In the Steps of St Paul by H.V.Morton

H.V.Morton came from a journalist background and became famous for his travel books. He discovered the knack of travel writing after the Great War and wrote about London, England and Scotland before travelling around the Middle East in the nineteen thirties. His two books from those adventures, ‘In the Steps of the Master’ and ‘In the Steps of St Paul,’ not only became best sellers at that time but are still published today.

Morton plays the part of the middle class Englishman touring the world well. He can chat to diplomats and governors as well as Turkish drivers and Arabs living in poor conditions. His easy air, his knowledge, learned or pretence, takes us into both the world of the thirties and that of the first century. His advantage was the ease he could travel through so many countries and visit empty sites which could give an understanding of life two thousand years ago. The traveller today has far too many travel difficulties and those same sights are often hidden by tourist traps, shops and hotels a plenty!

Morton writing is easy on the eye and he gives a clear impression of the world that confronts him and then describes the same place when Paul the apostle and his companions passed this way. His descriptions are enticing and made me want to follow him to these far off places after I first
read this book.

The tour start in Israel, passes through Antioch, Cyprus, and travels across Turkey, although not always with ease. The struggles with his cars in the roads of the time give an insight with Paul’s difficulties on the roads under Roman rule. Greece is covered and then Rome. Here however the Roman Catholic in Morton leaves me queasy. His near adulation when he watches the Pope pass by is unsettling for those who understand the bible. The constant use of ‘St’ in front of Paul’s name is also irritating.

I like this book, and the manner of the writing. Paul’s troubles are made clearer as we get an insight into his daily struggles, whether through work, painful beatings, imprisonment, travel or the church itself. Instead of heavy theology, which he is unable to contemplate, this book is a light relaxing read that in spite of the time difference from our own gives an insight into Paul’s work and the world in which he operated. It is well worth a read.