Rating: 
Summary: Laughed out loud on the plane
Review: Which is pretty embarassing. This book is about how everything -- pathos, humor, love, respect, trees -- is involved in something as simple as a walk outdoors. And it's a hoot.Take this book for what it is. To all the through-hikers appalled by this book, Bryson never claimed to be the Appalachian Krakauer. Though maybe he is. Both write simply and well about our curiosity to discover, and our capacity to redefine, our own limits. I just imagine that Bryson has more stomach (and legs) for the discovery than the redefinition. In other words, don't expect "A Stroll in the Snow" followup (though lightening up the Everest literature wouldn't hurt, either).
Rating: 
Summary: Why you should read this book.
Review: I'm the sort of person who reads the funny passages of a book aloud to anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby when I come across something that makes me laugh. "Listen to this," I begin, then proceed to read, latching onto the targeted listener, who too late has recognized his fate and is trying to escape. I did a lot of reading out loud with "A Walk In The Woods". And my nearest and dearest did a lot of clearing the room whenever I picked up the book. (This is not a reflection on the book but rather on me. I always start laughing two sentences after I start reading, even before I get to the really funny part.) Bryson is sarcastic and lampoons all things related to hiking, including and especially himself. I happen to think that type of humor is pretty funny which lots of other people, apparently, do not. My (latent)kinder, less surly side can sort of understand that reaction; this is not a book for the person who cannot find humor in the following passage: "She's really ugly, isn't she?" "Only when compared to other women." Whether you like Bryson's humor or not, you have to admit sarcasm is preferable to an endless series of poop in the woods stories, of which there was not one. Humor is not the only reason why I gave this book five stars. Interspersed with the vignettes of life on the trail, Bryson gives a sobering, at times almost depressing, account of the health of the nation's undeveloped lands. The condition of the Eastern song bird population alone is enough to make you want to tie yourself to a tree or, maybe, start recyling in earnest. Some may consider this ecological assessment preachy, but maybe those who do are the ones in need of conversion. If there is one reason this book is worth reading, it's because the book jostles people into awareness and hopefully into action about the condition of the ecology. But you don't feel jostled, which is the nice thing.
Rating:
Summary: right on the money
Review: As someone who thru-hiked in 1996 (the year Bryson did his hike) I can tell you that Bryson's observations are true to life. The people you meet are really that weird and the hiking and weather are really that tough. Maybe I have a biased opinion, but I think Bryson has really captured the experience.
Rating:
Summary: It actually kept my attention and I liked it!
Review: As a person who doesn't particulary like a wide variety of books, I absolutely loved this book by Bryson! A very good friend of mine recommended it to me knowing that I am an avid hiker. At first I was skeptical, but I came to thoroughly enjoy Bryson's humorous, personable style of writing. I plan to read some of his other books, just as soon as I can get my hands on them!
Rating:
Summary: His sarcasm is funny!
Review: I love the outdoors, I love to hike, and I love this book. For those of you upset by Mr.Bryson's complaining, you need to develop a sense of humor! Those of us who spend any time hiking have met those annoying people and places on the trail - and they're are so much more interesting than anything else (besides the sheer beauty of nature of course!). I enjoyed the book immensely and can't wait to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Bryson definitely knows how to keep your attention!
Review: This is one of those books you won't be able to put down! The situations Mr. Bryson shares with us are those that most of us have been through at one point or another dealing with a hopeless companion.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reading...
Review: I loved the book! I only wished the author could have made the entire 100 mile Maine wilderness. Hopefully, there will be a sequel and describe this section of the AT.
Rating:
Summary: Take this hike!
Review: Bill Bryson treats us to the trip most of us would end up taking. This is no professional John-Krakauer-type outdoorsman. He knows what he is undertaking and informs us on the way. And when he changes plans we don't feel disappointed. I admit that midway through the book he does seem to lose his way on what the book is about. He also gets a little preachy in diatribes against the National Parks Service (although they have done some remarkably incomprehensible things). His characters can be some of the most obnoxious people you have ever encountered in print or tape, yet you find yourself caring about them especially when one seems to have fallen into harm's way. Often, I felt that I was reading what it would be like if Dave Barry took a hike. And I'm glad I went along.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting subject but irritatingly smug and sarcastic
Review: The subject is interesting, the descriptions are evocative and many of the observations are apt. I happen to share a lot of his views on the shortcomings of the Forest Service and the Park Service. But I quickly tired of the curmudgeonly, petulant, sarcastic tone and the impression Bryson gives of himself as the only intelligent and sane person surrounded by a sea of inanity and incompetence. The few pleasant, friendly people he meets are dismissed with a few words, while the majority with which he finds fault are heaped with scorn at length. It was made even worse by the fact that I chose the "Talking Book" version, which is read by Bryson himself. He is clearly enamored of his own wit, laying the sarcasm on thick in his delivery just in case the dull reader might miss it otherwise. I finally got sick of it and didn't finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: A very funny, adventurous, and entertaining book!
Review: I found this to be a fantastic book to read! The author was able to tell his story in a way that was funny and entertaining. A Walk in the Woods also gave the wanna-be AT hiker a realistic experience of the hardships, money, time, and planning that is involved in undertaking such a zealous dream. I also enjoyed the discussions Bill Bryson gave about the people he encountered, as well as some of the side adventures he was involved in besides the actual hike itself. This story also gives a realistic idea of what it is like to undertake such a trip not only physcally, but emotionally. I enjoyed his perspectives, and he made the reader laugh until your stomach hurts!! I would highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a good laugh, as well as anyone thinking about wanting to hike the AT!!
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