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.

read by Bill!!

Bill Bryson is an amazing narrator and it's much nicer having a book read by the author

Educational tale about appellation trail

This was a very interesting and educational tale about the appellation trail and and the travails of hiking, especially if you have not previously hiked and you are no linger a youngster. A very good incite into areas of our country very few people get to see. Scary to read about much of the changes that have occurred in much of that environment.

Engaging and Reflective

I just finished camping and hiking in CO and this book was the perfect companion on my drive back home to TX. Bryson's voice is calming and he gave me a greater appreciation for nature. I grew to really like the character in this book named Katz even though I didn't care for him much in the beginning. Nicely written book!

Great story and narration

Loved it start to finish. Would recommend to anyone 16 and up. Makes me want tho be a mountain man. haha

A Walk in the Woods

This is one of Bill Bryson's best books. (However, I've enjoyed all of them) He kept me laughing throughout the book. I especially enjoy his writing when he includes his friend, Steven Katz.(sp?) His descriptions are very vivid and I picture myself doing a hike alongside of him. How fun would that be!! The very best part of Bill Bryson's books are that he is the narrator on all of them.(He does the talking!) Wow, that just makes me want to meet the guy in person and go on his trips with him. EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!

1st download

Was disappointed I downloaded the abridged version. Was my 1st time downloading! Good story! Bryson incorporates his humor into the book!

Wonderful experience

Im a sucker for a backpacking story so this is my cup of tea. I truly enjoyed it

A walk through Bryson

"A Walk in the Woods" is a great book. I love Bryson's style of writing. He paints with masterstrokes--words ARE his paints. I started with "A Walk in the Woods" and I plan on continuing through all of his works. The only dilemma I find myself in, is when I arrive at "A Short History of Nearly Everything" should I go with the abridged version (read by Bill Bryson) or the unabridged version read by someone else. Maybe the answer is--both.

Thinking of walking the AT?

I've read this book multiple times, and each time come away with something I missed the previous reads.
Bill has that dry, slightly whiney, delivery that just sucks you in. His descriptions of actions done, are as clear as if you were there.
The book will either break you of the want of the trail, or make you even crazier about your desire to experience it first hand. I am one of the latters. here I come!

Good story - at least part of it

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The first half of the book is very well written. Bryson's voice really grated on me though. He reads in a sort of sing-songy voice that is hard to listen to. Had I not already been sucked into the story from starting to read the book, there is no way that I wouldn't have turned it off in the first five minutes. Still, the story is entertaining and well written - at least the first half. The second half loses steam quickly and I found myself looking forward to the end.