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Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph
In 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis became the overall record holder on the Appalachian Trail. By hiking 2,181 miles in 46 days—an average of 47 miles per day—she became the first female to ever set that mark. But this is not a book about records or numbers; this is a book about endurance, faith, and, most of all, love.
The most amazing part of this story is not found at the finish, but is discovered through the many challenges, lessons and relationships that present themselves along the trail. This is Jennifer's story, in her own words, about how she started this journey with a love for hiking and more significantly a love for her husband Brew. Together, they were able to overcome rugged mountains and raging rivers, sleet storms and 100 degree heat, shin-splints and illnesses. They made new friends and tested old friendships; they shared together laughter, and tears—a lot of tears. But, through it all, they fell more in love with one another and with the wilderness.
By completing this extraordinary amateur feat, Jennifer rose above the culture of multi-million dollar sports contracts that is marked by shortcuts and steroids. This is the story of a real person doing something remarkable. Jennifer Pharr Davis is a modern role-model for women—and men. She is an authentic hero.
The most amazing part of this story is not found at the finish, but is discovered through the many challenges, lessons and relationships that present themselves along the trail. This is Jennifer's story, in her own words, about how she started this journey with a love for hiking and more significantly a love for her husband Brew. Together, they were able to overcome rugged mountains and raging rivers, sleet storms and 100 degree heat, shin-splints and illnesses. They made new friends and tested old friendships; they shared together laughter, and tears—a lot of tears. But, through it all, they fell more in love with one another and with the wilderness.
By completing this extraordinary amateur feat, Jennifer rose above the culture of multi-million dollar sports contracts that is marked by shortcuts and steroids. This is the story of a real person doing something remarkable. Jennifer Pharr Davis is a modern role-model for women—and men. She is an authentic hero.
298 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
98 people are currently reading
2905 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Pharr Davis
14 books141 followersJennifer Pharr Davis grew up in the North Carolina Mountains, where she developed a love for hiking at a young age. At age twenty-one, Jennifer hiked the entire Appalachian Trail as a solo female and fell in love with long-distance backpacking.
Since then, Jennifer has hiked more than 8,000 miles of trails in North America, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, and the Colorado Trail, and completed two thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. She has hiked and traveled on six continents; some of the highlights include Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the 600-mile Bibbulmun Track in Australia.
Jennifer holds endurance records on three long-distance trails. In 2008 she became the fastest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail, averaging thirty-eight miles a day and completing the trail in fifty-seven days.
Jennifer has written for Trail Runner magazine, Away.com, and is a frequent contributor to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and has written two guidebooks. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, and is the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Co.
Since then, Jennifer has hiked more than 8,000 miles of trails in North America, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, and the Colorado Trail, and completed two thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. She has hiked and traveled on six continents; some of the highlights include Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the 600-mile Bibbulmun Track in Australia.
Jennifer holds endurance records on three long-distance trails. In 2008 she became the fastest woman to hike the Appalachian Trail, averaging thirty-eight miles a day and completing the trail in fifty-seven days.
Jennifer has written for Trail Runner magazine, Away.com, and is a frequent contributor to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and has written two guidebooks. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, and is the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Co.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
November 23, 2013
I am a voyeur adventurer. I don't know where this comes from, but a few years ago I suddenly found myself fascinated by accounts of spelunking, climbing, and hiking adventures.
CALLED AGAIN would therefore seem like a natural fit to those interests. But this just wasn't a good choice for me.
First of all, there was little in the way of descriptions that set the background. Other than something like 'it was hot' or the 'trees were dense and consequently it was really dark under them' I didn't get a sense of where she was. With Krakauer and Viesturs I felt the cold and experienced the majesty. With McClure and Tabor I felt the ocean the claustrophobia of plunging deep into the earth. With this book I felt more like I was watching a Realty TV show where the emphasis was on relationships, hives, and anger management.
For example, the author's then current husband and friends made tremendous sacrifices but their giving doesn't seem to have been returned.
Speaking about her husband, Brew:
"Most of the time, he returned from his excursions and waited for me at the designated trailhead for thirty minutes to an hour. But there were a few times when I had to wait for him.
"At one road crossing in Pennsylvania, I had to wait twenty minutes. And I was famished."
And later, after Brew told her how hard running around the countryside, making sure that everything was perfect, was was on him, she turned and berated him to the point where there were tears in his eyes:
"I just need more. I need to know you are giving this one hundred percent. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life, and when you are late to the road crossing or can't find my gear because the car is a mess --it makes a difference. It costs me time, and it stresses me out."
Me... me... me... me....
I'm afraid I'm not much of a me-me-me person. Consequently I didn't enjoy this book, particularly since I got no sense of the 'big adventure'.
CALLED AGAIN would therefore seem like a natural fit to those interests. But this just wasn't a good choice for me.
First of all, there was little in the way of descriptions that set the background. Other than something like 'it was hot' or the 'trees were dense and consequently it was really dark under them' I didn't get a sense of where she was. With Krakauer and Viesturs I felt the cold and experienced the majesty. With McClure and Tabor I felt the ocean the claustrophobia of plunging deep into the earth. With this book I felt more like I was watching a Realty TV show where the emphasis was on relationships, hives, and anger management.
For example, the author's then current husband and friends made tremendous sacrifices but their giving doesn't seem to have been returned.
Speaking about her husband, Brew:
"Most of the time, he returned from his excursions and waited for me at the designated trailhead for thirty minutes to an hour. But there were a few times when I had to wait for him.
"At one road crossing in Pennsylvania, I had to wait twenty minutes. And I was famished."
And later, after Brew told her how hard running around the countryside, making sure that everything was perfect, was was on him, she turned and berated him to the point where there were tears in his eyes:
"I just need more. I need to know you are giving this one hundred percent. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life, and when you are late to the road crossing or can't find my gear because the car is a mess --it makes a difference. It costs me time, and it stresses me out."
Me... me... me... me....
I'm afraid I'm not much of a me-me-me person. Consequently I didn't enjoy this book, particularly since I got no sense of the 'big adventure'.
December 31, 2013
I wanted to love this book, and I did enjoy it, but didn't love it. First off, if you're looking for a hiking book this isn't that. While it does center around Jennifer's record-setting hike on the AT, it focuses on her relationships with friends, family and her spouse during that hike. And while it centers on her hike, the first 25% of the book is about her first thru hike, her first record-setting hike and then also her record-setting hike on the Long Trail (which I didn't even know she'd done, so that was kind of cool).
There are moments in this book where you do not like Jennifer. In fact, you feel really bad for those around her because she treats them so poorly. I'm sure being exhausted and under the physical strain she was experiencing I'd be a little bitchy too, but unfortunately you don't get that from her writing. I want to sympathize with her, but she just doesn't give me the material to allow me to do that. While there are moments of this book that are truly heart felt and make you connect with her, the vast majority of the book lacks that so it makes it hard as a reader to connect.
There are no photos in the book, though they did take photos. There are drawings, but I don't feel the really capture the moments and really missed seeing photos.
Her Christian faith also rears its head a lot. I haven't decided yet if this is good or bad. It was important to her, but maybe not to the extent that us the reader needed to be bombarded with it.
There are moments in this book where you do not like Jennifer. In fact, you feel really bad for those around her because she treats them so poorly. I'm sure being exhausted and under the physical strain she was experiencing I'd be a little bitchy too, but unfortunately you don't get that from her writing. I want to sympathize with her, but she just doesn't give me the material to allow me to do that. While there are moments of this book that are truly heart felt and make you connect with her, the vast majority of the book lacks that so it makes it hard as a reader to connect.
There are no photos in the book, though they did take photos. There are drawings, but I don't feel the really capture the moments and really missed seeing photos.
Her Christian faith also rears its head a lot. I haven't decided yet if this is good or bad. It was important to her, but maybe not to the extent that us the reader needed to be bombarded with it.
September 6, 2013
I could probably slog through this, but she's just too self-absorbed - as she should be, or maybe I should say as she WOULD be. That level athlete HAS to be that completely focused. I get the point I mean I got the point after 10 pages or so. I don't need to continue. I don't want to take anything away from her endeavor - she's inspiring, no doubt, and totally awesome. I'm just not sure I care enough about her as a person to get through the book!
January 10, 2023
This is such an inspirational story. I will say that the author does not make competitive hiking sound appealing in the least, but as a memoir it is rich and poignant.
Read
October 30, 2015I stopped reading this book halfway through because I disliked the author. She took crazy chances and whined and complained to the point I could no longer bear her.
October 9, 2013
Really a 2.5, this wasn't as good as her first book on the topic. Although Davis is an amazing athlete, her tale in this book is much more linear and less compelling than it was the first time she completed the Appalachian Trail. Further, she doesn't come across as very likeable and, while she is somewhat aware of the fact, I'm not sure she realizes how truly unlikeable she sounds. Her naivete still bugged me. At the end of the book, there are two pages in which she deplores the fact that the media didn't ask her any of the important questions: "Why didn't anyone ask about the notions of living in the present or choosing something purposeful and fulfilling over something fun and easy? What about the necessity of asking other people for help and of not succumbing to the fear of failure?" Good questions, but the rest of the book doesn't support that she thought much about this on the trail....
April 19, 2021
Jennifer Pharr Davis I’m sure is an amazing bad ass hiker, but I can’t say the same about her writing. I can’t help but compare her book to Tommy Caldwell’s The Push. The Push left me feeling motivated, inspired, and adoring of Caldwell. Called Again made me want to not hike ever again. It’s whiney, and irritating. Pharr Davis complains her way through the trail and under appreciates her team. She writes herself as a selfish character, the dialogue is awkward and feels made up (who actually talks like that in real life?), and the whole book feels like she is just trying to convince the readers that what she did was the hardest thing in the world. (I definitely do not doubt that it was, you don’t have to convince anyone). Overall, it’s a great accomplishment, and there’s nothing I can say on that. But the book sucks.
January 16, 2014
C- I almost didn’t finish this. While I really enjoyed Davis’s first book about her epic adventures on the AT, this one was a bit too personal – it felt like she should have given this to her husband Brew (aka the most wonderful man in the world) as a present. Lots of gushing about her husband (and I love Wayne to pieces, but she gushes in such a way that it becomes a bit annoying after a while), a lot about her Christianity (which I skipped; if you are not a Christian, you might also find it overwhelming), but the stuff about the trail was interesting. I liked hearing the stories of what she did to overcome pain and suffering, the toenails, blisters, all that stuff. I never did fully understand her motivation for why she chose to set these records, but still interesting.
June 20, 2013
Jennifer Pharr Davis eats mountaintops for breakfast--and lunch, dinner, and evening snack. Up and over those rocky crags she goes. Across gassy balds. Through shaded path and traversing boulder fields. When the shine shines and gentle breezes blow, and when the sleet drives sideways and the gales threaten to topple her off the peak, JPD climbs ever higher. She knows each one by name and they know her.
Yes, Jen is a mountain conqueror. But the presence of a mountaintop always requires a valley, often deep. Sometimes the valley is lush and green, a respite from the loftier peaks. But mostly, the valley is merely a prelude before the next peak calls out again; a sirens call to those who choose to rise and meet he to those who are truly called again.
"Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph" is the true tale of a young woman's love affair with the Appalachian Trail (AT). But it is equally a story of the love affair with her husband. And it is those two loves that keep her feet to the ground in her quest for the overall speed record on the AT.
To say Jennifer is a seasoned hiker would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. While most her age are content to assume nine-to-five responsibilities after negotiating the demands and guilty pleasures of college life, Jen logged thousands of miles on long, demanding trails. Twice before, she tread upon every inch of the Appalachian Trail; a trail that snakes its way between Springer Mountain, Georgia and the rocky summit of Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Once, a heavy backpack rested on her shoulders as she trekked northward. The second time, she set off from Maine to travel south. Two weeks prior to that adventure she said "I do" to her man as well as her trail. In doing so, the woman's speed record became her own fifty-seven days later.
But in "Called Again," JPD recalls her forty-six days in 2011 on the same trail. This time, when she touched the plaque marking the southern terminus amidst a crowd of family and friends, she became the fasted person EVER to complete the journey. Every word, paragraph, and chapter of her newest book reveals the most memorable moments of the journey. But even more so, every word, paragraph, and chapter peels back the mind, the psyche, of this extraordinary athlete and adventurer. The reader peers directly into the soul that had enough courage to hike into the abyss of pain and misery, relentless miles, and countless difficulties--and back out again in triumph.
JPD's writing is both clear and descriptive. Her creative style and use of appropriate analogies makes "Called Again" the kind of book that causes the reader angst to have to put it down before turning the last page. It is so much more than a trail travelogue. There is none of the standard, uninspired "I did this and then I did that" kind of writing. Rather, the reader is pulled inside the very mind of JPD. You begin to understand the essence of the endeavor, the gigantic, herculean effort it took to survive. The reader will have nothing but profound respect for Jen, Brew (husband and crew chief), and their accomplishments.
However, with that being said, the reader must understand there is a danger in reading the book. It will become all too clear that Jennifer is an extraordinary individual who has accomplished extraordinary things. In contrast, the reader may become all too aware of his or her own failures. "How many times have I quit?" you might ask. "How could I possibly complain about a blister when there is nary a mention or complaint about the decimation of her own feet over those forty-six days?" If the standard reader is anything like me, there is a chance of feeling inadequate (and maybe even incapable) of succeeding at much of anything.
Nevertheless, regardless of transient feelings of failure by comparison, the greater message is one of hope and perseverance, purpose and commitment. Jennifer is a hiker by God's design. So hike she must. The rest of us may not be called to hike long-distance trails but we all have God-given purpose. "Called Again" guides the reader in finding purpose and setting a course. The inevitable result will be sleepless nights of profound introspection and thought-filled days, searching for love and triumph as we seek to execute God's purpose for us.
Yes, Jen is a mountain conqueror. But the presence of a mountaintop always requires a valley, often deep. Sometimes the valley is lush and green, a respite from the loftier peaks. But mostly, the valley is merely a prelude before the next peak calls out again; a sirens call to those who choose to rise and meet he to those who are truly called again.
"Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph" is the true tale of a young woman's love affair with the Appalachian Trail (AT). But it is equally a story of the love affair with her husband. And it is those two loves that keep her feet to the ground in her quest for the overall speed record on the AT.
To say Jennifer is a seasoned hiker would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. While most her age are content to assume nine-to-five responsibilities after negotiating the demands and guilty pleasures of college life, Jen logged thousands of miles on long, demanding trails. Twice before, she tread upon every inch of the Appalachian Trail; a trail that snakes its way between Springer Mountain, Georgia and the rocky summit of Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Once, a heavy backpack rested on her shoulders as she trekked northward. The second time, she set off from Maine to travel south. Two weeks prior to that adventure she said "I do" to her man as well as her trail. In doing so, the woman's speed record became her own fifty-seven days later.
But in "Called Again," JPD recalls her forty-six days in 2011 on the same trail. This time, when she touched the plaque marking the southern terminus amidst a crowd of family and friends, she became the fasted person EVER to complete the journey. Every word, paragraph, and chapter of her newest book reveals the most memorable moments of the journey. But even more so, every word, paragraph, and chapter peels back the mind, the psyche, of this extraordinary athlete and adventurer. The reader peers directly into the soul that had enough courage to hike into the abyss of pain and misery, relentless miles, and countless difficulties--and back out again in triumph.
JPD's writing is both clear and descriptive. Her creative style and use of appropriate analogies makes "Called Again" the kind of book that causes the reader angst to have to put it down before turning the last page. It is so much more than a trail travelogue. There is none of the standard, uninspired "I did this and then I did that" kind of writing. Rather, the reader is pulled inside the very mind of JPD. You begin to understand the essence of the endeavor, the gigantic, herculean effort it took to survive. The reader will have nothing but profound respect for Jen, Brew (husband and crew chief), and their accomplishments.
However, with that being said, the reader must understand there is a danger in reading the book. It will become all too clear that Jennifer is an extraordinary individual who has accomplished extraordinary things. In contrast, the reader may become all too aware of his or her own failures. "How many times have I quit?" you might ask. "How could I possibly complain about a blister when there is nary a mention or complaint about the decimation of her own feet over those forty-six days?" If the standard reader is anything like me, there is a chance of feeling inadequate (and maybe even incapable) of succeeding at much of anything.
Nevertheless, regardless of transient feelings of failure by comparison, the greater message is one of hope and perseverance, purpose and commitment. Jennifer is a hiker by God's design. So hike she must. The rest of us may not be called to hike long-distance trails but we all have God-given purpose. "Called Again" guides the reader in finding purpose and setting a course. The inevitable result will be sleepless nights of profound introspection and thought-filled days, searching for love and triumph as we seek to execute God's purpose for us.
February 28, 2014
There is no question after reading this book: Jennifer Pharr Davis loves hiking. There is honesty in here about the trail and nature, about how response to this challenge (mental, physical, emotion, spiritual), and about relationships. This is a season of her life I was glad to read about. She finished the entire trail (not once, but three times in her life) and was very familiar with the Appalachian Trail (among others), discussed landmarks, and associated activities like trail running. I really appreciate reading books about people who accomplish what they set out to do, especially when they feel that are responding to God's call. I do not doubt that she gave 100% and was still committed to her loved ones (and vice versa). Absolutely loved that she did this with her husband. Definitely recommend.
September 23, 2016
Another simply wonderful story of Jennifer's adventures on the trail. I loved this book.
July 4, 2021
It was quite painful to read this book. Jennifer is obviously very driven. To continue on the AT despite hypothermia, severe shin splints, GI issues, etc... amazed and puzzled me (probably because I am not an ultra-athelete.) Obviously, this was a decision made between her and her husband. I am not going to judge either of them or say, "how could she do that to her husband," because when she wanted to quit, he wouldnt' let her. I think that I was more impressed with him-his long-suffering love and ardent support of her. The people who supported her during her most recent record setting record cared deeply for her, as they put up with her when she was at her lowest and treated them poorly.
I am disabled so that I could never hike the AT, yet even if I wasn't, after reading this book, I would never have the drive nor desire to do what she did.
I am disabled so that I could never hike the AT, yet even if I wasn't, after reading this book, I would never have the drive nor desire to do what she did.
May 26, 2022
I meant to start this book in April, but got stuck reading brain candy. I finally picked this one up and read it in two days. Honestly, the author seemed to be horrible to the people around her and her religious statements made me cringe, but the description of what it takes, and how big of a toll it takes, to average hiking 47 miles a day on the AT was incredible. It’s absolutely amazing that she was able to accomplish it, and I’m thankful she wrote this book describing it. I’m not sure if I would actually recommend this book to anyone who isn’t interested in hiking, but I will recommend it to those I know who do hike, for sure.
February 4, 2024
This is a great book. It’s about hiking and love and personal relationships, God, overcoming challenges, doing hard stuff and so much more. When they got to Springer Mountain I choked back tears. Well done!!
February 20, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It made me long for the trails and hiking. Can’t wait till I get to spend some time in the woods with friends. What an amazing story of a record setting experience. Truly an amazing athlete and athletic accomplishment.
October 20, 2023
Davis’ writing gets a 3 but her AT record gets a 5. Truly an astounding accomplishment.
February 7, 2018
Liked this better than her earlier book. Seemed more of a compassionate and human story
February 20, 2017
Five stars, not because this is the best writing I've ever read, but because I enjoyed the story and subject matter so thoroughly. I've had the opportunity to briefly cross paths with Jen twice in the realm of the outdoor industry, and she was absolutely lovely on both occasions. She actually gave me a copy of this particular book in person, and I found her incredibly encouraging and inspiring. I love that she is real about her journey, her struggles, her hopes, her faith, and her relationship with and reliance on her husband Brew for her record attempt.
January 25, 2014
Pharr-Davis has often hiked the Appalachian Trail, one of several hundred thru-hikers, as those that take on the 2,181 mile trail from Georgia to Maine. You will find my reviews on many books that cover the AT and I have written my own novel loosely based on a month's experiences I had on my own trek, so yes, I consider myself well-versed in AT lore and while perhaps not as expert as some I have a well-rounded idea of what it takes to hike the whole trail. It takes everything you have, physically and mentally challenging, to the point of total collapse, and yet it is the most exhilarating, compelling and satisfying journey one person can experience.
To take that trek and condensing it into the world's fastest AT hike, to be the overall record holder, is a feat incomparable to any. This written narrative sure makes Bill Bryson's amble look like a walk in the woods, and not,as this is, a story of endurance, humility and love. The 47 mile a day average to finish the whole trail in 46 days would have been impossible if her husband, Brew, and others in her support group had not been there with food, massages, encouragement and a some tomes walking companion to urge on her tired legs.
This is as much their story as hers but the record is hers alone and until she is called again to walk the trail, as all of us that have put foot on the trail and followed it up with a book, journal, essay or blog, then we will always hear the calling. Whether it is a full scale attack on her record or just a day-hike out to enjoy the AT for a long weekend the trail will always pull you back in.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read that entertained, enthralled and captured me back into the call of the AT, the call of the wild that makes you want to pitch your tent, pull on the hiking boots and live free again, even if for just a short while.
To take that trek and condensing it into the world's fastest AT hike, to be the overall record holder, is a feat incomparable to any. This written narrative sure makes Bill Bryson's amble look like a walk in the woods, and not,as this is, a story of endurance, humility and love. The 47 mile a day average to finish the whole trail in 46 days would have been impossible if her husband, Brew, and others in her support group had not been there with food, massages, encouragement and a some tomes walking companion to urge on her tired legs.
This is as much their story as hers but the record is hers alone and until she is called again to walk the trail, as all of us that have put foot on the trail and followed it up with a book, journal, essay or blog, then we will always hear the calling. Whether it is a full scale attack on her record or just a day-hike out to enjoy the AT for a long weekend the trail will always pull you back in.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read that entertained, enthralled and captured me back into the call of the AT, the call of the wild that makes you want to pitch your tent, pull on the hiking boots and live free again, even if for just a short while.
May 27, 2013
Jennifer Pharr Davis hiked 2,181 miles in 46 days 11 hours and 20 minutes (averaging 46.93 miles per day) but this is not a book about numbers. The numbers and stats of this journey seem shocking and distant when you hear them alone in the cursory coverage of a news article.
Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph paints the fuller picture of her expedition, her motivations, and her lessons from the trail. This book truly is the story of love and the triumph Jennifer, her husband Brew, and their revolving crew of supporters acheived on the AT in 2011.
The text is filled with humbly presented wisdom and recognition of others' role in her accomplishment.
The book also eliminates any misconceptions you may have that a supported hike is a cakewalk or that endurance speed records are inherently done with disrespect for the trail. The former is cleared up rapidly by the accounts of sheer and consuming pain that were endured on the hike, and the latter by a plethora of reverent passages such as the following:
"My motivation to keep hiking was rooted in the magnificent details of the Appalachian Mountains, and the more I poured myself out - the more energy I gave the trail - the more it gave me in return." - Jennifer Pharr Davis, Called Again
Your interest in personally setting trail records has little bearing on the value of this book. The accomplishments of Jennifer and her husband detailed in this story serve as a powerful call for you to be the best form of your truest self. Called Again comes highly recommended; I am incredibly grateful to have read the advance copy of it I purchased at Trail Days.
Called Again: A Story of Love and Triumph paints the fuller picture of her expedition, her motivations, and her lessons from the trail. This book truly is the story of love and the triumph Jennifer, her husband Brew, and their revolving crew of supporters acheived on the AT in 2011.
The text is filled with humbly presented wisdom and recognition of others' role in her accomplishment.
The book also eliminates any misconceptions you may have that a supported hike is a cakewalk or that endurance speed records are inherently done with disrespect for the trail. The former is cleared up rapidly by the accounts of sheer and consuming pain that were endured on the hike, and the latter by a plethora of reverent passages such as the following:
"My motivation to keep hiking was rooted in the magnificent details of the Appalachian Mountains, and the more I poured myself out - the more energy I gave the trail - the more it gave me in return." - Jennifer Pharr Davis, Called Again
Your interest in personally setting trail records has little bearing on the value of this book. The accomplishments of Jennifer and her husband detailed in this story serve as a powerful call for you to be the best form of your truest self. Called Again comes highly recommended; I am incredibly grateful to have read the advance copy of it I purchased at Trail Days.
May 3, 2016
I've heard Jennifer's name so many times, and even though I knew she was the first woman to set an overall speed record on the Appalachian Trail, I didn't know the story behind that endeavor. This book is incredible and her journey was inspiring in so many ways. I have to admit that I've always thought someone doing this trail for speed would miss things along the way and cut the experience short, but her insight is so deep and her observations show that even as she hiked and moved through the woods at a rate most could never match, her eyes and heart were open to what was happening around her. This is a story of perseverance and love, how her husband and friends in her life supported and encouraged her, how her heart changed in the 46 days that she fought, pain, hunger, and discouragement to make it all the way to Springer Mountain from Maine. Anyone who loves hiking or the AT will benefit so much from reading her account of her time on the trail.
August 8, 2014
I read through this book pretty quickly, but I did not enjoy it as much as her first book. She has become obsessed with the trail and this book has her setting a speed record, twice. She becomes a diva, setting the speed record at the expense of her health and relationships with friends and family who must support her every footstep, carrying her equipment and feeding her along the way. The entire book I continued to ask myself, Why? She didn't enjoy herself at all, she was entire self absorbed, in pain and crying. What is the point? She claims God called her to do it and He may call her to do it again. If so, I won't read that book. However, her husband wrote about about his role supporting her effort to break the speed record on the Appalachian Trail. That is a book I will read, I want to read about this from his point of view.
June 15, 2017
This book is a follow up of sorts to Davis's first book, Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail. In Called Again, Davis recounts her 47 day record-breaking thru-hike of the AT in the summer of 2011, a feat that normally takes 4-6 months. It was super inspiring to read about a female breaking first the women's time record on the trail and then the overall record on the trail. The book was also a wonderfully sweet ode to her family and friends who supported her throughout the journey. I enjoyed this book, though not nearly as much as I did Becoming Odyssa. This follow up wasn't as charming nor as entertaining as her first one, which I really enjoyed and thoroughly recommend.
September 30, 2013
This was definitely a fast read. I was excited to read this and understand the writer's motivation to participate in this type of event. Unfortunately the story did get a bit monotonous as she described her 46 day adventure. Plus it was a bit disturbing to me how she pushed herself despite experiencing pain and potentially life-threatening situations. When I began the book, I was hoping to be rooting for her in her adventure, but honestly felt more bothered by her experience. This book may be better for readers who can relate to pushing themselves to an extreme. Definitely not me!
April 20, 2015
I'm a sucker for AT hiking stories and a fan of Jennifer Pharr Davis. So, I really enjoyed this book. My only real complaint is that I was hoping for more technical details on the hike and long through hikes in general: logistics, equipment, packing, food, clothing, etc. I have my fingers crossed for a follow-up how-to guide.
January 30, 2017
It's wordy. Yet it is about a passionate woman who follows her dream and what she believes she is called to do. It contains inspiration to go after your dreams, to be secure in what you believe, to defy the norm, and to all out kick ass. Plus, who doesn't love the one and only, ever unique Appalachian Trail.
July 6, 2013
this was a fast read, but lacked depth, especially leading up to the record setting hike.
April 8, 2014
enjoyed this read...... makes me want to be outside in the woods....
June 22, 2016
I totally took this journey with her. A little redundant at times but so is life. I like reading about the scoop of thru-hikers.
July 6, 2016
A really enjoyable read. Great for those who hike or dream of hike. Wonderful for inspiration and motivational for young female athletes.
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