Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915-2011) is a celebrated British author and travel writer, whose works document his extensive journeys - on foot - across Europe. His most famous book, A Time of Gifts (1977), is the first part of a trilogy that chronicles his walking journey from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1933, when he was 18 years old. The book provides a detailed account of his travels through Germany, Austria, and Hungary, offering insights into the landscapes, people, and cultures he encountered during this period. Fermor's narrative intertwines historical observations with personal reflections, offering readers a glimpse into Europe on the brink of significant political changes.
Between the Woods and the Water (1986), the second part of the trilogy, covers his travels from Hungary to the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. The third book, The Broken Road (2013), completed posthumously by by Colin Thubron and Artemis Cooper, describes the final leg of his journey through Romania and Bulgaria into Constantinople.
Although A Time of Gifts was not formally awarded, it has been highly praised for its literary style and historical detail. Fermor's work has earned him recognition as one of the finest travel writers of the 20th century, and his contributions have been honoured with several accolades throughout his life, including being knighted in 2004 for his services to literature and British-Greek relations.
