Walking the Appalachian Trail

by Larry Luxenberg

Accounts by thru-hikers, organized by topic. Foreword by hiker Maurice Forrester and stunning color photos by Mike Warren.

Genres: Nonfiction, Outdoors, Travel, Adventure, Unfinished, Nature, Sports

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1994

Reviews

[Eric Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a planning book. It is a collection of historical facts about the trail's histories and tales from and about the pioneers and personalities who embarked on journies which defined their lives and shaped the mythos around the Appalachian Trail. The descriptions cannot be accurate to what you might encounter today as the world has changed drastically in the 30 - 50 years since these stories were experienced and collected. Yet, it can still inspire a sense of adventure and provide a cautious realism to the effects upon your life when you undertake such a journey.

[Krista Danis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because this was published in 1994, it is best understood as a catalog of legends, myths, and personalities that define the trail and give it historical meaning. Here, you will learn about Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, who was the first woman to thru-hike the AT. Alongside "profiles" about legendary hikers, Luxenberg includes informative chapters that detail the conventions and traditions of the Appalachian Trail. These customs are kept alive through cultural channels, both written and oral. However, the practical pieces are timeless and survive today as lived realities for each year of thru-hikers, described in blogs, YouTube videos, and more recently published journals.

As an aspiring AT thru-hiker, I appreciate Luxemberg's surveying and storytelling, which provides a cultural backdrop to more recent volumes.

[Aubri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book about the AT I've read. The combination of hiker profiles, history lectures, and personal experiences and recommendations was a bit jarring. It might have been acceptable if it was a compilation written by many authors but written by one author, it seemed like an unedited jumble from an undergraduate college class.

[Sharon Blair Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book about the AT, as told by someone hiking it, this is not your book. If you are looking for a book full of history and stores from the trail, a breakdown of historical accounts of some of the most famous thru hikers, than this book is for you. It needs a serious edit, with misspelling and run ons. But overall good read, if this is what you are looking for.

[Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walking the Appalachian Trail introduces the culture of the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, with chapter-length profiles of various people famously associated with the trail. It doesn't always shrink from the negative, especially concerning injuries or crime, but often it seems a little wide-eyed in its optimism or when relating second-hand stories.

However, the book has few details about thru-hiking. There are no specifics about packing, camping, or eating. And there is little about thru-hiking dropouts--that is, what kinds of experiences and thinking lead to thru-hiking failures.

[Bob Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A who's who of AT hikers. A worthy survey of these VIPs and a quick study of the trail community and terminology. The Life After the Trail chapter is helpful in knowing what to expect after a thru-hike.

[Cris Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a comfortable mix of hiker bios, AT history, and some adventures on the trail. The follow-up appendix listing other works to reference seems helpful for anyone planning a trip. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but this one was interesting.

[Bob Rapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good history of the AT and how it came about. A number of interesting stories of hikers and their experiences. It made me want to hike some more of the trail and wish I was young enough to tackle the whole thing or at least some sections.

[Tina Bounds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Patti Mcconnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read but a bit slow at times

[April]

Adding to TBR, as book was mentioned in Grandma Gatewood's Walk.

[Diann Boehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the AT. I wondered how people managed to have the strength to walk the trail. It was fun to read the experiences of various hikers.

[Julia Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this book via Mighty Blues podcast. What a well written and thought out read. I think this is a great book for any thru-hike, not just the AT.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I found myself doing a lot of skimming. The included interviews were entertaining, and usually insightful, but probably could have been cut down by half.

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little hard to follow and not what I thought it would be about.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Seeing as I’m planning a through hike of the A.T. next year might have something to do with it. I am more excited to start.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great AT book. Larry Luxenberg wrote it in 1993, so it is dated in the sense that so many others have hiked the trail since, and undoubtedly, the trail has changed - along with the crowd. But this book is timeless in a way. Chapters alternate between essential of hiking the trail and short bios on significant people along the way. Luxenberg recounts the story of the creation of the trail, then goes on to profile Myron Avery, instrumental in the completion of the trail. He gives a low down on the first thru hikers and then profiles Gene Espy and Grandma Gatewood - early thru hikers. The book is not a "how to guide", but simply a break down of the essentials and people who have exemplified them.

Again, this book was different than any of the previous books on the AT that I have read. It is obvious that Luxenberg did countless interviews and from these interviews pulled together his stories. It is a well crafted work, highly recommend for hiking enthusiasts looking for inspiration.

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luxenberg does two things at once here: he records a bunch of current thru-hiker stories; and he intersperses them with the stories of the first generation of thru-hikers, Shaffer, Gatewood, Espy, and so on. [If you don't know those names, I don't think you can consider yourself an A.T. junkie ... get this book and read it!] Has some nice color photos. Kind of makes you want to get out there and hike a while - oh wait, I was out hiking today, and brought home a pint or so of black raspberries fresh from the mountain, too.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

i will admit i didn't read this entire book. i think there is probably a lot of useful info in it but the writing is terrrrrrrible. it's like a badly written research paper... the research is there, the writing is not. so i had to duck out around page 20. it did, however, spark my interest to read more about the AT.

[Ryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book high stars just for the story of Grandma Gatewood who hiked with only a home made denim sack, a pair of Keds, an army blanket, a raincoat, and a plastic shower curtain. This is really a good book with lots of interesting information and stories of different groups of people who hike in different ways.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of memoirs on hiking the AT is charming and interesting, but the book itself is very discombobulated and jumps all over the place. Unfortunately, I didn't find this book pleasant to read because it doesn't stay focused. However, it certainly gives insight into many of the struggles and triumphs of the AT thru-hiker.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

great info and stories about hiking the AT

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm motivated to fulfill a dream: Hike the entire Appalachian trail! I'll probably do it year after next, the entire trail at once or in two segments.....I'm not getting any younger!

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of two AT books I thoroughly enjoyed. Great insights in how the AT has had an effect on those who've trekked the whole distance, from recent hikers to the pioneer trekkers.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more tediuos to read but definitely a good book - again, this is just one of my favorite types of reads!

[torque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I want to do the trail. Book was ok. Had some interesting stories. And some.. not so much.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this was one of the first books about the AT I read. I believe it would have helped me with a tough section hike I just experienced. Love the history about the people that hiked the trail.

[Ike · Rating 3 out of 5]

One word = journey

[DilanAc · Rating 2 out of 5]

More anecdotal than informational. Well written for one of these types of books but certainly not what you should turn to for information on hiking the trail.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good