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

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone who has ever considered hiking the AT
Review: Bill has written a easy to read narrative of a trek along the Appalachian Trail. His writing style makes this an easy and fun read. A good balance of humor mixed with history of the trail combined with the realities of a serious hiking experiance. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has considered taking up back packing as a hobby and is interested in learning more about the reality behind the glamor - both bad and good!

Rating:
Summary: a good laugh-out-loud-til-crying book
Review: I was so HAPPY reading Bill's book and found myself time and again laughing out loud so hard that I thought I would choke. This is VERY rare for me so it was worth it. The only let down is after Bill's companion Stephen Katz leaves him and the book is literally down hill from there. The laughs in the first part of the book are relateable for anyone who has "roughed" it travelling to obscure or remote but beautiful places. I even recommended it to my world-traveler backpacker brother. Next time Mr. Bryson, please keep the momentum going to the end. Greatly appreciate your vivid descriptions of events. Look for the recollection of the night with the mice jumping on them and Katz freeking out! I laugh out loud about that still!

Rating:
Summary: What a great book
Review: Bryson does not over-glorify hiking the AT and points out with hilarity the trials and tribulations on hiking the trail. He does sprinkle a lot of history in with the book about the towns he passes through while hiking. While this is nice he does go a little far in some sections. I think I may even try a small day hike on the AT in my state.

Rating:
Summary: five stars on the hiking; one star on the preaching
Review: I enjoyed the book a great deal until they left the trail in Gatlinburg. The narrative of the Shennandoah and Maine Wilderness were also superb. I was disappointed by all of the car-hiking and Mr. Bryson's contempt for apparently everyone else but himself; he is probably the most self-righteous person I have read an account of in recent years.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging, charming, worth every penny!
Review: This is the perfect take-it-with-you vacation book. It's also a great gift for anyone who loves nature and likes to "get away from it all." Trekking up the Appalachian Trail, an experience most of us will never have, is hilariously detailed in a witty, understated fashion. Best of all are Bryson's descriptions of the hugely stupid, rude, and utterly self-absorbed yuppies (Geez, are these types everywhere?) he encountered. The book is sprinkled with interesting facts about the areas visited, including surprising historical accounts, and stories gleaned from the author's own preparatory reading. This book is a treasure!

Rating:
Summary: Great Start - Great Ending
Review: I must admit, I read this book in under 10 hours because it was so good. BUT, the middle section was a bit 'slow' (to say the least). In my opinion, too much history, not enough hiking. But WELL worth reading!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent characterizations, wonderful wit ...
Review: Bryson is wonderful in his depictions of people, places, and anecdotes on the trail. It is most entertaining and yet much ecological data is woven in the chapters of this small saga. I suppose that I could feel belittled by his descriptions of Tennesseans. However,I realize Gatlinburg is no cultural mecca. Bryson sanctifies the beauty of the entire trail and its fragility. Underneath his sardonic tone I think he has much of the same reverence for this earth as my fellow Tennessean Al Gore in "The Earth In Balance".

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable comedy with lots of love for nature.
Review: The book a walk in the woods explains in a funny way the beauty of nature as one kills himself hiking along the trail. His hiking partner Katz struggels along the trail and brings life into the every day hiking experiance. Another nice point of the book is the story comes right from the hiker nothing is left out or added and as you read it the trail alone provides struggels and adventure for the two hikers as they fight to retain sanity on the Appalachian Trail

Rating:
Summary: I laughed out loud and thought a lot
Review: I could recommend this book to anyeone. I am not an "outdoorsman". I am not a history fan. I am not interested in how many types of salamanders can be found between Maine and Mauna Loa. But DAMN I love this book!! It is funny, thought-provoking, compelling, and over much too soon. I've ordered two more of Bryson's books based on the strength of this book alone.

Rating:
Summary: Oh so funny and informative
Review: Just finished "A Walk in the Woods", laughing out loud through much of the book. A very funny and fact-filled work. Reminds me of "Blue Highways" by William Moon. It carries a non-participant down the Appalachian Trail without sweat or blisters. I Look forward to more books by Bill Bryson.