A Walk In The Woods: The World's Funniest Travel Writer Takes a Hike

A Walk In The Woods: The World's Funniest Travel Writer Takes a Hike

Written by:
Bill Bryson
Narrated by:
Bill Bryson

Abridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
423
Narrator
35
Release Date
April 2010
Duration
5 hours 58 minutes
Summary
The Appalachian Trail covers 14 states, and over 2,000 miles. It stretches along the East Coast of the United States, from Maine in the north to Georgia in the south. It is famous for being the longest continuous footpath in the world. (Compare this with the Pennine Way, which is a mere 250 miles long.) It snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in America, as well as through some of its most poverty-stricken and primitive backwoods areas - Redneck country - Moonshine, Lil' Abner, there's bears in them thar hills. Remember the film Deliverance?

God only knows what possessed Bill Bryson, a reluctant adventurer if ever there was one, to undertake this gruelling hike. Perhaps it was just a long-held ambition to lose weight: he has lost two stone so far. As he recently wrote from the trail to his publisher:
'Speaking of vigorous exercise, boy have I just had some. Maine was a bitch. I want you to come back and walk it with me so that when you die if you go to hell you will be able to say: 'Call this hell? Try walking across Maine in August.''

Reared in the tradition of Mark Twain, James Thurber and S.J. Perelman, Bryson used his many years in Britain to soak up a peculiarly English sense of irony and humour and to hone a laugh-out-loud style that is uniquely, hilariously, his own.
Reviews
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Anonymous

A very rude, elitist author

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Terry S.

I hope to write like Bill one day

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Cheryl Wolber

The person who didn't finish listening to this book, short-changed herself. It is a deleriously funny true story. I first listened to it on a long drive down the east-coast. Truckers going by must have thought I was crazy; I laughed so much. It certainly made the drive a joy I didn't want to stop driving. It is a well-written narrative of Bryson's trials and tribulations as he and his friend "Cat", on impulse, trek the Appalachian Trail. Bryson includes a lot of interesting history and facts about the areas they travel thru.But it is his own narration of this story that makes it priceless.Definitely listen to the 'Unabridged' narration; there is too much left out of the 'Abridgement'. I've listened to both and I'm glad I heard the 'unabridged' version first.

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Danemls247

Amazing story of one’s hike on the AT.

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Anonymous

Really enjoyed the book, engaging from start to finish, laugh out loud funny at times, educating and interesting at others.

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Sandra T.

Well done! It’s stories within a story and many “side stories” to amuse you or teach you a little sumptin!

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Angela S.

Funny, motivating, history, all-in-one. I suggest this book to anyone who likes the outdoors, adventure or just a humorous read to switch up your norm.

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Anonymous

Good read.

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Fernanda M.

My favorite book of all time. I must have read it over 10 times now. I pick up new things in it in each read, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

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Micah D.

I was tickled first, then educated, and tickled again. A winsome read, but thoroughly researched.

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Marsha W.

I listened to this book on a road trip. It was continuously entertaining for two adults and a ten year old.

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Joseph G

Joe This made me laugh out loud a few times. Easy listening that made my journeys to work more enjoyable. I lookl forward to more by this author. I would advise downloading this. Enjoy

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Juha J

Nice and light easy listening. I find Brysons reading suits the book, because he gives the characters their own personality according to his own experience.

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Carrie K

There were portions of this book that I found informational, some funny, much however very self-indulgent. I don't believe this book did justice to the beauty of the AT nor the potential of appreciation of what hiking experiences in nature are truly about. There was no growth shown in either of the 'characters' which dominated the book. The author should let someone else read his books as well; his voice is irritating. I recommend listening to a portion before purchasing.

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Lindsey Garcia

Over all is a Great book, yes like any other books is has effects. That's because we all have our own taste of books. Is funny, bad words, great description on what the characters are doing.

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catherine julien

great book good history of the A.T. would recommend for anyone wanting some history of the A.T. with some added humor. Narration was also good really enjoyed listening to this book

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Kevin lutz

This book is so funny, well worth it if you're looking for a good laugh on the way to work

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Ken S.

A real disappointment. The author walked only a tiny portion of the Appalachian Trail, blaming his failure on his obese companion. Mildly amusing, barely informative. The author has better books available, such as A Sunburned Country about his travels in Australia, and Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, a pretty funny account of growing up in Des Moines Iowa in the fifties.

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Anonymous

I really enjoyed this book. It was amazing to hear the tales of hiking the Appalachian trail. Bill Bryson keeps the story interesting with his dry humor.

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Anonymous

I read this book years ago, but I must say listening to it brings a much fuller dimension. Bryson is both droll and informative and it is a pleasure to experience his adventures. A pleasure to listen to.

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Anonymous

Overall it was a good book. If you like Bill Bryson you will enjoy this story. He tells a good story about the trail and it's quite humerous at times. It's also educational if you are into learning something. Just a fun and interesting story. If you are thinking about hiking the trail and you haven't been out there you should listen.

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Susan

Very entertaining but Bill's books usually are. I really wish Bill would have someone else read his books. His voice is annoying.

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Tim M

Interesting when you lookup Appalachian English on Wikipedia it points out that those who are from Appalachia say "App-a-latch-ah" while outsiders call it "App-a-lay-csh-ah." Having grown up in the Smokey Mountains I've known this for all my life. You would think that Bryson would have picked up on this given his Walk in the Woods, but then again. Did he really experience Appalachia, including the "red necks", or just go walking in a modern day wilderness and encounter other well-supplied, comfort technology oriented hikers on an extended excursion. I grew up playing in those woods with the bears and polecats and such. It's a funny book at times but not terribly much about the Appalachian Trail... More really about a novice experience in hiking. Given my background I probably have more criticism than your average bear but I can't, in good faith, fully recommend listening to this book. Keep it for a dry spell.

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Sara Cardella

I love to hike and have always felt guilty that I wasn't better at it. This book helped me realize that a day hike is really just as wonderful as overnight trips. I loved the discriptions; they really gave me a sense of place. The diversions into wonderings about cars and people and land use were philososphically intriguing. The history lessons illuminated life at that time. Not enough travel books out there!

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Charlie Dixon

This book came highly recommended by friends but I found it very slow, drawn out and boring. Funny at times but not worth the time investment to get there. I expected much more from this accomplished writer.

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Anonymous

This book is very funny. I'd highly recommend it to anyone that has hiked any portion of the AT. Some of the information/statistics about the AT are a little dry - but interesting.

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Anonymous

Bryson is an entertaining and humous writer. Fascinating story of the Appalachian Trail. Made me want to do some hiking.

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JK

I found this book moderately funny in places, but in general it was not particularly compelling. The main highlights are the descriptions of the "interesting characters" that they meet along the way - all of whom Bryson has inventive ways of insulting. I also found the narration a bit annoying.

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Connie

I found this book difficult to get into. The author decides to take a hike invites a friend along who he barely knew they walk for days then he talks himself into not finishing the hike then he tries to go back to hiking.

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Stephanie G.

I really enjoyed listening to this in my car during my commute. I laughed a lot and it kept me interested, but not distracted from my driving. In my mind the perfect combination. I look forward to listening to other books by Bill Bryson.

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Anonymous

Bill Bryson's dry humor is very effective, and his less humorous musings on the current state of our natural forests are well integrated into his narrative. Found myself laughing loudly as I drove (dangerously funny at times!) and would completely recommend this book. (I've purchased this in hard copy for holiday gifts - even if you wouldn't dream of setting foot on the "AT" this one is worth re-reading or listening to.)

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Anonymous

Bill Bryson never fails to deliver. Very funny, yet educational and enlightening at the same time. I feel inspired to take a shot at hiking the AT sometime.

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Annie Ludwig

I loved this book. The author was very informative and comical. I do not usually read/listen to true stories, but I am thrilled I did with this one. What a great story

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Lisa Johnson

Listened to the with our 12 year old on a long drive through the Oregon woods to drop him off at music camp one misty Sunday afternoon in June. Everyone enjoyed it as we were all able to relate to the story through hiking experiences of our own. Funny story telling with great character development. I am going to order up all the other Bill Bryson books as we have a long driving vacation this summer coming up.

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Marilyn

A delightfully entertaining and educational get-away. Loved the writing style of Bill Bryson.

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Lee Werley

My brother recommended this one. He has walked and biker some of the AT. Bill does a wonderful job blending history of the trail and his own style of humor. I learned facts I did not know and heard comments that made me laugh out loud. If you are tired of murder mysteries try this one.

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Anonymous

I really enjoyed this - it's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and it made me want to hike the trail, too. The message he has to deliver about the dangers our forests are in was pretty depressing, though.

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Anonymous

The man is funny, and funny to read - but man, he needs a personality. I like author read books - but someone with some life and commedic deleivery skills would do this one the world of good.

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Serena J

I've read a couple of Bryson's books and enjoyed them, but I really liked this one. You find yourself really rooting for Bill and especially Stephen as they stumble into perhaps the greatest physical challenge of their middle-aged lives. I have to say that the most fun are Bryson's observations of other people on the trail and thier individual quirks. It makes me wonder if any names were changed to "protect the innocent" :)

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Anonymous

Made me want to hike the Appalachian trail, it sounded like such an adventure. I love Bill Bryson, and this audiobook reminds me why.

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