The Appalachian Trail

by Ronald M. Fisher, Dick Durrance II (Photographer), Benton Mackaye (Foreword)

Author Ronald Fisher, photographer Dick Durrance, and his wife Jill hiked the Appalachian Trail starting at its southern end on Springer Mountain, Georgia all the way to its northern end at Mount Katahdin, Maine. Along the way, they visit the people and historic sites near the trail.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Adventure, Nature

199 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1972

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, if outdated, memoir of the journey and photography from the trail.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Appalachian Trail by Ronald M. Fisher (National Geographic Society 1972)(917.4) is another from the great NGS book collection. This one makes you want to get up and head for Mount Katahdin. My rating: 7/10, finished 4/13/12.

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but it has a few things going against it.
First, how old this book is. It was released in 1972, 51 years after the first plans for the Appalachian Trail were proposed. The year 1972 was 51 years ago- as of today. The trail is pretty much the same, 50 tears after this book was written, but it has been shifted around a bit at a few points- for very good reasons. Ask and seasoned hiker, and they will tell you that it has been well preserved, against all odds (and development).
The book is opened with a forward by Benton MacKaye, the original designer of the trail, but it would have been even better if they had dedicated an opening chapter detailing the fight to establish and blaze this iconic trail. This book in the National Geographic, "Special Publications Division" in the 1970's, which all ran about 200 pages, is strikingly similar to another one of their books, "The Blue Ridge Range".
In both of the books, the author steps off of the trail, or beaten path , to find the same types of folks and characters: Cute Native American children- who dance, moon shiners, old farmers (and their large families), old hillbillies that make crafts, band majorettes and cheerleaders at small town parades! I am not making this up!
Yes, America WAS like that in places, but this incessant hokiness is taken to a higher level here.
In both cases, it is if the authors were trying to squeeze this "Americana" into a snow globe and package it.
What does this have to do with the Appalachian Trail ? Well, that is my point.
I would have liked it if the author would have spoken more about what he found ON the trail, not nearby it.
I live in a Central Pennsylvania county where the trail crosses through. For 35 years, I crossed the trail twice a day on my work commute, and have waves at hundreds of hikers. As was the case last week, my wife , our dog, and myself hiked on the trail on three different days.
I encourage you to make it a point to walk through these woods and fields that make up this wonderful trail. You can find better books than this one to prep you for your journey.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely combination travelogue and personal memoir, detailing a through hike of the Appalachian trail (Georgia to Maine, ending at Mount Katahdin in fall). For someone like me who dreams of hiking the trail - but likely never will, this is a lovely first person account that is vivid enough for one to live vicariously through. In addition, the author(s) take time to wander off the trail into local communities to provide "slice of life" vignettes of the rural communities and solo inhabitants that border the trail and how their lives and the trail intersect. In almost all cases, the folks who live along the trail provide free hospitality and support to hikers - water, food, respite. This book was written in 1972 and I have to wonder how things might have changed since then - knowing that there are now (foot) traffic jams on Mount Everest, has the Appalachian trail suffered from a similar over abundance of love and hikers have worn out their welcome amongst locals or does the warmth of human kinship still reign? Definitely a relic of a kinder, softer, slower age - and perhaps, even then, a bit of an idealized America rather than the reality - that makes one long for that kind of world again.

[Sara Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this as a kid and one dreaming of hiking the AT.

[Carissa Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! A beautiful book, the glossy photo pages in contrast to the canvas-y type pages with the calligraphic lettering were so nice. The content was educational and a happy look back in time to the early 70s. A peaceful read that really reignited my desires to go out and explore nature.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book since it was written in 1972 is a little dated, but in many ways made it more enjoyable in seeing people and events of forty years ago. The pictures of the people, the scenery and the wildlife are up to National Geographic standards and are excellent. Unfortunately because of my age this adventure has been removed from my "bucket list" but it was fun sharing the ride through this book.

[Kathleen Seal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read. This book chronicles Fisher's 1971 AT hiking experience, which like Bryson's is a collection of lengthy section hikes. This book was written for National Geographic, so he provides more cultural and historical descriptions of the trail than personal reflections or narrative.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book will make you want to experience the AT yourself. The images and the descriptions of the writer's experiences are phenomenal.

[Andy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales of the authors various hikes along the trail in the early 70's. Easy to read, lots of pictures and good stories.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a good read. A little dated. Good overview of the region the trail runs through. Less about the trail and more about the communities it passes through. But still a good read.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic!! I live close to the AT. This vintage book is spot on.

[Kate Seader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of vivid prose, nostalgic stories, and inspiring pictures. More of a tale than instructions