Rating: 
Summary: A funny, entertaining read
Review: Bill Bryson's book is a quick, entertaining read that starts off with page after page of laugh-out-loud material. The book drags in the 70 or so pages that Bryson's friend Katz goes back home. And while the book picks up steam for the home strech, it never regains its comic voice. I also got the sense he finished his hiking in the trail merely for finishing his obligation for the book (to give back a book advance is far harder than walking the AT). No matter. I recommend the book.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific, funny, poignant read.
Review: A little gem, this book took me by surprise. Bryson has an eye (and ear) for the right type of anecdote and packages them so well with informative and even biting commentary. His description of the hapless "friend" he and Katz meet early on is one for the ages, as is the encounter with the mysterious animals deep in the night. Anyone who is offended by the slightest of trail indiscretions is missing the boat, the point and the fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Wuss in the Woods
Review: While this book is mildly entertaining as a Novel it is useless as a trail guide or travel guide. The Author is cynical, opinionated, and egotistical. The facts related in this book are suspect and may not be well researched. As examples I offer the following: Mr Bryson states that the Little Tennessee River flow into Fontana Lake through the Fontana Dam (this is quite contrarty to fact and logic). Secondly, Dolly Parton was not born in Pigeon Forge. These inaccuracies make other quoted facts sited in the book suspect. A better title might have been " A Sissy Takes a Hike", since Bryson spends more ink on whining than appreciating the true beauty of the Appalachians. I do want to thank Mr. Bryson for his book because I think it will do a great deal to keep like minded people off the trail and in their easychair. I am sorry that Mr. Bryson was not able to fully appreciate the trail. He attempted to hike the trail and failed. The reader could come away with the feeling that the Trail is too difficult with little reward. This is quite untrue. Mr. Bryson missed the opportunity to really appreciate the trail. He skipped vast portions of the best and less traveled sections. Had he not wussed out and continued the hike from the Smokies to Roanoke he might have experienced Mount Lacont with its wonderfull Lodge, or the view from the bald at Max Patch where on a clear day you can see Clingman's dome in the Smokies and Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina and on a clear night the stars touch your face. Mr. Bryson could have experience the town of Hot Springs, NC., where you are able to stay at a Jesuit Monistary and soak in the hot spring water on the banks of the French Broad River. He also missed the Rhotodendrian covered bald of Roan, the Town of Damascus, White Top Mountain, Mt. Rogers and so many more wonderous sites and interesting people. Please read this book as a novel and do not let Mr. Bryson spoil this old trail and even older mountains for you. Experience it yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: WHO goes backpacking without a pocket knife?
Review: Bryson does not know about nature, nor does he like it. Why he attempted to hike the trail is a mystery. Maybe he didn't. He writes more about the towns along the way than the trail itself!
Rating:
Summary: A great vacation read.
Review: Interesting bimodal distribution of reader comments. It is clear that if you have a sense of humor and interest in, but not slavish love of nature, you will love this book. It has many hilarious passages. I liked Bryson's criticism of the AT as well; that it might have some more places where there was an interface between rural areas, and wilderness. I have always found these interfaces the most magical and inspiring. (Although some are unfortunately ugly as well.) As one who has hiked sections of the AT, I thought it was an excellent depiction of the people and trial itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Good when he walks; bad when he talks.
Review: He's "out loud" funny when recounting his hiking experiences; but when he stops hiking, the fun stops as abruptly. Indeed, he then has a compulsive need to fill space with Michner-like details which sadly cancel his otherwise excellent effort at Trail humor. Thru-hikers will be as disappointed as everyone says we will. (Turtle GA>ME '97)
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and real
Review: This was my second Bryson book, so I opened it with eager anticipation of smart, irreverent quips and hilarious observations.I was not disappointed. I'm one of those people who try to stifle wild laughter while reading this book in bed next to his almost-asleep wife. I heard her later, on several occasions, in a tone of irritation mixed with something like awe, tell her friends about this crazy book that makes her husband spasmodically shake the bed at 2 in the morning. That is what Bryson does for me. For all of you purist thru-hikers, please give us a break. Here is a man who attempted something very challenging and made his best attempt at finishing. And he didn't do so bad, either. I think he turned out to be pretty tough for a pasty, out of shape ex-ex-pat. And how about Katz? He is the best part of the book and his attempt was no less noble than Bryson's. I do agree that there is a bit of a marketing problem, though, in that it appears from the title and jacket that this is a record of a completed thru-hike. I just don't think he's trying to hide or misrepresent anything. Bryson uses humor and scathing, witty observation to get across a larger idea: the quest for self-knowledge and limits. And isn't that what hiking the trail is all about, even if one does not finish it? That, and of course, gaining a greater appreciation for our land, our wild spaces. And to its core this is a green book fueled by strong research and literate rhetoric, which none of its critics seem to mention. I gave it four out of five stars because I think the book stops dead after the first half and up until the return of Katz. I was disappointed, too, when they left the trail, not because I felt duped but because I wanted them to go on; I wanted more of Katz. Maybe that's what's behind some readers' negative reactions to the fact that Bryson left the trail. It's a good read up until that point, then you just wait for Katz's return as Bryson muddles through his depressing solo day hikes. Bryson is underrated as a complex guy trying to figure some things out, and he takes us along on the ups and downs. A little more coherence and editing would be welcome, but his spirit of exploration is what drives everything, and we don't want too little of that, right?
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoy life more
Review: Having been on several excursions, both hiking and in cars, I can truly say that this book captures the essence of the journey. The people who are critical need to realize that this book is neither a survival guide or an itenerary of hiking the AT. It is a great story that goes deeper than just the physical pursuit of completing the trail. Sit back, enjoy it and realize that part of an adventure is what happens when your plans veer off the beaten path.
Rating:
Summary: Great read for a cold winter
Review: Just read "A Walk In The Woods" and found it both humerous and informational. Even used it as my non-fiction recommendation in my annual Christmas letter. Life is too serious, and while we do have to attend to our finances, employment, etc. it is great to be able to sit and relax and enjoy a good book and have a few laughs. I hope he writes many more!
Rating:
Summary: A great narrative about the Appalachian Trail
Review: I honestly said to myself that if I ever plan for a trip to America one day, I would like to hike the Appalachian Trail. Bill made me want to do it. His narrative was straight forward and it was an enjoyable book to read. it's the kind of book I would like to bring along to kill time while waiting for the bus or the subway train, or when you've found a great spot to read in the park. My favourite part was when the author and his friend, Katz came upon a woman (whom I forgotten the name)along the Trail and she tormented them on her brief encounter. I had a great laugh. I can almost relate to their misery and how they had to put up with her. The book is a must read for those interested in hiking. I was fascinated by his detailed illustration on the Appalachian Trail and the little pencil sketches were very good.
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