Travel to United States

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail)

Format: Paperback
Author: Bill Bryson
ReleaseDate: 04 May, 1999
Publisher: Broadway
Rating:

Good read
Bryson has a good voice, and better yet, a sense of humor. As one who has not, nor expects to, walk the Appalachian Trail, I found this book to be a painless way of taking the trip. It kept me going without a break (usually I read two or three books at one time) and I was not looking at the last page to see how far I was from finishing it. Bryson is a good Iowa boy, and I will read more of his stuff. He's a keeper.

Don't go into the woods at night
The story is somewhat laid-back and may be preferred reading on trip because it reads like a long magazine article or essay, and lends itself to fun reading. Bill Bryson's A WALK IN THE WOODS: REDISCOVERING AMERICA ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL takes reader up the most revered and legendary walking trails in American history. Some critics compare Bill Bryson's writing to Mark Twain's with all its satire and humor and plenty of popular culture references within his narrative.

The book begins in Georgia and covers 870 miles north towards the concluding trail that ends in Maine. Bryson provides an immense amount of information of the history of the trails from its natural state to the dangers that have occurred in the past. Aside from the humor and dialogue between Bryson and friend, Stephen Katz, the most informative part of the book is how Bryson spotlights the ecological and geological rich history of the trails as well as reference to a little historical trivia pertaining to one well-known Civil War site on the Shenandoah side of the trail, Harpers Ferry where abolitionist John Brown attempted to liberate the slaves.

The Appalachian Trail is a part of Americana and American history. Although there is a hint of a little romanticism of the past on Bryson's part, he interweaves the past with the present, and shows readers that despite progress, industrial and corporate development that surrounds the trails, the trails are still intact with its natural splendor and its big brown bears.
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Enjoyable for some
Bryson makes a few enemies. Mr. Our thinner skinned hillbilly (whatever that means), fuller-figured, and anti-ecologist friends may be offended by parts of "A Walk In The Woods". And if you're looking for a "How-To" guide, this book isn't it. There are plenty of those on the shelves anyway, there is no other book about the AT like this one.

This book is a hilarious and unabashed account of Mr. Bryson and Mr. Katz experience (or lack of) on the AT. Contrary to some reviewers here I was neither confused nor offended by the fact that they did not complete the full 2100 miles of the trail. I though the author made this point very clear and I for one was disappointed, but only because that fact shortened the tale. But on relfection they may not have lived to tell the tale if they continued on. I believe that if you're hiking for fun and it's not fun anymore. . . well. . .

Mr. Bryson is a wonderful storyteller. That is his skill and his primary occupation. I think this is a wonderful book for anyone who already camps, hikes, and loves the outdoors. And for those who might like to try hiking and camping but have never done it before, please purchase a serious "How-To" guide in addition to this wonderful entertainment book. You'll enjoy this book after your first trip.

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