When Bryson speaks for the many Americans he encounters along the way--in various shops, restaurants, airports, and along the trail--he launches into his American accent, which is whiny and full of hard r's. And his southern intonations are a hoot. He's even got a special voice used exclusively when speaking for his somewhat surprising trail partner, Katz. In the 25 years since their school days together, Katz has put on quite a bit of weight. In fact, "he brought to mind Orson Welles after a very bad night. He was limping a little and breathing harder than one ought to after a walk of 20 yards." Katz often speaks in monosyllables, and Bryson brings his limited vocabulary humorously to life. One of Katz's more memorable utterings is "flung," as in flung most of his provisions over the cliff because they were too heavy to carry any farther.

The author has thoroughly researched the history and the making of the Appalachian Trail. Bryson describes the destruction of many parts of the forest and warns of the continuing perils (both natural and man-made) the Trail faces. He speaks of the natural beauty and splendor as he and Katz pass through, and he recalls clearly the serious dangers the two face during their time together on the trail. So, A Walk in the Woods is not simply an out-of-shape, middle-aged man's desire to prove that he can still accomplish a major physical task; it's also a plea for the conservation of America's last wilderness. Bryson's telling is a knee-slapping, laugh-out-loud funny trek through the woods, with a touch of science and history thrown in for good measure. (Running time: 360 minutes, four cassettes) --Colleen Preston

Product Description
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. 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 is destined to become a modern classic of travel literature.

The vast majority of the reviews of the book cite its hilarity (one reviewer called it "choke-on-your-coffee funny"), and indeed there are very many funny parts. However, the deeper I got into the book, I detected a strong shift in the author's sentiment from satire to deep introspection. His observations became more acute, more angry, and more individualized as his long hike constantly brings to his mind the fragile environment of the Trail, the insanity of bureacrats entrusted with the AT, and his own personal limitations.

This was my first encounter with Bill Bryson, and while I found him entertaining, a beautiful writer, and an astute observer, some readers will be put off my his sharp satiric wit. It is certain that he will offend somebody. A friend of mine, who also read the book, was very much upset by the fact that Bryson and Katz didn't hike all 2,200 miles of the Trail, and that somehow their "failure" should prevent the telling of the story. This is utter nonsense and just throws more manure onto the present dung heap that has accumulated from the participants involved in peak bagging, wilderness races, and experiential therapy groups.

Bryson and Katz at least tried to hike the entire AT, and they returned from their hike as changed men who learned many lessons about the wilderness and friendship. Towards the end of the book, the two men are talking about the hike. When Katz remarks that "we did it," Bryson reminds him that they didn't even see Mount Katahdin, much less climb it. Katz says, "Another mountain. How many do you need to see, Bryson?" I agree with Katz (and ultimately Bryson). They hiked the Appalachian Trail.


If you love the Trail skip this book...   November 18, 2000
 137 out of 178 found this review helpful

Back packers are an interesting lot. Through hikers on the AT come from diverse backgrounds and range from college students to retired postal workers to returning vets. They are, however, connected by a common bond: a love of hiking and the hope of self-discovery. Bryson undertook his hike with the stated purpose of writing this book. He chose an over weight, out of shape, obnoxious ex-college chum as his trail mate. His purpose was not to discover the trail or himself or the simple joy of wilderness but simply to write a book. His book may well be a financial success but his vision of the trail is one the reader might expect from a commodities broker and not one who hikes because of some higher purpose. There are easier ways to gather material and better books on the trail than this. The real surprise is that the AT Conference puts this book in their catalogue.


I strongly recommend it to anyone   February 8, 2000
 61 out of 68 found this review helpful

A Walk in the Woods is a travel memoir on the Appalachian Trail, one of America's greatest hiking routes. The author, Bill Bryson lived in England for 20 years and came back to the United States with the urge to go on a long hike. Stephen Katz, an old college friend, and a former alcoholic accompanies him. Both men are out of shape, and beginners at hiking, so it is a wonder how they can endure such hardships along the trail. They had to carry a pack that contained their tents, food, water, clothes and other items. Katz and other interesting characters provide the book with much comic relief to keep the reader involved. At some points in the book I was laughing out loud. Along the journey they meet many people including Mary Ellen a slow-minded woman who follows them around, and Beulah, a fat woman with a very angry husband. The commentary about the long, rich history of the Appalachian Trail brings insight on the wilderness that we hardly know about. It also speaks for the preservation of the forestry and animals that we take for granted in the city. After reading this book I have more appreciation of the wilderness, and an interest in going hiking myself. One downside of the book was that some points in the book the author expanded the book with knowledge that made it a little less interesting, then the actual story. But I liked how Bryson went back and forth to discuss his journey and the history, creating a balance of interests. This book will offer something to any type of reader because it is funny, and contains a lot of historical information, and is interesting enough to keep the reader to keep going. But for someone who wishes to go on a hike, this is not a how to guide. It is also not an amazing adventure of two men and the great outdoors. What this book has to offer is an entertaining journey of two regular guys, who decide to go on a hike along one of the most difficult trails in the United States. I am highly recommending this book, and it will truly leave the reader entertained.


Enjoyable romp through the woods   April 17, 2005
 36 out of 43 found this review helpful

Bill Bryson is a funny guy. I'd love to have his job, which apparently is, as a "travel journalist", to take vacations and write about them. He does do a fair amount of research too, and he shares that throughout the book. But while this book will share some interesting tidbits about the Appalachian Trail, it is not primarily about the AT, but more about his and his buddy's trip on it. They have some comical adventures. They obviously aren't experienced hikers, but did seem to fare better than some people on the trail. In any event, I would recommend this book. It is a short read - about 225 pages, and reads very quickly. I gained an appreciation for the AT, which I knew very little about. I also had some laugh-out-loud moments reading this book. In short, it is a pleasant, none-too-serious true life tale that will garner a few laughs along the way.

I think Bill Bryson's book, "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is better than this one - as there is quite a bit more meaty information in it. However, the two books are quite different styles. This one is kind of a diary/travelogue, while "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is a short history of science and its characters. Bryson doesn't play nearly as prominent a role in "A Short History". Different books, but both quite good.


Bill Bryson is clinically insane   September 19, 1999
 35 out of 53 found this review helpful

Bill Bryson clearly has a death wish. For this book, he decided to hike the Applachian Trail - definitely not a walk in the woods - despite being inexperienced, unprepared, and out of shape. Not dangerous enough? He's also thrown into the mix Stephen Katz, an annoying, Snickers-chomping man who could easily win the simultaneous titles of Man Least Likely to Survive a Hike and Least Desireable Traveling Companion.

The book details their adventures, which are of the kind of travel comedy where, in between chuckles, you find yourself thanking all kinds of gods that you aren't on the trip, too. It's great. And Katz, with his special role of Horribly Annoying Accompaniment, is wonderful. You relish reading about him, and relish even more that it was *Bryson* sharing a tent with him, not you.

In short, this is the perfect book to read when you're stuck in the city and you long to commune with nature. When you're finished, you'll run to the nearest busy street so you can sink to your knees and kiss the dirty, gum-covered sidewalk, while uttering the chant of travel readers everywhere: "Thank GOD I stayed at home."