A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Rob McQuay

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

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)

Mildly entertaining

Would you try another book from Bill Bryson and/or Rob McQuay?

Part of the book were mildly entertaining, but the author quits the AT because he's woefully unprepared. I enjoyed the historical information on the AT. I did not care for his so-superior view of the folks in TN, near Gatlinburg and Dollywood, or his surprise that the AT was in the wilderness and not closer to towns like trails in Europe!

Would you recommend A Walk in the Woods to your friends? Why or why not?

Interesting to learn what it takes to to hike the AT though this author did not homework or training to speak of, and was woefully unprepared.

Do you think A Walk in the Woods needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nope - the author makes it very clear that he does not care for the AT as he has a bias for trails that are closer to towns. He does not want a trail in the wilderness, plus he made fun of the folks, particularly in the South that live nearby such as in Dollywood. The two have nothing to do with one another, so he turned the book not into a story about hiking the AT but about what he thinks is wrong with certain parts of the country.

Remembering

Great story. I read the book when it was first published. Loved this presentation!

A Light Read for a Lazy Afternoon

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

Bryson's account of his journey on the Appalachian Trail is light on the hiking and heavy on the history. "Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail" is a fitting title for a book that will introduce people to the AT and also to interesting bits of uncommon American history. This book is well-placed in the travel writing section of a bookstore rather than in the nature or hiking section. I found it to be both lightly entertaining and sometimes funny. Definitely a pleasant, light read. In terms of recommending it to a friend, I would be likely to shrug and say: "Sure, go for it. It's not bad."

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

Bryson's recounting of his visit to Centralia was arresting. The story of a long-evacuated American town still wreathed in the smoke of a decades-long underground coal fire was remarkable.

What three words best describe Rob McQuay’s performance?

It was okay.

Any additional comments?

I rate this book overall as a 3. It's a bit like pop music. Catchy and entertaining, but not too deep. If you're looking for a light read on a lazy afternoon, Bryson's A Walk in the Woods would be a decent pick.

Sorry Bryson, just so boring

You go onto write better stuff Bryson but this is not so great. Relatable, and how all of us normal 9-5ers would have to do it. Interesting but golly. Still pretty boring to me.

Great learning experience

Captivating til the very end. Good voice narration. You'll learn more about our nations parks here in this book than any other

Bill seems like a jerk

The guy complains about everything and everyone. Even this dude who's trying to better his life, he treats like a lowlife. I liked his partner far more than I liked him. And I struggled through the last half of the book.

Walk in Woods

Very entertaining, read and informative. Has
Some history , light humor, and makes one want to attempt the hike

Great book, terrible reading.

At first I thought the reader was a computer 'voice'. Not sure how I'm going to make it through almost 10 hours of his horrible nasal voice. I love the story, but the reader is awful. Also - why on earth the thick Southern drawl for a New Hampshire salesman? I worked in that store and knew Dave Mengle, so I know it's not that he actually is southern. No need to create cartoon-y voices for characters. Really a letdown. The book is great, though.

Great Book for a Break From the City

This book taught me about the Appalachian Trail and the town's along it in a funny and light heated way. It was a great break from the city.

Hilarity with a hint of determination

I picked up this book after a recommendation of the author by a good friend of mine. From page 1, I was in fits of laughter through the entire book. Bill Bryson is now one of my top 5 favorite authors, which is daring because I am a shameless YA reader. If you're looking for an entertaining (and quick) read, pick this up. Rob McQuay narrates the text with the finesse that would suggest he was the author and experienced this trek firsthand. Be careful... you may want to hike the AT after you read this!