A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

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It's a hit!

My friend Peter Hackett recommended that I read this book and it was fun. Since I live in NH and love hiking, this seemed appropriate. Bill Bryso... (show more)

My friend Peter Hackett recommended that I read this book and it was fun. Since I live in NH and love hiking, this seemed appropriate. Bill Bryson decides after returning from 20 years in Europe to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Maine; just 'cause. He has done walking tours in Europe so is not a novice, but he quickly discovers that hiking in the US is very different. An old friend, Stephen Katz, joins him and the comedy adventure begins. Bryson has a way of making even normal circumstances seem very funny.

They have a plan and before they know it the plans get scuttled because of circumstances. They meet up with a lot of interesting characters, from the grizzled old hikers to a crazy woman who is all bluster. They get snowed on, rained on, pitch their tents in the worst places, get hungry, cranky, scared and every emotion you can imagine. The times they get near a town are heaven, since they go off the trail and opt for a night in a real bed with a real shower.

The tale is very funny and Bryson peppers the story with local history, including how the AT came to be. He chronicles some of the major changes in flora, fauna and the environment over the years, which is both intereresting and heartbreaking. The story takes a noticeable turn when the two hikers finish stage 1 of their trip.

The subsequent sections of the book let me down a bit, until Bryson hooks back up with Katz in Maine. This final trip is where they decide that even though they wanted to hike the 2000+ miles of the AT, they are happy with what they did and that's OK. The book ends on an upbeat note and makes me want to go on the trail immediately. (show less)

 

 

by Ron Arden

No, it's a flop!

Not quite as good or funny as I had expected. Being from an outdoor background myself, I found a lot of Bryson's issues while on the AT to be rela... (show more)

Not quite as good or funny as I had expected. Being from an outdoor background myself, I found a lot of Bryson's issues while on the AT to be related to the fact that he wasn't in any way prepared or ready for the realities of the hiking. Taking a friend who's borderline nuts with you doesn't exactly help matters either. This book was 1 or 2 different moves from being written as a disaster story about his disappearance/death if he hadn't just lucked out. In addition, he skips large sections of the trail, hikes up Mt. Washington in JEANS!!! (What a genius idea), and generally seems to be most excited about when they get to a town or somewhere to buy a Coke and a Cheeseburger and sleep in a motel. Perhaps someone who actually likes hiking should write this book instead, but for all you weekend warriors, this is your new hero. Nothing like finishing up a day of 14 miles hiking like enjoying a smoke. He even goes so far as to suggest that the trail needs to be less wild and more integrated to society (like is England/Europe, which he clearly loved hiking in). If you have no interest in hiking, and want to hear someone else describe how agonizing it can be, just ask a friend who's been and save your money on this book. (show less)

 

 

by Gavin Schwier

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  This is a simple and enjoyable read, and I learned a lot following Bryson and his old sort-of friend as they manage,often in spite of themselves, to walk a significant portion of the Appalachian trail, the "AT". The trip, though, is a lot work for Bill and Stephen and, to tell you the truth, I think his readers have more fun on this trail then he had.
  But, Bryson always does his homework and his preparation for "A Walk in the Woods" is no exception; thus he fills the pag... (show more)

  This is a simple and enjoyable read, and I learned a lot following Bryson and his old sort-of friend as they manage,often in spite of themselves, to walk a significant portion of the Appalachian trail, the "AT". The trip, though, is a lot work for Bill and Stephen and, to tell you the truth, I think his readers have more fun on this trail then he had.
  But, Bryson always does his homework and his preparation for "A Walk in the Woods" is no exception; thus he fills the pages of this book with quips and parantheical asides about whatever mountain, villlage or highway he is passing - and more AT history then you would have guessed existed. Suprisingly, he has some caustic and frustrated (but always intriguing) remarks about his fellow travellers and the Park Service.
  I look forward to reading more of Bryson's work - it is very easy to like. (show less)

   

   

  by Mark on Nov 08, 2009 at 05:39AM

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  A good read, despite a dull middle section. I found Bryson at his best when paired with the offensive and loveable figure of Stephen Katz and the sections without him seemed bare in contrast to the book's excellent beginning. I was also surprised at how melancholy the book turned out, despite praises being sung of Bryson's comedy. (Not to say the book isn't funny- it is.) The book is chock-a-block full of captivating tales of hiking and Bryson really does do an excellent job of conveying what... (show more)

  A good read, despite a dull middle section. I found Bryson at his best when paired with the offensive and loveable figure of Stephen Katz and the sections without him seemed bare in contrast to the book's excellent beginning. I was also surprised at how melancholy the book turned out, despite praises being sung of Bryson's comedy. (Not to say the book isn't funny- it is.) The book is chock-a-block full of captivating tales of hiking and Bryson really does do an excellent job of conveying what hiking the Appalaichan Trail would probably be like (midges and all) and successfully instils the proper respect and awe in the reader as he and Katz trudge their way through adventure in the wilds of America. The relationship between Katz and Bryson is perhaps the book's greatest strength as Katz's oafishness is a brilliant companion to Bryson's dry wit and I am genuinely sad that with the book's conclusion, I must leave their company. (show less)

   

   

  by Ben Wells on Oct 01, 2009 at 11:35AM

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