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Rating: 
Summary: Geared for tourist, not thru-hikers
Review: I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail right now (today I'm resting in town and using a computer at a church). I started with this book and found that it did not work well for me on the AT. It has lots of stuff that just isn't needed by a thru-hiker which makes it sooooooo heavy and it is hard to follow. I switched to wingfoot's handbook, which is more condensed and to the point. I got criticized by some people who were using this one, but it's one of the best things I have done to make my thru-hike successful so far. I threw my companion away and haven't regretted it. Get a handbook!
Rating: 
Summary: Everything You Need to Thru-Hike
Review: The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker's Companion appears each year in late winter, just in time for it to be used by those planning extended trips on the Trail. It is a joint effort of two fine hiking organizations, The Appalachian Trail Conference, and The Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Ass'n. Updated, improved, expanded, and fact-checked each year, the Companion contains vital information for those planning to spend serious ammounts of time on the A.T., and is incredibly useful for those contemplating, or actually preparing, a thru-hike of the entire Trail. In a concise, easy to use format, the Companion covers the Trail from Georgia to Maine, containing information on Trail features, highlights, campsites, shelters, water sources, points of interest, and natural and local history. In addition, the Companion contains detailed information on Trail facilities and services, including road crossings and access points; location of stores and re-supply opportunities; lodging places catering to hikers; restaurants; outfitters; medical clinics; banks; ATM locations; etc. Do you want to know where to get camping fuel along the Trail? How about an inexpensive motel or an all-you-can-eat restaurant? Need to know where to get your gear fixed or replaced? Internet access possibilities? How about where you can receive mail from home? Information such as this, and much more, can be found in the Companion, as well as updated maps of principal Trail Towns. All of this makes the Companion incredibly useful for those planning their trips, and wondering about where to stop, where to camp; where to re-supply or take a break; the book also comes in incredibly handy DURING your trip, as it tells you what lies ahead on the next stretch of Trail. Another great advantage of the Companion is that it is put together annually by a dedicated group of long-distance hikers who all have extensive, recent experience of the sections they're discussing; most of the book's editors have hiked the Trail in its entirety in recent years, which gives them great authority in discussing conditons on the Trail, and how it has changed over the years. The information contained here-in has been gathered and checked by contemporary hikers who are superbly qualified to share their experience with others. I am presently planning my seventh traverse of the entire AT. Both before I leave, and after my journey has started, I would not consider hiking without this book; the Companion improves each year, and in appearing improved, and appearing on time each year, it has clearly established itself as THE book to have if you're planning any serious ammount of time on the A.T.
Rating:
Summary: Not designed for thru-hiking
Review: The Companion has a lot of information, but most of it is designed for people who are interested in things that are in towns or off the Appalachian Trail, not for thru-hikers. It is harder to follow than the other guides, and is sometimes confusing in that it rates places based on only a few people's feedback it seems. If you are planning to do a thru-hike and want to do mostly hiking and not touring towns, then I would use The Thru-hiker Handbook by Wingfoot. It is easier to follow and doesn't try to tell you everything, just what you need as a thru-hiker. I traded my Companion for Wingfoot's book and never regretted it.
Rating:
Summary: Crafted by real hikers for real hikers
Review: This guide is written by dozens of volunteers who actually hike the sections of trail they report on each year. This is the only AT guide that has first-hand knowledge of the trail every year. If you want second-hand, outdated, and fictional information you should use Wingfoot's book. The Companion lists all the services along the AT, not just the ones that have paid a fee to be listed. Get the Companion, it's the complete guide!
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: This is the best guide for A.T. hikers period.
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