"Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes—and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.

For a start there’s the gloriously out-of-shape Stephen Katz, a buddy from Iowa along for the walk. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson’s acute eye is a wise witness to this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America’s last great wilderness. An adventure, a comedy, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is a modern classic of travel literature." Source for parts in quotes: Amazon

I picked up this book because I'm doing the 52 in 52 reading challenge and need to read a book that another member read for the challenge. Bryce Kenn read this one and I was intrigued by his review so checked it out from my library.

This book was about half engaging storytelling about Bryson's experiences on the Appalachian trail and half what felt like ecology lectures. At first the book was heavy on story and light on lecture but eventually that reversed. I feel like it took me no time to read the stories and forever to read the lectures. However, having grown up in New England and having always wanted to hike the Appalachian trail, I really did love reading it all. I just generally read this at night when I wanted to be entertained. I should have read the lecture parts during the day (when I want to learn).

There were so many great stories that if you're not interested in the lecture part, I'd say just skip forward. The stories alone are worth reading the book. But there were also a lot of eye-opening facts about the trail, the start of it, the management of it, the ecology in it and more.

Bryson and his friend Katz are hilarious and endearing in their utter realness. It's definitely a guy's book but I enjoyed it anyway.

People who are interested in hiking stories, history, ecology, the Appalachian trail, quirky characters, and bear fear.

The stories... not just Bryson and Katz' stories (and they were great!) but also those of the people they met along the way. The interesting contrasts between Bryson and Katz's on-trail life and off-trail life. The descriptions of the most beautiful parts of the trails. It really made me wish I could hike the whole thing.

That Katz stole that rude lady's shoelaces. She was rude but stealing is still wrong and it could have put her life in danger. I think it was meant to be funny but it really bothered me.

OH how I want to hike that 100 miles in Maine! Even if I couldn't do the whole trail, I wish I could do that. The whole trail interests me but the Maine part felt like the most peaceful, untamed and free part of the trail. Granted, it's the most desolate and dangerous too so if you try it, be prepared! Follow all of the rangers' instructions and bring at least 10 days worth of food.

Like I was part of Bryson's group of confidantes, hearing about his adventures and feelings about the Appalachian trail.

From Amazon:
"Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. For twenty years he lived in England, where he worked for the Times and the Independent, and wrote for most major British and American publications. His books include travel memoirs (Neither Here Nor There; The Lost Continent; Notes from a Small Island) and books on language (The Mother Tongue; Made in America). His account of his attempts to walk the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods, was a huge New York Times bestseller. He lives in Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and his four children."

It was an interesting read and I mostly enjoyed it.

I borrowed (like three times... because it did take me a LONG time to finish it) a copy of this book from my local library.

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Created Apr 23, 2021 at 6:47pm • Submit your own review...