Scan barcode
r0b3rta's review
4.0
Another brilliant book by Bryson. His adventures with Katz on the AT almost make me want to hike it myself until I realize it requires camping like in a tent. Good history of the Trail and other tidbits.
thetandingo's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
okevamae's review
4.0
I hate to dock this a star, I really do, but it hasn't aged especially well in some ways. When I first read this book (Goodreads says 12 years ago but I feel like it was longer) the fatphobia was annoying but kind of rolled off my back because it was so ubiquitous in the 90s, when this was written, and only slightly less so in the late 00s/early 10s, when I read it for the first time. But these days we live in a world where fatphobia gets called out, and rightfully so.
It's still a fascinating history/travelogue, though, written by a funny and compelling author. I googled a few things along the way to see how things have changed since 1998. For example, as of 2020 only 5 people still live in Centralia, PA, and the grassy balds Bryson was so concerned about disappearing still exist. I'd be very curious to read an update that discusses how the AT has changed since this book was published 26 years ago.
It's still a fascinating history/travelogue, though, written by a funny and compelling author. I googled a few things along the way to see how things have changed since 1998. For example, as of 2020 only 5 people still live in Centralia, PA, and the grassy balds Bryson was so concerned about disappearing still exist. I'd be very curious to read an update that discusses how the AT has changed since this book was published 26 years ago.
angelsrgorgeous's review
5.0
This book is like coming home - it's the 5th or 6th time I'm reading it after first finding it in Korea. The hiking and canoeing I did in my youth in the Appalachians, Adirondacks and Canada never felts so real and so meaningful as when I am reading this and thinking back. The book really illustrates how the forests where I went to hide and test limits truly formed my hidden, real self.
Anyway - enough with the personal stuff. This book never fails to consistently crack me up with its dry humor and hilariously awkward antidotes. I love the science and history inter spaced with Bryson's own personal hiking story. Every time, I am completely stupefied by some of the situations. (Mary Ellen!? Beulah!?) haHA! Bryson's witty turn of phrase often puts a hilarious and instantaneous spin on many a situation.
No matter what, this book reminds me of how awesomely powerful my previous encounters with bears have been, how I have often stood and marveled at a particularly arresting overlook, and how incredibly vital it is (at least for me) to spend time in the dampered and stunningly quiet space that is the big woods.
Anyway - enough with the personal stuff. This book never fails to consistently crack me up with its dry humor and hilariously awkward antidotes. I love the science and history inter spaced with Bryson's own personal hiking story. Every time, I am completely stupefied by some of the situations. (Mary Ellen!? Beulah!?) haHA! Bryson's witty turn of phrase often puts a hilarious and instantaneous spin on many a situation.
No matter what, this book reminds me of how awesomely powerful my previous encounters with bears have been, how I have often stood and marveled at a particularly arresting overlook, and how incredibly vital it is (at least for me) to spend time in the dampered and stunningly quiet space that is the big woods.
thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
akh284's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
jamesadams0's review
4.0
I didn't think I was going to like it, as I struggled to get into another one of Bryson's books - A brief history of everything - but I found this book thoroughly readable. Would recommend. I think I read it in 2 or 3 sittings/bouts of insomnia.