Rating: 
Summary: Interesting...to a point
Review: When Bill Bryson focused on his own personal journey on the Appalachian Trail (or AT), the book was interesting.However, even though at times the background data related to the AT or certain areas near the AT were interesting, most of the time I wish he had focused more on his experiences on the AT. Hilarious in sections, even when he was clearly sarcastic. I have read other books about those who have trekked the AT which I considered overall better and more "personal experience" related. Some of the tangential information got to be rather dry reading after a while. I, too, hope one day to hike at least a portion of the AT, so at least Mr. Bryson gave me another perspective to it differing from others who have written about their experiences on the AT, and he differed also by including the history of the AT.Though it was the first book I read by Mr. Bryson, it won't be the last.I also plan to read other books about the AT. Ironically, as I finished Mr. Bryson'! s book today, I noticed in the news that the first person to hike the entire length of the AT is hiking on the trail again...50 years later!
Rating:
Summary: A wlk in the Woods : american Style
Review: Bill Bryson is a US citizen that has lived too long in England. For a Brit who knows BB's style , unlike his other books, this book is not a laugh a paragraph. But when you read about the awesome distance of the AT as well as the amazing lack of interest the US has for its wonderful countryside you realize that it isn't so funny. The only country that doesn't understand global warming is responsible for 50% of it. !!! Few US citizens would find anything humourous about his social comment about his own country. Not for the 99% parochial US reader. But as the saying goes ' A poet in his own country......'
Rating: 
Summary: Laughed out loud!
Review: Like many other reviewers, I laughed out loud while reading this book on planes and in other public places! My favorite thing about this book is that Bryson does not take himself too seriously. While I have loved many other outdoor books about more serious mountaineering trips (like "Into Thin Air"), this one was enjoyable because it was so much closer to my backpacking experiences - I could relate to it much more.I recognized many of the characters in his book - his companion Katz is not unlike one of my own sometimes hiking companions. The stories of shopping for the gear and packing it nearly made me cry! He also captures what it's like to be out there for days on the trail - grubby, tired, and seeing somewhat the same thing day after day. He is just captivated by the vastness of it all, like so many of us.
Rating: 
Summary: OFF THE TRAIL!!!!
Review: I bought this book with great anticipation based on a love of hiking, nature, and comedy, however, I feel as though I was misled. The books back cover and blurb (and some of the above reviews) made it sound like Woody Allen meets John Muir but it sorely disappoints. I wonder about the sense of humor of people who say they laughed out loud. If the people that heard them laughing knew what they were reading they may have been sent to comedy kindergarten. While there are some genuine funny observations but this is not a 'hilarious book' as stated in the blurb. I hope if I ever right a book I can use the same people that Mr. Bryson used for public relations. Maybe I could use them to sell my used car. Mr. Bryson spends more time off the trail whining about the trail and getting off on tangents that are better handled by reading John Mcphee. I think one of the books more interesting topics is the indictment of the National Park Service and its mishandling of our park! s. I would not recommend this book if you have any interest in the Appalachian Trail, nature comedy. Find an author who can do the topics justice.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely enjoyable
Review: Many distance hikers write the story of their hike; but this is a true,professional and very entertaining writer who happens to hike too. The result is a masterpiece that captures the facts and feelings of real distance hiking. As a long-distance hiker on the Appalachian Trail, I found this to be an accurate, funny and informative depiction of what it's like. Even arm-chair hikers will enjoy !
Rating:
Summary: Diverting, funny but lay off the negative cliches
Review: Enjoyed the book. So did my husband and 14 year old daughter. Light summer diversion. BUT, haven't we all gotten over the inbred, hick southern thing?? Old news, old times. Ditto the fat, ugly women thing. Come on, Bill, you don't have to be politically correct but at least be present day and maybe kind.
Rating: 
Summary: What a hilarious book - read it and you'll see!
Review: Bought this book for my wife, then ended up reading it first. Added insult to injury by waking her up repeatedly with my laughter, which I just couldn't contain. Bryson is very witty, and his descriptions of striking out onto the Appalachian Trail with his companion Stephen Katz are not just colorful, they are often moving. His descriptions of their daily diet are a scream. Snickers bars, Little Debbie pastry cakes and Slim Jim beef sticks are not the normal trail food (nor are noodles as a daily diet), but many serious hikers have secreted wrappers from these products into trash cans at the end of a hike. Bryson manages to poke fun at hikers and himself as well. He has managed to hit the nail on the head with his descriptions of the National Park Service, yet portrayed the personnel who work for this organization as dedicated individuals. His descriptions of the underground coal fire burning which has gone on for decades under Centralia, Pennsylvania, have made me! want to plan a day trip there, along with a side trip to the Delaware Water Gap. There are holes in this tale, but if one just overlooks the small lapses that pop up here and there, the book is quite enjoyable. Serious hikers should lighten up and read it like a funny novel. I'll try his "Lost Continent" next, as other readers have called it one of his best. If it's as good as this was, I'll be happy.
Rating:
Summary: I was green with envy and choking with laughter.
Review: People are wondering about my sanity. Reading Bryson while waiting in public places I would suddenly burst into uncontrolable laughter. I who am usually reluctant to go fetch the paper from the yard asked my husband if he thought we could try a hike. Unlike some of the earlier reviewers, I'm glad Bryson and his buddy made so many mistakes and only did part of the trail. Maybe the beauty and wonder of nature isn't just for the triathletes in our society. I didn't want the book to end while at the same time I was making mental lists of people I couldn't wait to let read it next. I've never enjoyed an outdoor book so much.
Rating:
Summary: "Everyone should read Bill"
Review: I love all Bryson's books - now all my friends do too. He is the best humor writer ever, nobody else keeps me laughing the way he does. You cannot read his books on an airplane, everybody will ask what you're laughing at. I nearly died when I read the bear chapter. I also think that Bryson is a very insightful and incredibly talented writer; he's also a great researcher. Mother Tongue and Made in America are primarily research books, they're very good (and also funny).
Rating:
Summary: The funniest first 50 pages in years!
Review: Bill Bryson is laugh out loud funny and at the same time a serious and thoughtful writer. At times though, he is like an increasing number of modern journalists who won't let the facts get in the way of a good story. He wants to tell us about James Dickey's Deliverance and set the mood for backwoods folks from Georgia, but please don't tell us that Hiawassee, GA (a vibrant recreational and retirement community) would "feel palpably weird and unsettling". And why would you ever want to slander the name of Stonewall Jackson by claiming that his fame rests on a couple of small but inspiring victories, plus, of course, he had the best nickname. But on the bright side, who who has read the book will ever hear the expression, "what seems to be the problem, officer", without thinking of Stephen Katz. Enjoyed the history and backround filler and would recommend the book to all. Bryson is a very funny man.
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