Trail of 32: The True Story of a Youthful Spirit That Knew Not of Defeat

by Paul Rega

THE ASTONISHING, TRUE STORY of a group of thirty-two boys and leaders who accomplished an amazing feat in 1972, when they rode their bicycles from Wood Dale, Illinois to Jacksonville, Florida.

The 1960's and early 70's were a simpler time--a common sense two-pedal world with realistic adventures, and everyday heroes. In the summer of 1972, an innocence was lost when twenty-six young boys in a small rural town set out to accomplish something bigger than themselves. Their journey of nearly 1,400 miles would take them through eight states, crossing over the Great Smoky Mountains. It was a tremendous achievement--one that would be hailed as the longest organized bike hike in the history of Scouting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, True Story, Travel

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2013

About the author

Paul Rega is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. He began his writing career in 1980 while attending Western Illinois University as a staff reporter for the Western Courier. Upon graduating with a degree in biology and journalism, he spent the next thirty years in business having started an executive search firm in 1984. His passion for writing stayed with him throughout his business life, and he started writing his first book in 1993. He published, 'How To Find A Job: When There Are No Jobs' in December 2011. The book was an instant success, and hit #1 on Amazon's bestseller list for job hunting books in March 2012. He published '12 Steps to Freedom' in August 2013, 'Trail of 32,' a true coming of age story in September 2013, 'The Syndrome,' a novel in April 2014 and 'A Two Pedal World' series in May 2014. Paul currently lives in a small town along the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he is writing his next book.

"....even though I did NOT like any of the characters, Paul Rega was drawing me in with an emotional hook and engrossed me completely in this read. That is the sign of a good author, to present his tale, connect with the reader and evoke something from them." --Top 500 Amazon Reviewer

Web: paulrega.com
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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulrega
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Goodreads: goodreads.com/paulrega

Reviews

[Kay Mcaloney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book. I was 35% into the book and they had yet to get on the "trail" as listed in the description of the book. The book was all over the board and redundant. I get how important the Boy Scouts are, but why not name the book that? I could not continue to even learn about the trip. I am stunned and surprised by the high ratings of this book. As an avid reader, I would not recommend it.

[Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope he didn't quit his day job

This book is a wandering, disjointed, and otherwise badly written account of a single event in the author's teen years. The book is at least twice as long as it needed to be and includes anecdotes that have no point or place in the main story. In addition, the editing is terrible and the book is full of grammatical and spelling mistakes, in addition to wilfull violations of the manual of style.

The story is about the author and his Scout troop biking from IL to FL in the summer of '72. That's pretty impressive, but the author manages to make it into the most boring tale imaginable. You'll think he's going somewhere with an anecdote, and then time and time again he'll come to a lame conclusion or just trail off with no conclusion at all. He may or may not have been a great Scout (he never goes into why he quit Scouting shortly after this trip), but he's definitely NOT a great writer. I'd say I'm dying to know how he managed to get TWO more books out of this one bike trip, but the truth is that I'd rather gnaw my leg off than read one more word by this author.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trail of 32: The True Story of a Youthful Spirit That Knew Not of Defeat" by Paul Rega is a beautiful childhood / boy scout memoir focusing on a spectacular bicycle trip in 1972 that will mark the life of tits boy scout participants.
Rega writes with wonderful prose about the life of boy scouts, about his experience and the impact the movement had on his life. With much detail and care he describes the spirit and customs of the organisation, remembers friends and teachers and takes you back to a simpler time. We, the people of his age, get warmly reminded of the 70s, its gadgets, its themes, its fashion and so forth.
This is a fantastic piece of nostalgia, a tribute to the best of an organisation and the best of the human spirit.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

The overarching story itself is compelling, but the author could have used an editor. Or a better editor if he has one. The book jumps from section to section without any semblance of continuity. Much of the story is "we did this, we did that, we saw this, he said that." I wanted to put the book down halfway through, but felt that I had invested so much time reading that I needed to power through.

There were also basic typos and repeats of paragraphs in the Kindle edition. Not many, but enough that I was even more frustrated with the book by the time I finished it.

[Timber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been trying to plod through this book for 2 months. The problem? It reads like...y'know when you go to a church party & get stuck in an earlock with the oldest guy there & he tells you his life story--not leaving out ANY detail--and you keep glancing at your watch waiting for someone to come rescue you? This book reads exactly like that. I made it 25% through the book & the story hasn't. even. started. yet. Maybe I'll try to finish later. The actual plot, whenever it begins, does sound interesting, but man, it's an earlock.

[Judith Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exciting adventure poorly told

It took a long time to determine the purpose of the book. It started out reading like a personal journal. He describes the scouts who made the trip, but the descriptions were brief and almost impossible to remember. Some of the trip description was interesting,but the writing was immature. He was trying to sound like a teenager, I guess. I never give up on a book and did read it to the end. It was a chore rather than something that I looked forward to. The trip was amazing. The writing wasdisappointing

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a long time to finish this book; it just didn't keep my interest. I didn't quit reading it, and I'm glad because it was more interesting to me toward the end when they're finally on their bike trip. Maybe someone interested in biking, or Boy Scouts, would enjoy the book more. There were areas of repetition, and some areas where it seems like the author thought of something relating to an incident and threw it in, then took you back to the main part again.

[Dick Whittington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admire the accomplishment of these 11-15 year old scouts, but not the book. It was too long, too slow and too repetitive. Do not understand the high ratings or the over the top reviews.

[Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book could have been so much more. Could benefit from a ruthless editing, both to cut repetition and to develop important themes and incidents that instead get tossed off...

[Maria Francis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it dull and boring and a struggle to get through it. It was very repetitive, it should have been a much shorter book. I expected a bit more. The sounds, sights, texture...Description of the landscape around them, something a bit more to engage the reader. It spoke of simpler times when children were children and were discipline and respected their elders. The old values, that working hard and determination counts for a lot. I could relate to all those elements in the book, but that was about it. . If you are a scout or into the history of scouts, you may find it interesting.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 2 out of 5]

The part of the book about the actual bike ride and the boys' characters was interesting. But the history of the Boy Scouts and the part about the author's current life made the book too long. It seemed he tried to pack too much into one book. I think he should just have focused on the 1,200-plus mile bike ride. Also there were numerous misspellings and typos which seemed to indicate the author didn't have a professional editor.

[Karenbike Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Growing up outside Chicago in the 1960s and early 70s is described in this memoir. Paul Rega is a Boy Scout and very active with fishing, camping, playing tag, building things and earning his badges and ranks. When he is 14 turning 15 he goes on a long bike "hike" from IL to FL with 31 other scouts and leaders. They have 10 speed bikes from Sears and no other safety equipment. They make their own paniers and tents and wear their scouting clothes and do it all on a budget of $265. 40% of the book is about his life prior to the trip and the rest of the book describes the ride through towns, being chased by dogs, over the Great Smokey Mountains, many days of heat over 100,and down the coast to Jacksonville FL. It showed vividly the power of their leader, Jerry, and the determination of these boys to reach their goal. It wasn't great literature, but I like to bike so this book had that draw for me.

[Katheryn Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trail of 32 is a wonderful read. It is more than just a story about a group of Boy Scouts (although I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the movement); it is an extremely moving account of a journey made by a group of young teenage boys across America. It tells how the boys came to make the journey, what inspired them to do it and how they raised the money to make the trip possible. It also recounts the actual journey itself. It describes the difficulties the boys faced, including an extremely difficult 3,000 feet bicycle ride up to Newfoundland Gap in the Great Smokey Mountains where they encountered bears, as well as the great fun they had along the way and at the end, the amazing triumph they felt at having accomplished such an incredible journey.

This book is a beautifully-written, inspiring read!

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 'sauna' Kindle read! (pure quiet-time-enjoyment)

Paul Rega wrote a page-turning story--especially for us 'Baby-Boomers'! And.....the Boy Scouts of America! (den mothers ---craft projects --campfire stories --bicycles)

Penny Candy, The Three stooges, (fear of creating juvenile delinquency -of course) : MUCH too much violence on TV. .............
Oh....if ONLY.....'today' we were so lucky!

Woody Wood Pecker --

No VCR's

8 mm cameras

modest 3 bedroom homes -- matchbox cars -playing marbles --

Fathers working with their 'hands' (carpenter -handyman -teaching sons skills with 'tools')

Tinkering ---OUTSIDE play -- "playing ARMY'

exploring ----fishing -- camping --[respect for nature].....etc.

Boyhood innocence to..................
YEARS of Boy Scout training had contributed to Paul Rega in more ways than can be imagined --

Wow! What a MENSCH -of a MAN!

[Tom Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Rega. True story
Trail of 32
This is a story of growing up and being part of the scout movement, 32 boys head out on a 1400 miles cycle trek to Florida. This journey takes them through eight states.
The journey was probably the largest ever undertaken at the time, and must have been one of the greatest achievements of its time.
The journey was in its self an education and in 1972 it was a fantastic thing to have done.
This book is a terrific read and very emotional in bits, it is very well written and I am sure you will enjoy reading it.
4 stars. 17 October 2013 .

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself was interesting, but the writing style was wanting. Ideas were repeated almost verbatim throughout the book in an unorganized manner. At other times, events and ideas were mentioned and swiftly abandoned. There were few transitions and each paragraph seemed to be its own thing, having nothing to do with the paragraph before or after. Sentence structure was not varied. Typos were common. Would have been greatly improved with thorough editing.

[Debbie Blocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, true story about a Boy Scout troop that biked from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL. in 1972. As I grew up during this time period, I can remember and relate to the style of living back then. It is a great story of coming of age and learning about life through this incredible journey.

[Jimmy Combs · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING TRAIL

Omg! Can this be any more boring??? I was a Scout...troop 432, Newtown, Ohio. The CHURCH had no part in it and shouldnt.

[Ken Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Rega told his tale with conviction, and I liked that. I lived through those times with a similar background in Scouting, however, had not had the awesome adventure that he and the 31 others enjoyed in that 1970s time frame.

The second half of his book harkened the lively times I had during my 4-1/2 years tenure in the Boy Scouts of America. He wrote the story in a way that I could see myself riding right along with them on their quest to do what no other Troop had ever done before.

You don't have to be a Scout to enjoy their intrepid journey into the upper limits of wholesome physical endurance and planning required by an entire community, growing mentally and morally stronger for the experience.

I plan to read 'Trail of 32' a second time, perhaps a year from now, to relive that summer with respect for their accomplishment, and inspiring me at a later age to spark my own new journeys.

Well-written and captivating, I highly recommend Paul Rega's book.

[Ronald J Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history; a boys true adventure. I grew up in the same neighborhood on the edge of Chicago. Although I’m a few years older than the author and departed prior to this epic, I was anxious to read this. Yes, it surprised me with insights about my area. It goes to show how subjective our experiences can be. Let this inspire boys and girls to challenge themselves on the open road!

[Keith Gerlach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book about Boy Scouts in the 60s taking a group bike hike of 1200 miles to Florida (where much to this native Floridians amusement they see live gators and are told gators are EVERYWHERE).

[Linda J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories of a great time past

Life in the 60s and 70s in middle America. The expectations of family and of community. A great achievement by the Boy Scouts. A life we should have again. Just wonderful.

[Joy Boutwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story is well written and takes you on an interesting and informational adventure of a boy. I liked the pictures that were added - it added a special touch and made the story even more real.

[Kerry Reis · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the summer of 1972, a group of scouts and their leaders conceived and undertook the longest planned bicycle trip of over 1400 miles from Wood Dale, Illinois through eight states to Jacksonville, Florida. The author was one of the scouts on this journey and his book is his personal recollection of the adventure this scout troop undertook. The tale of the journey in itself was very interesting and engaging as it explored the hopes and goals behind the excursion, as well as the challenges and unexpected surprises encountered along the trip. Unfortunately, except for a look-back remembrance intro in the second and third chapters, the actual story of the germination, preparation and trip does not start until the middle of chapter eighteen, well past a third of the book. Within this first third-plus section, the author focuses on his young autobiography and family history that is somewhat unfocused in leading the reader to the main object of the book, the bicycle tour undertaken by the scout troop. It would have been better if some of the more interesting tidbits in this autobiographical section that provide a sense of background to the commitment and character of the author and his fellow scouts in this undertaking had been related as thoughtful flashbacks during the trek. I did find a fair number of grammatical and typographical errors, but felt the number to be in an acceptable range as I did become engaged in an incredible and challenging accomplishment in scouting history.

[Eric Proctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I really liked. The story was good. I liked reading about the feat of the author and his scout troop. The ending was very sweet, showing what this experience meant for all involved. However, there were parts of the book that I did not like. It took a long time to get to the actual journey. I understand that a lot of preparation went into it. But I don't think I needed half the book focused on that. There was also a lot of repetition in the book. The author would write a sentence. Then a paragraph later would write nearly the exact same sentence. The book was also lacking in adequate transitions. There were times when he was sharing an anecdote and then quickly changed topics before returning back to the original anecdote. In the end, I saw, sort of, how the two were connected. It was just very disjointed. With a little bit more careful editing, it would be a much better book.

[Richard Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although certainly not an outstanding literary read, I was never-the-less absorbed in this tremendous achievement by a group of 32 scouts. Having been a Boy Scout myself, I enjoyed the background of Paul and the troop as well as the day to day experience and endurance of completing a bicycle trip from Illinois to Florida, some 1200+ miles.

Minor irritations of consistent grammatical errors (i.e. "road the bike" was the worst) were to be had, but overall the storyline made up for them. Recollections occurred periodically in the midst of other descriptions, making for a rambling subject matter; however it seemed to be a natural part of story telling.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Boy Scouts and youth activities.

[Lexie Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the history, pictures and funny stories of the build up and journey of these 32 boy scouts but I did not care for the writing style. I felt there were some lags throughout the book but once the boys got on their journey you could look forward to the next state and what they would discover. Great book for any young child/adult who likes a little adventure, or a historian interested in the 32 boy scouts who rode from Illinois to Florida.

[Kathy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow going book.

I finished the book, but it was not the kind that held you spell bound to the last page. The editors needed to do a better job of correction because nearing the end of the book there were multiple times when paragraphs were repeated. The book did inspire me to admire the organization of the scouts and those men who sacrifice to lead, teach, guide, and instill values into the boys that are in their charge.

[Mary Glass · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adventurous undertaking.

Kind of thick on the sniveling awe and trust of authority. Not a good mix with the pompous comparisons betwixt this stalwart group and the video hooked toads of today. How does this inspire? Where in the sacred Scout oath do I find the justification for puffing yourself up at the expense of others? It was a good trip except for the unrelenting pontification.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Rega, I really enjoyed your book! Reliving some of the times past when neighbors looked out for each other was kind of sad. The bike trip was amazing and I loved reading about all the experiences. Scouting is such a great organization its a shame its not more prevalent I guess that is another sign of the times. It would keep the kids out of trouble to have something to focus on like this.