What do you think?
Rate this book
As Far as the Eye Can See: Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker
Many an armchair hiker has dreamed of traversing the Appalachian Trail in its entirety. In 1979, David Brill became one of the first of a new generation to complete the Georgia-to-Maine hike. As Far as the Eye Can See chronicles his six-month, 2,100-mile walk, a quest to grow, to breathe, to change, to discover what really mattered to him. This book is for anyone interested in getting beyond the day-to-day slog of the hike to explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of a long journey on foot.
200 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1990
13 people are currently reading
3065 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 24, 2013
David Brill's "As Far As The Eye Can See" is about the author's late-70s Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I've read numerous books by other authors who have done the same thing, but this one is one of the best.
Brill was a recent college graduate in 1979, and like many of us who grew up during that time, he wasn't sure who he was or what he wanted to do with his life. On a whim he decided to hike the entire Appalachian trail. He wasn't an experienced hiker or camper when he started out, but we see him grow from fear of the unknown in the dark woods of Georgia to a seasoned outdoorsman by the time he scaled Katahdin in Maine. He paints a vivid picture of the blisters and thunderstorms, mountains and rivers, and animals and people he met on the trail. But Brill takes his book a layer or two deeper than the average trail diary.
The book is written more as a collection of essays than a daily journal. While the skipping around between before-hike, during-hike and after-hike stories take some getting used to, the overall picture is one of a sensitive and kind young man who found that he feels most at home in nature. I especially appreciated that he spent time getting to know people with different backgrounds and beliefs before judging them.
This is one of the more upbeat books written by a thru-hiker. He doesn't gloss over the rainy nights, stinky bodies in the shelters, the muscle strains or the mosquitoes. But his wonder and enjoyment give the entire book an optimistic feel.
This is a wonderful book and will appeal to anyone who loves the outdoors or who has dreamed of hiking the AT
Brill was a recent college graduate in 1979, and like many of us who grew up during that time, he wasn't sure who he was or what he wanted to do with his life. On a whim he decided to hike the entire Appalachian trail. He wasn't an experienced hiker or camper when he started out, but we see him grow from fear of the unknown in the dark woods of Georgia to a seasoned outdoorsman by the time he scaled Katahdin in Maine. He paints a vivid picture of the blisters and thunderstorms, mountains and rivers, and animals and people he met on the trail. But Brill takes his book a layer or two deeper than the average trail diary.
The book is written more as a collection of essays than a daily journal. While the skipping around between before-hike, during-hike and after-hike stories take some getting used to, the overall picture is one of a sensitive and kind young man who found that he feels most at home in nature. I especially appreciated that he spent time getting to know people with different backgrounds and beliefs before judging them.
This is one of the more upbeat books written by a thru-hiker. He doesn't gloss over the rainy nights, stinky bodies in the shelters, the muscle strains or the mosquitoes. But his wonder and enjoyment give the entire book an optimistic feel.
This is a wonderful book and will appeal to anyone who loves the outdoors or who has dreamed of hiking the AT
January 14, 2016
A simple book. David Brill, a local Cincinnatian, trekked 2100 mi northward on the Appalachian trail in 1979, as a young man on the cusp of adulthood. He is a quiet writer, who does not indulge in lofty prose or profound insights but he describes the sights, seasons, short comings and successes of the trip sincerely, with heart.
I felt a bit of the sorrow the guys experience when they arrive at Mt Katahdin, the end of the AT. The thru-hikers are so transformed after their 5 months of minimalist living that the finish line does not feel like a triumph but like the end of the best summer of their lives.
The experience for today's thru-hikers with books, blogs and fancy ultralight backpacking gear is probably different. But this is still a sweet read for anyone who owns a tent or nurtures a love of solitary nights under meteor-lit skies.
I felt a bit of the sorrow the guys experience when they arrive at Mt Katahdin, the end of the AT. The thru-hikers are so transformed after their 5 months of minimalist living that the finish line does not feel like a triumph but like the end of the best summer of their lives.
The experience for today's thru-hikers with books, blogs and fancy ultralight backpacking gear is probably different. But this is still a sweet read for anyone who owns a tent or nurtures a love of solitary nights under meteor-lit skies.
July 6, 2018
Brill's Appalachian Trail memoir is from the seventies, but feels timeless in his thoughtful, almost epistemological reflections. His stories are warm, nostalgic, and well told.
Perhaps what appeals to me, personally, the most about As Far As The Eye Can See is how passionate and unapologetically wistful Brill is about nature in general and the Appalachian Trail in particular.
In reflection, he muses, "Hardship is idling in rush hour traffic, sitting in a climate-controlled office and peering through glass as the awakening spring, or running your finger along the thin line of a trail on a topo map and not having the freedom to explore it with your feet" (208). The daily grind and its monotonous replay is the real challenge in our lives, no?
Perhaps what appeals to me, personally, the most about As Far As The Eye Can See is how passionate and unapologetically wistful Brill is about nature in general and the Appalachian Trail in particular.
In reflection, he muses, "Hardship is idling in rush hour traffic, sitting in a climate-controlled office and peering through glass as the awakening spring, or running your finger along the thin line of a trail on a topo map and not having the freedom to explore it with your feet" (208). The daily grind and its monotonous replay is the real challenge in our lives, no?
June 14, 2008
The best Appalachian Trail book. It offers so much more than the other "journal-style" AT books out there.
You see why Brill is out there, and learn what he finds out about himself. You meet characters and encounter parts of the trail and towns. Brill's writing conveys the significance of the journey.
Unlike Mr. Bryson, Brill hiked not to write a book, but because he loves the experience. He also finished the trail.
You see why Brill is out there, and learn what he finds out about himself. You meet characters and encounter parts of the trail and towns. Brill's writing conveys the significance of the journey.
Unlike Mr. Bryson, Brill hiked not to write a book, but because he loves the experience. He also finished the trail.
August 25, 2013
As I continue to devour everything ever written on thru-hiking, I keep taking one thing away. I'm not apprehensive about the challenges of planning and completing a long distance hike. Instead I am dismayed by the anticipation of suffering from the depression that will no doubt accompany the completion of the hike as I, like apparently many others, struggle to find meaning to the exhaustive busyness that is everyday life while returning to mainstream society.
June 17, 2017
This was an inspiring story of growth and pleasure along the Appalachian Trail. This book was not a sequential trail guide, but instead organized thematically and refers to several journeys along the mountain path. David Brill was a thru-hiker in 1979 and this has influenced him throughout his life. Friendships were formed and lives were changed...this makes me want to dig out my pack, until I remember that I cannot pee outside and I adore running water.
August 4, 2015
This was a great book to read, the stories were fascinating, and the story was well balanced with facts about the trail and philosophies of life. I would recommend this book to someone who would like to know more about hiking, in particular hiking the Appalachian Trail, but also to those who want to read an engaging story about the chance to live deliberately.
August 17, 2008
The best published account of hiking the AT that I've found yet. More authentic and engaging than "A Walk in the Woods". For those who love the trail and not just a good story about a trail, this is the book for you.
November 19, 2012
I liked it because it was well written and it was about hiking the AT, a subject of great interest to me. I think it was a little dated, ala 70's, and that kept from being super, but still, it was a good read.
January 12, 2009
One of my favorite AT books. Written in the 70's, its so nice to learn that not much has changed in the AT experience since this book was written.
March 18, 2009
Required reading for any Appalachian Trail fans. I read this a long time ago and loved it!
April 27, 2012
Simple, thorough, and inspirational.
March 25, 2016
Absolutely timeless, despite time passing. The best thru-hiking book I've read.
June 5, 2023
Saw this book in a Tennessee Trivial question. It is well worth the read. For me, it was not just about hiking the AT, but also how experiencing nature in such a minimalist way can really change one's perceptive. I totally agree and the author did well in conveying that feeling. The only thing I did not enjoy was the unflattering comments about how the author was treated in Erwin TN. It is unfortunate and I hope it has changed. Having being born and raised at the foot of the Appalachian trail 20 miles from Erwin, mountain people can tend to avoid outsiders. But once their trust is gained, there's not a better friend.
January 20, 2016
This is a "thru hike" book. I have read several such books and they often follow a very familiar pattern. Author introduces themselves and gives a little backstory to wanting to hike the AT (Appalachian Trail). Hiker/author then takes the reader on a linear journey recounting their trip from start to finish. Most of the "thru hike" books seem to follow this pattern. More often than not, the authors of these books aren't accomplished writers and the books can sometime reflect this in the form of a "lack of polish". That said, I love the AT and so I usually really love to read these books. While some may say it is the same old story told the same way, I look at it like a piece of Jazz music. Yes, I may be familiar with the song, and may have heard it played many times before, but each ensemble brings their own flair to the performance, bringing a uniqueness to the familiar themes and variations.
That said, this book "breaks the mold". Which is inaccurate in many ways because although I have read many "thru hike" books, this is one of the older ones written. I just recently came across it. Instead of taking the reader on a linear journey of the AT, Brill instead takes the reader on a topical journey. One chapter may deal with people met on the trail, another critters, another weather and so forth. Giving a different exposure to the AT experience. The chapter on gear is particularly interesting as at one point, Brill talks about how he pared his pack down to 35 pounds. This was considered to be on the "light side" of packs for the late 70's. Now, thanks to gear and a shift in mentality, 35 would be considered on the heavy end of things. (By way of contrast, I recently completed a section hike in the winter and my pack weight was 28 pounds including food and water).
Another distinctive between this book and others of a similar milieu is the quality of the writing. Brill's writing is more polished, his vocabulary more vibrant and engaging than many of the other "thru hike" books I have read. I think this is mostly due to the fact than unlike many of the other authors, Brill is a writer by trade and this book shows a mastery of his craft that few others in this genre have achieved. While Bryson may be close, Brill doesn't come across as haughty, pedantic, or as arrogant as Bryson.
If you have a love of the AT or an interest in backpacking, this book is well worth the investment of time.
That said, this book "breaks the mold". Which is inaccurate in many ways because although I have read many "thru hike" books, this is one of the older ones written. I just recently came across it. Instead of taking the reader on a linear journey of the AT, Brill instead takes the reader on a topical journey. One chapter may deal with people met on the trail, another critters, another weather and so forth. Giving a different exposure to the AT experience. The chapter on gear is particularly interesting as at one point, Brill talks about how he pared his pack down to 35 pounds. This was considered to be on the "light side" of packs for the late 70's. Now, thanks to gear and a shift in mentality, 35 would be considered on the heavy end of things. (By way of contrast, I recently completed a section hike in the winter and my pack weight was 28 pounds including food and water).
Another distinctive between this book and others of a similar milieu is the quality of the writing. Brill's writing is more polished, his vocabulary more vibrant and engaging than many of the other "thru hike" books I have read. I think this is mostly due to the fact than unlike many of the other authors, Brill is a writer by trade and this book shows a mastery of his craft that few others in this genre have achieved. While Bryson may be close, Brill doesn't come across as haughty, pedantic, or as arrogant as Bryson.
If you have a love of the AT or an interest in backpacking, this book is well worth the investment of time.
October 11, 2013
An introspective, thoughtful, nostalgic recounting of the author's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in the summer of 1979. This is Brill's story of his growing, maturing, facing fears, developing enduring friendships - lifelong friendships that grew among total strangers during a five-month, 2200-mile trek through the woods. The chapters are not chronological, but topical: One on the redneck townies he encountered (not quite Deliverance, but still scary). One on the interesting flora and fauna he observed (he really does make it interesting). Several on the friends and other characters he met along the way.
"Reflections" is not by any means a how-to on long-distance hiking (although there is a lot of implied advice). Rather, Brill slowly unfolds for us his transformation to a "resident of the woods." Where he becomes totally comfortable with and acclimated to life in the wild. Where he no longer sees himself as a person who has left society to visit the woods, but instead as a resident of the woods who visits society.
The contrast with Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods", another AT hiking story (and a great one!), struck me as interesting. Bryson's lighthearted style, his snide attitude, and his sarcasm usually evoke a chuckle, (and by the way, once in a while, may get you thinking). On the other hand, Brill's soul-searching, touchy-feely, sentimental tone is almost poetic. Brill, gets you thinking (and by the way, tells a funny story from time to time).
He wrote much of the book ten years after the hike, using notes from his trail journal. Then ten years after that, he annotated it with highlights of the reunion re-hike of the Katahdin stretch on the 20th anniversary of the hike. On this anniversary hike were Brill and the group of strangers he had befriended on the trail twenty years earlier.
I liked this book a lot.
"Reflections" is not by any means a how-to on long-distance hiking (although there is a lot of implied advice). Rather, Brill slowly unfolds for us his transformation to a "resident of the woods." Where he becomes totally comfortable with and acclimated to life in the wild. Where he no longer sees himself as a person who has left society to visit the woods, but instead as a resident of the woods who visits society.
The contrast with Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods", another AT hiking story (and a great one!), struck me as interesting. Bryson's lighthearted style, his snide attitude, and his sarcasm usually evoke a chuckle, (and by the way, once in a while, may get you thinking). On the other hand, Brill's soul-searching, touchy-feely, sentimental tone is almost poetic. Brill, gets you thinking (and by the way, tells a funny story from time to time).
He wrote much of the book ten years after the hike, using notes from his trail journal. Then ten years after that, he annotated it with highlights of the reunion re-hike of the Katahdin stretch on the 20th anniversary of the hike. On this anniversary hike were Brill and the group of strangers he had befriended on the trail twenty years earlier.
I liked this book a lot.
October 11, 2016
About the time when I was yearning to hike long distances in remote places, this guy did it. 1979, Appalachian trail. Only it turns out that the Appalachian trail was hardly "remote places". Never did a day go by without him seeing at least one other hiker, and typically many more. For those seeking solitude, it was not the place to be.
Funny--I walked up the trail a little ways back in 75 or 76 and felt eerily alone. But I was comparing it to where I'd started--Clingman's Dome, a site accessible by car and one of the most visited sites in the Smokies. Once I'd gotten away from the parking area, I had a taste of that panicky solitude you get when you're suddenly away from your pack...but I also felt that marvelous quiet.
It took him a while, but the author got what he wanted. He was changed by the experience in many wonderful ways, and he says it stuck with him for a long time and maybe forever.
As to the book itself, I'll admit that about halfway through, I got bored. I was tired of his descriptions of his traveling companions, people met on the road, and towns he visited for resupply. A lot of facts like pictures in a scrapbook...how many people can take photos--even vacation photos--that you really want to see? There's Joe, and John, and there's Matt and his new wife Sally; here's Mount Bland and a scenic trickling stream.... Sorry folks--your friends might pretend to enjoy your vacation photos, but mostly they're just being polite.
But three-quarters through the book he took a break and spent a fortnight at Randall's Farm near Hot Springs, North Carolina Things suddenly got real--our surface skim acquired depth. And I was no longer bored.
Good beginning; shaky middle; great ending.
Funny--I walked up the trail a little ways back in 75 or 76 and felt eerily alone. But I was comparing it to where I'd started--Clingman's Dome, a site accessible by car and one of the most visited sites in the Smokies. Once I'd gotten away from the parking area, I had a taste of that panicky solitude you get when you're suddenly away from your pack...but I also felt that marvelous quiet.
It took him a while, but the author got what he wanted. He was changed by the experience in many wonderful ways, and he says it stuck with him for a long time and maybe forever.
As to the book itself, I'll admit that about halfway through, I got bored. I was tired of his descriptions of his traveling companions, people met on the road, and towns he visited for resupply. A lot of facts like pictures in a scrapbook...how many people can take photos--even vacation photos--that you really want to see? There's Joe, and John, and there's Matt and his new wife Sally; here's Mount Bland and a scenic trickling stream.... Sorry folks--your friends might pretend to enjoy your vacation photos, but mostly they're just being polite.
But three-quarters through the book he took a break and spent a fortnight at Randall's Farm near Hot Springs, North Carolina Things suddenly got real--our surface skim acquired depth. And I was no longer bored.
Good beginning; shaky middle; great ending.
March 30, 2019
I have hiked several times in the Appalachian Mountains and thoroughly enjoyed it. I get to live vicariously through these hiking memoirs without leaving the creature comforts of my home. I liked this book except for one thing. The way the stories are formatted, there is a lot of jumping around geographically and chronologically. The chapters are grouped together by topic. For example, one chapter may cover animal encounters or rude hikers. Each chapter describes various incidents along the trail that go with the topic and so the book does not describe the hike in the order it happened.
January 26, 2009
Story of one man's walk of the Appalachian Trail. Wish I had thought of doing this 2,100 mile trip sometime when I had the free time to do it. I think, except for the bugs, it would be a great experience if you are mildly in shape and have five months free to walk it. After finishing the book maybe it isn't just a simple long walk. You need to pile up everything you want with you for a 5 month trip through mountainous trails in all kinds of weather. Still sounds interesting, but maybe not so easy.
March 2, 2016
David Brill did a wonderful job of describing his 1979 AT Thru-hike. In so many AT books, the author tends to grumble on about the AT and its hardships and Mr. Brill confronted his hardships head on and enjoyed every second of it. He explains the need to enjoy the beauty around you, enjoy the people, the trail and the experience and not make it about rush, rush, rush. He is an amazing story teller and I felt like I was along with him on his adventure. Probably one of my top 5 AT books to date
May 10, 2018
Gostei bastante deste livro e fez com que pelo menos por momentos saísse das 4 paredes que me confinam e me desse a conhecer natureza selvagem que felizmente ainda existe.
A narrativa fluía ao ritmo da descoberta e da caminhada e o obstáculo inicial dos saltos temporais entre capítulos depressa desapareceu e tudo fez sentido.
Gosto de livros que me transportam no tempo e espaço e este fez isso mesmo. Recomendo a todos os amantes da natureza, amantes das caminhadas e sobretudo para aqueles que como eu vivem fechados enquanto a natureza se esconde á distancia.
A narrativa fluía ao ritmo da descoberta e da caminhada e o obstáculo inicial dos saltos temporais entre capítulos depressa desapareceu e tudo fez sentido.
Gosto de livros que me transportam no tempo e espaço e este fez isso mesmo. Recomendo a todos os amantes da natureza, amantes das caminhadas e sobretudo para aqueles que como eu vivem fechados enquanto a natureza se esconde á distancia.
February 9, 2016
This book will appeal to those who are long distance hikers or would like to be, and should be required reading for anyone wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail, and then saved and reread a a memory keeper. I did not think the emotional and spiritual dimensions were particularly enlightening, and some of the phrasing is a little trite, such as a "quaint" bed and breakfast.
I did get through it, but it was dragging. Knowledge of long distance hiking is sprinkled throughout the book.
I did get through it, but it was dragging. Knowledge of long distance hiking is sprinkled throughout the book.
December 13, 2018
Armchair travel.
I can't travel far - not anytime soon. This one is one of the best I have read so far. That human angle, the vivid description of places, feelings and people. You can feel the honesty and love for the trail.
Read this one slow. You wouldn't want it to end. believe me.
One day, old I may be, God (whichever one) willing, I want to go on an adventure like this.
I can't travel far - not anytime soon. This one is one of the best I have read so far. That human angle, the vivid description of places, feelings and people. You can feel the honesty and love for the trail.
Read this one slow. You wouldn't want it to end. believe me.
One day, old I may be, God (whichever one) willing, I want to go on an adventure like this.
March 5, 2021
A fun but slightly cliche book about the Appalachian trail. It’s not particularly well written and there isn’t much of a character buildup but it’s just entertaining. I found myself flipping to just one more page even after the coffee got cold.
If you’re interested in hiking or you want a pleasant read, this book is a good fit.
If you’re interested in hiking or you want a pleasant read, this book is a good fit.
May 15, 2012
This was a pretty good book, but it's dated. By that, I mean that most of it takes part in the 70's, and so for older outdoor enthusiasts it will have some measure of interest via nostalgia, but I dont think it would relate very well to younger generations. I hate to say that, but it's true.
October 31, 2020
One of my favorite trail books. Just finished it for the second time. Not just a recollection of footstep after footstep, but more about the inner joy of the hike, appreciation of nature. Its a keeper.
September 8, 2012
Enjoyable read ....good account of a thru hike & it's difficulties....
February 16, 2015
Another great book on the Appalachian Trail. This one is considered a classic, and if you read it you'll find out why. I was disappointed that it ended so soon.
May 7, 2013
I enjoyed David BRills adventure on the AT. Definitely worth reading.
July 15, 2013
Great book. Inspired me to hike half of the AT
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews