Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Story, Yet Entertaining at Times
Review: At the beginning of the book Bryson gives the impression that he did, indeed, hike the entire AT. After 100 pages, though, you realize that this is not the case. I found this "false advertising" to be incredibly frustrating.At times, the "save the planet" motif gets a little thick -- I found myself wondering where I managed to lose Bryson & Katz in the plot. For all of his preaching, the duo are *not* low-impact campers. At one point, Katz "tosses an empty pop can into the undergrowth" before going to bed. Bryson, however, is rather entertaining and I laughed out loud during one or two funny sequences. I would not recommend this book to friends without first warning them that he doesn't even hike half the AT.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh What Fun
Review: This book is just so much fun. It was funny and honest and educational and touching but mostly it was fun. It was one of those books you can recommend to a mixed bag of people and they will probably enjoy all or most of it. I noticed that some reviewers faulted Bryson on his hiking skills and techniques....I think they missed a step somewhere....I don't think the author ever intended this to be a "how to" guide. Bill Bryson is a funny guy who tried to walk the appalachian trail with his sidekick, Katz, a real gem...I would suggest that one reads this book without looking for too much other then the pure fun of heading out on the trails with these two irreverent characters page by backpacking page.
Rating:
Summary: I liked parts of it but found it ran out of steam.
Review: I liked the book, especially the first part. After that it became a bit uneven. I have to like anyone in his 40's (I'm there myself) who even attempts a project like this. I do think maybe his next trip should be through the American South so he can learn about it and the people who live here. We don't bite.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun read and hard to put it down
Review: I am an avid backpacker and have been so for over 40 years. It is obvious from the beginning that he wasn't going to be able to thru hike the AT but I could certainly relate to much of what he wrote about. As to those in the previous reviews who put the book down because they were offended or overly self righteous, I would say, get a life. This book was written for those of us who can laugh at ourselves. Any who doubt that the Forest Service isn't clearcutting the land to the detriment of the environment and the best interests of the outdoor citizen should spend some time in the state of Washington. 'enough said. I loved the book, it took my mind off the foolishness going on in Washington D.C. Thanks Bryson.
Rating:
Summary: A funny yet flawed account of the hiking experience
Review: This was an easy, page turning book by a very witty and informed writer. Yet, as a hiker, I felt that Bryson is in the early stages of maturation as a hiker himself. He did not seem to ever get the sense of tranquility and simple joy of living that comes from hiking. He seemed to be too stuck in the competitiveness of "how many miles" rather than enjoying the beauty and wonder that all that hiking brings. He seems to make a lot of rookie mistakes too like not having his waterproof gear with him in one case. And he never even saw a bear! I think that Bill should come hiking out west on the Pacific Crest Trail. He could fashion a journey of a week or so covering 50 miles and he would have more fun and see more beauty than he seems to have found on the Appalachian Trail over 870 miles. Plus, what the heck, he should have bought Katz the beer.
Rating: 
Summary: Someone needs to go and pick up Katz's trash!
Review: Many of you have covered the necessary points in reviewing this book. I however wanted to make loud and clear that the author and his buddy Katz have an evidently blatant disregard for nature and the environment. The book was funny in places BUT I cannot seem to wash my mouth of the foul taste left by the fact that these two guys walked around littering the forest. And then to market it under the pretense that it is somekind of environmental or nature-loving novel? Boo.
Rating:
Summary: An excellant, witty book that I throughly enjoyed!
Review: Bryson's book is a superbly written account of his trek on the AT. His ability to find all the little humorous aspects of life is remarkable. In addition, he has extremely relevant commentary about the state of 20th century America and specifically the state of our environment. Overall, this is a wonderful, truly funny read.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable trip along the trail, but NOT a travelogue.
Review: Bryson takes his readers on an enjoyable trip on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. But it's not the trail that readers will enjoy but the people he meets along the way. In fact, this book is so much NOT a travelogue that it actually DIScouraged me from hiking substantial portions of the trail. I might -- on the basis of his book -- hike the trail in Massachusetts or hike in Luxembourg.
Rating:
Summary: a fun filled great read for wilderness lovers
Review: Alot of fun to read. Typical of most of us who set out to do so many things, and they never quite end up the way we expect them too. I'm not a great reader, and I flew through this book due to Mr. Bryson's great writing style and humor.. from planning the trip in EMS, and being scared about bears, this book is true to form.
Rating:
Summary: A hilarious narrative of two less-than-average-Joe-hikers
Review: True through-hikers will undoubtedly hate this book. But if you, like me, fall somewhere between a couch potato and a trail god, you will love this narrative of two guys who fall for the allure of the trail, to be quickly smacked in the butt by the difficult reality of survival in the woods. Bryson has managed to laugh at himself, and make me laugh with him, as he recounts the Quixotic attempts of himself and his "Pancho", Katz, as they tilt at the Appalachian Trail with little preparation. I don't know if Katz is real or fictional, but I laughed out loud at his grumbling dedication. Excellent writing, with tidbits of the biology, geology, and Americana along the AT make this a roundly entertaining book. I loved it.
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