Rating: 
Summary: Good read
Review: This is a good book that lets you not only see what a thru-hiker sees, but also feel what a thru-hiker feels. It is very well written too. Rueben, being a former editor, knows where to stop and what to cut out from a book (sometimes this is not as easy to do as it seems). Rueben's "pilgrimage" is as much a personal, even spiritual journey as it is a physical one.It is not fair to even mention this book in the same sentence with Bryson's. Rueben's hike, as well as his book, is a much more sincere effort. For one thing, he hiked the whole AT. For another, he hiked the AT because it was a pilgrimage for him, not because he just wanted to get some material for his next book. Bryson, on the other hand, only finished less than 40% of the AT, and he wanted nothing but just some material for his next book. Rueben's journey is a triumph whereas Bryson's is a failure. Rueben is consistent throughout his book in writing and storytelling, whereas the second half of Bryson's book ultimately falls into some random, chaotic and awkwardly put together bits and pieces (can you say hypothermia?) Comparing this book with those of Colin Fletcher who certainly had some long hikes would be more appropriate. There are two differences between the two (over-simplifyingly): 1. Rueben is a better writer and editor, while Fletcher goes on and on and on, Rueben knows how to write a compact yet insightful book; 2. Fletch is a true naturalist and truly enjoys the outdoors, whereas for Rueben, the hike was just a vehicle on which he hopes to carry out his personal and spiritual search.
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