I've never read a Bill Bryson book before and came across this one quite by accident while perusing different bookmooch inventories (BM is great for that!). I have a serious affection for travel writing and figured I would give Bryson a shot.
Upon relocating to his homeland - the U.S. - after living in England for 20 years Bryson decides to hike the Appalachian Trail. For some reason he thinks this will be an appropriate way to get back in touch with the country he's been away from for so long. As anyone can see from the Author's photograph on the back - Bryson is not someone you would find on the cover of Outside magazine. He looks like your jovial, more round than slender, college professor. But this is a college professor with a witty, sarcastic sense of humor and that is what makes this book so much fun. Listening to Bryson complain about the cost of equipment and then snip at those on the trail who insist on engaging in "gear talk" is hilarious. Bryson is accompanied by a man named Stephen Katz whom is more out of shape than he and equally as funny.
Amongst tales of falling over backwards from the weight of a 40 pound backpack and obsessing about being attacked by bears; Bryson details the history of the Appalachian Trail, surrounding towns and cities and speaks at length about conservation.
This is an enjoyable, light read but still manages a genuine plea for appreciation, conservation and respect of America's forests.
Upon relocating to his homeland - the U.S. - after living in England for 20 years Bryson decides to hike the Appalachian Trail. For some reason he thinks this will be an appropriate way to get back in touch with the country he's been away from for so long. As anyone can see from the Author's photograph on the back - Bryson is not someone you would find on the cover of Outside magazine. He looks like your jovial, more round than slender, college professor. But this is a college professor with a witty, sarcastic sense of humor and that is what makes this book so much fun. Listening to Bryson complain about the cost of equipment and then snip at those on the trail who insist on engaging in "gear talk" is hilarious. Bryson is accompanied by a man named Stephen Katz whom is more out of shape than he and equally as funny.
Amongst tales of falling over backwards from the weight of a 40 pound backpack and obsessing about being attacked by bears; Bryson details the history of the Appalachian Trail, surrounding towns and cities and speaks at length about conservation.
This is an enjoyable, light read but still manages a genuine plea for appreciation, conservation and respect of America's forests.
2 comments:
Tend not to like travel writing but love anything by Bryson. Party because being both American and a long standing resident of the UK(I think he is back here to live again)he combines the wit and insight of both cultures in his writing. His Notes from a Small Island gives a humorous and affectionate insight into the oddities of our English ways. I read a walk in the woods last month and also enjoyed it and I am about to finish this morning his book on Australia.
I love everything by Bryson that I've read. "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" is a very funny way of looking at American culture and his autobiography "the Life & Times of Thunderbolt Kid" is wonderful. "A Walk in the Woods" was the first thing I ever read by him also, but it definitely wasn't the last.
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