Title: Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Author: Ben Montgomery
First published April 1, 2014
288 pages, Audiobook
ISBN: 9781613747186 (ISBN10: 1613747187)
Rating: 4.08
Overview
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk is an awe-inspiring true story of a 67-year-old great-grandmother who set out on a journey that would change her life forever. With just a change of clothes and less than $200, Emma Gatewood left her small Ohio hometown to hike the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955.
She survived a rattlesnake strike, two hurricanes, and even a run-in with gangsters from Harlem. Yet, she didn’t give up.
In fact, she became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone and the first person to walk it twice and three times.
Ben Montgomery, the author of this book, was granted access to Emma’s own diaries, trail journals, and correspondence, and even interviewed surviving family members and those she met along the way. Emma’s story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and determination, and it will inspire readers of all ages.
Her vocal criticism of the trail’s lousy and difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and without her efforts, the trail may have gone extinct. Emma’s story is a story of triumph over pain, rebellion against brutality, and hope against suffering.
Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable story of Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.
About the Author
Ben’s childhood ambition was to become a farmer, but he ended up pursuing journalism at Arkansas Tech University. During his college years, he also played as a defensive back for the football team, the Wonder Boys.
Following his studies, he gained experience by working for several newspapers, including the Courier in Russellville, Ark., the Standard-Times in San Angelo, Texas, and the Times Herald-Record in New York’s Hudson River Valley.
In 2006, Ben joined the Tampa Bay Times, which is known as Florida’s most prominent newspaper. His outstanding work as a journalist earned him recognition, including being a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting in 2010.
He also received the Dart Award and Casey Medal for his series titled “For Their Own Good,” which exposed abuse at Florida’s oldest reform school.
Ben currently resides in Tampa with his spouse, Jennifer, and their three children.
Editoral Review
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery is a biography that tells the incredible story of an unlikely hiker who rose to fame in the 1950s for being the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, solo and in one season. Montgomery, a journalist and author, captures Grandma Gatewood’s remarkable life journey in this engaging and inspiring book.
Montgomery’s book falls under the genre of nonfiction and is written in a journalistic style. The author uses primary sources, such as interviews with family members, hikers, and trail and government officials, to paint a vivid picture of Emma Gatewood’s life, the challenges she faced, and the impact she had on the hiking community.
The book is filled with vivid descriptions of the Appalachian Trail, its wildlife, and the people that Gatewood met along the way. The book begins by introducing Emma Gatewood, an Ohio grandmother and mother of 11 who endured a difficult and abusive marriage for decades.
In 1955, at the age of 67, Gatewood embarked on a 2,050-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, with no experience, a homemade backpack, and some basic supplies. Throughout the book, Montgomery explores the physical, emotional, and societal struggles that Gatewood overcame during her journey, including the prejudices against women who hiked alone.
Additionally, Montgomery’s book highlights the importance of preservation of natural treasures like the Appalachian Trail, which faced threats of being abandoned or destroyed during the time of Emma’s iconic hike. The author contextualizes the story by providing background on the Appalachian Trail: its creation, its importance to hiking and conservation communities, and its upkeep.
This historical significance makes the book a valuable read for anyone interested in the history of conservation and outdoors recreation. Montgomery’s writing is impressive and detail-oriented, with an almost cinematic quality that allows readers to visualize the beautiful and challenging landscape that Gatewood traversed.
He offers readers insights into Emma Gatewood’s personality and motivations, bringing her to life in a way that feels authentic and moving. While the book offers a compelling and fascinating story, it does have some limitations.
There are moments where the writing can feel repetitive, and some of the transitions between the different portions of Gatewood’s life could have been more seamless. That being said, these limitations do not detract from the inspiring and motivating message of the book.
Overall, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of nature, conservation, and women’s history. It is a beautiful and poignant story that captures the spirit of determination and perseverance that we admire and applaud.
The book garners a rating of 4.5/5, with the only critique being the minor structural flaws. The author’s compelling writing style and fascinating subject matter make it an excellent choice for readers interested in the outdoors, adventure, and biography.
