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Let's Talk Books: "Grandma Gatewood's Walk"

by Ben Montgomery

The subtitle of this book detailing the amazing accomplishments by Emma Gatewood is "The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail"

From the publisher, Chicago Review Press: "Emma Gatewood was the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person—man or woman—to walk it twice and three times and she did it all after the age of 65. This is the first and only biography of Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, who became a hiking celebrity in the 1950s and ’60s. She appeared on TV with Groucho Marx and Art Linkletter, and on the pages of Sports Illustrated. The public attention she brought to the little-known footpath was unprecedented. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction. Author Ben Montgomery was given unprecedented access to Gatewood’s own diaries, trail journals, and correspondence. He also unearthed historic newspaper and magazine articles and interviewed surviving family members and hikers Gatewood met along the trail. The inspiring story of Emma Gatewood illustrates the full power of human spirit and determination."

Let's Talk Books is the Barrett Branch's monthly book discussion group.  We are meeting both virtually and in person once a quarter. If you have any questions you can contact Athena Williams at awilliams@alexlibraryva.org or Megan Zimmerman at mzimmerman@alexlibraryva.org