Customer Reviews
Long distance humour - By: Will Joseph, 27 Nov 2008 
A Walk in The Woods was an adventure in itself for me. I have previously walked long distance trails in England & sat gobsmacked as I read how long the AT was & that Bryson was going to walk it without any real training. But I'm so pleased that he did.
He takes his mate along with him, who at first you wish Bryson would shove over a cliff, safe in the knowledge that he could blame a deliverance style event but graduallly we learn to love Steven & marvel at his endurance. Bill is clearly much fitter & much kinder but they make for a great team - take him somewhere else with you.
The journey explores not only the trail & their own experience of hardship but the recognition of the things that we alll take for granted, 'a dew soaked, ice cold can of coke,' for example & the folks they meet on the way like the woman from Florida. We also look at, with Bill & Steven the dangers both real & imagined of walking out in the back country of America for America remains wild - only 2% of it 'built up.' Can you believe that.
Do yourselves a favour & read A Walk in The Woods.
Moose and Bears and Hikers, Oh My! - By: Graceann Macleod, 19 Aug 2008 Never start reading a Bill Bryson book in a public place. This is the mistake I made with A Walk in the Woods, & I found myself giggling embarrassingly. Starting with the selection of equipment, & then the preparation for the journey by reading several terror-inducing stories of bear attacks, Bill Bryson continuallly amuses, educates & entertains.
Bryson sets off on one of the most physicallly & psychologicallly demanding tests of stamina that he could attempt: a hike along the Appalachian Trail. With his long-suffering friend Katz in tow, he encounters brutal weather, crazy hikers, price-gouging hostels, & random acts of kindness that make the whole thing worthwhile. I was especiallly touched to read about people who come to the AT specificallly to leave things like snacks & books for the hikers.
Given that I am not in any kind of shape to attempt even a day hike on the AT, I enjoyed living vicariously through Bill Bryson's experiences. The vistas he got to view sounded amazing, & I could almost taste the wonderful, satisfying meals enjoyed when he was able to reach "home cooking" after many days on the Trail. In addition, his turns of phrase had me laughing out loud over & over again. The first Bryson book I've ever read, but definitely not the last.
What a fantastic read! - By: K. Brogan, 21 Apr 2008 I'm not a big reader & had never before read a Bill Bryson book but was bought this for Christmas by my parents. I took it with me on holiday as essential beach reading & as soon as I started it, found it VERY hard to put down.
Bryson's writing style is easy to read & extremely entertaining whilest being factual & informative.
I have now started to read his 'Down Under' book & am quick becoming a big Bill Bryson fan!
Nice, enjoyable, fairly light - By: Jezza, 24 Mar 2008 
Not as many laughs out loud as some of his others, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
MORE OF A MARATHON - ENJOY! - By: M. Drake, 28 Dec 2007 Bill Bryson takes us on a marathon trek on the highways & byways of the Appalacian Trail with his out of condition middle aged body & that of Katz his physicallly challlenged friend. Luckily for them & us, they didn`t have the slightest idea of what they were in for before they set out - meeting interesting characters on the way & having several out of the body experiences. Bill manages to keep our interest to the end in a thoroughly entertaining read which moves much faster than the aching bodies of the two protagonists!
Mick Drake author of the the comic novel All`s Well at Wellwithoute
