This is the perfect book for those of us who have good intentions of someday making the 2000-mile trek from Georgia to Maine ... but will never really get around to it. Emblidge dovetails selections by well-known naturalists and writers with those of AT through- and dayhikers to create a unique collection of observations. Some, like Thoreau, found themselves in the neighborhood of the path before it was even created. You can follow the history of the trail, beginning with Benton MacKaye's first written public proposal in 1921. Then the pieces mark an imaginary trip north from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin. Simple maps and b&w photos are included. It's not Bill Bryson's _A Walk in the Woods_, but then, what is? This is still an easy summer read.