I have just read the reviews. It fascinates me that a few people absolutely abhored this book. Well, you never know. As far as i am concerned, it was one of the best reads I have had in a while. Light, yet very informative, and funny. Laugh-out-loud, for sure. I think I have lost a friend (she was trying to read her own book while I had these much too frequent fits of loud laughter). I think I will buy her a copy to appease her. My husband and son are reading it too and agree with me. The only thing is, there is no way I am going back on the Apalachian Trail, not after the beautiful publicity Bryson does for Luxembourg. As a middle-age person, give me a nice easy walk strewn with bakeries and reasonable accommodation, no backpack... thanks, Bill. I'm now reading the Thunderbolt Kid; it's good too.