A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

In the 1990s Bill Bryson hiked much the Appalachian Trail, but not all at once. The trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and is a daunting prospect, even doing sections at a time. It is about 2600 miles in length, which is one source of humor in the book, because no one knows exactly how long the trail actually is. Humor is a large component of the story. Bryson can mine a good laugh from the most harrowing or ridiculous situations. However, as A Walk in the Woods progresses, and Bryson’s quest takes on a serious tone, the humor is less evident, which is fitting.

Bryson’s writing draws you in immediately. It is engaging and full of precise observations. Unlike many serious hikers he is ambivalent about backpacking equipment. One show more item he carried: “A big knife for killing bears and hillbillies.” Neither of which he encountered.

Bryson intersperses his story of walking the trail with bits of history, trail lore, observations on the surroundings and other hikers, and facts. He expounds geologically, describing the changes the earth has gone through, setting the scene for development that created much of the world.

He worries, needlessly, about encountering angry wildlife. On the rumors of Mountain Lions that were released pets: “It would be just my luck, of course, to be savaged by an animal with a flea collar and a medical history. I imagined lying on my back, being extravagantly ravaged, inclining my head slightly to read a dangling silver tag that said: ‘My name is Mr. Bojangles. If found please call Tanya and Vinny at 924-4667.”

A star of the book is Bryson’s friend, Stephen Katz, who accompanies him part of the way. Katz sometimes provide comic relief and is a foil for Bryson. Bryson takes pride in hiking the trail. As he puts it, “I understand now, in a way I never did before, the colossal scale of the world. I found patience and fortitude that I didn’t know I had. I discovered an America that millions of people scarcely know exists. I made a friend. I came home.” show less

With a lot of humour, Bryson walks us through his Appalachian Trail adventures. I loved his honesty, observations and comments about the social, political, economic and geological events that shaped the trail through the decades. It was a good mix of personal and factual accounts with a solid dose of mixed emotions as he fell into pain, boredom, exaltation and much more. I can't say the book gave me the desire to try the trail but definitely it gave me the encouragement to put my hiking boots on again.

Overall quite an entertaining read, a good mix of humor, narrative, and history and facts (mostly depressing, which is why the humor is so necessary). I learned a lot - not just about the Appalachian Trail (AT), but US history, facts about the government and the environment. I found the history of Centralia, PA (p. 254-270) to be fascinating; I can't believe there isn't a novel written about that town.

All that said, I am completely content with day hikes.

From his equipment list: "waterproof matches, pack cover...compass/thermometer keyring, a little collapsible stove...gas bottle and spare gas bottle, a hands-free flashlight...a big knife for killing bears and hillbillies..." (14-15)

"In America, alas, beauty has become something you show more drive to, and nature an either/or proposition - either you ruthlessly subjugate it...or you deify it, treat it as something holy and remote, a thing apart..." (286) show less

Bill Bryson's extraordinary gift as a writer is his prose. His words are lyrical, effortless and efficient. They are the jazz music of the language, possessing a beat and constantly surprising. This was the number one pleasure for me as I read A Walk in the Woods.

This book is probably often described as being about the Appalachian Trail, or more specifically, about hiking it. That isn't quite true since it's not really a trail guide. And yet it's so much more. I would describe A Walk in the Woods as a often hilarious and sometimes somber musing on the environmental progress of eastern North America set against one man's, Bill Bryson's, attempt to hike parts of the trail. He is joined by a long-time acquaintance, Stephen Katz, who is show more about as irritating and genuinely lovable as one can get.

My sister hiked the complete Appalachian Trail from south to north in 2006. She is very proud of her experience though she will completely agree with Bryson's unromantic assessment that hiking day after day is a long slog. Bryson undoubtedly loves America and its many natural wonders, and he seems endlessly conflicted about how one can best appreciate the wilderness alongside modern progress. I think that's impression he's trying to convey. show less

I may be the last person in the world to read this book, but it's just as good as everyone says it is. Bryson is a little insufferable in that "Prairie Home Companion" sort of way--I got the sense that there was this character "Bill Bryson" that was more important than the actual Bill Bryson who went out hiking--but the writing was exciting, witty, and often poignant. The book is now 12 years old, and I wonder what the AT is like these days. Maybe someday I'll be able to experience it for myself...which, I guess, is the best possible praise for a travel narrative. In one way, you feel like you've already been there; in another, you want to see it for yourself.

This was the first Bryson I've read, ever, though I've known for a while that I would like him. I had been in a bit of a reading slump, picking up a book and losing interest in the first few chapters. But I knew I would finish this one after I started laughing on the train, thanks to Bryson's potty humor regarding bear encounters and how he would "shit himself lifeless." While I never laughed as much again while reading the rest of the book, I found Bryson's writing style engaging and interesting, whether he was recounting walking through blizzard conditions or some history related the AT.

Oddly enough, the book made me want to hike the AT, but at the same time run away screaming at the very thought.

If you're expecting an epic tale of man vs. nature, A Walk in the Woods isn’t it. This is the literary equivalent of buying $150 running shoes, taking two laps around the mall, and calling yourself a “serious runner.” Sure, grandpa, let’s get you back to your recliner.

Bryson’s journey is exactly what someone with privilege might call “roughing it”—a light dabble in the outdoors, conveniently interrupted by breaks at home when things get tough. Immersion? Not even close. It’s more of a leisurely stroll than a test of endurance. When the challenge escalates, Bryson simply opts out, proving that the “tough” don’t get going—they go home for a snack.

While the humor and wit keep it entertaining, don’t expect much show more in the way of struggle, suspense, or grit. I’ve read bedtime stories with more tension. show less