'Beautifully written, filled with strange encounters and extraordinary language, The Crossway is a meditation, an escape, a confrontation, a losing and a finding. It is a timely antidote to our disconnected times.' Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan 'The journey is remarkable - a hike of thousands of miles across Europe, undertaken with rare bravery and stamina. But what is really extraordinary about The Crossway is the writing - acutely sensitive, hyper-alert and unflagging in its exploration of the strange depths and by-ways of human belief.' Philip Marsden, author of Rising Ground 'Stagg's fabulously open-hearted account easily bears comparison with the great walking and monastery books of Patrick Leigh Fermor, except he goes further in revealing the damage, and how it might be repaired.' Robert Twigger, author of Red Nile 'A gorgeous and moving book.' Jamie Quatro, author of Fire Sermon 'I loved it. Stagg is an engaging, challenging, endlessly interesting companion who just happens to write formidably well. Travel writing has a bright new star.' Alexander Frater, author of Chasing the Monsoon