I picked up this book expecting a straightforward historical account, but it’s so much more personal than that. Published in 1848, author Edmond De La Coste acts more like a detective than a historian. He pieces together the life of Anselme Adorne, a wealthy Burgundian knight, using the man’s own journal from the 1470s. The result is a story that feels immediate, like we’re reading someone’s private blog from 500 years ago.

The Story

The plot is deceptively simple: a man goes on a pilgrimage. But the ‘why’ hangs over every page. Anselme isn’t a young seeker; he’s a middle-aged lord with power and responsibility. His sudden, profound decision to leave it all behind and walk across Europe to the Holy Land is the central puzzle. The book follows his grueling route—through the Alps, down the Italian coast, across the Mediterranean. He deals with corrupt border guards, gets caught in local wars, and relies on the shaky network of hospitality for pilgrims. It’s a survival story as much as a spiritual one. We see the medieval world not from a throne room, but from muddy roads and crowded, flea-infested hostels.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was the sheer humanity of it. This isn’t a saint’s legend; Anselme gets frustrated, scared, and sick. You feel the weight of his privilege being stripped away. The book quietly asks big questions: What makes a life meaningful? What are we willing to give up to find it? De La Coste doesn’t force modern psychology onto his subject, but by presenting the diary entries alongside historical context, he lets you see a man in a genuine mid-life crisis, centuries before the term was invented. It’s a powerful reminder that some human experiences are timeless.

Final Verdict

This is a hidden gem for a specific reader. It’s perfect for history buffs who want to get out of the kings-and-battles routine and into the mind of an ordinary (yet extraordinary) traveler. If you love real adventure stories or travelogues, this is the OG version. It’s also a surprisingly contemplative read for anyone curious about pilgrimage, purpose, or personal transformation. A word of caution: it’s a 19th-century book about a 15th-century journey, so the pacing is thoughtful, not fast. But if you let yourself sink into the rhythm of the road, it’s an incredibly rewarding trip.