Rating: 
Summary: Another mid-life crisis book
Review: I have hiked part of the trail and dream of doing the entire route. This is one of several AT hiking books I purchased because the title suggests it covered the trail. Bryson's book is entertaining, loaded with laughs and speckled with bits of trail pearls, but boils down to a story of two overweight smokers with midlife crises who try trail hiking. This is akin to two college dropouts writing about getting a graduate degree. You will learn little regarding backpacks, shoes, tents, sleeping bags or other equipment. You learn even less about how to condition yourself for distance hiking. This book was a let down for me because I expected something else. Reading about two big boys' ice cream cravings and littering the trail during a partial hike left me nonplussed.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This is my first Bill Bryson book, and it may be the last. I see there are many customer reviews of 3, 4, or 5 stars, and I am surprised. This book led me on a merry chase that rendered ultimately in disappointment, and I do not recommend it. It began promisingly with several funny bits about getting ready for the "trek." And some of the early trail stuff was good, but all joy quickly fled, and I was left with the feeling that the author was either angry or just plain mean spirited. I was somewhat dismayed by the his rant against the Forest Service, I wasn't expecting that, and I was completely put off when I discovered there was never any real intention to do the entire walk-thru on the AT. That felt like a betrayal for some reason. In fact, as soon as Katz left and Bryson returned alone to embark on his guerilla approach to hiking by driving here and there and attempting to absorb some sense of the AT through day-trips, I lost interest completely. I didn't finish the book, so I cannot say whether it redeemed itself in the end or not, but everything after Part I felt a little forced and panicky to me. I also warn those who are not prepared for it, that some of the language is a bit salty. And it can be slightly jarring if you aren't expecting it, which I wasn't. I wouldn't buy this book. If you feel you must read it, check it out at your local library, which is what I did. I guess you'd have to say that this book wasn't what I was expecting!
Rating: 
Summary: Laugh until your face hurts
Review: From Joan Mazza, author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF, DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE, FROM DREAMS TO DISCOVERY and THINGS THAT TICK ME OFF. Billy Bryson is a riot. I laughed so hard that I had to put the book down until I composed myself enough to see the print again. Bryson tells a hilarious story of his attempt at walking the Appalachian Trail- replete with quirky characters and wonder at the beauty of nature. I loved his descriptions of Katz. He's convinced me that any fantasy I ever had about hiking the Trail should remain a fantasy, but at least I got to enjoy *his* walk in the woods.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable
Review: This was my first book by Bryson, and it definitely won't be the last. His account of his journey is both funny and humble--this is a man who is not afraid to look silly, or to tell the world about it later. Whether or not you're a hiker (and I'm not), you'll find this to be a book worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A tongue-in-cheek analysis of a long hike.
Review: This book hits the nail on the head. If you have ever been a "first-time" hiker (and we have all been there), you will get a nice dose of satire, sarcasm, wit and charm. Everything's here from buying equipment, bear stories, getting lost, to meeting other thru-hikers. You even get some history of the trail and the towns it passes through. You won't be able to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Laughs as Long as the AP Trail
Review: I plan on hiking the AP between jobs somtime in the next several years. To prepare I plan to do sections of the trail and read as much about other hikers experience as possible. Much of the reading has been interesting to anyone who is or plans to be a thru-hiker, but none of the books have been as much fun to read as Mr. Bryson's book. What's surprising is that, between all the laughs (and there's plenty of them), Mr. Bryson manages to provide as much useful informtation on how to (or more often, how not to) hike the Appalachian Trail. While Mr. Bryson may not have been physically prepared for the hike, he did a journalists job of preparing for the hike and the bibliography of this funny book contains several less funny, but equally essential, books on this great trail.
Rating:
Summary: So fun your child won't know she's learning!
Review: Reminds me of children's toy advertisements, "So fun your child won't even know they're learning!" or the Kix cereal, so good they won't know it's good for them... Read it for fun, enjoy the accidental education. Raised and bred in the West as I was, it's fascinating to discover the wilderness of the 18th century, driven like a half-penny nail through the heart of the Eastern U.S. Better than any history text I was force-fed in school, Bryson translates his peculiar vision of this most interesting and historical part of U.S. past and present into an enjoyable journey. Along the way he accidentally throws in bits of interesting perspective, history, and trivia. Enjoy the journey without having to hike for months at a time. Regards, BilFish
Rating:
Summary: A walk in the woods
Review: I absolutely LOVED this book! Bryson does such a wonderful job of making the best out of most situations! Every other paragraph had me laughing out loud! His journey, although somewhat disappointing in the end, made me excited to get out and enjoy the space around me and to explore my favorite parts of life- people and nature!
Rating:
Summary: You Need This Book
Review: Read this book next. This is not the type of book I would typically buy, but it was highly recommend by several of my friends. I finally gave in and bought it when I was meandering through a book store at O'Hare looking for something to get me through my upcoming 10 hour flight to South America. This book is hysterical and great fun. Bill Bryson tells a great story of misadventures mixed with moments of suspense and humor. I found myself laughing out loud every few pages. Though I was headed to another continent I was able for a few hours to experience and never forget the Appalachian Trail. My biggest problem with the book was that I had to warn the woman sitting next to me that I was going to occasionally burst out in laughter during the flight. I recommend you buy the book today.
Rating: 
Summary: Katz capers
Review: A very entertaining book. Mainly due to Bill Bryson's sarcastic wit and his friend, Stephen Katz. He is one funny dude. I thought the book meandered a bit when Bryson was hiking along but picked up again when Katz came back into the picture.
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