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408th out of 1,804 books
—
1,743 voters
My American Journey
Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined the Army. The rest is history—Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert Storm—but a history that until now has been known only on the surface.
Here, for the first time,...more
Here, for the first time,...more
Paperback, 656 pages
Published
March 4th 2003
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1995)
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Back in March 2007, I had the opportunity to attend breakfast of the International Housewares Association. It was here that I was an arms length from Colin Powell as he gave his speech. As he provided short glimpses of events and accomplishments in his life I recall that I had to read his autobiography. Now a little over three years later I finally accomplished that by reading “My American Journey” by Colin Powell.
I found it fascinating the story of how Mr. Powell’s life twisted from his early y...more
I found it fascinating the story of how Mr. Powell’s life twisted from his early y...more
I read this book in chunks, and could not put it down, every moment I had free, that book was in my hand. General Powell is a very admirable person, someone who defeated the odds, and have endured a lot. This book should be required reading in schools, not because of the great story, but because it shows a small part of the bureaucratic machine in Washington, and how big decisions are made. Which I found fascinating.
I loved the little stories that are shared with the reader, the stories you don'...more
I loved the little stories that are shared with the reader, the stories you don'...more
East never meet West concept is true in the case of this book .While almost all reviewers, mostly Westerners gave it a very good to good rating, being an Easterner I am going to give it a C minus !
Here is the reason : The Chinese - Viet-Namese concept of The NOBLEST WARRIOR ( loosely translate the word QUAN TU ) is HE WHO DOES NOT ATTRACT TO WEALTH, DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN BEING DESTITUTE, and DOES NOT KOWTOW TO OVERWHELMING physical POWER ( Phu quy bat nang dam, ban tien bat nang di,uy vu bat nang...more
Here is the reason : The Chinese - Viet-Namese concept of The NOBLEST WARRIOR ( loosely translate the word QUAN TU ) is HE WHO DOES NOT ATTRACT TO WEALTH, DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN BEING DESTITUTE, and DOES NOT KOWTOW TO OVERWHELMING physical POWER ( Phu quy bat nang dam, ban tien bat nang di,uy vu bat nang...more
I read this book shortly after it was published and thought it was a good read. My wife read the Indonesian language version of this book about two years ago and loved it. Last year I was the control officer for Mr. Powell and his wife during a visit to Post. My version of the book is in storage so I asked him to sign a copy of the Indonesian version. He commented on the fact that this was the first Indonesian version he'd seen, checked the copyright and realized that it was a bootleg copy. We c...more
I really liked this book. It reads like a novel - engrossing and tough to put down. Powell and Persico (sp?) are great storytellers, and you get a true sense for the experiences that shaped Powell's perspective on leadership, the military, race relations, etc. I didn't love the brief asides on "leadership principles I took from this experience" - felt a little patronizing - but those were relatively infrequent and probably actually helpful. I was also surprised to really understand the extent to...more
Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined the Army. The rest is history—Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert Storm—but a history that until now has been known only on the surface.
Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good...more
Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good...more
I particularly enjoy biography and autobiography, and this is an outstanding one. Powell did so much -- from his career in the military to his service on the National Security Council -- and brilliantly recalls his close up and personal experiences with presidents and senior officials of the U.S. Government. I met him several times when he was Secretary of State (which period is not covered in the memoir), and never ceased being impressed by his ability to connect, to inspire and to set an examp...more
I like how Colin Powell describes this book and will include a quote by him, “Mine is the story of a black kid of no early promise from an immigrant family of limited means who was raised in the South Bronx and somehow rose to become the national Security Advisor to the President of the United States and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Is is mostly a story of hard work and good luck, of occasional rough times, but mostly good times. It is a story of service and soldiering. It is a st...more
Colin Powell is an American hero for sure. He details (in too much detail - 930 pages of detail) his life which starts as an unmotivated Harlem boy to a very motivated man of integrity who attained 4 stars in the Army who worked with 3 of our Presidents. Even though he was raised by his Jamaican parents to believe he was equal to everyone else, he got the usual treatment that blacks got in the South for way too long. He does not cover up those years but he treats them with the integrity he is ma...more
Although this book started rather slow with Powell's early days as a cadet and his early military career in Vietnam and the cold war era, the later chapters made up for it. His days going through the ranks up to becoming Joint Chief of Staff is described in detail that only an insider and major decision maker can go through. He reveals his thoughts in his dealings with Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, other world leaders. Not only he shares their discussions but what Powell thinks of these worl...more
One of the most profoundly inspiring books on leadership ever. Wonderfully written, it covers the life story of one of the most inspiring leaders of our time. He retraces his military career and gives an inside look at some of the major events of the end of the 20th century. He also outlines his famous 13 Rules of Leadership - which is a must-have for anyone leading anything as small as a guide pack to a multi-continent military operation.
One of his most famous quotations ... "when did you start...more
One of his most famous quotations ... "when did you start...more
This autobiography was highly recommended to me by my cousin, who is herself a war veteran. I half expected to be in over my head in military jargon, but I was pleasantly surprised. His writing is insightful and reflective, and I am walking away with the sense that I have a true picture of Powell's value system and basic personality. I also appreciated the fact that he doesn't take himself or his circumstances too seriously. He's actually got a great sense of humor, which is evident throughout t...more
Again, I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet.
This book was a bit outside my usual reading habits, but Tony Blauer had it on his list of recommendations, so I thought it would be worth checking out. And I was right. It was worth it.
As the title implies, My American Journey is the story of how Colin Powell went from sub-average school student of Jamaican immigrants in the Bronx to being the commander of the one of the most powerful militaries in the world. It is a quintessential rags-to-r...more
This book was a bit outside my usual reading habits, but Tony Blauer had it on his list of recommendations, so I thought it would be worth checking out. And I was right. It was worth it.
As the title implies, My American Journey is the story of how Colin Powell went from sub-average school student of Jamaican immigrants in the Bronx to being the commander of the one of the most powerful militaries in the world. It is a quintessential rags-to-r...more
After watching Powell announce his support of Barack Obama on Meet The Press, I wanted to know if the criticism he received for doing so was appropriate. I wanted to know how this man climbed the ranks of the military so quickly and how all this intersected with his racial identity.
The criticism (being called a traitor) wasn't appropriate. He believes in fiscal responsibilty and that is the only match I see with the republican party. He served Reagan and Bush because it was his duty. His strong...more
The criticism (being called a traitor) wasn't appropriate. He believes in fiscal responsibilty and that is the only match I see with the republican party. He served Reagan and Bush because it was his duty. His strong...more
Apr 17, 2008
Rodney
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Rodney by:
A High School Friend, and roomate
In reading this book I am so inspired by the hard work and determination that General Powell, Security Advisor Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and yes Secretary of State Powell.
This man has beat all the odds and has become an American Icon for many who seek the goals and dreams of an American dream and Hero. While his affiliation with the republican party has somewhat dampened my political views he has, yet his amazing journey has inspired me to call him and American Hereo, and yes I dare...more
This man has beat all the odds and has become an American Icon for many who seek the goals and dreams of an American dream and Hero. While his affiliation with the republican party has somewhat dampened my political views he has, yet his amazing journey has inspired me to call him and American Hereo, and yes I dare...more
This book deepened my already substantial respect for General Colin Powell. I did set the book down a couple of times in the beginning (it is very heavy). As he started writing about events I lived through, I gained new perspectives and became totally immersed in this reader-friendly memoir. I found I finished the last 2/3 of the book in a reading marathon.
This book has a lot of gentle humor woven in and out. Couldn't help grinning how Colin addressed the claims Dan Quayle made concerning his r...more
This book has a lot of gentle humor woven in and out. Couldn't help grinning how Colin addressed the claims Dan Quayle made concerning his r...more
Colin Powell's book made me hold him in very high esteem. He's honest, forthright and incredibly interesting. The first two thirds of the book I found amazing. It goes through his mediocre beginning in life, a lost boy with no direction, until he joined the ROTC. From there he had an amazing journey and met some fantastic people. I really enjoyed the personal aspects of this book. The last part was just too political for my liking, which is why I gave it three stars instead of four. I would defi...more
This is an awesome biography of a true American Hero. Colin Powell...a highly decorated military man in the United States army. His career took him to many different bases and countries while he rose to greatness. A defense advisor for three presidents from both the Republican and Democratic parties he learned to move and participate in the actions and decisions made in Washington.
This is an extremely long book. I think it could have been more tightly edited and shorter. Colin Powell fills his memoir with historical significance, which made it even more interesting to me. I have to question how he remembers details from 40 years ago, though. Did he document all his conversations and keep a daily journal?
The details make the stories interesting; however, his references to the people he quotes grow tiresome and the story would flow as well without so many of them.
His multi...more
The details make the stories interesting; however, his references to the people he quotes grow tiresome and the story would flow as well without so many of them.
His multi...more
Former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell has always been a person I felt I could look up to and honor, for a variety of reasons. His book confirms my thoughts, he is truly a leader. He takes risks when needed and does not run away from the reprecussions when they happen. Having been in the military myself, I salute General Powell for a job well done.
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I learned a lot about Colin Powell, and grew to admire and respect him even more through reading this book. I disagree with some of his political views, but regardless he is someone I probably would have supported as a presidential candidate due to his integrity and character. Definitely worth reading.
I never thought I would find so much knowledge/wisdom that would be applicable by my life in a book written by a career military person, but I did. I HIGHLY recommend this book - I found it very inspiring. If he's half the person he appears to be in this book, he's a fine person indeed...
I enjoyed going along vicariously with Colin Powell on his "American Journey". I admire his honesty, candor and integrity. I found it informative and inspiring for my own journey. It may be a generational thing but I think the idea of an "American dream" is not as desirable, ironclad or helpful as he seems to think. For example, I think what Jesus is about stands, in many ways in stark contrast to what many would characterize as "the American dream".
Oh my god, who the hell knew Colin Powell could write?! He's brilliant and easy and humble and fun. He'd make a great college professor. He spent a year in Vietnam, so you'd think he'd give that its own chapter, right? Nope, 3 pages, and it's PERFECT.
I listen to the abridged audio version of this book. It was really good and very enlightening. Hopefully someday I will go back and re read the entire book. Powell is a remarkable man, we need more leaders like him.
I like Obam'
but this man
probably should have been
our first
Black American President
even though his party then
has taken on feckless proportions
under the 43d
one certainly hopes
lack of precedent
but this man
probably should have been
our first
Black American President
even though his party then
has taken on feckless proportions
under the 43d
one certainly hopes
lack of precedent
I really enjoyed this book and the perspective it gave me on both the Korean and Vietnam wars. I found Colin Powell's history to be intriguing, and I have a lot of respect for him.
Excellent book. I was really busy with other things at the time I read this,and needed to return it to the library...so my recall of details is not the best on this one.
A great book about Gen. Powell and his life experiences. I believe this book is a great biography and also quite a superb military and political insight into the America.
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General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army (Ret.) KCB (Honorary) is an American politician. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), serving under President George W. Bush. He was the first Jamaican American appointed to that position. As a General in the United States Army, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989) and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of...more
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“If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.”
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Aug 02, 2010 02:46pm