out of print

Colin Fletcher walked through California from the Mexican border to the Oregon border in 1958 and wrote The Thousand Mile Summer. He continued writing the following:

The Man Who Walked Thru Time

The Winds of Mara  - all good reads, but mostly story telling.

Colin Fletcher then came out with The Complete Walker, with several versions up to the latest one: The Complete Walker IV (co authored by Chip Rawlins).  This newest book is not as much fun to read, but a good reference, called by some "The Hiker's Bible."

out of print

Ray and Jenny Jardine have walked over 15,000 miles including the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada three times, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.  As they refined their techniques during these trips, Ray became convinced of the importance of lowering the total weight carried.  Ray Jardine has written two books, based on their experiences.  The first one is The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook, focused on what is needed to complete the PCT, but also emphasizing universal approaches for successful backpacking, including ultralight gear.

The second one by Ray Jardine is Beyond Backpacking - Ray Jardine's Guide to Lightweight Hiking, expanding the ideas in the first book.

Karen Berger is one of the select few who have hiked the Triple Crown - Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail.  Also a talented and prolific author, read her Hiking the Triple Crown to get an excellent overview of these three trails, and what is involved in doing any or all of them.