A Walk in the Woods

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

"Not long after I moved with my family to a small town in New Hampshire, I happened upon a path that vanished into a wood on the edge of town." So begins Bill Bryson's hilarious book, A Walk in the Woods. Following his return to America after 20 years in Britain, Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The AT, as it's affectionately known to thousands of hikers, 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 test his own powers of ineptitude, and to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings. 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 fragile and beautiful 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, a lament, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is destined to become a modern classic of travel literature.

©1998 Bill Bryson (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Beware young listeners!

I played this for my family of five kids....aged 13 down to 5. There is an abundance of foul language which detracts from the listening experience for a family. Audible can you please warn about language, sex, adult content? Had I known this I would not have purchased this book.

Entertaining

A stimulating and thoughtful story. I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail a while back and so Bryson brings back old memories. He does overstate the risk of bears and other animal risks, for entertainment effect, presumably. The most serious risks, as always, are hypothermia, creek-crossings, and snow storms. A good tale nontheless.

Okay

Lazily walked parts of the trail. No adventure. More of a how to do the AT haphazardly. Stayed in hotels more then tents.

Wonderful travel writer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The story is funny, well told and educational. I have recommended it many times to friends and family.

What does Bill Bryson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His sense of humor.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh out loud. I have listened to it multiple times. It is a great listen for a long car ride.

A Walk in the Woods

Enjoyable book. Author does good job on keeping book interesting with history on the AT and other information helpful to those thinking about hiking the trail someday. All will enjoy hiking the AT from their recliners while listening to this book.

history and a great story

Where does A Walk in the Woods rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have bought this audio book twice. Id say it is my favorite book of this genre.

What did you like best about this story?

Bill Bryson is a master as both an author and a story teller

Have you listened to any of Bill Bryson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard him narrating and I love the flow of his voice, but this book is my favorite so far by him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It depends on what you mean by moved. If you mean to laughter then the whole book, espesially the bears, but there were parts about the history of the trail and our country that had me on the verge of tears.

Any additional comments?

I hope that my review is helpful in furthering mister Brysons career. I love this book and I think anyone who lostens to it will to...

A Native of the Locals

This book portrays the natives as ignorant, unintelligent, simple, and a backward group of people. Offensive. Not to be mocked. Not to belittle. Not to underestimate.

Only a fool would believe himself superior due to formal education. Some knowledge is not taught in school.

This book toots the author's own horn. The dangers in the Appalachians are real. Dramatized dangers of the author was under-rated.

Bryson and the AT are both national treasures!

I'd been wanting to read this book for many years and just never got there. I'm kind of glad, because I had so much fun listening to it instead while walking my dog over neighborhood roads. Not remotely the same as the AT, but I could use my imagination. Thank you, Bill! This book is a classic, as is your body of work in general.

Oh, and did you ever hike Mount Katahdin?

Funny and honest

Bryson never fails to entertain! Another great book so wonderfully narrated. Love his infallible sense of humor even in the face of a challenge

overall good

liked the balance between personal narrative and journalistic facts. Bryson is a bit too snarky for my tastes, however.