Hey! Let’s list our favorite/informative AT book to help us all flesh out our “to read” lists over the holidays.
I nominate:
Lipsmacking Backpacking
Women Hiking AT (Briar Rose, something like that. Thanks again, Allison!)
And for humor/information:
How not to pee in your boots
How to have sex in the woods
Kc
No Books, but for a male peeing in the woods, just go down wind, and as for sex in the Woods,In the South it is very simple, tie female to Tree.:lol
Billy Bob
Billy Bob, Its people like you who make the world go round:cheers
Favorite Book for me has to be that Classic By B. Bryson, “A Wood In The Woods” I would be willing to bet, Bryson has Influenced hundreds, maybe thousands, to get off their butts and get out there, even as he never completed a Thru-Hike, It was a very feel good book!
Patriot
Patriot
Walk in the woods was nothing more then one person who wanted to hike the AT and another that didn’t. The Author was pulled off the trail becuase of his buddy. Simpley put, At times absurd, and at times a reminder of how one, even with the best intentions can ruin the dreams of others.
I recommend:
Into the wild
Mississipii Solo
Adrift
A Journey North
Illusions : The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Walden
Stranger
The Bryson book is about Bryson, not hiking and not the trail. It’s hilarious, but that’s just because Bryson is a brilliant travel writer, not a brilliant hiker. The book is ABOUT hiking, but doesn’t provide any useful information on hiking.
Roland Meuser’s (sp?) book is much better. “A season on the Appalachian trail,” forgot who wrote that, is a good one, too. These trail journals are the best, though. Pick one to read that is written by a person about your age and level of physical conditioning. The real plus about trail journals is that you can e-mail the authors and ask questions!
Musing
Ok, so Bryson’s book is a classic. Most talked about book on the trail, and off. If you thru-hike, attempt to, or even start TELLING others that you plan to…you WILL be asked, “Have you read that book? By Bill Bryson?”
Yes, it’s an entertaining read. Lots of history included. Lots of good humor. Practical information for hiking the trail, not so much. Just an entertaining read. Not knocking it though; I liked it.
“Off the Beaten Path” is another good one. Actually written by someone who experienced the trail as a thru-hike, not just bits and pieces like Bryson. Also gave a really good idea of what the trail is actually like. Read that one if you want a better idea of what a thru-hike is like.
And read trailjournals.com.
“A Journey North” wasn’t that good. Not for me anyway. Maybe if i read it again now that i’ve thruhiked, i’d have a more positive opinion.
Leki-Less