Blind Man Walking: The American Landscape, Up Close and Personal on the Appalachian Trail

by Brian Thompson

Two old college buddies contemplate hiking the Appalachian Trail. The problem is, one of them is severely vision impaired and his ability to follow a simple footpath is in serious question. They decide to first try an overnight hike in Arkansas; an unmitigated disaster. Upon their return, one fellow's wife declares he is too old, fat, and blind to be crashing about in the woods. The other’s wife notes how lucky they are to have learned their lesson before attempting anything as seriously challenging as the Appalachian Trail. Humiliated, their dignity in tatters, (and perhaps not the fastest learners), they decide to go anyway. This is their story, traveling America’s greatest footpath; the places, the people, the history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

He read English at Cambridge. Since 1973 he has written for a living as a radio and television playwright and a documentary film maker. He is also the author of several acclaimed biographies: A Monkey Amongst Crocodiles, Imperial Vanities and The Nightmare of a Victorian Bestseller.

Reviews

[Cheryl Blask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic in every way: Compelling throughout. An outstanding read—I feel like I hiked the trail right along with them. I especially appreciate the post-publishing addendum.

[Joanne Estagin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book! I really enjoyed the hiker’s experience and all the great stories of the hikers he met along the trail. So many highs and lows but with determination, the author and his friend survived the AT. Such a great read!!!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about the experiences of hikers on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoy both the challenges and triumphs as I cover the miles from my couch. Blind Man Walking adds another dimension by introducing the difficulties of a visually impaired hiker, companion to the author Brian Thompson.
Unfortunately, the title is really a misnomer. John Durrett is legally blind to be sure, but he was able to manage a long business career and is definitely not helpless in the face of his disability.
That doesn’t mean he doesn’t face real challenges on this journey, and I think it would be fascinating to read firsthand what he had to endure. Unfortunately, Thompson’s narrative is very much from the author’s perspective with the two hikers often traveling at different speeds and only meeting up at the end of the day. Sometimes the difficulties were such that John doesn’t make it to the campsite and has to hunker down on the trail, but readers only get a very abbreviated version of what John faced. Frankly, the author comes across as a man who happened to be traveling with a companion who tended to slow him down. He even describes Durrett as too stubborn to accept help which is apparently justification for letting him travel on his own.
The book itself as a realistic journal of one man’s experience completing this 2200 mile trail from Georgia to Maine is lively and engaging and would be a great read for anyone contemplating such a challenge. It conveys the exhilaration and the dangers facing a hiker and especially includes lots of the Trail Magic that makes thousands a year put on their hiking boots and try it for themselves.

[Christopher E. Janke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two friends tackle the AT.

This is an inspiring story about two friends who tackled the Appalachian Trail. It tells of the challenges they faced, the people they met and the things they saw. I totally enjoyed this book.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read by an AT hiker. Well written, easy and interesting to read. I'm not sure why I enjoy reading these books on hiking the AT - I have no personal interest in going through the agony, despite the beauty and glory - but this is probably my fourth or fifth book by those who do make the decision to hike the over 2,000 miles of trails from Georgia to Maine. A compelling side-story is the author's long-time friend who joins him, and who is legally blind. He can see a little - he can see is out-stretched hand but not his fingers. He is the real hero of the adventure! Amazing fortitude! But the story would not have been told, and told so beautifully, except that Brian Thompson pulled the adventure together to create this book. I applaud both of these accomplished human beings.

[Roberta Garrity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good one. I was intrigued by the challenges that were met by the author, the challenges overcome by the author, the challenges that his vision-impaired friend struggled with, and how it all came together in a great AT story.
There are at least three editorial errors in the form of wrong words (similar to the intended ones). It's a bit like finding Easter eggs in Pixar films. :o)

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read about the AT

This book is extremely readable and the author doesn’t suffer from a “hiker superiority complex.” You just keep walking along with him up and down the mountains and enjoying the “zero days.” It’s also entertaining because it’s about a couple of older guys, not super fit twenty somethings looking to find the meaning of life. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other over and over.

[Lauren J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful step by step (literally) account of Brian Thompson and his friend who is visually impaired and their epic hike on the Appalachian trail. His description of the beauty, pain, people they meet and tough decisions is relatable, funny and real. He does not pity his friend he walks in front of him most of the way and meet up at night... most of the time. It makes you want to hike the Appalachian trail!

[Sue Weatherbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good AT Narrative

This was a good narrative of the author's journey hiking the AT with much interesting history and colorful characters thrown in. However, not so much as I'd hoped about the challenges faced by his determined, low vision companion John. I would like to have heard more of this story from John's perspective. Also, editing was not always so great with the occasional typo.

[Hugh Callison · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are, or ever have been a long-distance hiker, you’ll find “Blind Man Walking” interesting. The language utilized is genuine and the pace of the story holds your attention. Chapters are logical and written so that when you finish a chapter, you’re ready and anticipating the next one. Reading the book on Kindle allows the reader to pause the reading and explore images on a search engine or maps application. Try it, you’ll find it fascinating!

[Kelly Ratzlaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, with plenty of interesting facts about the Appalachian Trail. What was missing for me was the feeling of being on the trail with them. I was also hoping for more insight on what it would be like to hike the trail with such limited eyesight. In that regard, this book fell short for me.

[Deb W · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was a long distance hiker with an interest in hiking the AT, I would give this a four star rating -- five if he'd included an index by location and maps. As a casual reader with no genuine interest, it was a three. It became a slog just reading it, as I would imagine the actual hike would become a slog over time.

[Patricia Lazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Good details about the trail. Beautiful adventure. Historic details thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend this book to all who like to hike and all who like to read about hiking . Good job on both hiking and writing.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book every night before bed. While I was reading this book, I really felt like I was right there walking along the Appalachian trail with the author and his friend. I enjoyed learning the tidbits of history for the New England states. However, I would never be brave enough to attempt such a feat. This book was fascinating and very well written!

[JASON M. DAVIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Details! Loved it!

I learned so much the trail I had never heard before.

Great story. I can't wait until I get my opportunity!

[carl w. cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

This is the best book I have read this year.... Perhaps because of my intent to thru hike in the future but it was riveting nevertheless. Well done Brian

[Sidney E. Carlstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent enjoyable informative inspiring read. One of the better trail books out there.

[robert detzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Awesome story told exceptionally well. Thank you for your time, sweat, blood, passion and honesty. Keep walking. Semper Fi Bob

[pat mcbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I love reading books written by hikers of the AT. I’ve read many and this is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[Kimberly . · Rating 5 out of 5]

a well written, enjoyable read. two college friends, one legally blind, embarked on a quest to hike the Appalachian Trail. their story of determination, fortitude, disappointment and achievement throughout this journey. kudos Mr. Durrett!

[Charles H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional!

As a section hiker that completed the AT, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account. It's exceptionally well-written. Granddaddy Longlegs 2008.

[Raewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read

One of my favourite hiking books. The AT is not for the faint hearted. Very interesting as we follow the decisions of different gear and lighter packs.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written memoir about the author and his visually impaired friend who walk the entire Appalachian Trail over a period of years.

[Brian Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, but this is not the correct author. It is a different Brian thompson

[Brian Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happen to be the author, and my name is indeed Brian Thompson. BUT, the Brian Thompson you are showing with this book is not me. It is the wrong guy. Please correct this.

Brian Thompson