I think I made a mistake. I read this book after reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.  I was hoping for the same kind of insightful monologue that Strayed offered in her book, only this time, focused on the AT, which is where I live and have hiked as well. 
Instead, I found this tale focused on the negative aspects of the AT and the people living in the surrounding areas all along the AT. It was overly sarcastic and simply not what I was hoping/expecting.