Although I'm an experienced hiker, I usually pick up the latest how-to books in hopes of learning something new. Unfortunately, most are horribly out-of-date or seem like they were written by someone who's never actually done any serious backpacking. Thankfully, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking is not one of those books. Simply put, this author knows his stuff and is obviously an experienced backpacker who practices what he preaches.
The author packs a lot of relevant info into the book, covering everything from how to pick the right hiking boot to advanced survival skills and the latest gps navigation gadgets. While many books give a cursory look at hiking clothes (usually incorrectly suggesting cotton shirts, jeans, etc), Stevenson delves into the most up-to-date polyester blends and anti-microbial, anti-smell shirts that make for a much more enjoyable experience. This current, detailed treatment is applied to all beginner hiking subjects, in an easy-to-digest, conversational style that is a joy to read.
Most hiking how-to books read like research papers, often filled with extremely basic, oversimplified info that, quite frankly, offends the sensibilities of most seasoned hikers. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it tells you everything you need to know to begin backpacking and hiking, while providing much more in-depth knowledge in each chapter for those that want to take the hobby further. The advice is solid, current, tried and true, which makes it a great book for both new and veteran hikers.