Rating: 
Summary: What More Can I Say?
Review: I've been a Bill Bryson fan for 7 years. With this book, it seems that Bill Bryson finally got the recognition he always deserved. Hooray! Obviously, with 500 reviews, he doesn't need any more accolades. I will say this, though: the bear attacks section of this book is, perhaps, one of the funniest things I've ever read. Whenever I feel blue, I pull out this book and read Bill Bryson's account about the differences between grizzlies, black bears, etc. It never fails to make me laugh. That section alone is the cheapest therapy I know! One of my best book purchases.
Rating: 
Summary: A reader that dosen't do much reading, loved this book
Review: Starting the book off with Katz reading horror stories about bears eating little sleeping, helpless children on there cub scout camping trips, Katz realizes its not the best way to get pumped for his very own hiking adventure. Bill tells an extraordinarily interesting tale of walking, seeing, being, feeling, in the woods. And Ever since I went on my Hurricane Island Outward bound course where I completed a wilderness 100-mile trial (the last 100miles on the AT) I was so excited to read about a fellow and his friend trying to accomplish on of the worlds greatest challenges. Some travel books make you realize that life is too short. Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" is one of these gems. Helping the reader feel how difficult the AT or the "holy Grail" of US hiking enthusiast, over coming a diet of Snickers and Doughnuts and learning how pack and eat so you can survive such a task is explained well throughout the book. Although I was upset to read about how they gave up in VA and had a few over nights at the local 4star hotels along the way, I was genuinely impressed with the characters effort in give the AT a try. The feeling you get when you read about something that you would love to do you'll get it from this book. "But don't take my word for it"
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book
Review: If you've ever thought about being eaten by wild animals, you'll love this book. If you like the wilderness and want to see it protected, you'll love this book. If you like to camp, if you hate to camp, you'll love this book. If you don't laugh out loud while reading this, I'll buy you a cup of noodles and a Little Debbie cake.
Rating:
Summary: Armchair traveling at its best.
Review: I found A Walk in The Woods entertaining and that is the point of travelogues. I read it during a 2 day snowstorm and it took me away when I was ready to go nuts. Bill Bryson shares his experiences of his decidedly wild hair-ish type expedition to go on a hike of a lifetime. Only trouble was he hadn't hiked like that before and didn't have anyone to go with him at first. That doesn't stop his determination and the result is hardwork for him, and enjoyment for us who would never experience such a thing otherwise. What it isn't: it's not a guide book for the Appalachian Trail. It's not a how-to-book for hikers; it doesn't have any maps or trails. It's a travel memoir, nothing more. If you are looking to do a little traveling in mind only, then it will be enjoyable. If you're wanting more hard fact information and details on the trail itself, then this isn't what you're looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Armchair traveling at its best.
Review: I found A Walk in The Woods entertaining and that is the point of travelogues. I read it during a 2 day snowstorm and it took me away when I was ready to go nuts. What it isn't: it's not a guide book for the Appalachian Trail. It's not a how-to-book for hikers; it doesn't have any maps or trails. It's a travel memoir, nothing more. If you are looking to do a little traveling in mind only, then it will be enjoyable. If you're wanting more information and details on the trail itself, then this isn't what you're looking for.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining yet insulting.....
Review: Yes bill bryson is a funny guy but always at somebody elses expense. The guy seems to feel that the universe revolves around him and instead of showing reverence or at least respect for this american treasure that is the AT he finds most of his material from the people he encounters. Seems to me that this iowa born resident of new hampshire who has spent much of his adult life in england really doesn't care much for americans. Especially southerners. Much of the first half of this book involves his constant cracks about southern rednecks. Ok a few funny references to deliverence are acceptable but bryson doesn't stop there the cracks go on and on. Once he expressed his concern for running into "genetically challenged" people on the trail. Imagine if he wrote about hiking through harlem and used that term or wrote about hiking in an indian reservation and used that same term. Then bryson wouldn't be funny he would just be considered a bigot. Fact is mr bryson is an equal opportunity jerk because he doesn't like anybody. Almost everyone he encounters in this book has something wrong with them according to bryson. They are too stupid(everyone is stupid to him) too fat or speak the wrong way or drive the wrong vehicle. Now this isn't just a travel journal. Bryson tries to prove to us that he did his homework and really knows what he's talking about. Who cares. If you really want to know about hiking the appalachian trail there are hundreds of better books from people who have actually hiked the whole thing. If you want to know about the natural history of the appalachians you can also do much better. Bryson tries to tries to tie all these things together and for me it just doesn't work. ...................socks
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: Huge dissapointment being the first book I read from the acclaimed Bryson... Too long for what it tells, should have been an article or a short story.
Rating:
Summary: NOT a book for REAL backpackers
Review: This is absolutely the most ignorant book I have ever read. Not only does this fellow have no idea what he is doing on the trail but he has no apparent respect for it either. Anyone who is interested in the AT or backpacking in general should Stay Away as this book gives the reader NO concept of the true experience of backpacking. I am almost embarassed to admit I read this book. Above all else, I was crushed by the disappointing ending to the book and his travels. My advice? Don't waste your time if your are genuinely interested in wilderness or travel writing. Try some Abbey.
Rating:
Summary: Gets me ready for spring!
Review: Bill Bryson, accompanied by his crazy friend Stephen Katz, has decided on a whim to hike the Appalachian Trail. A whim! Not the best approach to an incredibly difficult 2000+ mile hike. The two of them are completely out of shape and definitely unprepared for what they have signed on for. As the book progresses, Bryson shares not only how they came to terms with the fact that perhaps they had taken on a bit more than they should have, but some truly great information about life on the trail. There is a history of the AT, ecological information, and even a smattering of backwoods tips (mostly centering on Bryson's fear of bear attacks). Overall, A Walk in the Woods is a very humorous book--full of laughs primarily at the author's expense. At the same time, the true beauty of nature juxtaposed with the disaster of modern day America stands out in sharp relief. This is one of the few books I would say warranted its time on the bestseller list.
Rating: 
Summary: Bryson is capable of better
Review: On the cover of this book, Bill Bryson is compared to, among others, Garrison Keillor. But in this book, he does what Keillor doesn't do -- take cheap shots at the people he meets in order to get a laugh. While Bryson is genuinely funny in places, he also isn't someone I'd particularly want to meet. He's a misanthrope with none of Paul Theroux's (another classic travel misanthrope) class, insight, or writing ability. He believes that it is his lot in life to "have to talk to every stupid person on earth" (paraphrase, but pretty close). Not a promising premise from which to write anything insightful or, eventually, even amusing. This surpised me, because Bryson was nothing like this in some of his other books -- "Lost Continent," for example, which manages to be extremely funny and observant without treating the people he encounters as idiots or sub-human. Here, he just comes across as a somewhat boorish snob looking for a reason to write a travel book. So why do I give it 3 stars? Because he has managed to interest me in the fate of the Appalachian Trail and in the wildlife found there. I want to learn more. And because he does have moments of funniness. And because he gives us a few glimpses of what this book could've been when he talks about what it took for him to do the hiking that he did, the psychological and emotional struggles, the gradual change in his outlook toward physical challenges, and the interesting and occasionally idiosyncratic research he shares. Ultimately, Bryson just seemed to be going through the motions here. He's capable of much better.
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