I thought Cherly Strayed's "Wild" was better. This guy seems pretty self-absorbed. Not bad though, an ok way to pass some time.

The story is great. But - the author goes off on long lectures about the environment and global warming and past bad Forest Services practices. The problem is that this takes you away from a great story. The movie leaves out the lectures, and you're left with a great story. There's just one scene where the environment is discussed, which was good. When I want to read about depressing environmental stories, I'll go read one. When I want an entertaining story about two old guys in the woods, that's what I want. I don't think the two can be blended without putting a major damper on an otherwise good story. I am returning the book. I didn't finish it. I watched the movie instead hoping they filtered out the lectures, and they did. I've never said a movie was better than the book before. But, in this case, it was.

Enjoyed them all.

Has been done. Movie is great. Better than the book, because it leaves out all the lectures.

Watch the movie instead. I'm returning the book unfinished. Got sick of getting a lecture when I just wanted to know what happens next.

I like both versions, the abridged one read bt Bill Bryson is funnier. It's not boring. As the author says , it makes me want to throw a loaf of bread and a tin of tea in a pack and head out .

I have read the book a couple of times and enjoyed this recording. The narrator sounds as I would imagine Bill Bryson to sound.

Had high expectations, but "it was what I expected." I enjoyed the tales, accounts, and descriptions of the Trail, and his encounters. The author complains a lot, and that is tiresome. He didn't have much good to say about the South; if you ever wonder why Southerners dislike New England Yankees, he is a good example of why.
The narrator, was also disappointing. He made Katz seem to be a dimwit. I wish more narrators would just read the darn book.

Very entertaining story of a personal journey against the backdrop of an incredible physical accomplishment. I loved the interaction between the two main characters and could see myself in one then the other and then back again, over and over. It almost felt like a conversation all within the author's head at times (which happens to me often on the trail).

It has some similarities but just as many differences to Into the Wild (more personal demons), Wild (more personal demons, less about hiking), Kindness of Strangers (less wilderness), The Pilgrimage (way more spiritual), AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (much more about hiking and from experienced perspective),

Definitely laughed from time to time and other times I definitely relived the pain of my very first backpacking trip!

This "hiking" story is much more of a story versus a trail journal. So as long as you go into it looking for a story and not a recounting of what gear he used or mileage covered daily, then you'll enjoy it!

Love Bryson's style & wit, but he drones on a bit with statistics on the climate and forest between his storyline

At times, amusing, at times, boring, and steeped in information about the Appalachian Trail and the portion of America it spans. The reader does a very credible job, but it is mostly first person and with few voices, it isn't a demanding read. I bought the book looking for humor and found very little. I listened from beginning to end because I was fascinated with the author's experience and reactions, as well as the lessons in natural history. Knowing what I know now, would I buy it again? Maybe, maybe not.

Get a good editor. Also, more about the trail, the people who hike it, why they hike it, and the country around it. Less Bill and Katz. They aren't very interesting people. At least not on the trial and with each other. And give us reasons to care about the trail and people who hike it.

It could have been 1/2 to 2/3 the length and still fine. It was not a compelling story. I didn't care if he made it or not - Bryson doesn't give the reader a reason to care about whether he makes it because, in part, the characters don't care.

Put me to sleep. Even Mr. McQuay was not interested in what Bill was doing and why.

Yes, but just barely. I wish I hadn't put off other books for this one.

I am a huge fan of Bill Bryson. His wit, his insights and style are amazing but this narration is disappointing. There is no depth or inflection...

The book. Read it and pass on this listen

Basically lik ehe read the phone book....boring

None.

This is a great opportunity to use Audible's return policy