After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart — the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. Paul left his stable career, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life — and will change readers’ lives as well.
In , readers will join Paul on his remarkable … readers will join Paul on his remarkable 2,176-mile hike through fourteen states in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose, meeting fascinating and funny people along the way. They’ll discover that every choice we make along the path has consequences for the journey and will come away with a new understanding of God’s grace and guidance. Nature-lovers, armchair adventurers, and those grieving a loss may not be able to hike the AT themselves, but they can go on this spiritual pilgrimage with a truly humble and sympathetic guide.
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A hard journey physically and emotionally but very inspirational
I am a hiker, and I read this because of that. Not knowing that I would learn a great deal about that geography of the country, and a look into the mind of REAL hikers. I found this book incredibly enjoyable. And loved the insight into the author’s own faith…that spilled over into mine.
Really liked this book. . Just enough observation. Just enough interaction with others. Just enough sharing thoughts
Great read and I would recommend to anyone who has every been through something life changing and wanting to find themselves again. The Applachian Trail made real to me!
Good read! I recommend it for anyone who enjoys hiking stories.
Good portrayal of what is entailed with hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.
Great book if you are interested in the Appalachian Trail.
Well written, interesting, and makes you feel like you are along for the hike!
Beautiful written. I freshly like I was hiking the trail right next to the author.
I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the 2,200 mile hike filled with unusual people and difficult trail and weather conditions. His own process of healing and adjustment after his wife’s death plus the life stories of fellow hikers added a strong personal touch. His Christian faith was inspirational.
I loved this book. I have always had a fascination about the Appalachia Trail and have only hiked little parts of it. The author made me feel like I was on this journey with him and the quirky characters he met along the way. I had no idea that there were so many places you could exit the AT and go to a restaurant and sleep in a hotel. I also …
This is the true story of how a man who lost his wife came to find his way back to God through hiking the whole of the Appalachian Trail.
For me it was especially poignant as one of his stopping off points was where I spent time with my son when he was going through a particularly bad ulcerative colitis flare. That experience is very precious to …
“Hiking Through”, in this case, means something entirely different than the traditional meaning of “thru-hike”. The author lost his wife, and as a way of coming to terms with his loss, he hikes through the pain. I enjoyed this story of adventure and healing very much.
Bill Bryson introduced me to the Appalachian Trail but Stutzman’s personal challenge and journey brought a different meaning to the trek.
Awesome story
Very enjoyable, easy to place myself within the character. Made me wish I had the nerve to do the same thing. Also, eye-opening to the actual rigorus nature of the trail itself, especially toward the end. I loved how God met his needs all the way through, one way or another. Very good read, I might even read it again some time.
Love it when a goal is set and reached no matter what…
This was a very rewarding read revealing grief, determination, and spirituality.
This book takes you down the AP with the writer. Through the physical and emotional difficulties. It touches your heart, makes you laugh and rejoice with Paul in different parts of his journey. If you want to experience the AP without hiking it, this is a very realistic book. I highly recommend it. It’s hard to put down!
Nice, but no “The Way” or “Into the Wild”.