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When Bryson speaks for the many Americans he encounters along the way--in various shops, restaurants, airports, and along the trail--he launches into his American accent, which is whiny and full of hard r's. And his southern intonations are a hoot. He's even got a special voice used exclusively when speaking for his somewhat surprising trail partner, Katz. In the 25 years since their school days together, Katz has put on quite a bit of weight. In fact, "he brought to mind Orson Welles after a very bad night. He was limping a little and breathing harder than one ought to after a walk of 20 yards." Katz often speaks in monosyllables, and Bryson brings his limited vocabulary humorously to life. One of Katz's more memorable utterings is "flung," as in flung most of his provisions over the cliff because they were too heavy to carry any farther.
The author has thoroughly researched the history and the making of the Appalachian Trail. Bryson describes the destruction of many parts of the forest and warns of the continuing perils (both natural and man-made) the Trail faces. He speaks of the natural beauty and splendor as he and Katz pass through, and he recalls clearly the serious dangers the two face during their time together on the trail. So, A Walk in the Woods is not simply an out-of-shape, middle-aged man's desire to prove that he can still accomplish a major physical task; it's also a plea for the conservation of America's last wilderness. Bryson's telling is a knee-slapping, laugh-out-loud funny trek through the woods, with a touch of science and history thrown in for good measure. (Running time: 360 minutes, four cassettes) --Colleen Preston
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0553525069
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0553525069
Book Description 4-Cassettes/Sealed Box. Condition: Audio Cassettes - NEW. First Edition. BRAND NEW Copy; an oral history. 4 Audio Cassettes, narrated by author in sealed package. After return home after a sojournment in Britain of some 20 yrs, travel writer Bill Bryson (1951 -) decided to walk the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail w/friend Stephen Katz (a pseudonym). Their hike is described in his 1997, Doubleday, autobiographical book. A humorous personal account richl with studied discussions on theTrail's history, its surrounding sociology, ecology, trees, plants, animals, people & portends of the future. This is the 1998, Bryson authorized abridged edition on 4 cassettes (6 hrs) narrated by master wordmaster Bryson himself w/a distinct voice for Katz, and engaging British-American English. Book adapted to film in 2015; Bryson is portrayed by Robert Redford, and Katz by Nick Nolte. The engagin wordmaster Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University from 2005 to 2011. Seller Inventory # 020299