Summary: the author, Steve Birkinshaw, is a keen runner with a background in orienteering. The book is autobiographical, with a focus on Steve’s attempt to break the record for running the Wainwrights – 214 peaks in the Lake District… in under seven days, one hour, and twenty-five minutes.
Message: Steve isn’t preachy, but the way he writes naturally communicates great enthusiasm for running and deep appreciation for the outdoors. He doesn’t tell you to go out and run in the hills. Rather, he inspires you to do so.
Highlights: the author’s self-deprecating style makes the book lightly amusing throughout. I particularly enjoyed Steve’s descriptions of generating interest in his record attempt through creating a Twitter account and a blog. Being public about his plans was unnatural for him, which makes for descriptions that are comical and affirming in equal parts.
Limitations: happily, Steve did not try to do anything through the book beyond sharing his experiences in running, culminating in an epic record attempt. My only gripe with the book is the incongruence between the title and Steve’s own personality: “There Is No Map In Hell” comes across as quite brash, whereas the author is anything but.
Concluding thoughts: I would recommend reading this book if you wish to be inspired to get outdoors, or to feel nostalgic about time spent in the mountains. It’s an easy read …apart from the sentences in which Steve describes the agony he experienced due to wear and tear on his feet.