Bryson's Book is comedian's guide to the AT. A lot of what is writes is, in fact, based on fact (pun intended).

Most of the businesses he blasts can't tell you about his visit, because they have since gone OUT of business. Some blame Bryson. Some blame the fact that the charges he made were true enough that other hikers chose to bypass those services.

It's also worth noting that Bryson's book probably reflects the majority of those who attempt to thru-hike. They don't make it all the way either.

As for the Centralia fire, I can't tell you much. No thru-hiker goes near the place. But since Bryson had to write a book that filled x-number of pages, local folklore can fill quite nicely. But it's NOT a trail issue.

Just remember, how accurate do you expect Carlos Mencia or the Daily Show to be in their routines? Not all that much. Well, Bryson's book should be taken with a grain of salt too. It doesn't change an underlying layer of truth: many potential thru-hikers grow to hate the AT while they are out there. This is why they quit. Many successful thru-hikers grow to hate the trail while out there and they suffer through a few hundred more miles and go home to do other things.

Then they miss the trail a couple of months later.....