Books to complete before I start

[NCcummins]

I'm not a reader by any means. I never have been, and one would think being a college student, I would read all the time. This has changed recently with finishing "Awol on the Appalachian Trail" last week, and then today finishing "Just Passin' Thru." I liked both very much and couldn't put them down! I read David Miller's book in a weekend, and then start Winton's book yesterday and finished it today.

I'm sure there are a lot of readers on the board, and want to see what you have to say about the list of books before I start them. I'm going to read them all anyways, even if people say negative or positive things about them, just want to hear your thoughts is all.

I'll start the list with the book I'll be reading first and go from there. I'm done with school in two weeks, and I'll be off until I start my hike in March. I go to Maine for a month in December, so reading this winter is a must for me; and I enjoy the stories focused around the trail!

1. As Far As The Eye Can See - David Brill
2. How To Hike The A.T. - Michelle Ray
3. Long Distance Hiking - Roland Mueser
4. A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson
5. Ten Million Steps - M. J. Eberhart
6. Walking the Appalachian Trail - Larry Luxenberg, Mike Warren
7. Hiking Through - Paul V. Stutzman
8. Walking With Spring - Earl Shaffer
9. White Blaze Fever - Bill Schuette
10. The Road to Damascus..and Beyond
11. On the Beaten Path - Robert Alden Rubin

If you've read some of these books, heard about them, or know people who have read them, let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

-Chris

[couscous]

2. How To Hike The A.T. - If you have ANY question about hiking the AT, there is an answer in the book. A lot of time went into the book.
4. A Walk in the Wood - the audio version is better since Bryson reads it. Not very useful in preparing to hike the trail, but I find it amusing to listen to on long drives.
5. Ten Million Step - a lot of pages, 500+ if I remember, to cover a lot of hiking.
6. Walking the A.T. - a bit dated now, but lots of great stories from many hikers.
7. Hiking Through - very funny for me since I live less than 18 miles from the author.
8. Walking with Spring - great contrast reading about his hike compared to the trail conditions that are experienced today.
9. White Blaze Fever - one of my top 3 favorites.
I have some of the others, but haven't read them yet.

[mweinstone]

maby you should complete a book all about prehike concerns from the prespective of a concerned prehiker. oh, wait, you mean read! i thaught it said write.mybad

[emerald]

ATC's guides
Mountains of the Heart
Wilderness and the American Mind

[amac]

3. Long Distance Hiking - Roland Mueser. Lots of research on hiking. Not alot of story.
4. A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson. Well written, funny, not much to learn
6. Walking the Appalachian Trail - Larry Luxenberg, Mike Warren EXCELLENT
8. Walking With Spring - Earl Shaffer EXCELLENT. Great story. Describes his trail experiences as if you were with him.
9. White Blaze Fever - Bill Schuette Another EXCELLENT read. Same comment as #8
11. On the Beaten Path - Robert Alden Rubin Again, another EXCELLENT read.

I think Skywalker's book deserves to be on your list, as well. IMO it's as good as AWOL's.

[Mags]

Then The Hail Came.

Online only. But one of the best account of hiking the AT IMO.

http://skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html

I also suggest the Appalachian Trail reader.
http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Tr.../dp/0195100905

My copy of this book is very dog eared. This book collects writings on geology, history and the culture surrounding the AT. It also features musings on the the trail and the Appalachians in general from the raw, but powerful voices, of everyday hikers to the eloquent musings of Thoreau and Wendell Berry. Highly recommended.

[k1ypp]

Well Chris, I would have to recommend my book for two reasons:

1. It is reasonably current, as much as I like Bryson's work, it is becoming a bit dated. It's a hoot to read, but doesn't contain much actual information on preparing for the hike, it is a better guide as to what not to do.

2. Unlike Bill Bryson, I did actually finish in 2008. It took me two years (180 days) to finish because I had to hop off the trail for 300 days to recover from heart surgery, so that put a dent in my thru-hike plans.

I would also recommend Skywalker's work too, it is a fun read and he is really approachable if you have questions. I can put you in touch with him if you wish. He also has just finished a book about his PCT hike called HIGHS AND LOWS ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL.

My book is THREE HUNDRED ZEROES: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail. I took three hundred zero days for the surgery, hence the title. The subtitle has to do with the fact that I carried my brother's Purple Heart Medal with me on the hike. We promised each other we would do the trail when we finished our military duty, but his was killed in Vietnam, so that never happened.

No matter what you read, good luck on the hike, keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask for, and in some cases, listen to, advice.

Good Luck

Dennis "K1" Blanchard
AT 07/08

[NCcummins]

2. How To Hike The A.T. - If you have ANY question about hiking the AT, there is an answer in the book. A lot of time went into the book.
4. A Walk in the Wood - the audio version is better since Bryson reads it. Not very useful in preparing to hike the trail, but I find it amusing to listen to on long drives.
5. Ten Million Step - a lot of pages, 500+ if I remember, to cover a lot of hiking.
6. Walking the A.T. - a bit dated now, but lots of great stories from many hikers.
7. Hiking Through - very funny for me since I live less than 18 miles from the author.
8. Walking with Spring - great contrast reading about his hike compared to the trail conditions that are experienced today.
9. White Blaze Fever - one of my top 3 favorites.
I have some of the others, but haven't read them yet.

Thank you for sharing what you think about the above books. I have heard from many White Blaze Fever is a common "top of the list" book. I agree with some of the books being a bit out of date, as the one I'm reading now "As Far As The Eye Can see" as it was placed in the 1970s-1980s, but still a good read.

maby you should complete a book all about prehike concerns from the prespective of a concerned prehiker. oh, wait, you mean read! i thaught it said write.mybad

good idea! It would be a great book to read, as I my self am in the same situation. I don't think I posses the qualities or patience to do so though, for now!

ATC's guides
Mountains of the Heart
Wilderness and the American Mind

I haven't heard of these yet, I will definitely look into them, and hopefully get a chance to read them.

3. Long Distance Hiking - Roland Mueser. Lots of research on hiking. Not alot of story.
4. A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson. Well written, funny, not much to learn
6. Walking the Appalachian Trail - Larry Luxenberg, Mike Warren EXCELLENT
8. Walking With Spring - Earl Shaffer EXCELLENT. Great story. Describes his trail experiences as if you were with him.
9. White Blaze Fever - Bill Schuette Another EXCELLENT read. Same comment as #8
11. On the Beaten Path - Robert Alden Rubin Again, another EXCELLENT read.

I think Skywalker's book deserves to be on your list, as well. IMO it's as good as AWOL's.

Thank you as well for your opinion on the books listed above. I will definitely be adding Skywalker's book to my list, as I had forgotten to add it, until your post! Glad to know that most of these books rank "excellent" to you, as I cannot wait to read them.

Then The Hail Came.

Online only. But one of the best account of hiking the AT IMO.

http://skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html

I also suggest the Appalachian Trail reader.
http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Tr.../dp/0195100905

My copy of this book is very dog eared. This book collects writings on geology, history and the culture surrounding the AT. It also features musings on the the trail and the Appalachians in general from the raw, but powerful voices, of everyday hikers to the eloquent musings of Thoreau and Wendell Berry. Highly recommended.

I saw reference to this in another thread, and checked it out. Over Christmas break, I'll be sure to take the time to read through it.

Well Chris, I would have to recommend my book for two reasons:

1. It is reasonably current, as much as I like Bryson's work, it is becoming a bit dated. It's a hoot to read, but doesn't contain much actual information on preparing for the hike, it is a better guide as to what not to do.

2. Unlike Bill Bryson, I did actually finish in 2008. It took me two years (180 days) to finish because I had to hop off the trail for 300 days to recover from heart surgery, so that put a dent in my thru-hike plans.

I would also recommend Skywalker's work too, it is a fun read and he is really approachable if you have questions. I can put you in touch with him if you wish. He also has just finished a book about his PCT hike called HIGHS AND LOWS ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL.

My book is THREE HUNDRED ZEROES: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail. I took three hundred zero days for the surgery, hence the title. The subtitle has to do with the fact that I carried my brother's Purple Heart Medal with me on the hike. We promised each other we would do the trail when we finished our military duty, but his was killed in Vietnam, so that never happened.

No matter what you read, good luck on the hike, keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask for, and in some cases, listen to, advice.

Good Luck

Dennis "K1" Blanchard
AT 07/08

Dennis, that's awesome your the author of that book! I can't believe I forgot to add that in my list. I actually ordered it from Amazon a few weeks ago, with the first batch of books I ordered including Dennis Miller's book and Winton Porter's book. After I finish the current book I'm reading "As Far As The Eye Can See" yours is next.

Thanks for the reference and no doubts, your book was/is on my list, just the list in my head and skipped the list on here (as I was going from memory).

Thanks again!

[Lilred]

I've noticed a few books that are glaringly missing from your list.

First, Blind Courage by Bill Irwin. He hiked using a seeing eye dog. I read this book in one day.

Also, two books by J.R. Tate, aka Model-T. Walking on the Happy Side of Misery is my all time favorite AT book. I've read it at least four times and may go grab it off the shelf right now. He also wrote Walking With The Ghostwhisperes which is about the history that surrounds the towns that the AT goes through. Very interesting stuff and much different than any other AT book written.


Another excellent book is The Ordinary Adventurer by Jan Leitschuh aka Jan Liteshoe. It's her story about her end to end hike of the Long Trail in Vermont.

[Lilred]

OH, and I second the recommendation for the online book, Then The Hail Came. Very good.

There are so many good books out there. Have fun.

[Cookerhiker]

Check out this one as well: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58070

[Luddite]

The Dharma Bums is a good hiking-related book too, if you can get past Kerouac's pseudo buddhism. If you liked Into the Wild you'll like The Last Season.

[Luddite]

BTW, both can be found at Malaprops on Haywood street! Man, I miss that book store.

[amac]

While you're adding books to the list, do add Three Hundred Zeros. Also ranks as EXCELLENT.

[k1ypp]

Hey LilRed, loved your quote from Daniel Boone. He is supposed to be a distant relative of mine, maybe that is where I get my wanderlust from.

I'm beginning to think that because there are SO many AT books out there that maybe they should qualify as their own genre, like murder mysteries, suspense, drama etc.

With as many as I have read, it seems there is always room for one more. Keep them coming...

Dennis "K1" Blanchard

Author of: Three Hundred Zeroes: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail
Finalist in the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Contest

[emerald]

Why read about others hikes when you are about to hike it yourself? What can you expect to learn from this activity and at what point does it become repetitious?

Why not read about why or how it was created, the origins of the Appalachians or the wildlife it provides a home? You could hike the entire trail and still know little about these things and it might add much to your experience.

[NCcummins]

I've noticed a few books that are glaringly missing from your list.

First, Blind Courage by Bill Irwin. He hiked using a seeing eye dog. I read this book in one day.

Also, two books by J.R. Tate, aka Model-T. Walking on the Happy Side of Misery is my all time favorite AT book. I've read it at least four times and may go grab it off the shelf right now. He also wrote Walking With The Ghostwhisperes which is about the history that surrounds the towns that the AT goes through. Very interesting stuff and much different than any other AT book written.


Another excellent book is The Ordinary Adventurer by Jan Leitschuh aka Jan Liteshoe. It's her story about her end to end hike of the Long Trail in Vermont.

Thank you for the refernce. Another small list of books that I will be sure to look into.

OH, and I second the recommendation for the online book, Then The Hail Came. Very good.

There are so many good books out there. Have fun.

Great to hear so many good things about this online reading. I'll definitely look into it over Christmas Break.

Check out this one as well: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58070

Thank you for the link!

The Dharma Bums is a good hiking-related book too, if you can get past Kerouac's pseudo buddhism. If you liked Into the Wild you'll like The Last Season.

Again, thanks for the references. Also, thanks for the references in the PM.

While you're adding books to the list, do add Three Hundred Zeros. Also ranks as EXCELLENT.

Glad to hear. The book is in route to my house.

Hey LilRed, loved your quote from Daniel Boone. He is supposed to be a distant relative of mine, maybe that is where I get my wanderlust from.

I'm beginning to think that because there are SO many AT books out there that maybe they should qualify as their own genre, like murder mysteries, suspense, drama etc.

With as many as I have read, it seems there is always room for one more. Keep them coming...

Dennis "K1" Blanchard

Author of: Three Hundred Zeroes: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail
Finalist in the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Contest

I definitely agree with you!

Why read about others' hikes when you are about to hike it yourself? What can you expect to learn from this activity and at what point does it become repetitious?

Why not read about why or how it was created, the origins of the Appalachians or the wildlife it provides a home? You could hike the entire trail and still know little about these things and it might add much to your experience.

To answer the first question, because I'm a twenty-one-year-old who seeks adventure of all sorts; be it hiking, riding motorcycles, traveling to different countries, and so on.

What can I learn from the book? Very little that I already know about the trail. That is not the point of my readings, or at least not a big percentage of why I read them. I read them to enjoy others adventure. I like to see what they enjoyed about the trail, and what they didn't like about the trail. That to me, is fun.

For you, it may be different. You may like to read about how the trail was originally made and who painted every white blaze on what date. That is yes, interesting to me, as I will continue to read about others journey along the trail, I will also look into books on the creation of the trail.

I believe your last sentence goes hand in hand with the renowned saying "hike your own hike." I believe I will have a unbelievable experience knowing what I already know, and I also understand, that what I know, is the smallest percentage of what there is to be learned. If I choose to read about others hikes, great, that is what I choose to do, if I choose to read about how the trail was created, that's also great. Like you said, I will probably benefit from the readings.

For now, I will stick to my list, while adding some others. I'll also be sure to read about the history of the trail, the ones who founded it, why it was founded, and so on.

Thanks for all the opinions, as well as the references.

-Chris

[emerald]

If you read nothing else about A.T. history, read this page:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4914753/k.C511/History.htm

You should also read:

Trail Years: A History of the Appalachian Trail Conference (PDF)

[DapperD]

I haven't read them all but I am sure they are all good, quality reading. Just about anything I read about the A.T. I can enjoy. I know the two books written I believe in the Seventies from Rodale press simply titled "Hiking the A.T." by James Hare I believe were to me truly motivational. These two thick books contain many different thru-hiker stories and accounts of their hikes and it was what really got me fascinated about hiking the A.T.

[emerald]

As I recall, it begins by explaining how it all began and how it got to be what it had become by about 1975.