Helpful Score: 1
Great perspective on this great country that we live it.
Helpful Score: 1
An all time favorite. I read it twice and might read it again. If you are an "old hippie" or just a lover of the down home USA this is a good book to read on a wintery night.
Helpful Score: 1
Even though this is an older edition, this is a fun read of adventure. The author writes of various tales across America and the true experiences he encountered, some funny, some not so funny. Some were downright scary-the one in the spirit-filled bar was very intriguing. I loved this book because it told about various experiences/challenges. A good read.
Helpful Score: 1
my mom told me that she liked this book. an early 70s twenty-something, disillusioned with the state of the union (and the world it is molding) walks with his pup from new york to new orleans. he encounters "america"; author: "i started out searching for myself and my country and found both."
Helpful Score: 1
The stories told are heart warming and encouraging about our fellow man. It is inspirational and helps you see people for who they are and not as a "group" or race or culture all the same. Yes, many fit the profile of that "group" but in a good way. It is the face of America which is what makes us great. I loved all these stories and will read it again and tell others about the people across America they need to meet. Get this book.
Thanks, Peter Jenkins. Your stories will not be forgotten.
djf
Thanks, Peter Jenkins. Your stories will not be forgotten.
djf
Helpful Score: 1
This is a true story about a young man who walks across America seeking to get to know his country and ended up a changed man by the people he met along the way.
Helpful Score: 1
this is an awesome book to read.it has alot of pictures of people this fellow met on his journey.great book.
An interesting read. More than just a story of a guy walking across the US, but his interesting experiences with the people he met along the way. Kinda ends weird with his awakening to religion.
a young man's journey through his land and its people
three months on the new york times best seller list
three months on the new york times best seller list
Inspiring.
An interesting journey across America in the early 70's and a good read as the author grows and broadens his view of life.
Such a great story but really not a great writer. I am surprised that I never heard about these books during the 70s when he was doing this journey, writing about it and being covered by National Geographic. I recently [2011] read both this one where he leaves NY and ends up in New Orleans, and the second book The Walk West which takes him across the country to the Oregon coast. I was so impressed by his story but shocked by his naivete'. In spite of the poor writing, these have really stayed with me.
An awesome chronicle of one man and his super-hero dog hotfooting across the grand ole U S A. Amazing! He discovers this country's roots and soul!
When I was about ten years old, I asked my mom for something to read that was more "grown up" than "Babysitter's Club" or "Nancy Drew." She walked to her shelf, skipped over the romance section, and handed me this book. I "borrowed" the book long enough that my mom said, "keep it," and I have always treasured it. Jenkins' story is intriguing and his adventures are down to earth and real. The characters Jenkins describes come to life and you feel like you were there. It's a little harder to find these days, but get the paperback and then try to find the hardback if you like it as much as I do. It's something you can feel reasonably safe handing to your 12-year-old when s/he asks for something more "grown up."
Jack Kerouc of the 1970s. But how can you claim to have crossed the United States when it is all east of the Mississippi? Pretty good pictures for the 1970s.
(OK, this was only the first part, like any good writer, he left room for a sequel, he finished in Oregon a few years after the stuff in this book was finished.)
(OK, this was only the first part, like any good writer, he left room for a sequel, he finished in Oregon a few years after the stuff in this book was finished.)
Along with his dog, Cooper, Jenkins undertakes an amazing journey: the walking of America.
I had to read this in high school; it is a popular book with YAs, and a former NYT bestseller.
I had to read this in high school; it is a popular book with YAs, and a former NYT bestseller.
This is one omy all time favorite books. Peter Jenkins walks across america, meets incredible people and finds himself.
Peter Jenkins story of his 1973-1975 walk from New York to New Orleans is one of those books that you just can not put done once you have started. You will find yourself thinking about the book when you should be doing other things and you can't wait to pick it up again. When I finished reading the book I wanted more. I even purchased the old April 1977 National Geographic Magazine to read his article that he wrote for them and see even more of the pictures of his journey. Luckly, Jenkins journey does not stop in New Orleans, his walk continues and so do his books: The Walk West, The Road Unseen, Close Friends, and Across China.
Peter Jenkins says, "I started out searching for myself and my country and found both." The story would have been good enough just hearing about the trip, the things that he saw, how he survived, and the companionship of his faithful dog; but what make the book great is the people. The people that he meets, how they accept him, and in some cases don't. It is the sociology as well as the adventure that make this one of the best books I ever read for pleasure
Peter Jenkins says, "I started out searching for myself and my country and found both." The story would have been good enough just hearing about the trip, the things that he saw, how he survived, and the companionship of his faithful dog; but what make the book great is the people. The people that he meets, how they accept him, and in some cases don't. It is the sociology as well as the adventure that make this one of the best books I ever read for pleasure
The author is obviously not a professional writer, but the content is really interesting and inspirational.
I'm a huge fan of Craig Childs (ALL his books are beautifully written and render his experiences almost intact to the reader) and Ted Kerasote (especially "Merle's Door", an exceptionally poignant story). This book is just too immature for me: this man is a contemporary of mine (same age) and this book may have held my interest forty years ago, but today it simply doesn't. It would be wonderful for a young adult. I got through barely 1/3 of the book, was constantly reminded of "Into The Wild" by Jon Krakauer (the story of Chris McCandless' bizarre Alaskan adventure which ended in his tragic death) and kept wondering "WHY is this kid doing this?" Didn't work for me.
Fascinating story.
Good travelling book.
Very 70's. I did not care much for the main character or how he treated the dog he claimed to love so much. My book club read this and only the gal who chose it thought it was wonderful.
the famous best seller, five thousand miles across America
