74 pages 2 hours read

Bill Bryson

A Walk in the Woods

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson chronicles his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine with his friend Stephen Katz, blending humorous narrative with background on American history, conservation, and nature. Their journey involves encounters with curious bears, getting lost, and meeting interesting people, but also challenges that lead them to occasionally skip parts of the trail and eventually return home.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

In A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson's humorous and informative take on hiking the Appalachian Trail wins praise for its engaging storytelling and wit. Critics appreciate his blend of personal anecdotes and historical context, though some feel the narrative sometimes meanders and lacks depth in environmental issues. Overall, it's an entertaining read with rich insights.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Walk in the Woods?

Readers who enjoy A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson typically appreciate witty, humorous travelogues and nature writing. Fans of Cheryl Strayed's Wild and John Muir's works will likely find this book engaging. It caters to those who love exploring the great outdoors with a side of captivating storytelling and amusing anecdotes.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1210L

Book Details

Genre

Travel Literature

Humor

Action / Adventure

Topics

Science / Nature

Animals

Anthropology

Themes

Natural World: Place

Relationships: Friendship

Natural World: Animals