A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Cassette)

Rating:
Summary: Laughingly funny. You are there with him on the trail.
Review: As I grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee, it was like a trip home (without the relatives). I laughed tears and shared these funny passages that so charmingly capture life in the Appalachias, with my son who has only visited them. A great read for everyone. Anyone that grew up "in the hills" will certainly enjoy it. Thank you Mr. Bryson!

Rating:
Summary: A good half book
Review: I can deal with the fact that Bryson did not walk the entire Trail. This does not mean it should be a bad book. In fact, the most humerous parts of the book are those with his friend, Stephen Katz. However, half way into the book, the narrative turns into a grandstand for Bryson to unload all his problems with Americans and the Environment. When this happens, just turn the pages to where he picks up the Trail with Katz. Another unappealing aspect: Bryson has a very "The National Park Service is Stupid" stance, which is unfair and rather boorish. Leave the Park Service alone; they have a very large, important job to do with very little bugetary support. Where was the editor when these diatributes against the Park Service (which run for pages) were printed?

Rating:
Summary: It's worth it!!!
Review: I found myself laughing outloud. I also found myself learning things. A good combination. This is truly good. Mr. Bryson has a gift for writing entertaining, funny stuff that holds your attention and at the same time teaches you. He would make a fantastic teacher, already he is a great writer.

Rating:
Summary: "Could not stop laughing"
Review: It has been a long time since I found a book that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish, but especially a book that allowed me to laugh till I had tears running down my face. A definite MUST read. Very attuned with the nature of a true hiking adventure. Very much looking forward to reading other books written by him.

Rating:
Summary: A hilarious read if you've ever contemplated donning a pack.
Review: I picked up this book on the recommendation of my son's former Scoutmaster. On our way to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch Training Center, I read this aloud to my husband as we drove from Florida to New Mexico. We couldn't stop laughing. Were we appalled that two middle-aged men would strap on backpacks and set out on an arduous adventure? Maybe, at first. But, as I read, I couldn't help but remember my earliest attempts, in the 70s, in this sport. I still enjoy putting on that pack and hitting the trail. And yes, the Appalachian Trail is something I want to do -- someday....

Rating:
Summary: Didn't finish? Who cares? Not an instruction manual!
Review: Excellent book! This is my first time reading Bill Bryson and I now look forward to picking up his others. I don't recall laughing this hard in years - many years! It reads well and he did his homework. No, they didn't finish the trail - not even close - but the book wasn't a "How To" book, it was simply experiences on the trail (and off) shared in a delightful way.

Rating:
Summary: Not a walk on the wild side but a walk on the mild side..
Review: Shakleton failed at crossing the Antarctic but wrote a stirring account of his Endurance. Bryson failed miserably at walking the Appalachian Trail and his book is an equal failure at trying to put a positive spin on his lack of fortitude. Surely he must have been a political speech writer in another life. It should be retitled "In Celebration of Couch PotatoEs" (remember he's a wanna-be political speech writer). Trying to make a stroll in Maine's Danville Woods akin to a scene from the Blair Witch Project leads me to believe that his personal narrative is less than credible. I found trail descriptions in the AMC Guide more informative and fun to read than his accounts of his feeble, sporatic attemps at hiking. The "Rediscovering America" seems a tag line thought up by some editor to 'sell' the book. It would be more fun to go into bookstores if everyone who got their heart rate above 2x resting did not write about the experience and pollute the shelves with detrius. Bryson should have heeded then maxim of the woods and not left anything behind: carry out your trash.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS NOT A TRAIL GUIDE!
Review: All these angry reviewers blather on about the lack of real trail advice in the book, the naiveté of the author, the fact that they didn't finish the trail. Well, get this - BACKPACKING IS HARD! I *am* an experienced hiker, and it's NOT EASY to hike that far, and certainly not in the shape these guys were in. Bryson's attempt at hiking the entire trail was a noble one, and if people would just read the book and stop whining that he skipped some parts of the trail or kept trying to find a place with a good burger, they might come away with an idea of what Bryson *did* accomplish. Here's the deal - everyone's a newbie once. If you're in such great shape that you can just pick up and through-hike the AT your first time with no problems, good for you - go buy some maps instead and get cracking. The rest of us might find something to take away from this book.

Rating:
Summary: A great, light-hearted book
Review: This is truly a laugh-out loud book, filled with funny stories of the characters Bryson and his friend Katz met along their attempt to hike the AT. But it also brought to reality my romantic ideas about the trail. I once thought of thru-hiking the trail, but now know it's not for me. A few section hikes or day hikes will be all I'll ever attempt. But I also learned much about the ecology of the area, and was saddened to really learn how much we have already lost. A funny, insightful book. Die-hard hikers may not enjoy it, but anyone else who has an interest in nature will find it interesting.

Rating:
Summary: A good book that peters out, just like his trip
Review: The first half of this book is wonderful stuff, a cross between jon krakauer and dave barry. Unfortunately, it's hard to maintain a great storyline about hiking the AT when you aren't actually hiking it, which is what happens about halfway through. Obviously determined to get a book-length story out of his trouble, Bryson then cobbles together the rest of the book out of day hikes and a final effort in the 100-mile wilderness in Maine that again starts strong and ends with a whimper.It's still fun reading, but it really makes you wish someone with Bryson's wry wit and writing skill would actually finish the damn thing.Still, I admire his effort -- 750 miles is nothing to sneeze at -- and heartily recommend this easy-reading and funny book.