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Good Morning
Jul. 21st, 2019 09:44 am
Jul. 21st, 2019
Bill Bryson "A Walk In The Woods" (Black Swan Books)
There is no doubt that Bryson is a well-travelled individual, but he seems so out of his element on the Appalachian Trail. This makes for some pretty hilarious stories such as his foray into a camping supply store, meeting other foolhardy hikers, his companion (Katz), crossing paths with a moose, and of course, bears. If you’re familiar with Bill Bryson’s writing, then you know it’s never short on snark. Sometimes his style of humour can be exhausting, and it can make him seem pretentious. This is not the case in A Walk in the Woods. For every jeering remark he makes, it’s followed up by an anecdote of his own ineptitude. Hiking the Appalachian Trail seems like it was a humbling experience for Bryson.
Bryson’s account of the trail was satisfying enough, but the gem of the book was his discussion of human interaction with nature. The first half of the book, while it focuses on Bryson’s experience of hiking the trail, introduces the reader to the National Park Services. The NPS is a government organization created to preserve nature, though they have been known to single-handedly eradicate entire species of animal or plant. Oops! The second half of the book provides a more in-depth look at the human/nature relationship and on a broader timeline – from the European explorers first trek into the woods to modern-day ghost town made so because of a massive fire that’s been burning in a coal mine since the 1960s. You come away with the feeling that humans, who have always had a fascination with their surroundings, manage to destroy the beauty of nature out of sheer curiosity or their desire for recognition or monetary compensation.
This is not his best narrative, but not his worst. It's not a must-read by any means, but parts of it are entertaining. Especially if you're into hiking. I am not. He experiences annoying fellow hikers, equipment quirks, and frightening himself with bear attacks. Those are entertaining parts. Then there are other parts which are a pure description of the purple mountain's majesties that don't work for me, punctuated by random histories of the trail - what it could have been and what it is.
I was quite fascinated into it at the beginning of the travelogue, but a little after halfway through, my interest waned. I got bored. It felt like a bunch of the same old, same old. So giving this a real rating is difficult so for expediency it is a good read and you will certainly find some enjoyment from the book.
There is no doubt that Bryson is a well-travelled individual, but he seems so out of his element on the Appalachian Trail. This makes for some pretty hilarious stories such as his foray into a camping supply store, meeting other foolhardy hikers, his companion (Katz), crossing paths with a moose, and of course, bears. If you’re familiar with Bill Bryson’s writing, then you know it’s never short on snark. Sometimes his style of humour can be exhausting, and it can make him seem pretentious. This is not the case in A Walk in the Woods. For every jeering remark he makes, it’s followed up by an anecdote of his own ineptitude. Hiking the Appalachian Trail seems like it was a humbling experience for Bryson.
Bryson’s account of the trail was satisfying enough, but the gem of the book was his discussion of human interaction with nature. The first half of the book, while it focuses on Bryson’s experience of hiking the trail, introduces the reader to the National Park Services. The NPS is a government organization created to preserve nature, though they have been known to single-handedly eradicate entire species of animal or plant. Oops! The second half of the book provides a more in-depth look at the human/nature relationship and on a broader timeline – from the European explorers first trek into the woods to modern-day ghost town made so because of a massive fire that’s been burning in a coal mine since the 1960s. You come away with the feeling that humans, who have always had a fascination with their surroundings, manage to destroy the beauty of nature out of sheer curiosity or their desire for recognition or monetary compensation.
This is not his best narrative, but not his worst. It's not a must-read by any means, but parts of it are entertaining. Especially if you're into hiking. I am not. He experiences annoying fellow hikers, equipment quirks, and frightening himself with bear attacks. Those are entertaining parts. Then there are other parts which are a pure description of the purple mountain's majesties that don't work for me, punctuated by random histories of the trail - what it could have been and what it is.
I was quite fascinated into it at the beginning of the travelogue, but a little after halfway through, my interest waned. I got bored. It felt like a bunch of the same old, same old. So giving this a real rating is difficult so for expediency it is a good read and you will certainly find some enjoyment from the book.
Sunny Sunday
Jul. 21st, 2019 10:43 pmit has been a very lovely calm day. Managed to do a bit of sunbathing. Read voraciously of course. Played some folk music as well.
Relaxed enough with batteries charged, ready for tomorrow. Another day in London for a focus group discussion on the Guardian newspaper. Then I will head off to the mist famous bookshop Foyles and some CD exchanges at MVE in Notting Hill.
Early to bed tonight for an early start tomorrow.
Relaxed enough with batteries charged, ready for tomorrow. Another day in London for a focus group discussion on the Guardian newspaper. Then I will head off to the mist famous bookshop Foyles and some CD exchanges at MVE in Notting Hill.
Early to bed tonight for an early start tomorrow.
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