A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Rob McQuay

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 entertaining 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).

Critic reviews

“Bryson is a very funny writer who could wring humor from a clammy sleeping bag.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer

“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

“Delightful.” –The Plain Dealer

“It’s great adventure, on a human scale, with survivable discomforts, and, happily, everybody goes home afterwards.” –Times Picayune

What a treat

The abridged version was great and the unabridged one is even better. If you haven’t already, click this one into your cart and enjoy the tale of two unlikely travelers in America’s backcountry as only Bill Bryson can tell it. Packed with history and hilarity I enjoyed every minute.

Anyone who loves the backcountry will enjoy this.

Would you listen to A Walk in the Woods again? Why?

Yes, A Walk in the Woods brought back so many memories of hiking and camping the mountains.
Offering a much needed escape from a busy,confusing world.

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

The section devoted to the author's first trip to the outfitters reminded me of the excitement and utter confusion that go with a first time backcountry adventure.

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

I laughed lot.

Strays from the Path

A mostly believable tale of two oddly-coupled hikers hiking the Appalachian Trial (at least some of it). I enjoyed the witty dialogue and funny situations of these two hikers. The narrative alternates between the hiker story and chapters on various topics, related (if only remotely) to hiking. This book started nice but then changed into something more like a magazine with off-topic articles. To me these off-topic articles did not incorporate well with the main story. I probably would have appreciated the abridged version of this book much better.

Enjoyable travelogue

Rob McQuay gives an excellent performance reading this informative and funny book about walking the Appalachian Trail. This was my first book by Bill Bryson, and he can be as informative and eloquent as Michael Pollan in one moment and then profane and witty the next. A thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Hiked the AT vicariously thanks to Bryson

A sweeping and detailed story of Bryson's hikes along the Appalachian Trail. Very funny in some parts! Wonderful descriptions of nature. Also a scathing critique of how mismanagement and environmental devastation are so damaging to the American wilderness. McQuay's narration is excellent.