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

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)

Got Hike?

What did you love best about Grandma Gatewood's Walk?

She was so 'matter of fact' about walking. She just walked. No muss or fuss, just walk. Amazing tenacity especially during trying times like when she broke her glasses and hurt her ankle. I loved the entire book!

What did you like best about this story?

I like the fact that she turned a negative into a positive - from abused housewife to powerful hiker. From mother of 11 to someone who hiked the AT more than once and then walked from Missouri to Oregon just to name a couple of walks! Wow!!

What does Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings her to life. Can hear the anguish in his voice when she was walking through the rain and had to try to sleep when soaking wet and cold. He brought it all to life. Like watching a film in my mind - while I was walking on

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

I mostly wanted to listen to it while walking or biking. Made me more empathetic although I wasn't hiking on the AT. So I did not listen to it in one sitting. I savored it like a fine wine.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who has struggled to overcome personal obstacles will be inspired by this book.

inspiring!

such an inspiring story that gives me hope for my own future! way to go grandma!

Gooooooo Grandma!

I loved this book for a variety of reasons. It's the story of one woman, with little or no training and few "appropriate" supplies traveling solo along the AT. She proved that age, gender and training are not always deterinating factors of a successful hike. She proved that grit, determination, the kindness of strangers and a dream are sometimes all that's required.
Her life was not always easy, which perhaps contributed to her successful venture. By the time she made this hike in 1955, she had borne 11 children to an abusive man whom she eventually divorced. This hike was wet and dirty and long, sometimes scary and other times companionable. But she did it... not just once, but three times!
The author obviously loved his main subjects - Grandma Gatewood and the AT (which is a character all its own). However, I have to agree with the other reviewers who state this book jumps around a bit and provides extra filler details that made me tune out. Minus those minor foibles, I would have rated this book 5 stars.
But it's still well worth your time and credit to take a hike with Grandma Gatewood and learn of the legacy she left behind.

good listen

it's a great story, inspirational.
gives one hope they could do the same.
would have preferred a woman reader

Interesting and a true pioneer

Grandma Gatewood was a true pioneer to the AT wonderful story and great history too. My kids enjoyed it too.

An endearing tale

Such a simple but awe inspiring story. It proves that heart determines your success, not how much whiz bang gear you carry. Age is not a factor when listening to the call of trail. Well written and well narrated story.

Loved the story of Grandma Gatewood...

Loved G Gatewood ' story...not so much the history of the times...too much filler...really got a bit boring at times...then would go back to GG...which is what I wanted to heat about

Inspired to plan a trek!

I had never heard of "Grandma" Emma Gatewood before downloading this book but plan to discuss her with my father in-law who was an Appalachian Trail Hutsman in New England at about the right time for at least one of her through-hikes of the AT. She's an incredible, inspiring, impactful and humble woman from what I heard in this book. Can't wait to lace up my boots and join a friend for a spell as he finishes the AT this summer.

The only downside is: The style of the reader was off for me early on as his tone and pace sometimes felt like you were headed toward a climactic point but never got there and in others it never changed when a tone or pace change seemed appropriate. Not terrible but took some getting used to.

What an Inspiring Tale

This is a great “read” for anyone interested in the trail, Grandma Gatewood, America in the 50s+, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

interesting

love it! the narrator is good and grandma gatewood inspired me to walk also and get out of the couch and explore.