• A Walk in the Woods

  • Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
  • By: Bill Bryson
  • Narrated by: Rob McQuay
  • Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (11,509 ratings)

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A Walk in the Woods  By  cover art

A Walk in the Woods

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Rob McQuay
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Publisher's summary

The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America - majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way - and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).

©1999 Bill Bryson (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Short of doing it yourself, the best way of escaping into nature is to read a book like A Walk in the Woods." ( The New York Times)
"A terribly misguided, and terribly funny tale of adventure.... The yarn is choke-on-your-coffee funny." ( The Washington Post)
"Bill Bryson could write an essay about dryer lint or fever reducers and still make us laugh out loud." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

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What listeners say about A Walk in the Woods

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Funny and informative

Bill Bryson does a great job of making me both want to hike the AT and never go anywhere near the AT all at the same time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thrilling and educating read!

I very much enjoyed this book.
Definitely a must read (perfect to throw in your pack).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a great book!

Wow, I enjoyed this book! Story and narration was well done. Give it a go.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Makes you want to be outdoors

a walk in the woods is a great non-fiction story about the author's trip into and on the Appalachian Trail. rice and it's hilarious I first read a short history of nearly everything and thought it was spectacular. This one was this one was more intimate given the subject matter, but was also packed with information and hilariously written

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book!

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

Would recommend to anyone seeking adventure and knowledge! This book is filled to the brim with both!

What about Rob McQuay’s performance did you like?

Fantastic reader! Does voices for characters that enhances the book rather than diminish it.

Any additional comments?

If your on the edge like I was, get it! You will not regret it! I would also like to suggest "A short history of nearly everything" by the same author!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A tale of two silly pants...

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

A Walk in the Woods is one of the books that I'm so happy to have listened to. The narrators voice is playful and tongue in cheek. I always enjoy listening to Rob McQuay narrate. I have this niggly teasing thought in the back of my head that I would love to walk the Appalachian trail. At times the book is a little dark but mostly it is a really light hearted account of his journey and thoughts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Walk in the Woods?

My favorite moments are his interactions with his walking companion - and how close the walk makes them despite their obvious differences.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it quite quickly but not all in one sitting. The narrators voice is so much fun that it lifted my mood to listen to him talk. It reminded me so much of the Vinyl Cafe radio stories (a canadian institution) that it really felt like coming home.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Perfect Travel Companion

My daughter & I took a cross country trip. This was our favorite audio book. It's wonderfully written and read in a way that you believe it's the author. Educational, historical, enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Odd but interesting

I read everything I can get a hold of about long distance hiking. So, found it interesting knowing nothing about the Appalachian Trail. I thought the reader must be the author which I thought made him good realizing at the end he wasn’t. Dated and off-color at times.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting Evaluation of Lofty Goals and the Impact Man has had on the planet

At times preaching, at times revealing, at times painfully truthful, but always entertaining. Bryson has written a book that's thoroughly enjoyable.

The performance is middle of the road. Character voices are fairly limited but professionally performed. The reader's voice is a bit whiney.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Made me laugh out loud several times. Was a very entertaining read and highly recommend

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