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A review by dreesreads
Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail by Paul Stutzman
2.0
Too much religion. Just too much Christianity. The author is shocked that he gets along with a Catholic priest--that kind of Christianity. I am completely lost as to why the subtitle does not reflect this, especially has he tries to convince the reader that God talks to him (and you too! just listen!). GAH.
The hiking parts (other than when he thinks God is talking to him) are pretty good. I find it fascinating that so many middle aged men head out on the trail after their wives have died. As a woman who really wants to do a thru hike (and whose husband has no interest)--did their wives not like hiking, or not like anything more than a day hike, so this vague dream came forward when they were at a loss as to what to do? Or do they all not think this is for women? Other than 1 overnight hiker who came in high heels and people from a few church groups, Stutzman mentions no female hikers. None. I know male thru hikers outnumber women by a lot--but what about section hikers? No women really?
And how can he have spent 25 years in the restaurant business yet have no idea about "pasta and beans" in soup? Minestrone? Or pasta fagioli? (p 286). He thinks it's weird--too Catholic maybe?
And why the racing? I appreciate he likes the sounds and sights of nature (or God, as he says) and enjoys hiking without headphones to hear what's out there. So why does he race to Maine, 20+ miles on many days? He was not racing winter, or a scheduled break from work, he just wanted to get there faster? This was not clear to me.
The hiking parts (other than when he thinks God is talking to him) are pretty good. I find it fascinating that so many middle aged men head out on the trail after their wives have died. As a woman who really wants to do a thru hike (and whose husband has no interest)--did their wives not like hiking, or not like anything more than a day hike, so this vague dream came forward when they were at a loss as to what to do? Or do they all not think this is for women? Other than 1 overnight hiker who came in high heels and people from a few church groups, Stutzman mentions no female hikers. None. I know male thru hikers outnumber women by a lot--but what about section hikers? No women really?
And how can he have spent 25 years in the restaurant business yet have no idea about "pasta and beans" in soup? Minestrone? Or pasta fagioli? (p 286). He thinks it's weird--too Catholic maybe?
And why the racing? I appreciate he likes the sounds and sights of nature (or God, as he says) and enjoys hiking without headphones to hear what's out there. So why does he race to Maine, 20+ miles on many days? He was not racing winter, or a scheduled break from work, he just wanted to get there faster? This was not clear to me.