• Grandma Gatewood's Walk

  • The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
  • By: Ben Montgomery
  • Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
  • Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,506 ratings)

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Grandma Gatewood's Walk  By  cover art

Grandma Gatewood's Walk

By: Ben Montgomery
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
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Publisher's summary

Emma Gatewood told her family she was going on a walk and left her small Ohio hometown with a change of clothes and less than $200. The next anybody heard from her, this genteel, farm-reared, 67-year-old great-grandmother had walked 800 miles along the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail. And in September 1955, atop Maine's Mount Katahdin, she sang the first verse of "America, the Beautiful" and proclaimed, "I said I'll do it, and I've done it." Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person - man or woman - to walk it twice and three times. The public attention she brought to the little-known footpath was unprecedented. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction.

©2014 Ben Montgomery (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A quiet delight of a book." ( Kirkus)

Featured Article: The Best Hiking Audiobooks


Hiking is a time-honored way to appreciate and learn about nature while improving your physical and mental health. But even if you can't get out on the trail yourself at the moment, these hiking audiobooks will give you a greater appreciation for the sport. Hiking's broad appeal and long history have formed the basis of many compelling works of nonfiction. They run the gamut from intense stories of survival and perseverance to gentle explorations of the healing power of nature. Each of these hiking audiobooks is perfect whether you are out on a hike or sitting behind the wheel of a car.

What listeners say about Grandma Gatewood's Walk

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful tribute to a singular influence

couldn't stop listening. loved hearing how Emma Gatewood tackled life and the trail. although the author is a man, somehow I might have preferred a woman narrator, but no matter. We have Ben Montgomery to thank for a well researched and thoughtful work and Mr. Lawlor did a fine narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Never say your too old!

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

Great book about how one woman overcame hardships in her life and never gave up!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grandma Gatewood is an inspiration to me as I grow older and find myself saying I can't do this or that anymore, something Grandma Gatewood did not do to herself.

Have you listened to any of Patrick Lawlor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not listened to any of Patrick Lawlor's other performances.

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

No

Any additional comments?

Listen to it!

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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

Grandma Gatewood is an Inspiration

I enjoyed reading the story of this tenacious women. What didn't kill her just made her stronger!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I want to hike !

A great listen on my commute to work. I was sad when it ended. I will listen again for sure..

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

very interesting for a long car ride

listened as we traveled. very inspiring story of a real folk hero. helped the miles fly by

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

I really enjoyed it. The author added a lot of history, which I'm not sure was necessary, but overall, it had me unable to put it down. Now, I'm really looking forward to reading other books on the AT, too!

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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

Must Read for Backpackers

Would you consider the audio edition of Grandma Gatewood's Walk to be better than the print version?

Great listen!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Incredible Grandma Gatewood.

What about Patrick Lawlor’s performance did you like?

Easy cadence / delivery

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

Hard to put down / turn off!

Any additional comments?

If you have ever carried a backpack in the woods, this is a must read! Incredible woman.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I'm gonna do it!

She inspires me. Just turned 65 and now I feel young again. Read it and be inspired too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Inspiring and Refreshing

Would you listen to Grandma Gatewood's Walk again? Why?

Yes, I loved the story and the history.

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

Yes, it inspired me to walk more. One afternoon, while I was listening to it, I decided to walk home from work... which is a three mile route that I had never walked before.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very well done

This book put a honorable light on Emma Gatewood. I logged many miles on the treadmill and at times thought I was walking with her

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