Rating: 
Summary: Memorable, engaging, enthralling
Review: This is one of those books that people love, and recommend to their friends. Lots of humorous anecdotes mixed with serious asides about the AT, natural science, bears, trees, and more. If you're a hiker, or love the outdoors this is a must-read. The first half of the book in particular is sharply written and unforgettable. The 2nd half, well, is something of a disappointment ... but still mostly sharp. Subtract two stars if you're not into hiking or natural history.Finally, this book is perfect for an audio edition, its anecdotal, familiar quality really shines with an excellent narration.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: This is one of the funniest travelogue or for that matter book I have read in a while. I couldn't help but laughed out loud in the airplane, I couldn't care that others were staring. Bill Bryson is a genius. Loking forward to more such gems from Mr. Bryson.
Rating: 
Summary: Hiking made entertaining!
Review: I started this book with the thought, "How can a 350 page book about hiking be entertaining? Surely all that happens is that there is walking, and walking... ooh, an animal... and walking...." But I put my faith in the good name of Bill Bryson and his reputation for taking the seemingly repetitive and mundane and turning it into pure hysterical entertainment -- and I was not disappointed.
A good deal of the credit of the book's amusement must be given to Bryson's friend and hiking partner, Stephen Katz, who under Bryson's story-telling, manages to steal scenes with his constant disposal of crucial supplies that weigh too much, attempts to chat up women, and his dry, obnoxious, cutting wit. (It was nice to see that Bryson dedicated this book to Katz.) While Bryson entertains his reader with his own observations and stories, he manages to mix in a substantial portion of the history and politics behind the development of the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, he details the trail's slow environmental disintegration and one can tell that Bryson is sincerely passionate about the subject. But Bryson does not get too bogged down in solemn details, but keeps the mix of information and entertainment at just the right balance. This book is packed with information, but above all, is thoroughly entertaining and a notable read from this widely popular travel writer.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: This book is for those who like backpacking, or think they would, or just want to read a good, funny book about a man, his out of shape companion and the trials and tribulations they face on the AT. Contrary to the last two reviewers, who clearly just flat out had the wrong idea about the book, I liked it. Sure, maybe Bill Bryson did have a book in mind when he set off on his adventure, but he's a writer, that's what he is supposed to do, write about what interests him and the people that read his books. Besides, you dont just DO 870 miles on the AT just to write a book. It takes hard work.
I guess maybe I can appreciate this book more because I have hiked on the AT (only about 50 miles, but enough to get the idea) and can relate to almost everything that happens to Bryson to my trip, and also remembering some of the places he visits.
Bryson masterfully blends a comedic adventure with history and information about the trail, its history, and the history of the many places he visits. And did I mention it is laugh out loud funny?
Rating:
Summary: An embarassing tale of the "hike of a lifetime"
Review: If you enjoy listening to the human voice and story-telling, you'll enjoy Bill Bryson's 360 minutes (on four cassettes) of his well-meaning attempt to be a true "hiker" of the "AT" or Appalacian Trial; a good serving of the AT's history and his often unkind views of our well-intentioned National Park Service. Not exactly all "hilarious" as the jacket promises, but some out loud laughs are promised, as you wonder, will the author and Katz REALLY hike the entire trail? Will they encounter bears? I felt as if I was listening to a brother's attempt at adventure -- excited child-like dreams of walking the entire Appalacian Trail (from Georgia to Maine), but in a middle aged body. Educational -- I learned about the trail, felt I was along on the hike, except not the hungry, wet, cold, painful parts. The visit to the sporting goods store and the author's relationship with his sometimes-jolly friend and hiking buddy Katz gave me a chuckle as I listened. Katz -- the reluctant athlete -- who pouts because you didn't bring his Little Debbies, but does not hesitate to toss away the extra water bottle because it was too heavy. Would be a great gift to give and share. This particular book on tape was easy to understand. Bryson speaks clearly and slow enough, yet makes each subject interesting. Yes, he pontificates a bit when he describes, for example, eradication of trees and species by our forefathers, but all in all a great "listen" while I was busy with chores and projects at home or on a drive.
Rating:
Summary: He took the road less traveled!
Review: I laugh out loud when I read Bill Bryson! This is a fun book for anyone, whether you are a hiker or not. Bryson describes his adventures on the Appalacian Trail with a friend. Did he walk the whole thing? No. Will you care? No. This is a real book. This is a real funny book. I highly recommend this for adults and teenagers with one caveat emptor: he doesn't hesitate to use profanity in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Well informed and very, very funny
Review: Bryson skilfully combines humor and hard facts to create a book that is at the same time very funny and very informative. It is not just a walk in the woods: it is history, politics, administration, it is a collection of vignettes of the "American way" as seen by a man whose roots are in the American soil, but who has been away long enough to be able to take some distance and see the forest for the trees. It makes great reading, for behind the breezy, often mocking tone there is a wealth of serious research and information, not to mention heartfelt concern for the way modern civilization is heading and how it recklessly takes for granted the nature, the woods, the mountains.
Rating:
Summary: This was very enjoyable, informative and worthwhile
Review: I had never read any Bill Bryson before this I only picked this up because I used to visit the Great Smoky Mountains when I was younger. I would just like to say that he blends perfectly history, humor, narrative and even a dash of philosophy to not only keep you thoroughly entertained but also better informed and not in a position to soon forget such an enjoyable book. I did however find the middle section of the book a little boring lack lustre and slow. But the beginning and end were great.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated and Diluted Entertainment
Review: As an avid hiker with a good sense of humor, I expected this book to be right up my alley. But, halfway through the book, I found each page to become heavier than the last until I had to set the book down for fear of slipping a disk. To sum it up, the anecdotes were lame, the description of his experience was lackluster, and I felt more pity for the writer than a sense of comaraderie. I believe I would rather have enjoyed an AT book written by someone who had hiked the trail for the experience, instead of the book publishing potential.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best, but fun enough
Review: For me, Bryson cannot do much wrong. The idea for the book is great, as is the idea for the reunion with the notorious Katz. I felt a bit cheated by the end. I wonder how many readers feel like me that it would be a great idea to try and hike this trail after they read the introduction, but began to have second thoughts when reading about the actual problems the hikers encounter. Sometimes it is best not to do, but just to read ;-) Of course, everyone should start theit Bryson experience with The Lost Continent, which is one of the best travel books, period.
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