I'd much rather read a book written by a writer who hikes a little, vs. a book written by a hiker who writes a little. Most of the AT books I've read are no better than reading someones trail journal.
Last edited by MuddyWaters; 05-13-2014 at 20:50.
Three or four times post publication, I had to ooooo and aahhhhhh over Christmas gifts that I already had been given--yep, A Walk in the Woods. I did not want to enjoy it, but, until he got serious about environmental issues, I could be heard laughing out loud if anyone were around. What made me laugh? With the exception of the account of Katz's throwing away essentials, I could relate to every funny, embarrassing tale. Wes told me that he had advised Bill Bryson and "Katz" to stop hiking with the same group if he wanted stories to use, and Bryson followed his advise. Until then I thought that Katz had to be a composite of figments of Bryson's imagination.
You never know just what you can do until you realize you absolutely have to do it.
--Salaun