A Walk in the Woods

I read this book back in the 1990s when I went to college near a segment of the Appalachian Trail. The idea of thru-hiking the 2200 miles of it seemed incredible to me. Someone recently brought the book up. As we chatted I realized I remember almost none of it, including some big parts of it. So I'm reading it again. This is not a how-to. This is almost a how-to not because this is a city slicking middle aged writer doing this attempt. That's probably what makes it so relatable. It's even been turned into a movie. Parts of it will tempt you to try it. Parts of it will dissuade you from ever hiking again. It was overall an easy entertaining read.

As with my first book by the author, I'm very divided about whether it's interesting or boringly unfunny to me. The author has again gathered a lot of historical, environmental and other facts which were interesting, surprising or fascinating, or all three. In some parts, his anecdotes about his actual personal hiking experience on the Appalachian Trail were relatable from my own experience (though on a different trail). But mostly his anecdotes were, as in the previous book I read, boring, annoying and not very humourous - or all three at once.

So I suppose I can conclude that Bill Bryson as an author just isn't for me.

Full of Bryson fun facts peppered through a little story of two guys who were friends in their youth hiking the AT together.

It'll make you wonder whether you're due a walk in the woods.

Because I listened to this and bits of his other books with the same narrator on audiobook, I couldn't help thinking Bill Bryson sounded like a friendly American voice artist. I looked him up and found out in actual fact he has literally the most intersectional American/British accent I've ever heard in my life.

3.5
Entertaining, but that's it.

This is a good and very funny book that offers both the description of the author's adventures on the AT and many facts about the trail and its history. I fully enjoyed reading it. I felt that the author sometimes tries little too hard to make things funny and this results in a feeling that he might be embellishing his stories a bit. But I did not mind that too much since the book made me laugh out loud many times.

At first I was disappointed that Bill Bryson didn't narrate the audiobook, but Rob McQuay was fantastic.

Fun and interesting read! It is a great mix of information, opinion and humor. It makes me want to go for a hike in the woods right now (a day-hike that is).

Had some trouble in the beginning getting the right groove for this, but after the first 40 pages or so started to thoroughly enjoy the book. While I do not agree with the author on all acerbic observations, it's an excellent reminder of the potential trials and majesty the wilderness has to offer.

Follow Bryson and his friend down the A.T. Watch them hike, out of shape and unprepared. Listen to them bicker and moan about hunger. And learn a little bit about the history of the trail and environmental issues as you traverse the US.

Mostly interesting, I found some parts to be boring, a few exceedingly so, but still a good read. If Bryson's goal was to get my old butt to want to get back on the trail and connect with nature, then mission accomplished. Three stars.

I love nature and the outdoors. It is interesting when social situations meet in these areas. We must go through extreme measures to get away from people. When we do we just miss the people. People and nature can coexist. It really doesn't need to be one or the other. This book reminded me of that. Solitude is nice though. If you can find it every now and then.

There is no point in hurrying because you are not actually going anywhere. However far or long you plod, you are always in the same place: in the woods. It’s where you were yesterday, where you will be tomorrow. The woods is one boundless singularity.

I listened to the audiobook and Bill Bryson's narration added to the humour and retelling of his time on the Appalachian Trail. I found the mix of trail memories, facts and history of trails in America to be the right blend.

I laughed aloud several times at the exploits of Bryson and Katz, became invested their hike and also dreaded entering the 100 Mile Forest in Maine. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the outdoors, laughing at others who are not prepared for an undertaking of this size and those who think they could spend several weeks hiking on a trail.

Great fun for those of who dream of through-hiking the Appalachian Trail but can't quite make it.

This book his a big favorite at my library.The first few chapters are riotously funny, with that dry, British use of understatement that makes Bryson such a jolly chap to read. And it is an honest commentary on American culture with a few fresh insights... I cannot imagine a more entertaining account of the history and meaning of a hiking trail. It did not make me want to hike the trail, and it would have been nice if there had been more bears. The environmental catastrophes were heartbreaking and I was particularly moved by the demise of the Chestnut Tree. I appreciated his honest assessment of the Park Service, what an eye-opener! Any outdoor, nature or East-cost American history enthusiast would particularly love this book.

Another excellent book from Bill Bryson. He is at times funny and sobering. Mixing personal anecdotes and absurdity of his experience with the good and bad facts about the landscape, towns, and wilderness around the Appalachian Trail. I was saddened by the realities of the actions of the Forest Service and by the government in their infinite wisdom, yet was heartened by the outcomes of benign neglect. I laughed and was inspired by Bryson's experience.