hitt — author/journalist Hitt’s 1990s account of his Camino; loosely inspired the characters in the film The Way
The Pilgrimage to Santiago by Edwin Mullins — 1970s account of the Camino by art critic/journalist Mullins
Spanish Pilgrimage: A Canter to Saint James by Robin Hanbury-Tenison — account by explorer/anthropologist Hanbury-Tenison of his Camino journey on horseback with his family in 1989
Road of Stars to Santiago by Edward F. Stanton — account of professor/author Stanton’s Camino in the 1990s

Camino & pilgrimage history, art, etc.:

The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred by Phil Cousineau — inspiration for transformative journeys by author/filmmaker/lecturer/traveler Cousineau
The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook by David M. Gitlitz & Linda Kay Davidson — seminal book on the Camino’s art historical sites by historians Gitlitz & Davidson
The Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago de Compostela by William Melczer — includes English translation of the 12^th c. Codex Calixtinus (known as the first Camino guide)
Waybread: Memories of the Camino for the Onward Journey by Laurie Dennett — collection of speeches & studies about the history of the Camino by Canadian historian Dennett
Being a Pilgrim: Art and Ritual on the Medieval Routes to Santiago by Kathleen Ashley & Marilyn Deegan — introduction to medieval pilgrimage focused on various Camino routes by medievalists Ashley & Deegan; photographs accompany text
Camino: Pilgrims to Paradise, The Road to Santiago, Then And Now by Adam Hopkins — account of the Camino’s history & culture by author/journalist/poet Hopkins
The Roads to Santiago by Derry Brabbs — landscapes & architecture of Camino Frances and French routes by British photographer & author Brabbs; includes lots of photography
To Be a Pilgrim: The Medieval Pilgrimage Experience by Sarah Hopper — exploration of medieval pilgrimage & pilgrim traditions by historian Hopper
The Age of Pilgrimage: The Medieval Journey to God by Jonathan Sumption — history of medieval pilgrimage in Europe by medievalist Sumption
A Pilgrimage to Eternity by Timothy Egan — narrative about the Via Francigena pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome by author/journalist Egan who walked the 1300 mile route in 2017

Camino films, shows, etc.:

The Way — film starring Martin Sheen; written & directed by Emilio Estevez
I’ll Push You — inspiring documentary about two best friends, Patrick Gray & Justin Skeesuck, & their Camino journey together (also a book)
Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago — documentary by filmmaker Lydia B. Smith
Strangers on the Earth — documentary of cellist Dan Johansen’s Camino journey
Wayfaring: A Jaunt Along the Camino de Santiago — documentary by filmmaker/comic Scott Herriott
Rick Steves’ travel show featuring Northern Spain & the Camino
Santiago album by The Chieftains — a musical tribute to the Camino by the acclaimed Irish folk band who blend Galician & Celtic sounds

Camino podcasts, vlogs, etc.:

Camino Podcast — host Dave Whitson features info & interviews about pilgrimage and the Camino; Whitson also writes Camino guidebooks.
My Camino: The Podcast — weekly show with host Dan Mullins; interviews & info about the Camino
El Camino de Santiago Pilgrims’ Podcast — host Bradley Chermside features interviews and Camino preparation info, including gear & training tips.
El Camino People Podcast — interviews with pilgrims on the Camino & other pilgrimage routes
The Spirit of the Camino Podcast — hosts Nick Leonard & Wendy Werneth discuss Camino routes they’ve explored; check out Nick’s website for Camino info, photos, & more.
Sacred Steps Podcast — hosted by Kevin Donahue; interviews focused on the Camino & pilgrimage; check out Kevin’s website with info about the Camino and other sacred trails, including the Via Francigena, California’s Missions Trail, & England’s Pilgrims’ Way.
The Camino Cafe Podcast — hosted by Leigh Brennan who lives in Santiago; her YouTube channel has podcast interviews (including with John Brierley) and also “Camino News Updates,” weekly reports from Santiago.
Efren Gonzalez — Camino vlogs by professional videographer Efren, who has walked multiple pilgrimage routes in Spain, France, Italy, & Japan; includes aerial views of trails
Check out YouTube for the many videos/vlogs available about walking the Camino.