A Walk in the Woods

by Bill Bryson

published by Anchor Books

2006

I read this book as part of my Parents Association Book Club.

My Review

This book was the February selection for the book club I belong to through my kids’ high school’s parents association.  It was chosen by the calculus teacher, soI really wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this.  I haven’t read any other books by Bryson, but I am hoping to change that very soon.

Bill Bryson was born in America but lived for over 20 years in England.  He returned to this country and settled in New Hampshire with his wife and children.  Out for a walk one day, he happened upon a trail that was a small part of the Appalachian Trail which runs from Maine to Georgia.  Bryson decides that he wants to walk the trail himself, and sets about preparing for this big hike- mostly by buying very expensive equipment and leaving it in the bag until the day he is about to depart.  He is concerned about hiking alone, mostly due to a fear of death by Bear, so he looks about for someone to accompany him.  The only person willing to do this is his high school friend, Stephen Katz, an our of work, out of shape man he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years.  What follows is a hysterical tale of hiking- or not- told in an amusing and breezy tone.

I thought Bryson did a great job with this book.  He intertwines his tale of hiking the AT with history, geology, and human interest stories.  He retells the history of Harper’s Ferry, explains the tectonic formation of the Appalachian Mountains, and recounts numerous stories of bears eating campers.  When something- he still isn’t sure what- happens across their campsite one night, Bryson freaks out thinking it is a bear.  One of the stories he includes was a surprise to me- the story of Centralia, PA., the town that is on fire.  I had to put the book aside and look it up.

I read this book not too long after reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed and I was afraid they would be similar.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  The experiences and messages of these two are totally different.

If you haven’t read anything by Bryson, I would definitely recommend A Walk in the Woods.  It was fun, informative, and interesting.  As someone who rarely reads non fiction, this is one I would definitely read again.

Some quotes-

“Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.”

“I have long known that it is part of God’s plan for me to spend a little time with each of the most stupid people on earth, and Mary Ellen was proof that even in the Appalachian woods I would not be spared. It became evident that she was a rarity.”

“Black bears rarely attack. But here’s the thing. Sometimes they do. All bears are agile, cunning and immensely strong, and they are always hungry. If they want to kill you and eat you, they can, and pretty much whenever they want. That doesn’t happen often, but – and here is the absolutely salient point – once would be enough.”

Summary

The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America-majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way-and a couple of bears. Already a classic, “A Walk in the Woods ” will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).

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