A Walk in the Woods - Books Babb.no

9 audio discs (10.5 hr.) : digital ; 4 3/4 in.

English language

Published 1998 by Recorded Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-7887-3429-8

(3 reviews)

Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The trail 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 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 along for the walk. Despite Katz's overwhelming desire to find cozy restaurants, he and Bryson eventually settle into their stride, and while on the trail they meet a bizarre assortment of hilarious characters. 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 beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea …

Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The trail 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 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 along for the walk. Despite Katz's overwhelming desire to find cozy restaurants, he and Bryson eventually settle into their stride, and while on the trail they meet a bizarre assortment of hilarious characters. 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 beautiful but fragile 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, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods has become a modern classic of travel literature.

17 editions

Hank G (BookWyrm) reviewed A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Delightful read of a "normal" person's AT Thru hike Attempt

4 stars

I read this book back in the 1990s when I went to college near a segment of the Appalachian Trail. The idea of thru-hiking the 2200 miles of it seemed incredible to me. Someone recently brought the book up. As we chatted I realized I remember almost none of it, including some big parts of it. So I'm reading it again. This is not a how-to. This is almost a how-to not because this is a city slicking middle aged writer doing this attempt. That's probably what makes it so relatable. It's even been turned into a movie. Parts of it will tempt you to try it. Parts of it will dissuade you from ever hiking again. It was overall an easy entertaining read.

Eivind (like the Terrible)

rated it

July 16, 2012

Torfinn Nome

rated it

July 21, 2012

Subjects

Description and travel
Nonfiction
Travel
Travel Writing Reference
Travelogues & Travel Essays
History and Geography
Geography and Travel
Geography of and travel in North America
Northeastern U.S.
1945-199
The arts
Recreational and performing arts
Athletic and outdoor sports and games
Outdoor leisure
Walking
Local History of the United States, Canada and Latin America
Appalachian Trail
Description and travel
United States local history
Atlantic coast. Middle Atlantic States
Natural history