Awol on the Appalachian Trail: Second Edition
In 2003 David Miller, a 41 year-old engineer, quit his job to backpack 2172 miles from Georgia to Maine. His story is told here in Awol on the Appalachian Trail, an outstanding contemporary account of hiking on the A.T. It provides a vivid description of the Appalachian Mountains, the small towns threaded together by the trail, and people met along the way. Abundant photographs complement the book's exacting prose. This book puts the reader into the shoes of the long distance hiker, and draws parallels between lessons learned on the trail and challenges of everyday experience. It is entertaining and funny, insightful and informative. It is about liberation, motivation and perseverance. This book is for anyone who has ever wanted to break free from routine, anyone with a desire for adventure.Product Details
Editorial Reviews
Review
Awol On The Appalachian Trail by David Miller is the personal story of the author's 146 day, backpacking hike along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in 2003, averaging more than 17 miles a day from beginning to end. Awol On The Appalachian Trail offers readers an intimate grasp and vivid portrayal of the pure beauty and inspiring landscape of the Appalachian mountains and valleys. Whether an armchair traveler or an active outdoor enthusiasts, Awol On The Appalachian Trail is very highly recommended reading as a first-hand narrative of an incredible journey spanning the entire length of the Appalachian country. --Midwest Book Review
David Miller's Awol on the Appalachian Trail allows us to sample the pleasures and the pains of hiking 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. Miller has a knack for storytelling and for describing his fellow trekkers. He writes about himself as well, of course, but he does so without any great show of conceit or inflated pride. Readers who are considering the Trail or who simply enjoy being in the outdoors will find this book most appealing, but Miller's talent should bring him an even larger audience. --Jeff Minick, Smoky Mountain News
I hiked the Appalachian Trail again last week…My transcendent experience was made possible by David Miller of Titusville, who hiked the entire trail in 2003 and wrote about it in his new book Awol on the Appalachian Trail. Miller is a wonderful writer who expresses the emotions as well as the facts of the world's most famous hiking trail. Of course, fellow Appalachian Trail (AT) hikers reading his book will be like the choir before the preacher, devouring his passages like a mystery novel, despite knowing exactly how it will end. Miller does a particularly good job of describing how hikers' moods change more sharply than the physical ups and downs of the mountain chain -- from senseless euphoria to mindless morosity -- as they put one foot in front of the other for months at a time. In fact, hikers spend many of their thoughts contemplating why in the heck they're out there, suffering through the blisters, bugs, rain and boredom that are as much a part of the experience as the dramatic views and inspiring wilderness. And Miller, as one of the relatively few "thru-hikers" who succeed in making it the whole way in one year, puts such thoughts on paper about as well as anyone. --Robert Hughes, Florida Today Newspaper
Customer Reviews
Well written and fun story of the AT adventure
We have a weekend cabin in Luray that has views of the Shenandoah National Park ridgeline where the Appalachian Trail runs and we often encounter thru-hikers on our own section hikes or in town during the summer season. The connection with the outdoors is a big part of the experience with our cabin - my blog is at www.hawksbillcabin.blogspot.com - so I often look for chances to learn about how others make this connection.
Lately I've turned to outdoor adventure stories, and this is the second of three I planned to read (included were Krakauer's "Into the Wild" and Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods." Thinking back on the preparation for some longer day hikes I was especially curious about the motivation for a thru-hike, so I picked up Miller's well-written book - it's one of quite a few books and web journals out there but I'd rate it the best I've read on this topic so far.
He does a great job of describing the trail experience - the people he meets and the natural world the trail moves through; for example, how a community naturally forms around the annual class of thru-hikers as they make their way north or south, how one is always fairly close to civilization (they call it the "outside world" while they are on the trail) yet far enough away so that there could be real trouble with even a slight injury or other accident.
The jacket blurb says it is a book about "liberation, motivation, and perseverance;" that comes through in the telling. The book may help those thinking about taking on an AT thru-hike to make a decision about doing it. But it was enough for me to read the story to know that section hiking is the way I'll go...for now.
Inspiring AT tale
I really enjoyed this book, and Awol's intriguing outlook and experiences. I wish he had the time and desire to hike more long distance treks, simply so I could read about his adventures. Selfish I know!
The journey Awol takes us on feels almost like I was there with him. I knew he would finish, and I knew what the end of the book was going to be like. The only disappointing thing was the book indeed ended.
Awol on the Appalachian Trail
This was the best read in a long time. I compare it to the writtings of Jon Krakauer. Truly an amazing story! So much detail to the little things and no sugar coating when times got rough. I felt miserable when David got rained on, but was cheering him on as he met each goal. Truly an incedible read. Thanks David!!!
Rick
Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น