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eternalsamnation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
AWOL on the Appalachian combines informative anecdotes with rich descriptions of the landscape and just enough self-reflection to make this a very well-rounded description of the long and arduous journey of the AT. I think I would’ve appreciated a bit more personal background for the “why” and “how” throughout the book, rather than trying to balance personal insights and being an objective narrator, but for what it is, it’s a very enjoyable read.
papidoc's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the author's experiences - unvarnished and detailed - hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). I found myself wondering about the possibility of doing it myself one day, but work, family, and church duties preclude that, so I will need to content myself with others' experiences. Miller's descriptions of the trail, of the blisters, sprains, and other incidental injuries that afflicted him (and others) his notes about other hikers, and his thoughts and feelings as he hiked all combine to bring to life the AT experience.
It seems that, in the decade since he wrote AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, Miller has become something of an expert on preparing for and hiking the trail. Yet, as his experiences show, it isn't necessarily equipment, but attitude, that makes the difference. He continues to use essentially similar equipment as what he used then.
Favorite quotes:
1. "I am glad that I write. Experience is enriched by reliving it, contemplating it, and trying to describe it to another person."
2. "Thoughts are the most effective weapon in the human arsenal. On the upside, it is powerful to realize that goals are reached primarily by establishing the proper state of mind. But if allowed the perspective that ogoad deacons are propped upon nothing but a notion, we falter."
3. "Anything that we consider to be an accomplishment takes effort to achieve. If it were easy, it would not be nearly as gratifying. What is hardship at the moment will add to our sense of achievement in the end."
4. "I am complacent about the struggles of the day. I am just making miles through the long, wet green tunnel. I knew there would be monotonous stretches. Hike on -- that's the solution to which I keep coming back." Not a bad thing to remember for those days when work...and living...seem to be drudgery...
5. "Difficulty on the trail, like this long and rainy day, is usually reflected upon fondly. There is the soothing, rhythmic beat of rainfall, the feeling that the woods are being washed and rejuvenated, the odors of the woods awakened by moisture. There is appreciation for the most simple of things, such as a flat and dry piece of ground and something warm to eat. There is satisfaction in having endured hardship, pride in being able to do for myself in the wilderness. There is strength in knowing
I can do it again tomorrow."
6. "I have come to recognize that most of what is memorable and pleasing about my time on the trail is ordinary moments...My fond recollections of my hike are full of unremarkable moments..."
7. "Months of scrutinizing everything that I carry have conditioned me to view possessions as burdens." Reminds me of Thoreau in Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberatel, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life..."
8. "We can better relate to the budding aspirations of our children if we follow dreams of our own."
It's time to start walking and hiking again...as soon as the temps in TX drop below 100!
It seems that, in the decade since he wrote AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, Miller has become something of an expert on preparing for and hiking the trail. Yet, as his experiences show, it isn't necessarily equipment, but attitude, that makes the difference. He continues to use essentially similar equipment as what he used then.
Favorite quotes:
1. "I am glad that I write. Experience is enriched by reliving it, contemplating it, and trying to describe it to another person."
2. "Thoughts are the most effective weapon in the human arsenal. On the upside, it is powerful to realize that goals are reached primarily by establishing the proper state of mind. But if allowed the perspective that ogoad deacons are propped upon nothing but a notion, we falter."
3. "Anything that we consider to be an accomplishment takes effort to achieve. If it were easy, it would not be nearly as gratifying. What is hardship at the moment will add to our sense of achievement in the end."
4. "I am complacent about the struggles of the day. I am just making miles through the long, wet green tunnel. I knew there would be monotonous stretches. Hike on -- that's the solution to which I keep coming back." Not a bad thing to remember for those days when work...and living...seem to be drudgery...
5. "Difficulty on the trail, like this long and rainy day, is usually reflected upon fondly. There is the soothing, rhythmic beat of rainfall, the feeling that the woods are being washed and rejuvenated, the odors of the woods awakened by moisture. There is appreciation for the most simple of things, such as a flat and dry piece of ground and something warm to eat. There is satisfaction in having endured hardship, pride in being able to do for myself in the wilderness. There is strength in knowing
I can do it again tomorrow."
6. "I have come to recognize that most of what is memorable and pleasing about my time on the trail is ordinary moments...My fond recollections of my hike are full of unremarkable moments..."
7. "Months of scrutinizing everything that I carry have conditioned me to view possessions as burdens." Reminds me of Thoreau in Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberatel, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life..."
8. "We can better relate to the budding aspirations of our children if we follow dreams of our own."
It's time to start walking and hiking again...as soon as the temps in TX drop below 100!
jeffmauch's review
5.0
I'm infinitely fascinated with anybody that finds themselves isolated in nature for long periods of time whether by their own choice or by accident. In this case David Miller was making sacrifices to do something he just felt he had to do. I'm incredibly attracted to the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail or really any of the big three trails, especially as a thru-hike. For now it will continue to be a bucket list item for me, thankfully there are a number of wonderful first hand accounts that I can read about and get lost in in the mean time. David's book is one of the better accounts of the day to day of a thru-hike of this magnitude. I think he does a good job of informing us of his plan and approach both physically and mentally. More than anything I think he excels at expressing the isolation of his adventure. He is constantly fighting between getting in miles to keep going and stopping to see the scenery and enjoy his time with the acquaintances he meets along the way. His journey is one of the more unique that I've read in that he's older (40s), married, has kids, and quit his job to make this happen and because of this he is constantly toying with what it all means and how it's affecting those he's left at home. These conflicts make for good reading and add an element not found in most books of this type, making it somewhat unique in the genre. I found this one hard to put down at times, at other I found myself avoiding picking it back up because I wanted to savor it and make it last. It's a great, modern account of the trail and it's special perspective makes it better than most of it's type.
temberhop's review
5.0
This novel captures Awol's journey on the AT in the form of thoughtful, funny, and brutally honest anecdotes. It is fun to follow him through the miles (for hikers and non-hikers alike) gaining insight into the community that has grown around the challenges and joys of the trail.
sueodd's review
3.0
It's been a while since I read this. I enjoy hiking, but have never had the desire to thru-hike the entire AT. I have a lot of respect for those who have accomplished that goal, and this book increased my respect for them. Although I read Bryson's Walk in the Woods, Bryson only hiked parts of the AT. Miller made it through the entire thing. Miller also educated me more about life as a through hiker than Bryson did.
Parts of it annoyed me. I'm always annoyed when someone whines about how difficult hiking is. This book started off like that (OMG blisters!). I understand it when it's from someone like Bryson, who really had no trail experience before his hike. But Miller claimed to be an experienced hiker, so the pain associated with hiking in difficult terrain should not have been a surprise. Thankfully, Miller settles in and the narrative moves beyond the physical discomfort.
Parts of it annoyed me. I'm always annoyed when someone whines about how difficult hiking is. This book started off like that (OMG blisters!). I understand it when it's from someone like Bryson, who really had no trail experience before his hike. But Miller claimed to be an experienced hiker, so the pain associated with hiking in difficult terrain should not have been a surprise. Thankfully, Miller settles in and the narrative moves beyond the physical discomfort.
jennyp0208's review against another edition
4.0
A solid travel narrative of his AT journey. Some parts clip along and left me flipping back (wait, when did you get there?!) but overall it's well paced. He hits on the beauty and the pain without lingering too long on either. I love the parts he adds about his family at home, and how some join him for the end.
After Anish's FTK book, I was about to shelf my AT daydreams - AWOL brought them all back and makes it feel hard-but-possible.
After Anish's FTK book, I was about to shelf my AT daydreams - AWOL brought them all back and makes it feel hard-but-possible.
hmonkeyreads's review
4.0
This is the second memoir about hiking the AT that I have read in the last few weeks and this second title was worlds better than the first.
Miller is a 40 something cube dweller who decided to quit his job and thru hike the AT. He's a regular middle class guy with a wife, three kids, and a normal "happy" life. But he's miserable and he needs a shakeup and his wife agrees to let him go on this mid-life adventure. I admit, that as a 40 something cube dweller, I was sympathetic and invested in his story from the get-go.
Miller is good at making you feel like you are experiencing the hike along with him. I felt like I understood the terrain, the conditions of the shelters, the discomfort and tweaks associated with a heavy pack and the wrong (or eventually right) shoes. I learned more about other hikers, more about animals and trail conditions than I did in the other book. He describes both the beauty and wonder of the trail and the total misery of it in equal measure. He shares his uncertainty about his decision to be on the trail. He shares is uncertainly about some of the other characters he meets along the way. Most are benign and good companions but others....not so much. It made for very interesting story telling.
Overall, a very enjoyable read if books about hiking are your cup of tea.
Miller is a 40 something cube dweller who decided to quit his job and thru hike the AT. He's a regular middle class guy with a wife, three kids, and a normal "happy" life. But he's miserable and he needs a shakeup and his wife agrees to let him go on this mid-life adventure. I admit, that as a 40 something cube dweller, I was sympathetic and invested in his story from the get-go.
Miller is good at making you feel like you are experiencing the hike along with him. I felt like I understood the terrain, the conditions of the shelters, the discomfort and tweaks associated with a heavy pack and the wrong (or eventually right) shoes. I learned more about other hikers, more about animals and trail conditions than I did in the other book. He describes both the beauty and wonder of the trail and the total misery of it in equal measure. He shares his uncertainty about his decision to be on the trail. He shares is uncertainly about some of the other characters he meets along the way. Most are benign and good companions but others....not so much. It made for very interesting story telling.
Overall, a very enjoyable read if books about hiking are your cup of tea.
fictionalkate's review
5.0
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail was the book I wanted to read about thru hiking. It covered the highs and lows (and I’m not talking about the elevation although it covered the mountain peaks and valleys too) of the 2000+ miles journey from Mount Springer and Mount Katadin. In this book I got to read about the missing toenails and the injuries which occur but also got a good sense of the community one might encounter on the trail. We got to follow Awol as he walked through fourteen states and we also got to be there as he faced hardships too. Also included are photos of wildlife he encountered as well as stories of the people he trekked alongside. I think this book is what I wanted the classic Bill Bryson AT memoir to be. I got a better sense of why people walk the trail as well as daily life out there. It’s hard going and even when you’re prepared and have good support it’s still difficult. This take on the trail is a modern version but it’s also more focused on human experience and the mundane qualities of hiking rather than a more romanticised view of trail life. I liked Awol’s style of storytelling. It felt more relatable and matter of fact about the journey he was undertaking. If anything it was almost underwhelming with regards to emotion - I’m sure being separated from his family for so long was difficult but it was never overly focused on and overall the book was fairly emotionless in a way. I also enjoyed how it was a full story. This book started just before Awol arrived in Georgia and we got to follow the entire way to Maine. I was hoping that reading this would cool my enthusiasm towards long distance hiking adventures but if anything it whet my appetite just a little more. I enjoyed every moment I spent vicariously with Awol on the trail and would definitely invest in his annual trail guides if I was ever to venture onto the Appalachian Trail.
kulaaid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
20 years after AWOL (David Miller) hiked the AT, this book makes me want to hike the Appalachian Trial even more.
AWOL starts his journey like many AT hikers in Georgia doing a Northbound to Maine to end on Katahdin, and we get to walk with him the whole way.
There are days of pain, of boredom, of struggle, but throughout it all, the author reminds the reader that these things are no reason to stop and nor find joy in the simple aspects of walking.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of through hiking, but also those that are looking to see what a real adventure is, and how every day people too can experience it.
AWOL starts his journey like many AT hikers in Georgia doing a Northbound to Maine to end on Katahdin, and we get to walk with him the whole way.
There are days of pain, of boredom, of struggle, but throughout it all, the author reminds the reader that these things are no reason to stop and nor find joy in the simple aspects of walking.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of through hiking, but also those that are looking to see what a real adventure is, and how every day people too can experience it.