Rating: 
Summary: Humor at its best
Review: This is one of the better books I have ever read. It is laugh out loud funny at times and inspires reflection and self examination at others. I was first introduced by the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it on a long trip. I do caution that the book is MUCH funnier if you read it with a British accent in your head. Brysons accent just added to the hilarity and showed the typical British dry humor taken to an extremely entertaining level. Live a few miles from where the trail starts in Georgia, or ends if you are from Maine and have plans to hike the trail in sections as work schedules permit. As mentioned before this is not an instructional book but is well worth every penny.
Rating: 
Summary: My Thoughts...
Review: I liked "A Walk In The Woods", but it's not for everyone. It's Bryson's story of how he hiked the Appalachian Trail, a 5.5 month trek basically across the Eastern US from the North to Southern end. It's a mix between this guy's story about the trail, his various explanations about why he's afraid of bears (which are pretty funny) and a few vents he has about how the government is cutting down all of the forests. But his account is good- it's a "normal guy's" story about the trail, so you don't get lost in any sort of "Hey, I'm cool. I'm a hiker" bragging like some other books have. I mean, I'm a hiker, and I don't like reading about people making up hero nonsense about effortless treks through the wilderness. Everyone gets frustrated at some point or another, and this story stays true. His descriptions of the forest and the trail are good, and really make you envision the atmosphere.The pace and style of the book changes dramatically in the 2nd part, but I still think that it was a good book. It's just a surprising change, because it seems that the beginning was built up more than the 2nd part could offer. Still, I did like the book, which is something I won't say for many. This book is more interesting for the experience that Bryson specifically had, so you won't find much "technical" hiking information here. The book does not cover the entire trail either, so don't go looking for an in-depth site-by-site account. Take it at face value- it's the experience of a non-expert and his friend as they battle through the wild with a fear of bears and too many snickers bars, but at the same time it gives you an appreciation for the trail, a descriptive account of his experience, some history about the trial, and an admiration for hiking.
Rating: 
Summary: Overly dramatic
Review: I have read dozens of AT books for the past 3 years or so because I plan on beginning a hike Spring 2003. If you are wanting to know anything about the trail, you do not want this book. This book was written to be funny, but frankly I found it to be bordering on obnoxious. The author has no heart for the trail and barely hikes enough of its length to "rediscover America". The author also goes off onto tangents by descriptively explaining the geology, history, and fauna of the trail. I guess I was just expecting a book that focused on the hiker's camaraderie with nature and other hikers.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloody Boring!
Review: I'm a 15 year old who read this book for a summer reading for my school. I found myself falling to sleep through-out this book! Bryson goes from his adventures to the history of the certain spot. I don't see who someone with such a closed mine can say he's "Rediscovering America"! For example, he thinks that all the people who work at Burger King have mother's who slept with goofy. Don't get me wrong there as some funny parts like when he's describing moose "If you are driving down a highway and a moose steps from the woods ahead of you, he will stare at you for a long minute (moose are notoriously shortsighted), then abruptly try to run away from you, legs flailing in eight directions at once. Never mind that there are several thousand square miles of forest on either side. The moose does not think of this. Clueless as to what exactly is going on, he runs halfway to New Brunswick before his peculiar gait inadvertently steers him back into the woods, where he immediately stops and takes on a startled expression that says, "Hey- woods. Now how the heck did I get here?" I would have never picked up this book if I didn't have to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat misleading, but overall strong effort
Review: First, the bad. I found the book to be a little of a letdown in one respect. The fact that I'm reading a book about hiking the AT, and the guy only hikes 500 out of the 2,100 miles, that's a bit misleading to me. It sours his first-hand authority as a "thru-hiker," in my opinion. Now, the good. He makes up for this offense, and then some, with a witty and charming tale of the trials and tribulations of tackling such a large project. He's done his research well. I came away more informed about various aspects of the trail (the equipment, the environment, the history, the hikers), and a few genuine belly laughs, to boot. The scene when Katz (his hiking partner) greets him at the airport tipping the scales at 300 lbs., clutching a donut, should go down as a classic moment in nonfiction. And despite all his bellyaching about bears, blisters, yuppie weekend hikers, etc., I was inspired to make more time for hiking. Very inspiring in places. All in all, a worthwhile read. For five-star travel fiction, please consider "Blue Highways" by William Least-Heat Moon.
Rating:
Summary: Shall we hike?
Review: I picked this book up not knowing that I would soon be embarking on a Journey with Bryson. Not only was this a fantastic, fun, sharp, and joyous experience, but I feel as though I learned about the American wilderness well neglected facts, and now have a keen interest to learn more. I was most appalled to learn that the American Chestnut is extinct. I cannot say why this saddened me so, but I immediately went to the American Chestnut Foundation website to find out more. I can't wait to read the next one by Bryson.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent adventure!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's account of his attempt to walk the aforementioned path. The telling is filled with fascinating bits of trivia that add to the enjoyment of the trip. Reading this book can inspire people to take up the task. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking to capture a piece of American life.
Rating:
Summary: Truly great - great writing and coverage of App Trail
Review: This was my first Bill Bryson book. I'm now a fan of his writing. In this book he's done a great job of describing what it is like to hike the Appalachian Trail. He describes the detail behind the trail, the problems he had to overcome, and the pleasures of hiking this trail. It will (or has) become a classic. This book is highly recommended. I'm now going to buy his "Short History of Everything." A young friend of ours (high school age) is reading that book now and really recommends it. I think what I like about Bryson's style is his humor. Every page forces me to smile, and every a couple of pages he has something that forces out a loud chuckle. He provides lots of background material (about the trail) and also gives you a history lesson (previous walkers). John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Story
Review: Bill Bryson, writer and American expat of twenty years, takes on a challenge that I have only thought about--hiking the Appalachian Trail. Sure we have all thought about such adventures--hiking the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails, cycling the remains of Route 66, or paddling a wilderness stream for weeks--but Bryson actually does it. And along the way, we are introduced to some very interesting characters. First is Katz, an old college buddy who spent time in Europe with Bryson and has since sampled most vices (legal and otherwise) and fallen completely out of shape. The man is addicted to Little Debby snack cakes and, as you might imagine, faces many challenges along the way. Next was Mary Ellen, a reportedly overweight college student from Florida who reveals her lack of self-esteem through constant criticism of everyone else. And of course, we cannot forget the cast of other hikers, boy scouts, yuppie campers in designer outfits, and miscellaneous wildlife. What makes this story entertaining is that both Bryson and Katz are rather improbable AT hikers. They are improbable both because of their age and their lack of experience with serious outdoor sport. But a healthy dose of optimism and honesty, while reporting both the duo's adventures and Bryson's thoughts, make this an engaging story that I suspect many readers will relate to. We can, either through or own experiences or imagination, relate to worrying thoughts about those eyes in the woods that continue looking at us through the darkness. The animal sounded big as it walked by, but was it a bear? Maybe it was a bear or maybe it isn't. We never really know and have the pleasure of continuing to wonder. Finally, Bryson also includes some commentary along the way. We hear both his support for and questions about the Forest Service. We get the pleasure of sharing his observations about the cheesy honeymoon destination of Gatlinburg. We share in the history of the AT. We learn about the crowds of college hikers who ignore the shelter-use rules and crowd to the AT over spring break. We also hear about the pleasures of clean sheets and bad food after too many days alone on the trail. In the end, I reach the same conclusion as Bryson. He did hike the AT. It may not have been as a through hiker who traversed the entire trail non-stop. But, it seems to me, that is not the measure (or, it is an elitist measure). The measure is whether or not Bryson did something most of us only dream about, and if his account is engaging and readable. On both fronts I give Bryson a resounding yes. This was a fun story and made a perfect companion to my summer holiday. A worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: Dave Barry meets Environmentalism meets Thoreau
Review: A well-written book, a funny book, a somewhat disturbing book (what do you MEAN there's a city in Pennsylvannia that has a fire burning underneath it?!?). I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in hiking and various environmental issues of the East coast.
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