A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Cassette)

Additional A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Cassette) Information

So begins Bill Bryson's hilarious book A Walk in the Woods. Following his return to America after twenty years in Britain, Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The AT, as it's affectionately known to thousands of hikers, 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 test his own powers of ineptitude, and 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 who accompanies the similarly unfit Bryson on the trail. Once Bryson and Katz settle into their stride, it's not long before they come across the fabulously annoying Mary Ellen, whose disappearance ruins a perfectly good slice of pie, a gang of Ralph Lauren-attired yuppies from whom Katz appropriates a key piece of equipment, and a security guard in Pennsylvania who, for no ascertainable reason, impounds Bryson's car. Mile by arduous mile these latter-day pioneers walk America, along the way surviving the threat of bear attacks, the loss of key provisions, and everything else this awe-inspiring country can throw at them.

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 fragile and beautiful 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, a lament, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is destined to become a modern classic of travel literature.

What Customers Say About A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Cassette):

and I didn't think it would be as funny as she had told me it was. Haven't finished the book yet, but I've bitten through a great chunk. Bryson has an amazing sense of humor, and knows a lot about what he's writing about. It's absolutely hilarious and has got me flippin' pages like a madwoman. This book was recommended to me from a woman at the gym (ironic). On a side note, the bear looks all cute and cuddly before you begin reading, but after you read about the bear accounts, you'll be wanting to hide from it. much like I did.

The heart of the book lies in self-reflection, however, as Bryson tries to reconcile his relationships with the trail, his companion, and America. Stephen Katz, childhood friend, accompanies Mr.

Bryson examines the AT as a microcosm of America, an ever-changing institution with pros and cons; the former ultimately the latter. A Walk in the Woods is like a slice of cake, a multi-layered treat rich in belligerence, comedy, and insight, satisfying from start to finish.

Flubba" ("He's more the shoot your balls of type"). As promised, he straps on his boots so you, the ever tantamount reader, can walk the trail without the blisters, cramps, and empty wallet.

Along the way, we meet eccentric characters such as Mary Ellen ("Say, is that a Hostess cupcake.") and "Bubba T. Bryson and acts as a comic foil.

As Bryson points out, you do a lot of thinking on the trail.

Hysterical. LOL funny. For us non-hikers who are married to backpackers, this is a wonderfully amusing account of the preparation and ordeal (as we see it) of hiking.

This was a very enjoyable book. I would also recommend "In a Sunburned Country" by the same author.

I therefore tend to read books on AT (Appalachian Trail) and it's hikers as it's a dream I'll never realize. We also, as we sadly do in so many 'Trail' books, get preached at about just how crappy we're doing as caretakers of this planet. I used to camp all the time when I was growing up, with my folks and later on involved in Scouting. Bryson sets off, completely unprepared mentally or physically to walk the AT and soon discovers that it's a daunting task. I found myself laughing out loud in many places. 'Walk' is about a man discovering there's a trail, unbroken (more or less) from Georgia to Maine. There's a few moments, mostly littering by throwing gear away and not policing his cigarette butts by Katz that I find rather annoying.

I know it's a problem but if I wanted to read about it I'd go looking for books on THAT topic and not hiking. I hiked, day hikes mostly and usually as often as the weather would allow with little concern for the season. Bryson's not the worst by a long shot but I'd really love to read a story about hiking the AT without the need to break out into how we're killing the amphibians off or how many species of trees have gone extinct due to our careless nature. Some 2,100 miles long up the Appalachian corridor. Bill's got a good grasp of humor and never fails to convey the humor in the situations he and his hiking companion, Katz, who's even more ill prepared for the journey than the author. Don't get me wrong, this is well worth reading (thanks Lisa). I could just do without the preaching from the soapbox.