book data
548 ratings, 4.02 average rating, 101 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
September 2001
(first published 1982)
by Harper Paperbacks
binding
Paperback, 320 pages
isbn
006095955X
(isbn13: 9780060959555)
description
Twenty-five years ago, a disillusioned young man set out on a walk across America. This is the book he wrote about that journey -- a classi...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 673)
Read in August, 2007
I found this book in a tiny library in Maine for 50 cents. I had not traveled in awhile and did not want to stop (had a return flight to catch unfortunately). So, I decided to live through Peter Jenkins and his epic tale of his walk across America. As a recent college graduate, Peter is a young man disillusioned with his country. He contemplates leaving it before settling on seeing it on foot.
Peter Jenkins'writing is simplistic and clichéd. One would think he is getting paid $100...more
Peter Jenkins'writing is simplistic and clichéd. One would think he is getting paid $100...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
This book was given to me. I am glad that this story is recorded. It
enchanted me, though I could see it as more important than a mere travel
escape. Peter describes his discovery of why America is great. The
only thing is that the imagined greatness of the American people seems
small to me, compared to global environmental destruction and ignorance.
enchanted me, though I could see it as more important than a mere travel
escape. Peter describes his discovery of why America is great. The
only thing is that the imagined greatness of the American people seems
small to me, compared to global environmental destruction and ignorance.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
read this as a teenager (think it's the same book) and it really helped carve me into the quasi-hippie i am today...when the kids are older, we're getting a van, painting it with peace signs and setting off accross country to california...just for the experience...yeah,man....
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Love this story. The writing is passable, by which I mean that sometimes I cringe at the style, but am enough engaged in the drama and the cast of characters that I forgive it happily.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in January, 2003
This book covers half of a guy's quest to walk across America. Yes, on foot. After graduating from college, he decides that this journey would allow him to see America for himself. He starts training by taking longer and longer walks with his dog. He sells everything he owns, buys his equipment and sets out. The reading is enjoyable, and he chronicles the lives and stories of the people he comes across. When he runs out of money, he ends up finding odd jobs and live-in situations with some of th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2008
I'm really glad I read this book. Jenkins does something very well at the beginning of this book; he makes you as the reader care about him. He writes honestly about where he is in life, making me care about him before he sets off on his trip. I liked him, and I wanted to go on a trip with him.
His writing is almost overly honest and "gee-wiz" like, but it is honest, and I think it works for the general tone of the book, that of a guy in the 70's, a quasi-hippie, setting out to disc...more
His writing is almost overly honest and "gee-wiz" like, but it is honest, and I think it works for the general tone of the book, that of a guy in the 70's, a quasi-hippie, setting out to disc...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2008
Ever wonder what it would be like to wander across the country, stopping in different towns and cities, meeting people along the way? What are Americans really like? Are small towns truly friendlier? Do people really help strangers?
This is a re-read of a book I read 20+ years ago.
At the beginning of the book, Peter Jenkins is a disillusioned 20 something who sees only the negatives in America. He hates the senseless deaths caused by the Vietnam war, he doesn't trust the government, sees...more
This is a re-read of a book I read 20+ years ago.
At the beginning of the book, Peter Jenkins is a disillusioned 20 something who sees only the negatives in America. He hates the senseless deaths caused by the Vietnam war, he doesn't trust the government, sees...more
Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Travelers, seekers, readers fascinated by place and the American landscape
Sometimes Jenkins' writing is rough around the edges or seems evasive - doesn't give info I'm waiting for, or he's in trouble, at risk of his life, and he doesn't take the obvious way out and doesn't share enough of his internal process that I understand why. I feel I'm not always getting the full picture. It's odd because he's so candid and thoughtful about many of his experiences along the way, but then other parts feel held back. But these are small quibbles and I put them down to him being a...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
wanderers, nature lovers
I found this book compelling, partially because it echoed a few of my own life experiences. I too, graduated from college with a fair dose of disillusionment; the US was involved militarily in several countries, and the events of September 11th foreshadowed the war (or "operation") in Iraq. Peter Jenkins graduated in 1973, in the aftermath of the Vietnam war, "with a hollowness deep down inside [of him:] that hurt bad and never really went away. It had not gone away after wild ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I first read this book in sixth grade and found it moving. I reread it this past year and still liked it enough to buy a copy for a friend. It's a simple book by someone who is not really a writer. Peter Jenkins graduated college, felt directionless, was disillusioned with America, fond of the outdoors, and was convinced by a friend that if he wanted to know what was really up, he should check things out. So, he began to walk across America, with his dog. This book covers his journey from t...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2006
recommends it for:
those who like travel novels
Yet another travel novel I've read. Jenkins describes the less travelled part of America in a lovely way, this book made me want to grab a knapsack and climb the Appalachians. I was reading this book over Thanksgiving break weekend and was so enthralled with it that after the big feast I closed myself in my room and finished the book by the end of the night. I hardly even conversed with my family on Thanksgiving thanks to this book, but it was well worth it. This book will give you a new view on...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
He literally walks across America. This book, his first, is mostly about his time on the East coast and in the south. The people he meets are fascinating. He stumbles in and out of so many interesting sub cultures. I wish I could talk to some of the people he meets.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I first read this book when I was about 15 years old and has always been one of my favorite books. It explores the journey of a young man who yearns to learn more about this country and the people who make this country. It is a really fun and easy read that follows him through his travels for the first part of his journey. This book also has a sequel <i>A Walk West<i> which tells the second part of his journey.
I have probably read this book about 7 or 8 times over the years ...more
I have probably read this book about 7 or 8 times over the years ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
nobody
I read this book because I was doing research for a novel about a runaway and her dog. I really hoped this book would be a fun read, full of insights and adventure; however, this book turned out to be the trek of a spoiled-rich-kid who goes off to "find himself" and ends up finding God. His lack of common sense shows as we follow him and his dog from New York to Louisiana. When at last he reaches New Orleans, we find out he's been on a spiritual quest more than on a quest to find "...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2007
This book was great... I read it just after graduating from University so it touched me more than it may others. It has probably played more of a role in shaping my recent opinions on life than I give it credit for. Anyways its the story of this dudes journey following graduation, its a true story that describes his life as he answers many questions about who he is, who we are(Americans), and what life is about, or atleast what are we to do with ourselves! haha!! I look forward to reading the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
I thought this was a great book. The Author, Peter Jenkins set out in the mid 70's to find himself and his country. It could have been written yesterday. The adventure that he experience and the lives he touched and who touched him are amazing. It makes me want to strap on a backpack and start walking. There is a lot of America that most of us never see, even from the car windows. Peter got out and walked, talked, and lived with other Americans off the beaten path. His open-mindedness sh...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Hikers, backpackers, adventurers, wanderers
Somewhere in the middle of this book was a picture of Jenkins burying his dog and best friend Cooper. I was so moved by the photo that I had to find out how Cooper died and learn more about this man who decided to pack up his belongings and walk thousands of miles away from his home on a journey to find himself and restore is faith in his fellow man. Moving at times and almost always entertaining, Jenkins tale of his time living with a black family in a small racist town in the south brought me...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who feels the urge to wander
This is a wonderful, non-fiction coming of age story about a 23 year old boy disillusioned with life. Even at his age he'd already been through a failed marriage, a college education he didn't know what to do with, and growing discontent with his country. Encouraged by a friend to get to know his country before rejecting it, he sets of on a two year hike through the american backwoods, where he meets interesting people and joins new families with his faithful dog who protects him. It's a wond...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Disillusioned college grad from established Connecticut family decides to walk across the country to uncover the soul of America. The walk and recorded events occured from 1973-1975, so there are some interesting references to that period and the state of the country at that time. He lives with a black family, loses his beloved dog, finds God and love, and ultimately answers many questions about his country. I picked this up just before the 4th of July as I was in the mood for a travel journal. ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1993
I read this book so many times growing up. I found it on my parents' bookshelf and was always intrigued with Jenkins' journey. In high school, it was a summer read, and 10 years later, it was required reading for a work retreat.
I got to meet Jenkins at that work retreat. He's a great guy with so many interesting stories. He and his son have been retracing his steps from this first book.
He gave me his audio version of his Alaska adventure. We have yet to listen to it, but I'm defi...more
I got to meet Jenkins at that work retreat. He's a great guy with so many interesting stories. He and his son have been retracing his steps from this first book.
He gave me his audio version of his Alaska adventure. We have yet to listen to it, but I'm defi...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
to-read
(on 73 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 19 people's shelves)
travel (on 17 people's shelves)
memoirs (on 7 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 5 people's shelves)
favorites (on 4 people's shelves)
own (on 3 people's shelves)
memoir (on 3 people's shelves)
want-to-read (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 19 people's shelves)
travel (on 17 people's shelves)
memoirs (on 7 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 5 people's shelves)
favorites (on 4 people's shelves)
own (on 3 people's shelves)
memoir (on 3 people's shelves)
want-to-read (on 2 people's shelves)
More shelves...
groups with this book
