AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

David Miller (2006)

THE A5 BOOK REVIEW

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is the true story of a 41-year-old engineer named David Miller who decided to quit his job and to leave his very supportive wife and three daughters for a time to hike the entire trail, all 2,172 miles of it from Georgia to Maine.  It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision; Miller is an engineer who had dreamed of this for years and prepared like a professional.  His narrative provides a good solid account of the realities of making such a long journey with rich descriptions of the beauty of the natural scenery, his interactions with fellow hikers, the challenges of health issues and isolation, and the motivation that kept him going.  AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is an interesting book for those who love hiking and to those considering taking on their own personal adventure.
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ABOUT DAVID MILLER

David Miller also has published a proper guidebook on the Appalachian Trail, called The A.T. Guide.  It is an extremely comprehensive book with very specific maps, thousands of landmarks such as campsites, water sources and summits, and elevation profiles.  This is really the go-to trail guide. 

BILL BRYSON - A WALK IN THE WOODS

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

A Walk in the Woods is Bill Bryson's narrative of his walk along the Appalachian Trail, a ~2,200 mile trail that goes from Georgia to Maine.  While he didn't make it the whole way, his story has become one of the pillars of modern travel literature.  In true Bryson style, the writing is very funny, equally self-deprecating and judgmental, and very enjoyable to read.  The book was turned into a feature film in 2015 starring Robert Redford.

GREAT QUOTES:

"Our vision becomes so narrow that risk is trying a new brand of cereal, and adventure is watching a new sitcom. Over time I have elevated my opinion of nonconformity nearly to the level of an obligation. We should have a bias toward doing activities that we don’t normally do to keep loose the moorings of society. Hiking the AT is “pointless.” What life is not “pointless”? Is it not pointless to work paycheck to paycheck just to conform?"
- David Miller, AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

“Anything that we consider to be an accomplishment takes effort to achieve. If it were easy, it would not be nearly as gratifying. What is hardship at the moment will add to our sense of achievement in the end.” 
- David Miller, AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

INTERESTING LINKS:

  • Read the 2013 review from Heart and Sole, a nice website by PJ Wetzel dedicated to traveling the old fashioned way, on foot.  
  • To learn more about the Appalachian Trail itself, try the official website managed by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  Click here for more information.

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