Rating: 
Summary: For thru-hikers and wanna-be's alike
Review: A grand adventure. Walk with Rubin on this pilgrimage/adventure/quest and experience not only the joy, but the trials and hardships of hiking the Appalachian Trail. A great combination of practical hiking information and well-written trail narrative. A fantastic book for those who have experienced the AT and those who can only dream of it.
Rating:
Summary: For thru-hikers and wanna-be's alike
Review: A grand adventure. Walk with Rubin on this pilgrimage/adventure/quest and experience not only the joy, but the trials and hardships of hiking the Appalachian Trail. A great combination of practical hiking information and well-written trail narrative. A fantastic book for those who have experienced the AT and those who can only dream of it.
Rating:
Summary: A Thought Provoking Book
Review: After the second chapter I wanted to strap on a pack and conquer the trail myself. And the book only got better.
Rating:
Summary: Finally! An AT book for me...
Review: As a semi-serious "section" hiker (i.e., more than a day-hiker, but not quite a thru-hiker), I've found that there is very little hiking literature that "speaks" to me.Oh, sure, I can certainly find books to tell me what kind of pack and boots to buy or to help me choose what trails to walk. And, there are plenty of books filled with trail wisdom from those who have met the challenge of thru-hiking the AT. But, I have yearned for a book that would help me to understand the mental and spiritual side of Everyman "making the long walk." Not since Earl Shaffer's "Walking with Spring" and Taylor Morris' "Walk of the Conscious Ants" have I enjoyed a hiking book so much. Many will look to compare Rubin's book to Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods." Bryson's book was well-written and beyond funny, that's for sure, and it served to introduce many a soul to the trail I love so much. But, I feel more a kinship with Rubin... Rubin's book was well-written, honest, and exciting. It put me "on the beaten path" next to the author. I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Finally! An AT book for me...
Review: As a semi-serious "section" hiker (i.e., more than a day-hiker, but not quite a thru-hiker), I've found that there is very little hiking literature that "speaks" to me. Oh, sure, I can certainly find books to tell me what kind of pack and boots to buy or to help me choose what trails to walk. And, there are plenty of books filled with trail wisdom from those who have met the challenge of thru-hiking the AT. But, I have yearned for a book that would help me to understand the mental and spiritual side of Everyman "making the long walk." Not since Earl Shaffer's "Walking with Spring" and Taylor Morris' "Walk of the Conscious Ants" have I enjoyed a hiking book so much. Many will look to compare Rubin's book to Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods." Bryson's book was well-written and beyond funny, that's for sure, and it served to introduce many a soul to the trail I love so much. But, I feel more a kinship with Rubin... Rubin's book was well-written, honest, and exciting. It put me "on the beaten path" next to the author. I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Brought me back to the trail.
Review: As a thru hiker myself, I think that Aldin's book definatly brought me back to the trail. Especially when he basically leaves the spiritual side esentially what you make of it. That is something that I found to be definatly true myself several years ago. Good job!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best AT books
Review: As an AT section hiker, I could relate to Rubin's descriptions. He paints the trail life and fellow pilgrims better than several other AT books I have read. Maybe not funny like Bryson's overhyped work, but much more satisfying. His wrestles with job and marriage commitments were central to his trek and add, rather than detract, to his story. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A word from down under
Review: Both my wife and self have just finished this book, and highly recommend it to all who are intereted in hiking and/or the AT, and we believe it is excellent first rate reading. Robert Rubin reveals the human side of man, the real life stresses which resulted in his need to walk this walk, and the conflict created in doing it, and leaving all behind until he's finished. We absolutely disagree with the very pious and judgemental thoughts of person who wrote, "Bryson says it better". As much as I enjoyed Brysons, A Walk In The Woods, and thought it an excellent and humourous read, Rubin finished his AT walk, which unfortunately Bill Bryson did not. Both left wives behind, so what's the difference. Rubens walk no doubt strengthened him and maybe brought him and his wife closer together. Leaving wife and home behind for six months to walk the beaten path was no doubt hard, and caused it's share of stesses and anguish. In Rhymin Worm's case, this walk seemed to be just the therapy he needed to sort out the conflicts of mid life, and he had one hell of an adventure along the way in doing it. All in all, good sence of humour, great adventure, excellent reading, and if I could give it six stars I would. This book is very well written, and kept us riveted to the last page. Both thumbs up from down under, "New Zealand".
Rating:
Summary: The Real Deal
Review: Bryson's book was comedy. Rubin's book is reality. Each is a worthwhile read, but for different reasons. Rubin has captured the essence and magnitude of a long distance hike, including plenty of humor. Bryson did what Bryson does, exaggerate his perceptions and make people laugh out loud. If pure fun and laughter are your goals, go read Bryson. If you want a personal peek inside a real thruhike, follow Rhymin' Worm from GA-ME. While his occasional mention of job and marital woes may be distracting for some readers intent on the guts of the hike, such thoughts and emotions are indeed typical of the stuff which stirs in a thruhiker's mind during the seemingly-endless, thousand-plus hours he or she is striding the trail. This book is well-crafted, and gives the reader an authentic look inside the thruhike experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good
Review: Having wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail for some years now, I have settled with experiencing it throught the writings of author's who have hiked the trail. What Robert Alden Rubin has far and away from most of the other books is the fact he finished the trail in this novel. He also describes trail life with the completeness adding his own internal struggles. Very good writing also.
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