The Appalachian Trail Reader

by David Emblidge (editor)

The longest continuously marked footpath in the world, the Appalachian Trail spans 2,140 miles across fourteen states--from Georgia to Maine--and travels through vastly different natural and social environments. Now, in a lively and eye-opening introduction to this national treasure, The Appalachian Trail Reader collects trail diaries, historical and personal essays, and poems that reflect the meaning of this great wilderness trail across both time and geography.
Here are the works of both well-known writers and anonymous raconteurs, including Henry David Thoreau, James Dickey, Aldo Leopold, James MacGregor Burns, Richard Wilbur, and many others. The trail's founding fathers Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery speak here, too, about their visions and plans, while excerpts from Appalachian Trail hikers' journals, from the 1930s to the 1990s, provide a firsthand, intimate portrait of walking the trail. And throughout, scientists' close observation of the natural world mingle with poet's evocations of the sweetness or the rigors of the wilderness experience.
A patchwork quilt of voices, both eloquent and raw, The Appalachian Trail Reader presents a rich introduction to the trail for those planning a walking trip, and a vivid scrapbook for those who have already hiked its mountains or valleys.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Nature, Outdoors, Adventure, Anthologies

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this collection when I read it many years ago, I need to find it again. it’s a collection of stories and essays/excerpts covering the science & natural history of the Appalachians, and poems and trail diaries of those who have hiked the AT. I especially loved the essays detailing the history of the forest and landscape. it was really a magical read, as I remember it. I felt immersed in this “place” that really is not just one place at all.

[Nathanael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like any anthology, this one had its good parts and it's rough patches. The best parts were highlights of people's self published and unpublished trail hiking memoirs. A thing as big as the AT attracts a huge assortment of people looking for and experiencing a huge assortment of purposes.

And some of the histories were excellent. The Smokies are empty because we drove the people out, first the natives and then the mountain poor. New Hampshires first mountain dwellers almost immediately turned to travel and tourism rather than agriculture.

In several parts, the book dragged on by publishing lengthy and detailed reports from botanists and geologists. These are people whose insight is keen, but literally lose the forest in the trees.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book is not just a collection of hiker's trail diaries. It also includes essays, poetry, and letters. I didn't read every single entry nor do I think every entry I did read actually deserves 5 stars, but overall this is just fabulous. The reader is informed about the geology and history of the Appalachian Mountains themselves, along with the policies that resulted in the construction of the trail. If you don't want to read an individual hiker's memoir this is a great way to get a flavor of what that accomplishment entails.

[jj Grilliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I feel I learned a lot about the trail

[Dylan Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

2,200 miles to go

[Kristofer Petersen-Overton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb anthology! Emblidge weaves the work of historians, folklorists, hikers, essayists, and poets together in this ode to the Appalachian trail. It includes everything from reflections on the changing role of the backpack to the Cherokee legend of "Spearfinger" (a witch who apparently still haunts North Carolina's Whiteside Mountain) to the historic injustice perpetrated against Appalachian communities forced from their lands by the federal government to make way for the AT. It also contains excerpts from countless thru-hiker journals and published work. This is *not* a book to read if you're looking for advice while planning your expedition (although it contains some advice). It *is* a book to read however if the wilderness holds a special awe for you. This collection has something for every hiker. I couldn't put it down.

[Sandra Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaven knows I am not an athletic person but I can walk and maybe with a little conditioning even hike. Having read Bill Bryson's book on the Appalachian Trail, I recently took my own short walk in the woods on the AT at Gathland State Park and Harpers Ferry and became hooked! I set out to learn more and came across this excellent collection of trail diaries, historical and personal essays, and poems that reflect the meaning of this great wilderness trail.

Fortunately for me, the Appalachian Trail in Maryland is a forty-mile section along the backbone of South Mountain, and is easy by AT standards. It is also said to be a good place to find out if you're ready for more rugged parts of the Trail. All I need now is a plan and a traveling companion.

[Beth Feener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I am driven more toward my goal to thru hike the trail.

I enjoyed the personal logs from hikers. I especially would have loved to meet Grandma Gatewood.

The historic parts included as we "hiked" through the book really made me love the value of this wonderful man made trail through the woods.

The Walt Whitman's, "Song of the Open Road" piece was my favorite...I read it over a dozen times.

[Kathleen Seal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of AT essays from prominent scholars of the trail. Particularly good for information on the trail's early development and purpose. Some redundancy if you are already well versed on the trail. A nice reference book.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of stories about theAppalachian Trail, some from hikers, others more technical. Some are wonderful and some are as dry as un-buttered toast. Got a nice book-list out of it.

[Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must read if you are infatuated with the AT : )

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

never fully got through it, skipped around alot, only some stories held my interest

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven, like any anthology, but there are some treasures in here, too.