A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail)

Customer Reviews

Bryson is capable of better

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.

I strongly recommend it to anyone

A Walk in the Woods is a travel memoir on the Appalachian Trail, one of America's greatest hiking routes. The author, Bill Bryson lived in England for 20 years and came back to the United States with the urge to go on a long hike. Stephen Katz, an old college friend, and a former alcoholic accompanies him. Both men are out of shape, and beginners at hiking, so it is a wonder how they can endure such hardships along the trail. They had to carry a pack that contained their tents, food, water, clothes and other items. Katz and other interesting characters provide the book with much comic relief to keep the reader involved. At some points in the book I was laughing out loud. Along the journey they meet many people including Mary Ellen a slow-minded woman who follows them around, and Beulah, a fat woman with a very angry husband. The commentary about the long, rich history of the Appalachian Trail brings insight on the wilderness that we hardly know about. It also speaks for the preservation of the forestry and animals that we take for granted in the city. After reading this book I have more appreciation of the wilderness, and an interest in going hiking myself. One downside of the book was that some points in the book the author expanded the book with knowledge that made it a little less interesting, then the actual story. But I liked how Bryson went back and forth to discuss his journey and the history, creating a balance of interests. This book will offer something to any type of reader because it is funny, and contains a lot of historical information, and is interesting enough to keep the reader to keep going. But for someone who wishes to go on a hike, this is not a how to guide. It is also not an amazing adventure of two men and the great outdoors. What this book has to offer is an entertaining journey of two regular guys, who decide to go on a hike along one of the most difficult trails in the United States. I am highly recommending this book, and it will truly leave the reader entertained.

Uncovers some effects of civilization...

Though his book isn't the best book I've read in a while, it was entertaining and did make me walk to start hiking for often. The parts a appreciated most however dealt with the US Forest Service, logging, road building, acid rain, and hunting owls, lions, and bears for bounties. He cites some good sources for information on the destruction of the forests of North America, but fails to deal with the destruction of the planet as a global phenomenon. He also fails to connect the problem with choices being made by people--especially people just like him. While I learned something from his story, there is much more to be said about the violence of our culture and the demise of the natural world.