A CLASSIC FROM THE “NEW YORK TIMES” BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF “ONE SUMMER
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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 … 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. Despite Katz’s overwhelming desire to find cozy restaurants, he and Bryson eventually settle into their stride, and while on the trail they meet a bizarre assortment of hilarious characters. 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” has become a modern classic of travel literature.
“From the Trade Paperback edition.”
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I recommend this book to everyone. I was laughing so much while I was reading it my husband read it – and he never reads! It then got him to take up hiking. We now go for our own walks in the woods all the time. When he goes with me we look for long flat walks. When he goes with his friends they do real hiking.
A Walk in the Woods is truly the next best thing to a real “walk in the woods”. I really felt that I was walking the Appalachian Trail with Bill Bryson. I loved this book and recommend it highly.
Hilarious! I read this at night and kept waking my husband up I was giggling so much. Wound up reading the book to him! It gave us so many laughs.
Most people will expect a successful telling of a successful tackling of the Appalachian Trail, but (no spoiler alert), Bryson attacks the subject and his own attempt to conquer this more than 2000 mile trail up the east coast with his usual ironic sense of humor. He’s not afraid to poke fun at himself or others, and his realistic conversation …
This is, hands down, the most endearing, humorous, silly and serious book all rolled into one. I’ve read this several times – as well as my husband and kids – and we still laugh and cry each time.
I’ve never been a great hiker but if I could parlay my outings like Bill Bryson does, I’d learn to enjoy it more.
This is about a man who is reacquainting himself with his county after living in Britain for 20 years by hiking the Appalachian Trail with an old buddy. The challenges as well as the beauty of the trail are spun with the antics of the two men make this a very enjoyable read. I found myself smiling through the entire book. The book is a plea for …
An often-times funny and introspective take on an America that’s slowly disappearing, this is one of the sharpest, most entertaining non-fiction reads I’ve come across.
I’ve hiked about 10% of the AT, and many more miles of trails within Florida, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada, While my journals are not remotely as entertaining as Bill Bryson’s novel, I can relate to much of what he tells us in this delightfully funny travelogue.
I read this after reading “wild” and they are about a similar subject, but couldn’t be more different. once i stopped comparing, i was able to enjoy the book. read the book..skip the movie.
One of just a few books to have made me laugh out loud, but certainly the one that made me laugh the loudest 20 plus years ago. Bill Bryson always manages to inform as well as entertain immensely with his written works.
First book I ever read that I literally laughed out loud while I was reading it. Bill Bryson is an amazing story teller. I’m not a big outdoors person but it didn’t matter because this book was so entertaining that I had to read it.
This book does a delightful job of introducing us to life on the Appalachian Trail by taking us on a journey with two unlikely friends. The author mixes humor, whit, and realism while also sprinkling in facts and figures to not only entertain but also bring awareness to what happens behind the scenes in our nation’s forests. I finished this book …
I love this book. I belly laughed it was so funny. I love Mr. Bryson’s writing style. He teaches you interesting stuff with out you even realizing it, all hidden in a wonderful story.
After reading this, other of Bryson’s books have been a disappointment for me. Good read!
One of the other funniest books I’ve ever read!
More of Bryson’s unique world view while walking. Quite entertaining and informative.
There is on,y one way to describe this book fantastic!!
My favorite book!
I knew very little about the Appalachian Trail but now I’ll never forget thousands of details. Plus it’s so funny!
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Warning: do NOT give this to a friend who has just had abdominal surgery for whom laughter is painful!