A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

De: Bill Bryson

Narrado por: 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).

Reseñas de la Crítica

“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

Grab your backpack!

I loved Bill Bryson's guided tour of the Appalachian Trail. The story stays interesting due to the author giving us tidbits of the history of the places he is hiking through and the history of the trail itself. There are also some hilarious interactions with the denizens of Appalachia-human and otherwise. His hiking partner, Katz, not exactly a model of fitness, also provides much comic relief. Overall a greatly entertaining listen.

Strays a bit off the trail

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Buyer Alert: If you are shopping for an informative, comprehensive journal type account of Appalachian Trail hiking, this is NOT your book. It's more a Reader's Digest version of the time the author spent on the AT.
I listened to this book while doing yard work, so my listening time was not exactly wasted, but I would choose a different story if I had a do-over here. The beginning of the book held my interest and seem to promise an interesting account of walking the AT and those details in the book are good, informative to someone like myself who has no expectations of ever "doing the AT". But, the story wanders too often off the tale of the trail to rail against the Park Service, poke condescending jibs at small towns and local folks met along the way, and do a little ecological preaching.
I did enjoy the narration. Mr. McQuay was very easy to listen to.

Almost 5 starts

Really enjoyed this book except the needless profanity. I really wish Audible would warn you when a book may not be suitable for all audiences. Other than that, this book was very entertaining and educational, made me laugh out loud several times.

Didn’t even hike the whole trail

Spoiler I was bummed to find out they hadn’t hiked the whole trail and quit a few times and skipped lengths

Prepare to be entertained!

Bryson's humor is on the same wave length as my own. A Walk in the Woods was kept me entertained throughout the whole book. Wonderful story of adventure and an excellent history lesson on America's trails. Bill also does a great job of making the reader aware of the very real possibility of our wilderness disappearing if we are not careful in the environmental decisions we as a society make.
I also have to gives props to Rob McQuay for performing an excellent narration of this book. Bryson's traveling partner, Katz, was wonderfully portrayed by McQuay.