A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
This was an interesting book in many ways, a little vulgar at times — actually very crude at times, and written in a somewhat pedantic though conversational tone. He does recount some amusing anecdotes, a few of his own, a few passed on from other sources, but in order to give them “flavor” he often felt the need to use four-letter words and imagery that would be right at home in a high-school boys’ locker room.
And, while I always enjoy books that are based on facts and science or history, or demographics, he spends (no, I haven’t counted the pages) at least 15% of the space giving data. So the book ends up reading at times like a paper on crime or habitat destruction and at other times like a historical treatise and only occasionally flowing along like a good friend telling of his most recent outdoor adventure. In short, unless you are yourself a hiker, have hiked part (or all) of the Appalachians or feel the need to plough through a rustic reminiscence… I would go back to a classic author and give this a miss.
It’s not a horrible book, but not one I can recommend. I’ll give it a two “mediocre” rating.
