This book is far more enjoyably read as an occasional essay than as a book to take on start to finish. The main themes are fairly repetitive...walking is a more social form of transportation, it relates better to our evolutionary pace and is thus relaxing, etc. In the end it basically comes down to, we have the modern day comfort of being able to choose to walk, and it is satisfying.

I enjoy walking, but the author's relation to a small part of why we walk (basically for relaxation and social protest) left me thinking there must be more to it by the mid point of the book. Nothing new truly came about after that point either...more of her experiences, more about Paris and San Francisco, and that's it.

For a 'history' or 'analysis' go elsewhere. For a bit of self satisfaction that you make time to be on your feet in the modern world, this can be enjoyable in pieces.