Customer Reviews

Always Another Mountain: A Woman Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Kerwin L. Gray in his exceptionally concise review of this book, states that 'this "author" has a very hard time with the english language: She can't spell, she can't construct sentences; she can't construct paragraphs. Not to mention she hates men.'

Excuse me? I don't wish to impeach Mr. Gray's judgement. He is apparently a one-star specialist, at least on Amazon, and therefore we must assume that he is something of an authority. As I writer and editor myself, and having read the review, I awaited Ms. Martin's book with a kind of horrified fascination.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I began Always Another Mountain and found it a terrific read. Like about two thirds of AT thru-hike accounts, this one is essentially self-published and, yes, it could have done with more thorough or more expert editing. There are some typos, a few mispellings and a handful of stylistic infelicities, but these don't add up to much compared to the generally good writing and readabilty of the text as a whole.

Still, this would not be a first-choice recommendation for a thru-hike journal except, perhaps, for readers very familiar with the trail. There is not a lot of context provided. We never learn too much about the author, there is little overview of the trail, the trail community is not really developed and we are left with nothing but an articulate day-by-day record of things.

But for those who are familiar with the trail, or who have read other, more fleshed-out accounts like Leslie Mass's _In Beauty May She Walk_ or Jean Deads' _There Are Mountains to Climb_, Ms Martin's account gives another perspective on familiar places and hike events. It is particularly optimistic and free of self-pity.

There is a small selection of photos, reproduced in coarse black and white, but there are no maps. The latter fact emphasizes the notion that this book is best for readers already familiar with the AT, or at least its lore.

By the way, I can't imagine what would lead anyone to conclude that Ms Martin hates men.

I read the reviews posted and I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I've been a fan of the AT and those who venture to hike it since childhood. I've read many books and journals on the subject and feel I can be fair in my review.

This journal is COMPLETE, day to day, mile to mile, Georgia to Maine. There is some good technical information about food, gear, weather, timeline, hostels, geography etc. I bought the book for another lone-hiking female perspective of a thru-hike as I will be a female hiking alone on my future journey. I finished the journal and was genuinely interested throughout.

However, I wouldn't recommend this book to someone that is not as interested in the trail as I. The book is basically void of feeling (except that we are made totally aware of the authors feelings on berries). The great books/articles I've read out there about the trail, include some emotion and/or thoughts about their experience in addition to what they ate that day and how many miles they walked. This is where I was disappointed with the book.

To give this book more than the average of 3 stars, I would've liked to know more about the author, how she feels about her experience and those she met on the trail. We are left with only knowing what gender to associate with trail names given. This may account for a nasty review accusing the author of hating men. I didn't get that she hated men BUT I did think it a little odd that gender seemed to be the only thing the reader knows about others she meets on the trail.

If you are considering a thru-hike. I would recommend this book. There is useful information here. If you're looking for the emotional or spiritual side of the trail. You won't find it here.

I really enjoyed this account of the Trail mainly because it gave a good insight of the reality of hiking the Trail. A little too much with the berries, though.

Okay, anybody who feels that this book is about walking around the block to your local grocery store for milk and bread, just think again it. This adventurous undertaking is the ultimate iron-man competition and NYC marathon rolled into one, and then it doesn't even compare. To take six months out of your life, away from family and friends, and then walk, slip, slide, fall, ache and hike 2,174.1 miles (let's not forget that .1 mile because it is no way incidental) is an incredible undertaking that the 'normal' human being can't even conceive of. This was not 'planes, trains, and autombiles', this was tired feet, aching muscles, wet clothes, chilly bones, and being completely alone with only your thoughts to keep you company along the trail. Now take all of that, bundle it up, and add on that Danie is just an incredible woman. Thousands of hikers attempt this, and only 10-15% complete this epic trek, with most likely less than half being women (younger women than Danie I might add - sorry Danie).

I also found the writing of this book to be much more than a mere journal. It is, infact, a wonderful adventure communing with nature and it takes the reader on this beautiful, and at times, harrowing trek. It actually reads more like a novel and yet every word is true. This book is easy to read and once you're involved with it, you have to see what the next day brings, whether it be ravenous mice or consuming a gallon of ice cream. Oh well Danie, sadly no bears or bull moose. Guess a Super Woman will keep them from getting too close.

I would very highly recommend this book for all ages because it is a testament to the courage and endurance for not only any individual, but especially for women. If you say that you can't do something, or that a challenge is too hard, then you need to read this book. Hey Danie, what's the next adventure? Sailing on the seven seas as a deck hand?

I am a collector of accounts of thru hikes of the AT. I have 83. This is one of the most recent thru hikes I have read. I totally enjoyed "Mouses" description of her thru hike, the changes in what hikers consider essential, improvements in equipment, but also what never seems to change about living on the trail. With her detailed descriptions of the trail it was possible to keep up with the updating and fine tuning of the AT since my hikes. I couldn't help but want to get on the trail again. This account is a wonderful read!

Pretty detailed daily journal of the trials and tribulations of a woman hiking the AT alone. Not great journalism, no big story but lots of insight for anyone considering such a journey.

I was absolutely fascinated with her writing and had a tough time putting the book down. This was written in such a way that I could envision quite easily her days on and off the trail. Meeting this lady would be an honor - she has my respect and admiration. A great book sharing her experiences on trail. I especially admire the way this gutsy lady did this hike while she was young and strong enough to accomplish it.
Congratulations to Ms. Martin!

I was looking for a recently written book on the Appalachian Trail and this book caught my eye. I'm very happy I purchased it. I found it fascinating to read, and one of the best organized books I've read about the Appalachian Trail so far. I loved the way she listed each day's mileage and total trip mileage. As I read, I could imagine myself traveling along with Mouse (her trail name).

I plan to start section hiking the Appalachian Trail this April, and not only has this book inspired me, but it gave me some real insight into the trail that I wouldn't have known otherwise. Some were simple everyday things like how to get all your clothes clean during a town stop or how pocket mail works, others were specific to sections of the trail like the regulations in Great Smokey Mountains National Park or how the hut system works in the White Mountains, and yet others were fun traditions like the half gallon ice-cream challenge.

The book is written in an easy, almost conversational tone that makes the pages fly by. Out of four recent books I read about the AT, this is my favorite.

Good book for the hiker or hiking enthusiast. View the great outdoors through the author's eyes and words.

Good read.

Having a fascination/obsession with the AT, I have read dozens of accounts of thru-hikes and lived vicariously through their journeys, rarely taking more than two days to devour their stories. This book took me months to read because I was not compelled to read more than an entry or two at a time. Her story could never inspire me to hike the trail. There was no heart to the story, no fondness of the trail I've read from other hikers, no reflective insights to the journey. I finally forced myself to finish reading the book, closed it and said, "That woman loves berries, but what did the journey do to her spirit." If you are going to take on hiking the AT, give me something that makes me want to hit the trail.