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

by Bill Bryson

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

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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 AT 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 is destined to become a modern classic of travel literature.

Review:

"Choke-on-your-coffee funny." The Washington Post Book World

Review:

"Bryson is...great company right from the start — a lumbering, droll, neatnik intellectual who comes off as equal parts Garrison Keillor, Michael Kinsley, and...Dave Barry." The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"A Walk in the Woods is an almost perfect travel book." The Boston Globe

About the Author

Bill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. For twenty years he lived in England, where he worked for The Times and The Independent, and wrote for most major British and American publications. His books include travel memoirs (Neither Here Nor There, The Lost Continent, Notes from a Small Island), and books on language (The Mother Tongue, Made in America). He now lives in Hanover, New Hampshire, with his wife and four children.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:
Marie Angell, December 7, 2009 (view all comments by Marie Angell)
Thank goodness Bill Bryson walked the Appalachian Trail so I don't have to (not that I was all that tempted)!

Bryson's amusing account of his travels is a superb example of the best of travel/adventure writing: It is lively, informative, and, oh yes, terribly funny.

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calihan_12, September 22, 2009 (view all comments by calihan_12)
A Walk in the Woods is the type of book you will want to read when you have a day off from work because you are not going to want to put this book down! Bill Bryson takes the reader on a hilarious adventure, as he makes us feel like we are walking into the woods alongside him. It is a book filled with laughter and excitement and shows us the true mysticism of the Appalachian Mountains. This is such a great book overall and it always has a way of putting a smile on my face. Never one dull moment. If you enjoy a simply good book to read, A Walk in the Woods should be your first choice.
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cynthiamellon, August 27, 2009 (view all comments by cynthiamellon)
This book deservers 10 stars---or rather the author does. I purched this book at the Philly airport--before boarding a plane to TX. I started to read at the gate..unknown to me at the time, a gentleman had noticed the book. I started laughing there and only closed to board. The fellow ends up seated next to me...to make a long story longer...I picked up the book again and laughed out loud. Well, I appologized to the man and his reply was that I would be laughing or sad all the way to TX. (four hour flight)...He was correct> Buy this book!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780767902526
Subtitle:
Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Author:
Bryson, Bill
Publisher:
Broadway Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
General
Subject:
Description and travel
Subject:
United states
Subject:
United States - South - East South Central (General)
Subject:
Essays & Travelogues
Subject:
United States - Northeast - General
Subject:
Appalachian Trail
Subject:
Natural history
Subject:
Journeys
Subject:
Appalachian Trail Description and travel.
Subject:
Bryson, Bill - Journeys - Appalachian Trail
Edition Number:
1
Edition Description:
Trade Pbk
Series:
Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail
Series Volume:
no. 13a].
Publication Date:
May 1999
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
304
Dimensions:
8.04x5.26x.81 in. .57 lbs.

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