One of the primary background aspects of any book is how it’s received, or thought of, by readers and the public. Works of nonfiction that persuade readers to take action are considered practical books. Practical books, however, are typically those that teach, like a “how-to” book, for example. Works of nonfiction that inspire readers to take action or do something—without trying to persuade them to do it—are more unique, especially those that clearly have an effect on the collective subconscious of vast numbers of readers, as did Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. Despite criticism from some in the AT community that the book’s cynicism, impromptu observations, and didactic, lighthearted approach might be detrimental to safe, responsible use of the trail, A Walk in the Woods received heavy praise and was a New York Times bestseller for 35 weeks. Many described it as the funniest travel book ever written. However, it had a greater, more far-reaching impact in that it inspired renewed interest in hiking the AT (and in hiking in general) during the early-21st century.

In Chapter 12 of the book, Bryson notes that “until the 1970s, fewer than 50 people a year thru-hiked the AT. As recently as 1984, the number was just 100.