Grandma Gatewood's Walk
The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
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4.5 • 251 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Emma Gatewood was the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person—man or woman—to walk it twice and three times and she did it all after the age of 65. This is the first and only biography of Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, who became a hiking celebrity in the 1950s and ’60s. She appeared on TV with Groucho Marx and Art Linkletter, and on the pages of Sports Illustrated. The public attention she brought to the little-known footpath was unprecedented. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction. Author Ben Montgomery was given unprecedented access to Gatewood’s own diaries, trail journals, and correspondence. He also unearthed historic newspaper and magazine articles and interviewed surviving family members and hikers Gatewood met along the trail. The inspiring story of Emma Gatewood illustrates the full power of human spirit and determination.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
If you were inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, just wait until you meet the woman reporters dubbed Grandma Gatewood. This captivating biography draws us into the awe-inspiring tale of Emma Gatewood, who was 67 in 1955, when she became the first woman to hike the entire 2050-mile Appalachian trail on her own—and then the first person ever to do it twice. She achieved this feat with no tent or sleeping bag—just a walking stick and a homemade rucksack. Journalist Ben Montgomery’s book is packed with insights from Gatewood’s personal diaries as well as interviews with her children, painting a portrait of an ordinary woman who overcame so much before and after her big adventures. This inspiring biography calls attention to a reluctant public figure who lobbied to make America’s hiking trails and national parks the treasure they are today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Montgomery introduces listeners to Emma Gatewood, a woman who walked the length of the Appalachian Trail at age 67 in 1955 and twice more in the decade that followed. By her amazing feats, she secured attention and interest in a decaying national treasure and helped preserve it. Through research, interviews, and journals accounts, Montgomery pieces together Gatewood's physical journey, interspersing it with her life story and the challenges that lead her down the Appalachian trail. Reader Lawlor has a warm and inviting voice that is soft but deep. It invites the listener to follow along in Gatewood's journey. He provides a good cadence, combined with a strong emphasis and warm delivery. He fleshes out Montgomery's prose with a bit more personality and enthusiasm than the text has on its own, which makes the production more enticing. His character voices are not impressive, but that hardly detracts from the listening experience since the story is focused entirely on Gatewood. A Chicago Review hardcover.
Customer Reviews
Inspiring Story
Maybe one of these days, I’ll also hike the AT
Inspiring Read!
Inspiring! That is the single word I have chose to describe Ben Montgomery's book, "Grandma Gatewood's Walk." I have long been a fan of the AT and have hiked many sections. I have not (yet) done a through hike. I have read many accounts and had several good friends complete the AT. Susan Hendley was my Girl Scout Leader for many years and an AT thru-hiker in 1978. Reading this book was like listening to her tell me about her hike. The writing is inspiring and the story is memorable with a life of it's own!
Great Book
Anyone that wants to read a book about a very interesting lady she did a lot of great good