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

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Summary: A fun read and who cares if he didn't finish the AT!
Review: I loved this book. Bryson's description of his travels through the southern part of the AT made me want to take a couple weeks off and see what it's all about. Bryson's wit is hysterical; he has an Englishman's dry humor and satire. "A Walk in the Woods" was fun to read and inspired me to see more of this country. And it doesn't matter that he didn't finish the AT! He gave it a good go and has a funny story to tell for the miles he did cover. Read and enjoy.

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Summary: Interesting and entertaining
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - far more than I thought I would. Bill Bryson has a conversational style of writing and you feel he is talking just to you.

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Summary: I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Review: It had long been a dream/fantasy of mine to hike the Appalachian Trail. I even thought that a four month hike from Georgia to Maine might be a good way to decide if a future fiance would stand to be marriage material. After reading "A Walk In The Woods", these plans are on long-term hold! Bill Bryson showed me the reality of a civilian's attempt at hiking the AT. I laughed so much during this book. Bryson is a funny man and his take on the human folly of his endeavor was both endearing and educational. I felt as if I had hiked the AT with him - without the discomfort, without the noodles, without Katz, without the rain and bugs and heat. I also really enjoyed all the history and facts and information Bryson included about the AT, the wildlife, the trees, the hikers themselves, the towns they passed, the physical descriptions of the sights they saw and the scenery they observed. What a wonderful book! I bought another book by Bryson right after finishing this one. This is not only a fascinating and educational book about the Appalachian Trail, but it is a heartfelt and honest book about a man's journey to test himself and set new personal limits.

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Summary: Another winner from Bryson
Review: Bill Bryson could write a history of the paper clip and have you enraptured. He has written two delightfully anecdotal books on language but is best known for his travel writing, probably because it is in those books that we get to know him -- and what a likeable fellow he is. In this latest effort he sets off to hike the Appalachian Trail with just a backpack, an eccentric companion and a keen eye for the absurd. The results are pure Bryson: droll, witty, epigrammatic, whimsical and intelligent. A must for fans of travel stories or, for that matter, anyone who enjoys great writing.

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Summary: Bryson Has Done It Again
Review: Bill Bryson is one of the best travel writers I have ever read. "Walk in the Woods" is one of those books, that you just don't want to end. I haven't laughed this hard since I read "The Lost Continent". Having visited Smoky Mountain National Park last year and briefly hiking on the Appalacian Trail the thought of doing a thru-hike crossed my mind. Now I don't have to, I feel like I've already tried it. And that is the genius of Bryson. To make you feel like you're experiencing the trail right along with him. (Although, the thought of living on Snicker Bars for a couple weeks, is tempting.) I can't wait to read Bryson's next book!

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining
Review: This book was my introduction to Bill Bryson, and I'm sorry that I have missed him all these years. A Walk in the Woods is a real pleasure to read. The images Bryson conjures up of his hiking buddy's complaints and troubles on the trail, including tossing cans of spam into the woods to lighten his load, are hilarious. The best things about the book are that he doesn't hike the whole trail, he doesn't take himself too seriously about it and he leaves you with a realistic appreciation for not just hiking the AT but for hiking anywhere. READ IT AND ENJOY.

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Summary: "Fear and Loathing" sans drugs staged in the woods
Review: Bryson's book reminds me of Hunter Thompson's famous book, "Fear and Loathing" but without the drugs, cars and highways. Instead we get noodles, backpacks and hiking trails. Bill is on an adventure with his over weight sidekick exploring an America that we all know but really don't see. The preparation and begining of the hike, rocket us forward into the book, but then we get bogged down in politics, history and whining till we discover he doesn't even finish the hike all the way through! Disappointing. Boy I was really looking forward to a description of the trail near my house in New Jersey. Take this book for what it is: fiction, and enjoy.

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Summary: I laughed out loud reading this book!!!
Review: I've never hiked...am not about to start. I have no idea what drew me to this book. Guess I expected an adventure type story like The Perfect Storm..without water. But I loved this book. I loved Bryson's wit and sarcasm...and I love Katz!!! This story is more about relationships and people than I think Bryson realizes. I don't think there is a whole lot of info for the expert hikers here....but if you appreciate a real wise ass when you read one...you'll love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: This book could have been titled, "Complaining About the AT." Bryson puts down the towns near the AT. He gripes about the shelters and the trail conditions. Everyone he met on the trail was either crazy, rude or stupid. He second guesses decisions made by the Forest Service decades ago. It is a good thing he hiked only a third of the trail. That fact probably saved his readers triple the grumbling. This book seriously tested my resolve to ALWAYS complete every book which I start reading.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely entertaining, informative and fun to read
Review: This book has motivated me to write my first review. I have never been an avid environmentalist, but have always tried to be somewhat concious of correctness. This book makes you think about the environment and care. I don't feel it was important for Bryson to walk the entire trail. There is much more to a real walk in the woods than completing a path. I believe Bryson captured all of it. History, awareness, friendship, people, fitness and many vivid descriptions of various parts of the trail. It was about the experience, not a marathon run. I loved his wit and writing style and I have never read anything quite like this book. Bryson is A1 with me.