View Full Version : Must read books...
Suckerfish
09-12-2012, 11:46
I am new at hiking along the AT, my first hike on the trail was in January of this year and I have gotten the fever since. I have read a few books this year and so far all of them have been great. I have 2 other books on my list to read and wanted to get some feedback from this group on other great reading books. (Doesnt have to be AT specific, just great books for people who like to walk out in the woods)
My list of books read this year in order of when i read them...
Into the wild by Jon Krakauer (spelling)
Just Passin Thru (Winton Porter)
Into Thin Air (Jon Krakauer)
A walk in the woods (Bill Bryson)
Becomming Odyssa (Jennifer Phar Davis)
Two books on my list next are
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (David Miller)
Back to the wild (Gloria Davis-Editor) The book is just all of McCandless photos he took and his writings. Not sure who is the official writer of the book though.
What other books should I put on my list?
The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind - and Almost Found Myself - on the Pacific Crest Trail by Dan White.
I chuckled a lot reading this book. It didn't follow the "Today I hiked, got thirsty, got wet, got a blister, then went to sleep" format so typical in the hiking book genre.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cactus-Eaters-Almost-Pacific/dp/0061376930/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1347465607&sr=8-14&keywords=Hike+pacific+crest+trail
also suggest the Appalachian Trail reader.
http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Tr.../dp/0195100905 (http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Trail-Reader-Official-Guides/dp/0195100905)
My copy of this book is very dog eared. This book collects writings on geology, history and the culture surrounding the AT. It also features musings on the the trail and the Appalachians in general from the raw, but powerful voices, of everyday hikers to the eloquent musings of Thoreau and Wendell Berry. Highly recommended.
kayak karl
09-12-2012, 13:31
i liked The Trail of My Life: The Gene Espy Story
nothing about hiking, but biking "Heft on Wheels" Mike Magnuson
Skywalker: Close Encounters on the AT by Bill Walker
Mountain Marching Mamas if you can find it....it may be available at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy(ATC) store...the ATC is coming out with a historical book in early September that is less expensive with a pre-order...check out the ATC store
Just finished "I Hike" and really enjoyed it.
yellowsirocco
09-12-2012, 17:25
The Way Back - Slawomir Rawicz (Polish POW escapes from Siberia and walks to India)
I'm Off Then - Hape Kerkeling (Kind of like "A Walk in the Woods" for the Camino de Santiago)
Both are translations so the writing is not near as good as something like a John Krakauer but the content is neat.
thebrewguy
09-12-2012, 17:28
Great topic! I liked AWOL on the Appalachian Trail a lot, so that's a good one. I also just finished End to Ending by Tanner Critz and loved it! Great story and great writing. Other non-AT books for outdoor people: To The Last Breath by Francis Slakey, and Born To Run by Christopher McDougall.
yellowsirocco
09-12-2012, 17:33
The Way Back - Slawomir Rawicz (Polish POW escapes from Siberia and walks to India)
oops, The Long Walk is the book, The Way Back is the movie adaptation.
hikerboy57
09-12-2012, 17:41
John krakauers eiger dreams a collection of short stories.devils thumb is awesome,maybe his best narrative.:
"All that held me to the mountainside, all that held me to the world, were two thin spikes of chrome molybdenum stuck half an inch into a smear of frozen water, yet the higher I climbed, the more comfortable I became. Early on a difficult climb, especially a difficult solo-climb, you constantly feel the abyss pulling at your back. To resist takes a tremendous conscious effort; you don’t dare let your guard down for an instant. The siren song of the void puts you on edge; it makes your movements tentative, clumsy, herky-jerky. But as the climb goes on, you grow accustomed to the exposure, you get used to rubbing shoulders with doom, you come to believe in the reliability of your hands and feet and head. You learn to trust your self-control."
i liked The Trail of My Life: The Gene Espy Story
nothing about hiking, but biking "Heft on Wheels" Mike Magnuson
Gene Espy's book is a great insight of an adventurous young man. Ironically, he wrote it many years later because he didnt think anyone would really be interested in his story. Very humble man. I loved the book! I bought mine from him at Trails Days a few years and got it signed. One of my prized posessions!
If you can find a copy, read "As Far as the Eye Can See - Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker" by David Brill. It's a different sort of thru-hiker account (he hiked the trail in 1979). Rather than a chronological tale, it is a book full of stories and Brill's thought's on topics such as fear, learning to see, strange and interesting people, animals, what it was like being home after Katahdin, etc.
I am currently on part 2 of Through Hiker's Eyes by Lawrence Alexander. I enjoyed part 1 very much and thus far part 2 has also been very good.
Rain Man
09-12-2012, 18:37
If you can find a copy, read "As Far as the Eye Can See - Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker" by David Brill.
I'll second this one and add "Walking on the Happy Side of Misery" by J.R. (Model-T) Tate.
There's also a free "on-line book" (actually a journal) that I would recommend: "Then the Hail Came" by George Steffanos.
Then the Hail Came. (http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html)
There are many more, including "Walking Home" by WB's own Amzin' Grace (Kelly Winters).
Rain:sunMan
.
Great topic! I liked AWOL on the Appalachian Trail a lot, so that's a good one. I also just finished End to Ending by Tanner Critz and loved it! Great story and great writing. Other non-AT books for outdoor people: To The Last Breath by Francis Slakey, and Born To Run by Christopher McDougall.
Thanks for these recommendations. I've read many trail accounts and have to say that AWOL on the AT is my favorite.
This is a list I've posted elsewhere. Excuse the repeats - it's a cut & paste.
For long trail journal type reads, I can recommend the following:
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/AWOL-Appalachian-Trail-David-Miller/dp/0547745524/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-3&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Davis Miller
A Walk in the Woods (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-4&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Bryson
Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Skywalker--Close-Encounters-Appalachian-Trail-Walker/dp/1460999428/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-6&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Walker
Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-9&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jennifer Pharr Davis
Three Hundred Zeroes (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Hundred-Zeroes-Lessons-Appalachian/dp/1450557465/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-11&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Dennis R. Blanchard
Barefoot Sisters Southbound (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Southbound-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/0811735303/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328321&sr=1-15&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
Barefoot Sisters Walking Home (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Walking-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/081173529X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
A Walk for Sunshine (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Sunshine-Expedition-Charity-Appalachian/dp/0967948231/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328476&sr=1-29&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jeff Alt
On the Beaten Path (http://www.amazon.com/Beaten-Path-Appalachian-Pilgrimage/dp/B007MXCSX0/ref=sr_1_31?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328546&sr=1-31&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Robert Alden Rubin
As Far as the Eye Can See (http://www.amazon.com/As-Far-Eye-Can-See/dp/1889386448/ref=sr_1_100?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-100&keywords=appalachian+trail) by David Brill
A Blistered Kind of Love (http://www.amazon.com/Blistered-Kind-Love-Couples-Barbara/dp/0898869021/ref=sr_1_106?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-106&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Angela Ballard and Duffy Ballard
A Thru-Hiker's Heart, Tales of the Pacific Crest Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Thru-Hikers-Heart-Tales-Pacific-Crest/dp/0981472206/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328903&sr=1-5&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Ray Echols
Then the Hail Came (http://skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html) by George Steffanos
is an excellent and free online read.
Other "outdoorsy" type reads:
The Man Who Walked Through Time (http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Through-Time/dp/0679723064/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329233&sr=1-3&keywords=colin+fletcher) by Colin Fletcher
The Last Season (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Season-P-S-Eric-Blehm/dp/0060583010/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-18&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Eric Blehm
Into the Wild (http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0385486804/ref=sr_1_21?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-21&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Jon Krakauer
Just Passin' Thru (http://www.amazon.com/Just-Passin-Thru-Appalachian-Unforgettable/dp/0897328493/ref=sr_1_51?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329732&sr=1-51&keywords=continental+divide+trail) by Winton Porter
Adrift (http://www.amazon.com/Adrift-Seventy-six-Days-Lost-Sea/dp/0618257322/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330033&sr=1-1&keywords=adrift) by Steven Callahan
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why (http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Survival-Who-Lives-Dies/dp/0393326152/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330230&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+survival) by Laurence Gonzales
A few of my favorite fictional reads:
The Pillars of the Earth (http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/045123281X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330459&sr=1-1&keywords=pillars+of+the+earth+by+ken+follett) by Ken Follett
The Stand (http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Stephen-King/dp/0307947300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330528&sr=1-1&keywords=the+stand+by+stephen+king) by Stephen King
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Millennium-Trilogy/dp/0307949486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330556&sr=1-1&keywords=dragon+tatoo) by Stieg Larsson
Now I read a lot, about 70 to 80 books a year, of which about 75% are fiction. Last year a friend recommended Unbroken (http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330376&sr=1-1&keywords=unbroken) by Laura Hillenbrand. This was the best book I'd read all year. It is a MUST read. Half way through the book I couldn't believe that there was still half of a book left to read. It blew me away.
oops, The Long Walk is the book, The Way Back is the movie adaptation.
Nice read, but turns out to be fiction.
Suckerfish
09-13-2012, 08:37
John krakauers eiger dreams a collection of short stories.devils thumb is awesome,maybe his best narrative.:
"All that held me to the mountainside, all that held me to the world, were two thin spikes of chrome molybdenum stuck half an inch into a smear of frozen water, yet the higher I climbed, the more comfortable I became. Early on a difficult climb, especially a difficult solo-climb, you constantly feel the abyss pulling at your back. To resist takes a tremendous conscious effort; you don’t dare let your guard down for an instant. The siren song of the void puts you on edge; it makes your movements tentative, clumsy, herky-jerky. But as the climb goes on, you grow accustomed to the exposure, you get used to rubbing shoulders with doom, you come to believe in the reliability of your hands and feet and head. You learn to trust your self-control."
I agree about his writing of the devil's thumb, I think those were the two best chapters in his first book "Into the wild" when he decided to share why he connected with mccandless. Those two chapters sucked me right in.
Suckerfish
09-13-2012, 08:39
Thanks for these recommendations. I've read many trail accounts and have to say that AWOL on the AT is my favorite.
This is a list I've posted elsewhere. Excuse the repeats - it's a cut & paste.
For long trail journal type reads, I can recommend the following:
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/AWOL-Appalachian-Trail-David-Miller/dp/0547745524/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-3&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Davis Miller
A Walk in the Woods (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-4&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Bryson
Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Skywalker--Close-Encounters-Appalachian-Trail-Walker/dp/1460999428/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-6&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Walker
Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-9&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jennifer Pharr Davis
Three Hundred Zeroes (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Hundred-Zeroes-Lessons-Appalachian/dp/1450557465/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-11&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Dennis R. Blanchard
Barefoot Sisters Southbound (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Southbound-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/0811735303/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328321&sr=1-15&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
Barefoot Sisters Walking Home (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Walking-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/081173529X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
A Walk for Sunshine (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Sunshine-Expedition-Charity-Appalachian/dp/0967948231/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328476&sr=1-29&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jeff Alt
On the Beaten Path (http://www.amazon.com/Beaten-Path-Appalachian-Pilgrimage/dp/B007MXCSX0/ref=sr_1_31?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328546&sr=1-31&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Robert Alden Rubin
As Far as the Eye Can See (http://www.amazon.com/As-Far-Eye-Can-See/dp/1889386448/ref=sr_1_100?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-100&keywords=appalachian+trail) by David Brill
A Blistered Kind of Love (http://www.amazon.com/Blistered-Kind-Love-Couples-Barbara/dp/0898869021/ref=sr_1_106?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-106&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Angela Ballard and Duffy Ballard
A Thru-Hiker's Heart, Tales of the Pacific Crest Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Thru-Hikers-Heart-Tales-Pacific-Crest/dp/0981472206/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328903&sr=1-5&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Ray Echols
Then the Hail Came (http://skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html) by George Steffanos
is an excellent and free online read.
Other "outdoorsy" type reads:
The Man Who Walked Through Time (http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Through-Time/dp/0679723064/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329233&sr=1-3&keywords=colin+fletcher) by Colin Fletcher
The Last Season (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Season-P-S-Eric-Blehm/dp/0060583010/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-18&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Eric Blehm
Into the Wild (http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0385486804/ref=sr_1_21?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-21&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Jon Krakauer
Just Passin' Thru (http://www.amazon.com/Just-Passin-Thru-Appalachian-Unforgettable/dp/0897328493/ref=sr_1_51?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329732&sr=1-51&keywords=continental+divide+trail) by Winton Porter
Adrift (http://www.amazon.com/Adrift-Seventy-six-Days-Lost-Sea/dp/0618257322/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330033&sr=1-1&keywords=adrift) by Steven Callahan
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why (http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Survival-Who-Lives-Dies/dp/0393326152/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330230&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+survival) by Laurence Gonzales
A few of my favorite fictional reads:
The Pillars of the Earth (http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/045123281X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330459&sr=1-1&keywords=pillars+of+the+earth+by+ken+follett) by Ken Follett
The Stand (http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Stephen-King/dp/0307947300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330528&sr=1-1&keywords=the+stand+by+stephen+king) by Stephen King
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Millennium-Trilogy/dp/0307949486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330556&sr=1-1&keywords=dragon+tatoo) by Stieg Larsson
Now I read a lot, about 70 to 80 books a year, of which about 75% are fiction. Last year a friend recommended Unbroken (http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330376&sr=1-1&keywords=unbroken) by Laura Hillenbrand. This was the best book I'd read all year. It is a MUST read. Half way through the book I couldn't believe that there was still half of a book left to read. It blew me away.
Wow, thanks so much for posting these. 70-80 books, impressive.
Blind Courage is a good book. It is the story of a blind hiker who thru-hiked the AT
colorado_rob
09-13-2012, 09:48
I'm 2/3rds of the way through "Wild, from Lost to Found on the PCT" by Cheryl Strayed. I've read about a dozen AT and PCT books recently, and I think this one ("Wild") is my favorite. If you like Bill Bryson's "Walk in the Woods", check out his "A Short History of Nearly Everything". Not thru-hike related, but still a great read.
PapaGarrettP
09-13-2012, 12:09
Here are 2 I didn't see that I liked:
Avalanche & Gorilla Jim, by Albert Dragon
Wild, by Cheryl Strayed (PCT)
I'm surprised no one had mentioned the classic yet. "Hiking The Appalachian Trail", Volumes One and Two, Rodale. This is a collection of early through hiker accounts, including many of the iconic figures. Dorthy Laker, Ed Garvey, Elmer Onstot, Eric Ryback, James Wolf, Grandma Gatewood - just to name a few. Out of print, most copies are dogeared, but well worth the read if you find a copy. They come up on Ebay fairly often.
Gives you an appreciation for just how much hiking has changed since the "good old days" and how much it has stayed the same.
Velvet Gooch
10-02-2012, 07:13
I'm not a religious man, but I think everyone should read the Bible at least once
Northern Lights
10-03-2012, 20:49
I'm 2/3rds of the way through "Wild, from Lost to Found on the PCT" by Cheryl Strayed. I've read about a dozen AT and PCT books recently, and I think this one ("Wild") is my favorite. If you like Bill Bryson's "Walk in the Woods", check out his "A Short History of Nearly Everything". Not thru-hike related, but still a great read.
Wild is an excellent read. I really enjoyed it, read it through the Smokies.
Out of print, most copies are dogeared, but well worth the read if you find a copy. They come up on Ebay fairly often.
Gives you an appreciation for just how much hiking has changed since the "good old days" and how much it has stayed the same.
As I type this post, the copies are just to my left at eye level.
What I found is that no matter the equipment or clothing used, the spirit is the same. A chance to be immersed in the wood for several weeks or months at a time is a longing many people have and something that has called and enthralled many people over the years.
(And I am always find it amusing when people talk about the new fangled light weight gear...there is a gear list in this book that is at 15 lbs BPW from the late 60s. White gas stove included! :) )
A Season on the AT by Lynn Setzer A hard to find book but one of my favorites. Published in 1997 before Bryson book (which I like too because it is funny)
A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt
Southbound by Lucy and Susan Letcher
A new offering on the PCT Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Seldomseen
10-03-2012, 22:45
Walking with Spring would be at the top of my list. The latest is a fiction book called Black Heart on the Appalachian Trail (great novel), I also like A Walk Along the Crest.
Camping and Woodcraft - Horace Kephart
A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt 1998 thru-hiker, Some books read like a trail journal, other seem close to fiction, this is a nice balance.
Nice read, but turns out to be fiction.
Actually could be mostly true, just not actually by the person for whom is was ghost written.
http://www.mikaelstrandberg.com/2011/01/03/the-long-walk-did-it-ever-happen/
Traveling teacher
10-15-2012, 23:10
Is it ok to post here if you wrote a book about the AT? I just published a book titled "Sometimes the Appalachian trail is..." by J. Michael Osmond. Those who have read it find it to be very funny. Have to admit it is not always complimentary of some on Whiteblaze. Check it out on amazon or kindle.
Interesting comments about "Wild". Pretty positive here; elsewhere I've read some that are pretty negative. I'm mostly through that book now and my own reactions are more negative than positive. It seems to me that anyone can have an "adventure" by trying something challenging with absolutely no preparation or planning and then write about how they dealt with the results of that. Being tough in dealing with it is laudable; getting yourself into that situation in the first place is, IMO, not.
I guess my reaction here isn't so much about/against the book itself as a sort of "reinventing myself and finding my way" sort of book, but more a concern that this might end up considered *the* definitive PCT "thru-hike" book. In the same way that I think that Bryson's comedy is a really poor selection as *the* definitive AT thru-hike book.
re: Wild
A bit of shameless plug, but the next episode of our podcast (http://www.thetrailshow.com/) is reviewing this book.
I can't speak for the others, but I though the book was a 3 out of 5 stars kind of a book. Not terrible, but not good either. Same arc as many other books and nothing too original. Thrown in a little Lifetime Network type solipsism and there you go... I realize Wild is not meant to be a book aimed at thru-hikers, but even putting that aside, think the book is mediocre.
The definitive thru-hiker memoir for the 'modern' era is, at least to me, On The Beaten Path. (http://www.amazon.com/On-Beaten-Path-Appalachian-Pilgrimage/dp/1585740233)
88BlueGT
10-16-2012, 12:03
Blind Courage <------ GREAT book - story of a blind hiker who thru-hikes the AT, very inspirational
Hiking Through <------ Reading this now, almost finished. Story of a gentlemen who loses his wife to cancer and hikes the AT seeking peace and happiness. I would describe this as inspirational, spiritual and religious. Nothing extreme but does talk about his relationship with God quite often.
StealthHikerBoy
10-16-2012, 12:57
I read Wild recently so I will comment. I saw it as maybe a 2 out of 5 stars book.
It isn't really about the trail; it is more about a personal journey. Which is fine, as that can make for an excellent book. The reason I didn't like it is all stories need a likeable character. Apologies to the author, as it is a memoir, but she isn't likeable before she gets on the trail, when she is on it, or even when she is done. She makes all sorts of bad moral decisions and I never really saw a moment where the journey she was one transformed her to become a better person. Most of her struggles are self-inflicted, which again, makes her very hard to root for.
Not a terrible book but not worthy of the attention it is getting either. But, in terms of personal journeys I thought the Barefoot Sisters book was really well done. And, I really liked "Just Passing Through" - which captures the culture of the AT better than any other book I have read.
Over the Edge : Death in Grand Canyon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0984785809/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=097009731X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BZZH50M7JYFMQA1713F
The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons (Penguin Classics) (http://www.amazon.com/Exploration-Colorado-Canyons-Penguin-Classics/dp/0142437522/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350407552&sr=1-1&keywords=john+wesley+powell) by John Wesley Powell (http://www.whiteblaze.net/John-Wesley-Powell/e/B001H6UG64/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1350407552&sr=1-1) and Wallace Stegner
Any of the Complete Walkers by Colin Fletcher and CW IV by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins
Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, Revised Edition (http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Desert-American-Disappearing-Revised/dp/0140178244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350407831&sr=1-1&keywords=cadillac+desert) by Marc Reisner
Oneofsix
10-16-2012, 14:47
A friend of mine just gave this to me and I'm almost done, loving it is not a trail journal! So tired of that genre.
Oneofsix
10-16-2012, 14:50
A friend of mine just gave this to me and I'm almost done, loving it is not a trail journal! So tired of that genre.
whoops meant to quote . . . As Far as the Eyes can See
fcoulter
12-03-2012, 15:33
I'm surprised no one had mentioned the classic yet. "Hiking The Appalachian Trail", Volumes One and Two, Rodale. This is a collection of early through hiker accounts, including many of the iconic figures. Dorthy Laker, Ed Garvey, Elmer Onstot, Eric Ryback, James Wolf, Grandma Gatewood - just to name a few. Out of print, most copies are dogeared, but well worth the read if you find a copy. They come up on Ebay fairly often.
Gives you an appreciation for just how much hiking has changed since the "good old days" and how much it has stayed the same.
A trimmed down version of these two volumes has been released by Stackpole Books. Right now it's free on a Kindle.
A trimmed down version of these two volumes has been released by Stackpole Books. Right now it's free on a Kindle.
Do you have a link to this?
The Solemates
12-03-2012, 16:30
go to my list on my blog below by clicking on the 'Books' tab. highly recommended ones are marked.
I have read these two books and would like to pass them on.
$7.00 each Shipped You can PM me
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods) )
Walking the Appalachian Trail by Larry Luxenberg ( http://www.luxenberg.info/ (http://www.luxenberg.info/) )
Pay via Pay-pal
fcoulter
12-03-2012, 16:43
Do you have a link to this?
Got someone in my office. But I started a separate thread just an hour ago with a link.
lukabrazi
12-08-2012, 11:50
Adrift is one of my favorites!
Thanks for these recommendations. I've read many trail accounts and have to say that AWOL on the AT is my favorite.
This is a list I've posted elsewhere. Excuse the repeats - it's a cut & paste.
For long trail journal type reads, I can recommend the following:
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/AWOL-Appalachian-Trail-David-Miller/dp/0547745524/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-3&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Davis Miller
A Walk in the Woods (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-4&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Bryson
Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Skywalker--Close-Encounters-Appalachian-Trail-Walker/dp/1460999428/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-6&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Bill Walker
Becoming Odyssa (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odyssa-Adventures-Appalachian-Trail/dp/0825305683/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-9&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jennifer Pharr Davis
Three Hundred Zeroes (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Hundred-Zeroes-Lessons-Appalachian/dp/1450557465/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345327554&sr=1-11&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Dennis R. Blanchard
Barefoot Sisters Southbound (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Southbound-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/0811735303/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328321&sr=1-15&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
Barefoot Sisters Walking Home (http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Sisters-Walking-Adventures-Appalachian/dp/081173529X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b) by Lucy Letcher and Susan Letcher
A Walk for Sunshine (http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Sunshine-Expedition-Charity-Appalachian/dp/0967948231/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328476&sr=1-29&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Jeff Alt
On the Beaten Path (http://www.amazon.com/Beaten-Path-Appalachian-Pilgrimage/dp/B007MXCSX0/ref=sr_1_31?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328546&sr=1-31&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Robert Alden Rubin
As Far as the Eye Can See (http://www.amazon.com/As-Far-Eye-Can-See/dp/1889386448/ref=sr_1_100?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-100&keywords=appalachian+trail) by David Brill
A Blistered Kind of Love (http://www.amazon.com/Blistered-Kind-Love-Couples-Barbara/dp/0898869021/ref=sr_1_106?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328777&sr=1-106&keywords=appalachian+trail) by Angela Ballard and Duffy Ballard
A Thru-Hiker's Heart, Tales of the Pacific Crest Trail (http://www.amazon.com/Thru-Hikers-Heart-Tales-Pacific-Crest/dp/0981472206/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345328903&sr=1-5&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Ray Echols
Then the Hail Came (http://skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html) by George Steffanos
is an excellent and free online read.
Other "outdoorsy" type reads:
The Man Who Walked Through Time (http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Through-Time/dp/0679723064/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329233&sr=1-3&keywords=colin+fletcher) by Colin Fletcher
The Last Season (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Season-P-S-Eric-Blehm/dp/0060583010/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-18&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Eric Blehm
Into the Wild (http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0385486804/ref=sr_1_21?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329471&sr=1-21&keywords=PACIFIC+CREST+trail) by Jon Krakauer
Just Passin' Thru (http://www.amazon.com/Just-Passin-Thru-Appalachian-Unforgettable/dp/0897328493/ref=sr_1_51?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345329732&sr=1-51&keywords=continental+divide+trail) by Winton Porter
Adrift (http://www.amazon.com/Adrift-Seventy-six-Days-Lost-Sea/dp/0618257322/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330033&sr=1-1&keywords=adrift) by Steven Callahan
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why (http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Survival-Who-Lives-Dies/dp/0393326152/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330230&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+survival) by Laurence Gonzales
A few of my favorite fictional reads:
The Pillars of the Earth (http://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Earth-Ken-Follett/dp/045123281X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330459&sr=1-1&keywords=pillars+of+the+earth+by+ken+follett) by Ken Follett
The Stand (http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Stephen-King/dp/0307947300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330528&sr=1-1&keywords=the+stand+by+stephen+king) by Stephen King
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Millennium-Trilogy/dp/0307949486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330556&sr=1-1&keywords=dragon+tatoo) by Stieg Larsson
Now I read a lot, about 70 to 80 books a year, of which about 75% are fiction. Last year a friend recommended Unbroken (http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345330376&sr=1-1&keywords=unbroken) by Laura Hillenbrand. This was the best book I'd read all year. It is a MUST read. Half way through the book I couldn't believe that there was still half of a book left to read. It blew me away.
hikerhobs
12-08-2012, 20:19
127 hours the story of aron rolston who was trapped in a canyon when a boulder crushed his arm.
strikermike
12-08-2012, 21:22
I'm not a religious man, but I think everyone should read the Bible at least once
I Have to agree with this thought.
On a lighter note, I found Following Atticus by Tom Ryan quite enjoyable.
For poetry, you can't go wrong with "The Spell pf the Yukon", by Robert Service.