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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 3 comments:
Laura Nugent, November 13, 2007 (view all comments by Laura Nugent)
Literally laugh out loud. I don't know that I've ever laughed so hard reading a book, or been able to read whole sections aloud for an entire bus load of people to enjoy.
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(12 of 21 readers found this comment helpful)
erinisnow, August 20, 2007 (view all comments by erinisnow)
After reading I'm a Stranger Here Myself, I wanted more of Bill Bryson's writing. I picked this, and the hilarity that ensued was more than up to par. Reading the descriptions of Bryson and his pal Katz, I could not think of a pair more inadequate for hiking the Appalachian Trail. Nevertheless, they persevere, while also helping the reader to realize the the greatness that is the woods of America. I recommend this book to all who love this country.
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(8 of 15 readers found this comment helpful)
Jesse, December 3, 2006 (view all comments by Jesse)
A fantastic journey both on and off the trail. The author's adventures had me, alternatively, laughing in stitches and deep in sadness. I felt like I was there with him; the language is incredibly vivid. The history of the trail and the people along it, is worth the cover price alone.
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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:
8.02x5.30x.81 in. .57 lbs.

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