AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (Updated Edition) Review
This is one of those very good books that are many times overlooked by readers due to the publisher either being little known or neglecting to spend any money on promotions. To Amazon's credit, a program I was not aware of until now called AmazonEncore, attempts to identify exceptional but overlooks books and bring them to readers attention. This is such a book and the reader owes a debt of gratitude to Amazon for making it available to a wide audience.
The book is the story of the author's experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail, all 2,172 miles, in 2003. Nothing really unusual about that given that a few hundred do so every year. David Miller, a software engineer with a wife and children, quit his job to do the hike. Again, nothing really unusual about that since a number of individuals have done the same thing and written about their experiences, motivations, etc. So, if Miller did pretty much the same as a number of other hikers what makes this book so good?
The Writing! Miller has the knack of writing in such a manner that the reader feels they are sitting down with him and discussing the trip over a cup of coffee. He does not glamorize his trip or talk down to those of us that have dreamed of hiking the Trail but never have and probably never will. The book provides a matter of fact description of the inspiration that caused Miller to quit his job, leave his wife and children, and spend four months walking from Georgia to Maine. It was not a "macho" or "It's all about me" decision but a personal decision that will resonate with many readers. I enjoyed his descriptions of the joys, hardships, and ultimate insights into the day to day events he encountered on this quest. He also provides some helpful information about what hiking gear works and the importance of planning for such an ordeal. I would not call this book a travel guide per se. It is really a well written personal account of a trip many desire to take and relatively few complete. There are literally hundreds of books dealing with hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is a very good one that almost got lost. It deserves a wide spread audience and thanks to AmazonEncore it just may be discovered by readers looking for a good story by a talented writer.
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (Updated Edition) Overview
In 2003, software engineer David Miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the Appalachian Trail.
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Miller's account of this thru-hike along the entire 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. On page after page, readers are treated to rich descriptions of the valleys and mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the life-changing moments that can only be experienced when dreams are pursued. While this book abounds with introspection and perseverance, it also provides useful passages about safety and proper gear, with a view into a professional hiker's preparations and tenacity. This is not merely a travel guide, but a beautifully written and highly personal view into one man's adventure and what it means to make a lifelong vision come true.
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