Thomas F Connell

Tom Connell is the fifth of six children in an Irish-Catholic family from Boston. He attended public schools, graduating in 1967. He was interested in most everything, but especially language, literature, drama, poetry and astronomy. He received a full scholarship to Princeton University, graduating with a degree in English literature, and a minor in Classics.

After serving for three years in the United States Peace Corps in Afghanistan (1973-1976), and practicing law for decades at a major international law firm, Tom retired in 2012. Since then, he has spent his days walking to interesting places, telling stories, and finding traces of humor and wisdom wherever he can.

His book "Shadow of a Pilgrim" is a 600-page, step by step recounting, in the present tense and with 340 color photographs, of the two Caminos he walked in northern Spain: first the popular inland Camino Francés; and then along the wild, rugged coast on the Camino del Norte. Through historical insights, stories, photos and belly-laughing incidents, Tom takes you on an 1,100 mile journey, with boots on your feet and 24 pounds in your backpack. You can experience, as if firsthand, the beauty of the landscape and the architecture, the layered complexity of history, the simple grace of the Spanish people, and the healing calm of inner reflection and solitude.