A Walk in the Woods

imported
#21

Boring???

It’s historical. It’s not meant to be a page turner (all . . . 2,000 of them).

Ed Garvey is in there . . . Ray Baker is in there . . . Dorothy Laker is in there . . . even blurbs about Earl Shaffer and Grandma Gatewood (A Walk With Spring hadn’t yet been published - or written?). And there’s a whole bunch more in there, though some by admitted section hikers. There’s even a Southbound hiker in there, a couple of NOBO’s who did the trail in 99 days.

You also get to read about interactions with fire tower watchmen, which don’t happen anymore.

I think it’s a riveting book, from a historical perspective. No, not a page turner like Bryson . . . but if you guys all think Bryson did it best, may I turn you on to…

Walking North, by Mic Lowter. #1 with a bullet.
On The Beaten Path, by Robert Alden Rubin.
Walking Home, by Kelly Winters.
As Far As The Eye Can See, by David Brill. Good because it’s not the typical read, and written well.
Blind Courage, by Bill Irwin (and Dave McCausland). Absolutely a page turner, in my opinion.

I haven’t read Model T’s book Walking On The Happy Side Of Misery, but a lot of people rave about it. Hope to get it soon.

But there are some bad ones that I’ve read . . .

Me And The Boy . . . forget who wrote it.
Ambling and Scrambling on the Appalachian Trail . . . makes me hurl just thinking about it:x :x :x . As much as I like to collect AT memoir books (going on 30!), I actually gave this one away . . . it had a picture of someone I know in it, so…

Kineo Kid

#22

As long as we’re talking about bad books . . .

There are a slew of books that are obviously self-published. Some of them are very good, some are very bad.

Walking The Dream by Ellen Wolfe is a prime example. Surely, she did the trail, and her journey is genuine.

The editing is non-existent. Terrible, terrible, terrible job. That is, if you care at all about the finished product, yes, it’s very terrible.

I’ve read it three times, though… :oh

Kineo Kid

#23

To Everyone:

I agree with Mr. Kid that the two volume book, HIKING THE APPLACHIAN TRAIL, published by Rodale Press in the 1970’s, is riveting.

Set forth in that book is the origin of the trail, the original concept of the trail–its purpose and design, a description of the environment in which the trail was first conceived and then created, and the words of the first hikers–why they hiked it, what it was like, how they were effected. All this, set forth and taking place in another time, and in a completely different social, political and historical environment. The sense of exploration, appreciation, practicalness, wonderment and sheer ernestness of the early hikers is breathtaking–its riveting, its enlightening, its completely enjoyable. And, perhaps not unexpectedly, its also, very freeing, very calming. Overal, its an easy, rewarding truth.

If you are interested at all in the Applachian Trail,in any aspect, not just historically, but what it is today, this book, this two volume set is a must read.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#24

#1 Maybe it’s my familiarity with Bryson’s breed of Yankee pansy, but I found his description of Hiawassee to be typical of his kind. The AT transformed this northern bigot into a lover of the Appalachian South. It is clear that Bryson hiked to write about it. He missed the point.

#2 His descriptions of other hikers was completely in opposition of everything I have come to know of the AT in my 6000 miles of hiking. His assessments, however amusing, are contrary to hiker ethos. Period. That is why he is loathed.

Having said that, the historical info is fantastic. So, if your not as attached to the AT as I, “Walk in the Woods” is a pretty good read. If you have hiked and care about the AT, it may piss you off.

Yahtzee

#25

Bill Bryson is not a “Yankee Pansy”. He is from Iowa and is a midwest pansy. He has lived in NH for a very short time.

But my suggestion on casting would be Danny Devito as Keith Shaw:).

Big B

#26

As Big B points out,Bill Bryson was from Iowa,he lived nearly two decades living and working in England.His book,“Notes from a small Island” makes for a wonderfull read.It did’nt exactly endear him to the English.But thats why I like about his style.Whats a Yankee Pansy?:mad

Old & In The Way

#27

I hope this doesnt encourage people to flood the trail just to throw thier cigarette butts on the path. I think Bryson is a slack ass

Virginian

#28

I laughed, I cried, I had my suspicions about the veracity of descriptions of many of the characters in AWITW.
I’ve heard that no one who hiked in Bryson’s year ever saw Katz. True???
The description of how overweight Katz was made me think, “No way could he hike the mileage described”. Was Katz a made-up comic alter-ego foil, Bryson’s idea of what he himself might be like if his life had turned out a little differently?
The emphasis on BIG SCARY ANIMALS was odd. The choice of a Western US-only grizzly on the book’s cover was bogus.
But, the book is still worth reading if someone tells you about the fake-o parts.
I say, " As Far As The Eye Can See " is the best book I’ve read on long distance hiking. Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter’s books, second. Ed Garvey’s books, third. The Rodale set, and yes, I’ve read them, fourth. Roland Mueser, a strong fifth.
Haven’t read lots of others.

Stuck In The City Night Shift

#29

The best book on the AT that I ever read is one that is only on-line. Do a search on “And Then the Hail Came”. This book captures the essence of the AT in the 1980s.

Big B

#30

I do not understand why people are so wildly polarized (love/hate) on the book. It’s a decent book, easy to read, funny at times but he does go off on editorials that one may, or may not, agree with. It’s not meant to be the definitive study on AT hikers, government policies, etc. It’s a freaking novel written by a travel author. In my experience, many, many more hikers (and non-hikers) like the book. I think that saying he is loathed is a fantastic generalization. Having hiked a few more miles than some of us doesn’t validate one’s authority as a book critic.

In additon to reading the book, I listened to it on tape. The book-on-tape is an abridgement read by Bryson. Much of the political commentary is left out. What’s left is a funny story of his travails and the personalities he describes. The book is read with Bryson’s British accent and the dry humor is thus exaggerated. Great alternative to the book.

Safe travels. Enjoy whatever you read…and relax, isn’t that one of the reasons the trails are out there?

Caveman

#31

been brought to you by the Bill Bryson Marketing and Ad Team.

:smiley:

lion king

#32

Yeah caveman, I also have Bryson’s Walk in the woods CD edition and absolutely love listening to it. Bryson’s sarcasm and humor make the CD a lot of fun to listen to. My wife and I have a mental image of Katz as John Candy. The first time I listened to that CD I realized if those 2 buffoons could walk sections of the AT then I certainly could do it. And that was when I decided to get into backpacking. I highly recommend it for some excellent laughs. Especially when they met up with Mary Ellen. I also agree that the last half of the story wasn’t as fun and a little boring.

That CD set ranks up there as one of the best presents I ever received because it inspired me to get out and experience the Appalachian trail. And it doesn’t get much better than that.

HotFoot

#33

A yankee pansy—fey, educated northeasterners who look down on those who toil, sweat and otherwise live outside of their brains. Regardless of where he grew up, which you don’t choose, he chose to live in England and NH and join the academe. I never got past his description of Haiwassee.
If you need to know why animus, read that passage. Now ask if he would say that to their faces. Ask the people of Hiawassee what they think of him.
I admit being sensitive, but bigotry is bigotry even if you are laughing along. If I thought for a second he had some cohones I wouldn’t mind. But if he had those he would have finished.

Yahtzee

#34

I’m from the south, thought the book was pretty funny. Never watch or read most any comedy if you are offended if someone\place gets made fun of. I did not finish the trail in 02. I’m a sensitive kinda guy too Yahtzee and YOU MADE ME CRY!! But alas, you have the cohones to tell every person who did not finish, to their face, that it is because they are cohoneless…now that would make a good movie!

Nean