Very well written, though a few times the writing seemed forced. Would recommend to interested thruhikers.

I loved this book. Maybe even more then I loved Bryson's similar work "A Walk in the Woods." And I really loved that book when I read it many years ago. Rubin's book came out shortly after Bryson's and never got the acclaim. But his writing is lyrical (His trail name was the Rhyming Worm.) and thoughtful, sometimes funny, mostly not so much. Just really nice. I didn't want it to end.

But it did..and here's his take on why some people dream the big dream of walking the whole Appalachian Trail, why so many head out to find something in themselves: "Perhaps, all along, we have been dreaming of wilderness, of that most primeval of stories. If you go to the wilderness, if you climb to the mountaintop, if you sail away to the forest savage, surely an answer will present itself."

If you liked Bill Bryson, give this a try. If you've never read Bill Bryson give this a try. If somewhere in the back of your mind you have a dream that seems a bit outlandish read this book. I think you'll find out that dreams can come true.

Since I will probably never get the opportunity to hike the AT, l live vicariously thru the books of those who have. I found myself smiling all the way thru this book. Wonderful writer. Not as wryly funny as Bill Brysons A Walk in the Woods, but with introspection on life and love, and a gentle sense of humor. Loved it.

This was a beautifully written book and when I had time to read, I would find it hard to put down. I truly felt as if I was with the 'rhyming worm' on his hike. I found myself ear-marking pages that had wonderful statements that I wanted to come back and read again. Thank you to Robert Rubin for including us in his adventure. "The lesson that the Appalachian Trail teaches is that one must simply take one step, then the next, then the next, and keep moving forward".

I liked this a lot better than A Walk in the Woods.

Rubin quits his job and decides to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. He's a little self-important sometimes (naming himself "Rhymin' Worm"? Really?) but overall seems to appreciate the not-alwasys-positive ripple effects of his decision on his marriage, career, etc.

Rubin's descriptions of the trail were well-written, which made this an overall enjoyable book.

It's a beautiful, and relatable journey.

An enjoyable tale of hiking the trail. Definitely one that doesn't gloss over the hard parts. Mice and bugs and other privations are mentioned and not hidden from the reader.

It was a fun book. Easy read. And if you like to here how people meander through the woods and what/who they meet then this is for you.

LOVED this one!

Very good account of one man's hike of the AT in the late 1990s.

Hands down one of my favorite books about the AT. Rubin describes the trail with a descriptive dialogue that makes it easy to read. His personal view about the trail and fellow thru-hikers makes you want to pack your gear and follow the blaze north.

This book also had me questioning Pamola...thank you kindly for letting me visit Katahdin.

Two sentences left me awestruck in this book...both of them would only make sense if you spent some time on the AT.

"That night the sky comes alive with the aurora borealis." ( Daicy Pond Campground)

"I watch as she looks carefully both ways, then steps forward strongly, crosses the road in a few strides, and, without hesitating, vanishes into the woods.

Quit his job, left his life and wife behind for several months to make this personal journey. Overweight & out of shape, one man alone heads off into an unfamiliar world of hikers & raw nature. A descriptive page turner. I enjoyed it.