“A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail” by Bill Bryson
(Broadway; $25)
After more than 20 years living and working in England, author and journalist Bill Bryson became determined to reacquaint himself with his native land by walking the 2,000-mile plus Appalachian Trail, which finds its way from Georgia to Maine. Undaunted by the many inconveniences of the plan, not to mention the inherent dangers, Bryson and his trusty companion, old high school buddy Stephen Katz, set off. The result is an irreverent, always entertaining and very funny journey into this most American of trails. The book’s release coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail.
Other titles that address particularly American topics include:
“Art of the State: California”
(Harry N. Abrams; $12.95)
A new series of small, colorful pictorial books that attempts to capture the special qualities of all 50 states. Others titles in the series include Iowa, Maryland and New Mexico.
“Uncle Sam’s Guide to the Great Outdoors”
(Random House; $20)
Hefty travel resource on the country’s almost 300 national and state parks in addition to national forests, wildlife refuges, memorials, seashores, wild and scenic rivers, battlefields, monuments and historic sites.
“Highroad Guide to the North Carolina Mountains”
(Longstreet; $18.95)
Emphasizes geology, flora and fauna as well as the more practical aspects of living and visiting the mountain areas of North Carolina.
INTERNET
SEALETTER
(www.sealetter.com) Cruise ship reviews, including articles on shore destinations, fill a bulky, and apparently objective, monthly Web magazine. Recent subjects include tipping, wine and Acapulco. Several links lead to other cruise-related spots on the Internet.
THE MOTORCYCLE TRAVELER
More Top Picks Best Large Air Fryers
(primenet.com/(tilde)dwolcott) A retired engineer based in Arizona roams North America on his chopper and writes about his adventures. These travelogues dwell more on destinations than on the bikers’ life, but they might help you keep that hog out of trouble.
MAGAZINES
Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel (quarterly, $14.95 a year)
Frommer bares his claws in the premiere
issue with an opening essay slashing at the travel press in general, calling us inane, sophomoric, mindless, irrelevant, “a public scandal, a disgrace.” Thanks, Art. The magazine stands up fairly well on its own and hardly needs Frommer’s us-vs.-them insults, which strike a needlessly bitter note. Articles purporting to help travelers pinch pennies seem well-researched and reasoned, although the repetitive headlines, emphasizing Frommer’s angle, become a little tiresome: “budget (of course),” “best values” “wallet-friendly,” “bargains,” “cost-conscious,” “frugal,” “low-cost . . .” We get it. Honest. (800-829-9121).
Shirley and Harry’s RV Adventures (nine issues a year, $48 annually)
RV, of course, stands for recreational vehicle. Shirley Slater and Harry Basch publish their newsletter/magazine for the “backroads” crowd, those people who hit the highway with everything they’ll need, including kitchen sink and (evidently) word-processor. The destination articles, food features and equipment reviews are examples of blacktop publishing at its best — as thorough as a transmission overhaul. For more information, write Orban Communications, 25 Washington St., Morristown, N.J. 07960. (Phone: 973-605-2442) Fax: 973-605-2722
VIDEO
“THE ROUTE 66 COLLECTION: “The Ultimate Look at America’s Mother Road.”
Those who crave another nostalgic peek at the highway that’s the best can get their kicks from this 2-cassette set, most of which appeared on the Travel Channel. Volume 1 shows how the route began and how it lured postwar car owners to the open road. Volume 2 follows supermodel Hunter Reno as she tools her little red Corvette across the stretches of 66 that remain. Highlight: an old-fashioned Route 66 barber gives Reno’s already-short blond hair a further trim. $19.95 for the set. (800-250-8760)