Unlost: A Journey of Self-Discovery and the Healing Power of the Wild Outdoors

4.3 | 1,242 ratings

Price: 17.46

Last update: 05-17-2024

About this item

"Gail writes with humour, heart and passion." (Giovanna Fletcher, Sunday Times number one best-selling author)

Includes exclusive audio commentary from Gail straight from her trail experience

Gail Muller was told she’d be in a wheelchair by the age of 40. At 41, she set out to hike one of the world’s toughest treks: the Appalachian Trail - a 2,200-mile journey that would help her reclaim her life and heal her mind and body. An inspiring, moving, and uplifting memoir for fans of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.

As Gail took her first steps through the wilderness of the USA, she had no idea what lay ahead of her, but she knew she felt burnout from city life, lost and broken - ready to heal a mind and body that she had battled with for so long.

From the resilience-building mountain climbs, painful injuries, and harsh reality of braving the raw elements, to the unexpected friendships forged with other hikers and the kindness of strangers offering food and shelter - with every step, Gail started to let go of a past dominated by chronic pain and reconnected with herself in a way she’d never been able to before.

A love letter to the healing power of the wild outdoors and an incredible testament to the strength of the human spirit, Gail’s story is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, lost, or scared. She shows us that even in our darkest times, it’s possible to find our inner grit, face our fears, and feel hopeful.

Heather

1000 reasons I loved this book

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024

As someone who also has chronic pain and is hiking the AT…I found it really interesting that we both oddly suffered less while on the trail than in normal life. The Smokies continue to taunt me as well….never having weather safe enough to hike them through when I have the time. Overall very much worth the read! I can’t imagine you wouldn’t enjoy this book.

Al Stone

One Woman's Relationship and Experience on the Appalachian Trail

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2023

This book is not about the Appalachian Trail. It is about Gail Muller’s experiences on the trail. Much of it is about social relations, specifically a boyfriend named Buckshot and the unsettled connection he and Gail have. A second theme is chronic pain that Appalachian Gail suffers. The narrative pretty well peters out after Vermont (where the Buckshot affair effectively ends), over two-thirds of the book takes place on less than one third of the trail. After Gail reaches the half-way point in West Virginia, the story amounts to a drawn-out summation culminating at Springer Mountain. Yet, this is a well-written and honest account of one person’s story on the AT. Enfolded in the narrative is the human condition, the strengths and weaknesses we all have and the highs and lows we all encounter.

Robert C. Johnson

Great Book On Hiking the Appachian Trail and Finding Yourself

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2023

I found this to be a really great book but I am always a sucker for stories about long hikes. That said the book is more about the emotional and physical pain Gail Muller endured on trying to find herself while hiking the trail rather than the trail itself. I found her emotional problems very moving and was inspired by the uplifting emotional effect the trail had on her. If you are looking simply to find out what the trail is like this book may not be for you. However if you are looking for a story about a woman who found herself while hiking the trail this book is definitely for you.

Sarahpilot

love

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024

About as real as it gets. I’ve read a ton of these women hiking books at this point but this one stood out as Gail was over 40 and English.

Neelstina

Strong start but weak ending

Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2023

I enjoyed reading about this woman’s journey for the first half of the book. Although the term ‘midlife crisis’ was avoided I felt like it was partially about that. As well as about having a challenging relationship with her own body, portraited in the chronic pain and the trauma from the sexual abuse she suffered.
This is also the theme that fell short in the end; the so called ‘insights’ and ‘wisdom of the trail’ led to barely anything more than the standard platitudes you’ll find anywhere else about thru hiking. She was doing great in the first half of the book when it came to genuine reflections and described interesting insights. But I was disappointed and annoyed by the last few chapters; meticulously describing the self torture and abuse of her own body that made me almost sick to read. As if there is any glory in that. I am all for challenging your own limits, but this just seemed senseless and ridiculous. I also think that this approach is setting a poor example for people trying to improve their wellbeing.

rahooks

Appalachian Gail

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022

I chose this book because we share a surname and stuck with it because we share a yearning to hike even through chronic pain and illness. There were some parts of the book that would jump around from past to present and I would be lost at first but they usually came around to making sense. By the time I finished the book though I was longing for more and followed the link to the author’s website. Look forward to reading more about her adventures and following along however long she can keep up the new lifestyle through the times and trials. Thank you for sharing your stories!

Nancy Peterson

loved this book!

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023

As I won’t be hiking the AT I enjoy reading other folk’s tales. Gail Muller is a good writer and you really feel as though you are right there. We did hike some of the 100 Mile Wilderness so can appreciate Gail’s descriptions. Highly recommend this book!!

Jane Owen

Amazing Story Of Strength & Perseverance

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2022

This Memoir is an amazing masterpiece by Author Gail Mueller. The Author was told she would be in a wheelchair by the age of 40 but she decided to challenge herself despite what she had been told. She set out to hike 'The Appalachian Trail' which is a 2,200 mile journey. This is no easy feat and hiking this trail would end up helping the Author reclaim her life & heal her mind and body.

Mueller takes her readers on an unforgettable journey along this trail. She gives us her honest and heartfelt story. I am always in awe of anybody whom can push through pain to accomplish something great. Mueller went on an incredible journey of perseverance and strength.

Her story is gripping and it kept my attention throughout the entire book.

This book was another great 'bookbub' deal. I highly recommend reading this amazing story.

Reviews are posted on Goodreads, Kindle, Amazin & B&N.

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