As Far As The Eye Can See: Reflections Of An Appalachian Trail Hiker Paperback – May 25, 2013

David Brill's "As Far As The Eye Can See" is about the author's late-70s Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I've read numerous books by other authors who have done the same thing, but this one is one of the best.Brill was a recent college graduate in 1979, and like many of us who grew up during that time, he wasn't sure who he was or what he wanted to do with his life. On a whim he decided to hike the entire Appalachian trail. He wasn't an experienced hiker or camper when he started out, but we see him grow from fear of the unknown in the dark woods of Georgia to a seasoned outdoorsman by the time he scaled Katahdin in Maine. He paints a vivid picture of the blisters and thunderstorms, mountains and rivers, and animals and people he met on the trail. But Brill takes his book a layer or two deeper than the average trail diary.The book is written more as a collection of essays than a daily journal. While the skipping around between before-hike, during-hike and after-hike stories take some getting used to, the overall picture is one of a sensitive and kind young man who found that he feels most at home in nature. I especially appreciated that he spent time getting to know people with different backgrounds and beliefs before judging them.This is one of the more upbeat books written by a thru-hiker. He doesn't gloss over the rainy nights, stinky bodies in the shelters, the muscle strains or the mosquitoes. But his wonder and enjoyment give the entire book an optimistic feel.This is a wonderful book and will appeal to anyone who loves the outdoors or who has dreamed of hiking the AT.

Unlike most AT books, this is not a chronological narrative. Its chapters are thematic, each creating an impressionistic image of some aspect of the trail. It was written by a young man who wanted to be a writer, and that is exactly how it reads. Written in the 1970s, it will remind some readers of the book A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins, who set out on a hike during the same period searching for the same things. Although dated in many respects, AT hikers will recognize some things that never change such as the eternal battle between mice and those who try to sleep in their shelters. The last few short chapters are about the author's return to the trail many years later, and the overall tone of the book is nostalgic as he reflects on the greatest adventure of his life, and then seeks to recapture some of it once more.

I loved the detail about hiking the Appalachian Trail. The writing is excellent. Read David Brill’s other work, too. He is the kind of writer who makes you delay putting the book down.

I read this book every year or two, usually after returning from an AT section hike (I've done 300 miles). It's my favorite AT book for many reasons. First, Brill hiked the AT in its infancy as a thru hiking destination. Second, the book is organized by subject matter rather than as a chronological list of details. Third, and perhaps most important, the writing is brilliant and the book is actually literature of the finest sort. Just read his description of the seasons, especially the part about watching the line of new spring foliage creeping up the mountains each day.

David Brill not only carries you through the entire AT, he touches upon the transformation he went through as a result of the ardous conditions he experienced, the lifelong friends he made and the culture of the many hikers he met along the way. If you love backpacking you will love this book.

This book offers a great adventure on the AT trail and You can do it from your armchair .I love meeting new people and the stress one put oneself through to do this train is amazing. There are great stories along the way and it is exciting to reach the end of the trail.

Well written and enjoyable. One of the best trail books I've read with regards to expressing the permanent changes that a through hike can make in one''s life.

Couldn’t put it down. So inspiring