There Are Mountains to Climb
Author: Jean M. Deeds
List Price: $12.95
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ISBN: 0965148718
Publisher: Silverwood Pr (July, 1996)
Sales Rank: 122,077
Average Customer Rating: 4.29 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
An Inspirational Journey!
I just finished the book moments ago....I was so inspired and appreciative of this fine book that I had the urge to personally thank the author, Jean Deeds. While this may not be possible, I thought a few kind words here would convey my message to her.
I have become infatuated with the A.T. lately and have been reading extensively on the subject. I found this work to be among the most enjoyable. The author spares us the details that are commonly found in trail guides and relates to us the personal experiences that moved and challenged her during her journey. Thank You Jean!
Rating: 4 out of 5
A Thru-hiker Liked It
Before my own Appalachian Trail solo thru-hike, I read -- and was inspired -- by Jean Deeds' book. I must say that in my obsession with the trail and hunger for any information about it, I read every book on the AT that was available (probably 20 at the time) and have read several since my own hike. While this was definately not the best of the AT books, it was a very good description of one person's hike. I completely related to Ms. Deeds' pre-hike emotions, though I must say many of my own experiences and feelings while hiking differed greatly from hers, as I felt many more loving and positive feelings while on the trail. I think my mom could relate more with her mental challenges, as they are more similar in background and age. Overall, her story is true to herself and to the experience of the real AT thru-hike (unlike Bryson's popular and entertaining Walk in the Woods). If you want a good, true perspective of life thru-hiking the AT solo this is great start, but only ONE perspective. If you are inspired, be sure to read other accounts to gain a feeling for the variety of experiences people have on the long trail.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Much better than Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods"
I came here to write this after being disgusted by all the positive reviews of Bill Bryson's overpraised book.All the people who dismissed those of us who felt gypped by Bryson not even coming close to finish the trail should read this. Deeds doesn't finish it either, but unlike Bryson and his alleged companion Katz, she was really trying. You feel her disappointment at falling and breaking her leg in Maine, a few hundred miles from the end of her journey, far more keenly than you feel any of the emotions (beyond smugness and arrogance) in Bryson's book. She has you rooting for her.
And again unlike Bryson, she does a thru-hike right. She plans and packs carefully and uses maildrops for supplies. Most importantly, she brings humility. This alone makes it a joy to read even though Bryson brings more flourish to his writing.
I haven't hiked more than a dozen or so miles of the AT in my life. But I haven't ruled out a thru-hike of my own someday. And if and when I do, Deeds is my role model, not Bryson.
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