Rating: 
Summary: Save a tree
Review: The work is just disappointing as a whole. Bryson quits the AT just south of the Smokies and from that point through the remainder of the book, his failure is reflected in his writing. He proceeds to criticize the park service, forest service, and various subsets of our (american) culture. He has the brass to end the book by stating that he did indeed complete the AT. I recommend seeing the AT for yourself rather than through Bryson's ill-tempered rants.
Rating: 
Summary: Notes from a Small Hiking Trip
Review: Fans of Bill Bryson familiar with his style and wit will not be disappointed with this effort. "A Walk in the Woods" is a great book (really two books), and Bryson does a good job intertwining them both.The first "book" is Bryson's recounting of his decision to hike the Appalachian Trail, or AT, and the many adventures and misadventures that journey provided. The highlight of this part of the book has to be his interaction with childhood friend Steven Katz, his hiking companion. Katz brought a hilarious "funny man" personality to Bryson's "straight man." From the moment he steps off the plane to the end of the book, Katz brings much comic relief. And that was needed, because the second "book" Bryson provides is a history of the AT itself, along with stories about different points along the AT. While informative, these sections of the book definitely lack the same appeal as those that include hiking companion Katz. Indeed, for a section of the book Bryson and Katz go their separate ways, and it seemed the story lost a bit of steam. It was a welcome relief when Katz reappeared further on... As is typical with Bryson, he manages to intersperse periods of sobering thought along with the large doses of humor. Including are scathing criticisms of the National Park Service, for its numerous instances of environmental mismanagement, and of the behavior and mindset of our own citizens in decades past (e.g., the state of West Virginia used to offer a college scholarship to whomever killed the most wildlife in a season). Brilliant ideas like that led to the extinction of several species, like the mountain lion and the Carolina Parakeet. But Bryson manages to tie this all together into one entertaining read, and one you are sure to enjoy. After finishing it, I was inspired to go a little hiking myself. The only problem was, I was afraid I might run into Mary Ellen! (After you read the book, you'll know what I mean...) Definitely good stuff from Bryson. Four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: misleading
Review: While there were some interesting and humorous stories in this book, overall it is a bad joke! Bryson basically had a book contract to write about his journey on the trail. He realized he had bitten off much more than he could chew, so he spent most of the book rationalizing how, via day hikes, he really, well sort of, well maybe, hiked the trail. His attitude towards and description of other hikers and local folk was also incredibly ethnocentric! He came across as a New England Yankee snob. He did not even come close! Sorry, but his publisher should have told him, "hike the trail or no book."
Rating: 
Summary: Humor at its best
Review: This is one of the better books I have ever read. It is laugh out loud funny at times and inspires reflection and self examination at others. I was first introduced by the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it on a long trip. I do caution that the book is MUCH funnier if you read it with a British accent in your head. Brysons accent just added to the hilarity and showed the typical British dry humor taken to an extremely entertaining level. Live a few miles from where the trail starts in Georgia, or ends if you are from Maine and have plans to hike the trail in sections as work schedules permit. As mentioned before this is not an instructional book but is well worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: My Thoughts...
Review: I liked "A Walk In The Woods", but it's not for everyone. It's Bryson's story of how he hiked the Appalachian Trail, a 5.5 month trek basically across the Eastern US from the North to Southern end. It's a mix between this guy's story about the trail, his various explanations about why he's afraid of bears (which are pretty funny) and a few vents he has about how the government is cutting down all of the forests. But his account is good- it's a "normal guy's" story about the trail, so you don't get lost in any sort of "Hey, I'm cool. I'm a hiker" bragging like some other books have. I mean, I'm a hiker, and I don't like reading about people making up hero nonsense about effortless treks through the wilderness. Everyone gets frustrated at some point or another, and this story stays true. His descriptions of the forest and the trail are good, and really make you envision the atmosphere. The pace and style of the book changes dramatically in the 2nd part, but I still think that it was a good book. It's just a surprising change, because it seems that the beginning was built up more than the 2nd part could offer. Still, I did like the book, which is something I won't say for many. This book is more interesting for the experience that Bryson specifically had, so you won't find much "technical" hiking information here. The book does not cover the entire trail either, so don't go looking for an in-depth site-by-site account. Take it at face value- it's the experience of a non-expert and his friend as they battle through the wild with a fear of bears and too many snickers bars, but at the same time it gives you an appreciation for the trail, a descriptive account of his experience, some history about the trial, and an admiration for hiking.
Rating: 
Summary: Overly dramatic
Review: I have read dozens of AT books for the past 3 years or so because I plan on beginning a hike Spring 2003. If you are wanting to know anything about the trail, you do not want this book. This book was written to be funny, but frankly I found it to be bordering on obnoxious. The author has no heart for the trail and barely hikes enough of its length to "rediscover America". The author also goes off onto tangents by descriptively explaining the geology, history, and fauna of the trail. I guess I was just expecting a book that focused on the hiker's camaraderie with nature and other hikers.
Rating:
Summary: Bloody Boring!
Review: I'm a 15 year old who read this book for a summer reading for my school. I found myself falling to sleep through-out this book! Bryson goes from his adventures to the history of the certain spot. I don't see who someone with such a closed mine can say he's "Rediscovering America"! For example, he thinks that all the people who work at Burger King have mother's who slept with goofy. Don't get me wrong there as some funny parts like when he's describing moose "If you are driving down a highway and a moose steps from the woods ahead of you, he will stare at you for a long minute (moose are notoriously shortsighted), then abruptly try to run away from you, legs flailing in eight directions at once. Never mind that there are several thousand square miles of forest on either side. The moose does not think of this. Clueless as to what exactly is going on, he runs halfway to New Brunswick before his peculiar gait inadvertently steers him back into the woods, where he immediately stops and takes on a startled expression that says, "Hey- woods. Now how the heck did I get here?" I would have never picked up this book if I didn't have to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat misleading, but overall strong effort
Review: First, the bad. I found the book to be a little of a letdown in one respect. The fact that I'm reading a book about hiking the AT, and the guy only hikes 500 out of the 2,100 miles, that's a bit misleading to me. It sours his first-hand authority as a "thru-hiker," in my opinion. Now, the good. He makes up for this offense, and then some, with a witty and charming tale of the trials and tribulations of tackling such a large project. He's done his research well. I came away more informed about various aspects of the trail (the equipment, the environment, the history, the hikers), and a few genuine belly laughs, to boot. The scene when Katz (his hiking partner) greets him at the airport tipping the scales at 300 lbs., clutching a donut, should go down as a classic moment in nonfiction. And despite all his bellyaching about bears, blisters, yuppie weekend hikers, etc., I was inspired to make more time for hiking. Very inspiring in places. All in all, a worthwhile read. For five-star travel fiction, please consider "Blue Highways" by William Least-Heat Moon.
Rating:
Summary: Shall we hike?
Review: I picked this book up not knowing that I would soon be embarking on a Journey with Bryson. Not only was this a fantastic, fun, sharp, and joyous experience, but I feel as though I learned about the American wilderness well neglected facts, and now have a keen interest to learn more. I was most appalled to learn that the American Chestnut is extinct. I cannot say why this saddened me so, but I immediately went to the American Chestnut Foundation website to find out more. I can't wait to read the next one by Bryson.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent adventure!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's account of his attempt to walk the aforementioned path. The telling is filled with fascinating bits of trivia that add to the enjoyment of the trip. Reading this book can inspire people to take up the task. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking to capture a piece of American life.
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