Walter Rudin: Functional Analysis

by Walter Rudin
Walter Rudin: Functional Analysis cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Technical
  • ID: 5091
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
abebooks.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
good 4.00

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is a humorous account of his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, filled with personal anecdotes and social commentary. While the book is entertaining and witty, some sections of social commentary can be lengthy and may not appeal to all readers.

Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods is a quirky and humorous recount of his mid-life crisis adventure to hike the Appalachian Trail. The book is filled with personal anecdotes and witty observations, making it a light and enjoyable read. However, some sections of social commentary can be lengthy and may drag on, which might not appeal to all readers. The book is not a detailed guide to the Appalachian Trail but rather a humorous account of Bryson's experiences. The reviewer enjoyed both the book and the movie adaptation, but recommends reading the book first to avoid any preconceived notions from the film. Overall, it's a worthwhile read, especially for those who enjoy humor and hiking.

Quick quotes

    A humorous read, much of it at the author’s own expense

    This is not a book for those trying to get detailed information on the Appalachian Trail but rather for those wanting a light read with a good deal of humour, much of it at Bryson’s own expense.

    Well worth a read even if you aren’t a hiker.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
mixed 3.00

The reviewer finds Bill Bryson's 'A Walk in the Woods' amusing but overly self-mocking and lacking in enjoyment of the Appalachian Trail. They criticize the book for skipping enjoyable moments and making the trail seem tedious.

The reviewer initially complains about Bill Bryson's 'A Walk in the Woods,' noting its discursive style and the author's failure to complete the walk. They appreciate the self-mocking quality in mountain adventure writing but find Bryson's self-deprecation excessive, making the characters seem unprepared and fearful. The reviewer criticizes the book for skipping over enjoyable moments and focusing on the tedious aspects of the Appalachian Trail. They also mention the movie adaptation, which they feel spoils the point by making the trail look attractive. Overall, the reviewer finds the book amusing but flawed, and they question why the book is a best-seller.

Quick quotes

    Most long-distance walk stories skip over the boredom and the really miserable bits. Bryson is determined to avoid this mistake. Instead, he skips over all of the bits that are even slightly enjoyable

    That's assuming there are some enjoyable bits of the Appalachian Trail. I did once do three days in the Appalachians. After two days of looking at trees from underneath I emerged onto a hilltop with a view. The view was trees, seen from on top. Over the three days I walked past approximately one million trees. Oddly, I didn't have the urge to carry on walking past trees all the way to Maine.

    So yes, you can write an amusing book about the 'tedious, mad, really quite pointless business of stepping over every inch of rocky ground between Georgia and Maine', on a path that makes the endless peat bogs of the Pennine Way seem positively eventful.

proofwiki.org · Unknown · 2023-03-06
excellent 4.50

The book is a comprehensive guide to functional analysis, praised for its clarity and depth. It is considered a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.

Walter Rudin's 'Functional Analysis' is highly regarded for its thorough coverage of the subject. The book is noted for its clear explanations and rigorous treatment of the material, making it an excellent resource for those studying functional analysis. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the content and the logical progression of the topics. However, some may find the pace challenging, as the book assumes a certain level of mathematical maturity. Overall, it is seen as an essential text for anyone serious about understanding functional analysis.

Quick quotes

    The book is a comprehensive guide to functional analysis.

    It is praised for its clarity and depth.

    The reviewer appreciates the depth of the content and the logical progression of the topics.

Appears in Lists