Rating: 
Summary: A Partial Walk through the Woods
Review: I was disappointed by this book, mostly because the first 20 or so pages are enjoyable (reading them at the bookstore convinced me to buy the book) but the story loses steam fairly quickly. If you're expecting the story of a neophyte that becomes a capable hiker, you won't find it here; rather, there are more hotel rooms and shortcuts than I expected.
Rating: 
Summary: A walk through humor
Review: This book is hilarious! It's an absolute riot! This is a must read for anyone who is a wilderness lover. Its very informatuive, yet very funny. Bryson's wit is incredible. Although one would think that he would be somewhat arrogant about about his trip, he was not. The insight and feeling that he puts into this novel causes it to be a must read for anyone wanting to hike anywhere. Being an avid hiker myself, I found many anectdotes that he uses are true to the trail wherever you are! A hilarious book written by an equally hilarious man! READ IT NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: This book is a riot! It is also very sad, especially when he talks about the evils of the forestry management in this country, the death of the trees and the birds, and the ugliness of civilization. I couldn't put it down. I feel sorry for those humorless sourpusses who gave this book any less than the wonderful review it deserves- you missed out on some great laughs and some wonderful writing. My husband kept telling me to be quiet I was laughing so much.
Rating:
Summary: A road trip at 3 miles per hour (on a good day)
Review: This book is a hoot: informative, often laugh-out-loud funny, and a wonderful picaresque travelogue through a part of the U.S. that is by definition removed from the experience of most Americans. I couldn't put it down, was disappointed when it ended, and was inspired by both the author's ambitions and his accomplishments.To those reviewers who seem to think this should have been a guide for "through-hikers," Bryson in his own descriptions of his research amply demonstrates that those books are already out there. This is no more a step-by-step guide to hiking than "Zen in the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was a manual for Harley owners. And the reviewer below who seems aggrieved that this is not a naturalist's or eco-warrior's treatise like one written by Abbey or McKibben should switch to decaf. Those are great writers, of course, but so is Bryson. Everyone relates to nature in different ways, and an informed, wry perspective on what and whom you find on the AT is no less valuable than a polemic about the superiority of wilderness to civilization. To the general armchair traveler, if you pass up this opportunity for a walk in the woods, it would be, as one hiker Bryson quotes might say, a "Big Mistake." The only warning: after reading it, you will feel a stirring to tackle a bit of the Appalachian Trail yourself -- provided you'd be guaranteed to run into characters as entertaining as those Bryson did.
Rating:
Summary: A funny, entertaining book
Review: I expected the author to be a bit arrogant about his experience hiking the AT. How many of us regular folks get to take a few months off to go hiking? Not being much of a hiker myself, I expected to also be a bit intimidated by the author's experience. I was delighted to find the author humbled by the length and difficulty of the trail. His writing is fresh and humorous, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. This is a book I've passed along to many friends. It's simply delightful. The book-on-tape, which is narrated by the author, is also very good, particularly during a lengthy road trip.
Rating:
Summary: Good Quick Read
Review: Although there are 100 books on hiking the AT, this book puts the reader on the trail with humor. It gives a realistic picture of how most thru-hikers really do the hike - in pieces. Yes, a select few hardy souls do the end to end in one year. The author did not complete all sections of the trail, and I felt his pain when he came to the realization that it was just not going to happen. This is a light and entertaining book made for long airplane flights.
Rating:
Summary: Humor akin to Dave Barry
Review: Although I picked this up as a quick read at the airport, it became more than disposable literature. I soon passed the book along to friends, family, and nature lovers who could appreciate the practicalities of hiking. I highly recommend this as a light read and an enjoyable walk through the woods!
Rating:
Summary: Very good, very funny SO WHAT IF HE DIDN'T FINISH THE TRAIL?
Review: This is a very funny book about 2 forty-something out of shape men who set out on the Appalachian trail. Bryson's hiking buddy Katz and the characters they meet on the trail are hilarious. Just because they didn't hike the whole trial, doesn't mean he can't write a good book. READ IT, you won't be disappointed!
Rating: 
Summary: YAWN
Review: One reviewer above summarized this book perfectly: Bryson was much more committed to fulfilling a book deal than actually experiencing the wilderness. Generic, white-boy humor has its place, sure, but there are a million other books more worthy of your time! Try Ed Abbey, Tim Cahill, Bill McKibben...anything but this.
Rating:
Summary: A Walk in the Woods - A must-read lovers of the outdoors!
Review: I grew up in New Hampshire, and walked many of the trails there. Then I moved away and haven't been back in 20 years. Now I've just read Bill's book and it has brought back a flood of memories and makes me want to hike the AT myself! I read the book while on a dive boat in Egypt and my outbursts of laughter startled other passengers frequently, Brysons sense of humor is nothing short of brillant. His trusty, yet unpredictable companion Katz adds a wonderful third demension to the book, and adds humanity. The writers deep understanding of the sad state of America's park lands is intertwined with his keen satir. All in all the book is very funny, and educational. My 14 year old son loves it too! Thanks Bill, for a great book we will keep forever.
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