Rating: 
Summary: A real teaser that only partially delivers
Review: Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods," has an excellent premise -- it looks to be a descriptive and subjective report on the Herculean adventure of walking the Appalachian Trail. When it does that, the book is enthralling. The problem is Bryson "fills" his book with too much narcissistic reportage about what he did when he was NOT walking the Trail -- mundane stuff like examining tourist traps and sophomoric humor about his travelling companion's quest for female companionship on their trail stops. Essentially, when Bryson writes from the woods -- the journey is fascinating and enlightening -- but as soon as he hits the pavement the level of interest plummets. Bryson wants to be Dave Barry when he makes a better (although more down-to-earth) John McPhee.
Rating: 
Summary: Bill Bryson always makes me laugh
Review: I love Bill Bryson's work. He always makes me laugh. The fact that I have lived close to the Appalachian Trail only made it better. I have to say I liked Notes From a Small Island better but this one is pretty good. He does get alittle preachy on environmental topics but the laughs make that worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: entertaining, preachy, and true
Review: Having done a little day-hiking on the AT in New England. and knowing those who have hiked much more, I really enjoyed the first half of the book. Unfortunately for the reader, after Bryson and pal leave the trail, the book goes down hill. Worth borrowing from a friend. If you're contemplating through-hiking the AT, definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book It starts very strong finishes very weak
Review: This book is quite amusing until Bryson betrays his readers by getting off the trail. I thought I was going to read the reflections of a thru hiker and I felt misled not only by the book but also by the pre-publication promotion of the book which led you to believe he did. It reads like Bryson actually runs out of things to say once he has quit hiking but still has 100 pages to fill as part of his contract with his publisher. I would not have bought the book if I knew so much of it was him DRIVING????? to various parts of the trail and remarking on what was there. Hell , I can do that myself. The first 100 pages are laugh out loud hoot but most of the rest is disposable filler material. Don't buy this book, borrow it and send its author and the publisher a message about putting out half finished writing and misleading the public. I wonder what the author has to say about how his readership has been misled?
Rating: 
Summary: Only problem: my laughing disturbed the other passengers
Review: I read this book on a plane, and routinely saw the heads of other passengers appear over my shoulder...they were looking at the title of the book to find out why I was laughing so hard. The author is likeable and interesting, his adventures are fascinating, and the book is well-written. Other amazon.com readers definitely pointed me in the right direction with their recommendations.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Writer but.....
Review: This is my first Bill Bryson book. I will say he does tell a good story about his travels but....the reviews as well as the book gave the impression he would tell his story throughout the Appalachian Trial. I don't mind reading about abandoned coal mines etc. but then I would buy a book on THAT subject. This book should be called "A WALK IN THE WOODS THEN A LOT OF DRIVING THEN SOME MORE WALKS, DRIVNG, WALKING, DRIVING, QUITING." Get this one from the library.
Rating:
Summary: 50-50
Review: It appears that after masterfully completing the first half of the story, his editor told him to wrap it up. Wait for a 50% off sale or split the price with a friend and you'll get your money's worth.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining, yet poignant & informative as well
Review: I loved this book. Bryson is a humorist, and a good one, but I was struck by his awareness and respect concerning the American wilderness. Funny or no, this book doubles as a plea to all Americans to REALIZE what we have, to APPRECIATE it, and to respect and conserve it. We live in a lovely country, and Bryson realizes that it's up to us to keep it as such. Right on, Bill Bryson!!
Rating:
Summary: I've been recommending this book to everyone I know!
Review: It's written with great good humor, yet it's very informative (geology, history, land use issues, outdoor activities, and nature). I marked many passages for later reference, including material on Pangaea and continental drift, the Ice Ages, and the decades-long coal fire burning under Centralia, PA. The tone of the book develops with the progress and setbacks of the walk itself, encompassing moments of high hilarity, sudden terror, and somber reflection. It was fun to read a "confrontation with nature" book that wasn't shadowed by the sense of doom that necessarily pervaded "Young Men and Fire," "Into Thin Air," "Into the Wild," and "A Perfect Storm" (all excellent books, of course!)
Rating:
Summary: Great read, wonderfully written
Review: Its a shame, the Appapachian Trail runs right in back of my house, only a mere 300 yards in back of it and I only once stepped foot on it. I only walked about 1 mile of the trail(he would call me a reebok hiker). What I saw was lovely, and was the reason I bought to book, for more information on the trail. What I read was great. Though it is true he didn't hike the whole thing, he did hike more than 99% of the population of this country will every hike on any trail in their entire lives. This book was funny, and the way he told the story was so superb, I could almost imagine everything going on. And for the reader who wished to give it a 0 or negative rating, I suggest you try hiking 2000 miles and see how far you get in your Timberland boots and stomach filled with Denny's grand slam breakfasts.
| 
