A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Book Review: Nature writing and a travelogue with "oomph"!
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhaps it was a fit of angst dealing with his own personal version of a mid-life crisis that led Bill Bryson to tackle the challenge of hiking the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail! It was certainly a solid understanding of his own personality and clear recognition of his own physical and mental limitations that prompted him to invite his friend, Stephen Katz, an overweight and out of shape recovering alcoholic with an inordinate fondness for snack foods and cream soda to accompany him on this daunting challenge. The demands of the AT ultimately proved too much for Bryson and Katz who sensibly (and with an almost relieved sense of philosophical acceptance) decided to abandon the notion of a complete through hike. But the resulting story, drawn from Bryson's daily journal of the summer's efforts, is an overwhelming success and pure joy in the reading.
"A Walk in the Woods" is an extraordinary, entertaining travelogue on both the AT - the Appalachian Trail - and the people and places of small town America that dot the trail's path along the eastern seaboard from Georgia to Maine. At the same time, it is much, much more. Bryson is scathing in his political commentary and almost enraged criticism of the ongoing state of mismanagement and the sadly misguided policies of both the Parks and Forest Services of the US government. "A Walk in the Woods" is also a deeply moving introspective examination on the nature of friendship, family, perseverance, joy and despondency. As he and Katz amble along rock strewn trails dappled with sunlight broken by the leafy forest canopy, Bryson frequently, effortlessly and almost without our even noticing the change, wanders metaphorically off the main trail and onto a side path of lightweight but nonetheless informative and educational sidebars of nature writing on an amazingly wide variety of topics. Glaciation, bears, bugs, ecology, continental drift, hypothermia, hypoxia and weather are only a few examples of the topics which he elucidates for the lay reader with his clear, concise prose.
Then there is the humour! It is perhaps an understatement to say that, in this regard, Bryson has a rare gift. He has treated his readers to laughs originating in every imaginable corner of the vast world of humour - wry sardonic wit; biting satire; slapstick; self effacement; sarcasm and insults; fear; and even extended comedy sketches worthy of stage or television. His description of the astonishingly stupid and entirely self-absorbed fellow hiker Mary Ellen who has the annoying habit of constantly clearing her sinuses with a grating honk is definitely laugh-out-loud material.
Pure entertainment and enjoyment from first page to last. I believe Bill Bryson would consider it a compliment if I suggested that "A Walk in the Woods" is the first book I've ever read with a smile on my face during every single moment of the reading. Highly recommended - even if you've never spent a single night under nylon in the woods.
Paul Weiss
Book Review: pretty good stuff
Summary: 4 Stars
An enjoyable read. It was quite amusing how he chose his hiking partner, whose main qualifications seemed to be that he had a pulse, was an acquaintance of Bryson, had nothing else to do at the time, and most importantly, was the only person willing to go. That he was a bona fide neurotic was a bonus.
It's hard to imagine two guys less prepared for a long hike. As someone for whom being fit is a normal part of life, it's just amazing, even hilarious, to see how people prepare for highly vigorous physical activities. Bryson's method consisted of asking no one for advice, and taking 2 long walks. His partner did even less. Then when they're out on the trail, obviously having a very difficult time, Bryson bitterly resents the fit people racing by him, having no problems lifting their packs overhead when crossing the river. Nothing about "maybe I should have actually prepared for the hike" or anything like that. I had to chuckle and remind myself that intelligence and writing ability are no guarantee of having the slightest clue about physical activities.
To their credit, they did walk a significant length of the trail - not like these high-rollers who pop in, walk a few miles on the trail, and hog the whole campsite because, ew, you other people smell!
I enjoyed Bryson's observations about the regions he was walking through, and the historical background of the trail and its environs. It was somewhat disappointing that they didn't finish the trail, but that's the way life goes sometimes, and despite a complete lack of preparation, by the end he clearly had learned a lot about hiking and the trail.
Book Review: Gut-buster
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so incredibly saddened to finish the last page of this book and realize that there was no more....Both Bob and I laughed so hard, we cried...he isn't done, yet, and it's hard for me not to highlight the parts that I've read and he hasn't. It was informative and entertaining and insightful. Excellent read!! I highly recommend it whether you're a hiker or not.Book Review: Enjoyable read - funny and informative
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't remember when I've read a book that I enjoyed more - especially non-fiction. It is laugh out loud funny, and informative with excellent descriptions of the AT. I absolutely recommend this book. Book Review: Read this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Quite honestly, I couldn't put this book down. I just loved it! The author, Bill Bryson, does a superb job in describing the Appalachians. Upon finishing reading this book, I ordered books from amazon.com on the Appalachian Trail. You guessed it: my next adventure will be to hike the Trail.
Not many books succeed in motivating you to leave your coach and explore the beautiful world around you. If you are a hiker, A Walk in the Woods might just be the best book you will read this year! However, a word of caution: Do not read it at bedtime; your heart will beat so fast from excitement you'll lose sleep.
The story is about the author and his friend Stephen Katz, a hilarious character, deciding to hike the whole 2100 miles or so of the Appalachian Trail. They end up hiking half of it (just less than 900 miles), deciding that they are not cut out for this; still, quite an achievement.
The author narrates the history of the Appalachian Trail; statistics on how many hikers succeed or fail in hiking the whole trail; bear attack statistics (only 9 bear attacks in the last few decades); fatal and non-fatal diseases one can get hiking the Trail (some are horrific and probably you never heard of them or expected to be present in your backyard); snake bites (apparently none were fatal); murder on the trail (the Trail is not immune from murderers, and there was a murder committed at the time the author was hiking the Trail); and most importantly, loads of laughter!
Read this book; you'll be glad you did.