Talk:A Walk in the Woods (book)

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Backpacking (inactive)

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Doubt

Where are the sources that disbelieve the hike? mat_x 17:11, 4 Jan 2005 (UTC)

A search of the largest AT website, www.whiteblaze.net, or the oldest AT email list, the at-l at www.backcountry.net will show a great deal of controversy regarding Bryson and his book. Another AT website, www.TrailPlace.com, has even banned mention of Bryson's name, and attempts to post the words 'Bill Bryson' will show up as "Bill ******"! Very few who have posted opinions on the subject believe Bryson's book is "non-fiction." TJ aka Teej

I've found people who say that Bryson exaggerated at times (eg in reference to the Hundred Mile Wilderness), but not that he made the whole thing up. Unless some hard evidence is produced for that, I've removed the following:

A popular book outside the Appalachian Trail community. There has been much doubt raised on A.T. email lists and websites as to whether or not Bryson actually hiked any of the trail at all.

Loganberry | Talk 14:21, 6 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Searching the forums on www.whiteblaze.net I came across postings from three individuals that met Bryson on the Trail, two of whom are mentioned in the book. Although these two are fairly critical of Bryson's fairness in his description of them they did not question the fact that he hiked at least some of the trail. Majts 06:28, 8 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I think the myth that Bryson didn't hike any of the trail arose when a later hiker searched for both his and Katz's names in the registers, only found Brysons and concluded he just drove up to the places in question: what he didn't know at the time was that "Katz" was a pseudonym.Andrew G. Doe (talk) 21:18, 29 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

i dont know how this stuff wroks but hey yall hopw you see this now bye  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 45.40.1.116 (talk) 17:55, 11 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Clarification

Regarding: "This is one of four books of required reading for some Meditation high school courses." What is a "Meditation high school"? and what are the other two required reading books? JohnCub 20:00, 24 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Title

I'd argue that "Re-discovering America on the Appalachian Trail" is a sub-title, particular to the American edition. It's only called "A Walk in the Woods" in the UK. HornetMike 20:32, 3 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

quotation about powerful urge not to be this far south any longer

"the book recounts Bryson's desire to seek easier terrain as well as 'a powerful urge not to be this far south any longer.' I like this quotation because it shows Bryson's sense of humor, and how he can be, ah, insensitive. I suppose some readers might even find him offensive. I am considering noting how this "explanation" is given after he describes of reading about ongoing local political/legal issues of teaching evolution in Tennessee schools, and how the area is site of the historic "Scopes Monkey Trial." The "powerful urge..." is sort of the punchline of a joke associating the American south with creationism and cultural backwardness. On the other hand, it may not be encyclopedic to dwell on this one brief part of the book. Cuvtixo (talk) 16:23, 7 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Lawsuit

I distincty recall reading somewhere on the 'net that the Appalachian Trail Conference successfully sued Bryson over some of the content of the book. of course, I can't find it again. :-( Andrew G. Doe (talk) 21:22, 29 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Banff hypothermia incident in Chapter 17

Found a couple of sources:

Mark Taylor (talk) 21:52, 25 January 2021 (UTC)[reply]