This book was published in in the 1960's which gives one a look at the Appalachian Trail fifty years ago. I first set foot on the trail in 1959 when I was in the boy scouts. I have had the opportunity to hike the same sections of the trail several and I can say that the wilderness aspect of the trail is pretty much gone. Also, at that time, there were few people that actually hiked large chunks of the trail. Today there are large numbers of through hikers that do nothing but party.

This is not a trail journal though the authors both have hiked large sections of the trail. It is more than a trail guide as it talks about what to take, what to wear, hiking ethics, etc. There has been a number of changes to the trail over the ensuing fifty years, unfortunately too few of them positive. Living in Vermont, which is the most rural state in the nation, the Long Trail appears to have changed little and I can hike on a trail little changed in over 100 years.

I highly recommend the book based on the historical aspects as well as ecological aspects ( )