A Time to Walk : Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail [Paperback]

Jay Platt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967893801 | ISBN-13: 978-0967893808 | Publication Date: July 1, 2000

FROM THE AUTHOR:

The problem with buying a book online is that you're unable to physically hold it, turn it over in your hands, flip though its pages, etc. -- the way you could in a bookstore. Because of this, there are times when you order a book only to realize that it wasn't quite what you expected once you've received it. For that reason, I'd like to take a few minutes here and try to give you a better idea of what “A Time to Walk: Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail” is all about.

First of all, let me say from the start that if you’re looking for an instructional guide or a "How To" book on thru-hiking the AT, this isn't it. There are many excellent ones out there, but that’s not what I chose write about.

"A Time to Walk..." is based on my 1998 southbound thru-hike of the AT. It is comprised of the ten "Life Lessons" I learned during my time on the trail. Each lesson is illustrated through experiences which happened during my 5 1/2 month trek.

I believe it's a book which holds something for everyone who reads it, and is willing to apply some of what it says. Hiker or non-hiker, young or old, healthy or not. Because we all have a trail to walk -- it's called life! And just like the AT, it's filled with ups and downs, victories and defeats, good times and bad.

Finally, let me say that it is my sincerest hope that this book could become a launching pad for your trip into self discovery. Be that on the AT or elsewhere. Because if I accomplish that, I will have truly accomplished what I set out to.

Happy Trails,
Jay "Patch" Platt

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to succeed against the odds? What makes some go on when others quit?

Why do some people achieve greatness and others mere mediocrity? If only there were lessons to teach you these things and more. Well now there are.

In "A Time to Walk...," Jay "Patch" Platt reveals the ten life lessons he learned during his more than five month thru-hike of the 2,160 mile Appalachian Trail.

Join him as he takes you inside the world of a thru-hiker, while he travels the mountain trail, from Maine to Georgia.

And through it all, learn something about yourself.

About the Author

Jay "Patch" Platt is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and cancer survivor. In January of 1999, he became one of only an estimated three hundred people to have ever completed a southbound thru-hike of the more than 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Eagle Eye Pub (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967893801
• ISBN-13: 978-0967893808
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it for yourself and enjoy.....you wont be sorry., February 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Time to Walk : Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail (Paperback)

For most of us, going to the local Post office is just one of the many chores to be done. Recently I went to the post office to mail a couple of bills and it became a Turning Point in my life. I had forgotten to bring an extra envelope for one of my bills, so I had to purchase one with a stamp on it. I then went out into the lobby area, where you can purchase stamps from a machine, address things, and take care of post office chores. I was standing at the counter fillling out my envelope when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a man addressing large padded envelopes and putting books in them. Being a curious person by nature, I glanced at the book. The title and cover intrigued me right off. It was "A Time to Walk: Life Lessons From the Appalachian Trail." The cover picture was of a hiker on the trail. Now I was hooked, so I boldly turned to the man and asked him if I could ask him about his book. He replied with a pleasant affirmative and went on to explain that he was a motivational speaker and had written about his experiences hiking southbound on the Appalachian Trail. As I have always loved reading true life adventures featuring the Trail, I asked him where I could find his book. After explaining that it was only available online, he told me where I could find it. He kindly said that if he had another copy with him, he would have been glad to give me one. We then exchanged names and talked about synchronicity of our meeting. I left feeling energized and very curious about his book. I went home and immediately ordered it online. When I read the bio online, I was amazed by the summary of his story, a former Marine who had overcome cancer and hiked the whole Trail!! Now I really wanted to read his book. I waited with great anticipation for the arrival of my order, and this past Monday I was rewarded with my package. The next few nights were occupied by my avaricious reading of his writing. Here was something I needed to read, written so that I, a lay person, could understand it and put it to use in my own life. It is not another How-to book written by a PHD or someone with a long string of degrees after his or her name. It is a book written by someone like you and me, who was faced with some terrible things in his life. Life all of us he had to make choices about how he dealt with his tragedies. He made them his stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks. For someone like myself, reading a self-help book is all well and good, but I need to identify with the author and feel like he/she can relate to me also. Jay's book is like that. It is like having a conversation with the man. It is down to earth but uplifting. It is funny and sad. It is like life itself. My own life had been sort of spinning in circles with no clear direction until I met Jay. I can honestly say that with the meeting of the man and then the reading of the book, I have had some amazing things happen to me. This is not the first book of its kind that I have read, but it is the first one to really touch me. Perhaps it is because I met him before I read the book; perhaps it is the time of my life that I am reading it; perhaps it is my willingness to embrace the concepts and lessons he puts forth; or a combination of all of the above. I only know that the chore of going to the Post Office that day changed my life. And I thank God and Jay for allowing that to happen. Read it for yourself and enjoy.....you won't be sorry.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, October 9, 2000

By 

Lou Antosh (Philadephia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time to Walk : Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail (Paperback)

This grimy guy with the eye patch and walking stick is pretty gutsy, I thought to myself after I had spent some time with Jay Platt on the terrace of the Pennsylvania state capitol building in Harrisburg. He was midway through his Appalachian walk and a friend had insisted I drive up the turnpike to meet him because he was so special. It turned out she was right, but I had no idea how special until I read this book. As a writer, my envy-driven first reaction was simple: this former Marine from some southern backwater has no business writing this well. As a man, I am deeply touched by his understanding of the human spirit and how it can be trampled by the slightest of weights or powered to new heights by true adversity. In this age of cynicism and drivel-wrapped-in-sophistication, Jay's home-spun truisms and humor are a breath mint for the soul. If he takes to a horse, I will really suspect Jay Platt is Will Rogers incarnate. Thanks, Patch!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring..., October 7, 2005

By 

Chris Lowe (Lakeland, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time to Walk : Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail (Paperback)

A friend of mine recommended "A Time to Walk..." to me. I can honestly say that it was the first book that I've read all the way through. It was very inspiring and I highly recommend it!