A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson

A Walk in the Woods

By Bill Bryson

  • Release Date: 1998-05-04
  • Genre: Travel Essays & Memoirs
Score: 4
4
From 885 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The classic chronicle of a “terribly misguided and terribly funny” (The Washington Post) hike of the Appalachian Trail, from the author of A Short History of Nearly Everything and The Body
 
“The best way of escaping into nature.”—The New York Times 
 
Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes—and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings. 
 
For a start there’s the gloriously out-of-shape Stephen Katz, a buddy from Iowa along for the walk. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson’s acute eye is a wise witness to this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America’s last great wilderness. An adventure, a comedy, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is a modern classic of travel literature.
 
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

Reviews

  • Decent and interesting

    3
    By jmit22
    First half was really interesting with some very funny parts. But the back half dragged on with a lot of facts about the AT, nature, what man has done to harm it, etc. I ended up skimming a lot of the second half.
  • Very entertaining

    5
    By wctennisnut
    Not only was this book entertaining, it is also very informative. Having lived in sev of the areas in which he speaks about, I found it all to be an honest depiction of the areas.
  • Bill Bryson keeps it real…

    4
    By John H B.
    For the Everyman who thinks or dreams about doing something completely out of the ordinary, A Walk in Woods does just that. The stories are funny and genuine, his research is meticulous and interesting. And what happens to him versus what he wanted to have happen is what would happen to most of us. Great read.
  • Just can’t go wrong

    5
    By DGSawtell
    So, Bill Bryson writes books of his travels. His wonderful humorous sarcastic opinion all along the way. This was my first and I’ve read almost everything else he wrote. Step into the world as Bill sees it. You won’t regret the step.
  • Entertaining Read

    5
    By Polar Z
    I thoroughly enjoyed Bryson’s humor while chronicling his hike on the Appalachian trail. His descriptions and historical references make this book very interesting as well.
  • Highly recommended

    5
    By Arthur Xing
    Can’t stop till the end, and start to do it again.
  • Enjoyable and funny

    5
    By jillfromflorida
    My favorite book of all time. I could read it again and again. After reading, I made a trip to the AT from Florida and walked a small portion in NC.
  • Laugh out loud reading

    5
    By sparticus Norticus
    The only other author who I have read who makes me laugh out loud is the late great political satirist Art Buchwald. Bill Bryson is a great storyteller. His interweaving of fact fantasy and fiction makes for truly enjoyable times. I find his and Katzs' quips to repeatedly cause bouts of gut busting laughter. Read this book near people who need cheering up. Do not read this book while drinking beverages unless you want to spray a mouthful or worse a nose full at your nearby surroundings.
  • Disappointed

    1
    By LambertM
    Very disappointed. I agree with another reviewer in saying that it was difficult to finish after you realize he gave up. Not worth my money.
  • The Best Book You Will Ever Read

    5
    By RedRoseAlways
    I am still laughing at Bryson's witty, hilarious description of moose!!!! Best book ever. Period. As always, Bryson always writes the most informative, fact filled, entertaining book on the market.