AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

By: David Miller

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In 2003, software engineer David Miller left his job, family, and friends to hike 2,172 miles of the Appalachian Trail. AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Miller’s account of this thru-hike from Georgia to Maine. Listeners are treated to rich descriptions of the Appalachian Mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the rewards of taking a less conventional path through life. While this book abounds with introspection and perseverance, it also provides useful passages about hiking gear and planning. This is not merely a travel guide; it is a beautifully written and highly personal view into one man’s journey and the insights gained by abandoning what is comfortable and routine.

©2011 David Miller (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"David Miller’s AWOL makes you feel the pain and joy of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike.... In vivid colors, David paints a picture of his memorable journey." (Larry Luxenberg Director of the Appalachian Trail Museum)

Well written! Awful narration.

I read this in printed book form years ago while preparing for my own thru-hike in 2013. It was fun to listen to it again years later, AWOL does a wonderful job capturing life on the trail! (And if you're going to actually attempt a hike yourself, grab a copy of his guide book, you'll be glad you did!

Sadly, the narration for this audiobook is painfully bad. It turns the fun recounting into a boring textbook. I started listening at 2.5x just to try slog through to the finish! It sure would be nice if a newer, better recording could be made.

Good Listen for hiking enthusiasts

I really enjoy listening to others hiking experiences, so for me this was a great book.

If you love hiking, read on ...

Don't read this book for adventure, excitement, drama. Read it because it mirrors reality - What it's like to be out there, on your own, on one of America's greatest treasures. It takes time, resilience, but gives back moments of such beauty & insight that it's well worth it. As a current section hiker, I was left more inclined to try a through hike.

Real Adventure

A well written adventure yarn. I was pleasantly surprised at how what is essentially a daily diary held my interest. An occasional hiker, I had wondered what hiking the AT would be like. Miller’s tale of hardship, pain and adventure convinced me that I don’t need this particular journey, but I’m sure others will be encouraged to begin. Well done!
(As a personal complaint, the word “Appalachian” is pronounced incorrectly throughout. The middle “a” is short, like the first one. Ask any native.)

Perfect AT book

I found it very informative, I will listen to it again as I get ready next year. Loved the detailed information.

Great writing, kept me wanting more.

AWOL you need to hike more areas across the US. those of us that dream but can't take the plunge need to hear more.

Vicariously Enthralling

For whatever reason, the cover and title of this book made me think this was a story about a guy that gets lost on the AT. Like a missing 411 scenario. But in fact, this is a gem of a story about a guy that quits his job, mid-career, to hike the Appalachian Trail; which is equally fascinating in my opinion.

To be up front, this is not a story with massive revelations and arcing story-lines with twists and turns (if you don't count the trail itself). This is a straight-forward narration of a man's trek up the AT in the form of journal entries. That said, David Miller writes about the things he sees and people he has met on the trail in such a detailed way, that he makes it easy to imagine being on the journey with him. His turn of phrase is simple and colored with dry humor, making for an approachable read. He is very observant and his insights about the land and the people are interesting. The reader gets a good sense of what life on the trail is like and also who the author is as an individual; which, from what I gather, is a sensible man, with a child-like streak of curiosity and good nature.

Additionally, the narrator of this book did an outstanding job conveying the author's story, as well as his mannerisms, it seems. Often, throughout the book, I wondered if the narrator, Christopher Lane, knows Miller personally. He adds such subtle inflections and emphases on certain words and phrases, that he is either awesome at picking up on what/how the author is feeling, or he knows Miller well enough that he is able to match his tone. It's hard to describe, but either way, he makes it easy to follow the story and I even laughed a couple of times at the humor that occurred between the words and narration.

Definitely give this a read if you are into hiking and interested in how to camp, what to eat, what equipment to use/not use, and how to conduct yourself on the trail in general. You won't regret spending the credit, and maybe you will even be inspired to do some hiking, yourself.

Great listen but very foul language used towards the end.

I really enjoyed the story but when you have to use the F word 5 times in a row to let listeners know what an old fart is saying about not carrying a knife is appallingly. I get the point when you tell us he uses the F word 5 times telling me what a fool you were not to have one, I get the point. I have my granddaughter in the car with me when I listen to these stories and I had hoped this one was not R-rated. I would have given it a 5 star for the the story if not for this.

Great story

I enjoyed listening to this account of one hiker's journey on the AT. I have ideas of doing this myself and the story helped to inspire the idea.

Loved it!

Excellent recount of the inspirations and miseries of a full through hike. Not as funny as Gary Sizer's "Where's the Next Shelter", but still David Miller takes us along all the way, sharing what he experienced! Narrator is good!