
Karin H. (
AuntieK) wrote on 6/19/2007...
12 member(s) found this review helpful.
We read this book aloud to each other on a long car trip, and what a great choice it was! It lent itself well to being shared, and was incredibly funny. Mr Bryson provides a delicious account his personal trip on the Appalachian Trail, adding information about the history of the Appalachian Trail, some of the flora and fauna, and some information about the National Parks Service, of which he most definitely has an opinion. Don't let the information bits put you off reading the book; you need the breaks from laughing.

Christy K. (
cjk) wrote on 9/12/2007...
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Let me begin with how disappointed I am with this book. I didn't read it all. As a matter of fact, I got as far as the trip through the Great Smoky Mountains. At that point I was so angry with Mr. Bryson that I put the book down and swore to never read another word written by him. It was terrible the way he made fun of the small towns and people. The last straw was his comments on the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN. I am from that area and I am deeply offended!!!!!! On a scale of 1 to 10 I give this book a -10
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great book and writer! Bryson is very humorous and knows how to make his facts interesting and thus the book is very readable.

Beth G. (
wiggis) wrote on 8/13/2007...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not only did he give you a taste for the trail but he gave you a history of the land he was walking through which I enjoyed.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm a backpacker; the kind of person who packs up a pack with a tent and food and disappears for long periods of time in the woods on marked trails. When not in the woods, I'm frequently on a backpacking discussion forum. From time to time, Bryson's name comes up as the ultimate definition of "not a backpacker". When this happens, half of the posters defend him, stating that even though he did not hike the entire Appalachian Trail, his text is inspiring enough that it has led others to the trail. The other half of the posters call him a sniveler and a whiner.
I had to see for myself, so I ordered a copy of his book. Okay, so Bryson is not a trail legend like Jack Tarlin or Minnesota Smith (the latter being someone who is known to overpack toilet paper to the tune of six rolls for a week long hike). But while Bryson cannot contribute an expert's account of a difficult sport, he can provide a humorous tale of two average folks who are ill equipped for the rigors of backpacking. Furthermore, he does it while incorporating a good deal of interesting trail history.
So to those who would quibble about whether the mileage Bryson has logged qualifies him to write a book, I say: "Put down your argument and pick up this book!"
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
When you are reading any of Bill Bryson's books you want to share it with someone. He has the ability to take the mundane ( or extraordinary ) and with his prose and sense of humor take it to a level of enjoyment where you laugh out loud. A Walk in The Woods was wonderful and an unexpected story of two unlikely pals bonding in an experience. It didn't make me want to walk the Appalachian Trail, it did make me hope I have the chance to meet Bill somewhere on a path someday.
Carole Dennison

Elizabeth L. (
LibbyLee) wrote on 3/3/2009...
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Bought this for my husband. (He enjoys hiking & backpacking but mostly gets to sit in office.)
T there were many times, while reading this book, hat he laughed out loud, saying "You have to hear this!"
He could not put it down. I never heard him talk to friends about a book with such positive comments. He has a list of people he will be sharing this book with.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked this book so much! When my friend gave it to me and basically said "It's about a guy who hikes the long trail", I thought - "not so much." But believe me, he writes so candidly I was literally laughing out loud at some parts. It's a very easy, enjoyable read - trust me, you'll like it.

Pep B. (
trksh22) wrote on 11/15/2007...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was full of of information and facts that I would not have read about on my own. Bryson spends the time to tell of the history of the AT. I am sure he may have even inspired some people to think about maybe walking the trail someday :) I read this book because it was recommended as a humorous book. Though, I did find myself laughing out loud ever, I did smile quite a bit..esp the parts that really showed Katz' personality. Some people might be offended by the way he talks about things he doesn't like. People from PA, don't expect a glowing review, lol. Though, he makes up for this with his facts and history parts that he includes throughout the book. I am glad that I read this one.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I just finished reading this book a few weeks ago after returning from a trip to the Smokies. I loved this book because it made me feel like I was back in the mountains. It was very funny and very informative about what life can be like on the Appalachian Trail. It made me want to at least hike part of the trail myself :)