A Walk Across America

What a great *true* story. I have my copies so I got this for my sister and she said she had a very hard time putting it/them (2 part story) down too. Thanks!

I found this book at my parents house stashed away somewhere. What a find! It was an original copy from 1979. If you enjoy travel novels (Such as Bill Bryson's a "Walk in the Woods") you will really enjoy this book. The book took me both across the country and back in time. As someone in his 20s I can identify with the author and the way he felt at the start of his journey. But this book was set in the mid 70s, just under a decade before I was born. It is interesting to hear about all the people he meets along the way, and what America was like in 35 years ago. Jenkins paints a very vivid picture of the places he visits and the people he meets along the way. He also goes on an inner journey of self discovery. From a lost recent college grad disillusioned with the US he gains an appreciation for his country and a better understanding of himself. I really enjoyed it and even ordered a copy for one of my friends.

A Walk Across America is a different kind of story about a man and his dog in the 1970's. Peter Jenkins id fed up with America and is about ready to head to a foreign country when a friend tells him to take a closer look before he decides to abandon it. So Peter and his dog, Cooper, decide to walk across America. As they travel they meet many wonderful people along the way, with unique stories. There are a few, of course, who do not like them, like a small town who thinks Peter is a drug dealer trying to "grt" their kids. Most, though, like Peter and Cooper and some evern offer them places to stay. This is a true story , an overall good book. I liked hearing the interesting stories of the diierent people Peter me (he wrote the book). If you expecting to hear the whole tale, all the way to the Californian coast, though, you may disappointed, this book only goes about half way there. That's because Peter stopped to write this book. I think people who like interesting, true stories about human nature in general will like this book

I had never heard of Peter Jenkins until I found his books in my Mother's library. Now I am a real fan and will read all of his books in the coming months. What grabbed me and won't turn me loose is his story telling ability as he records his walk across America beginning in Connecticut and ending on the Pacific Ocean in Washington State. He wanted to see the real America back in the 70's. He was depressed and having a hard time finding a reason to look forward after graduating college until he was inspired by one of his Art Professors to leave everything behind and go forward. His story is good for today's generation, too because not much has changed in the big world and his story still applies today.

Excellent book. Good quality paperback. Definitely recommend, good shipping.

I really feel as though I took this journey with Peter Jenkins. He is a hiker who can make you feel as though you're on the trail with him. I fell in love with him and I fell in love with his dog, Cooper. I came to realize why dogs have been referred to as man's best friends. I'd thought from the title that Jenkins would be walking the entire time, not realizing that he would need to stop and work in order to continue to survive. On the whole, Jenkins was treated well. Ask yourself if you ever imagined that a white man in the seventies could move into a black neighborhood, live with a black family, and go to church with them every Sunday and become like one of the family? Or could you imagine a mountain man who raises all his own food, a virtual hermit, welcoming Jenkins into his home and treating him like a son? Still, there are some scary experiences on the road--some close calls--ones that will make your heart pound a little faster. Jenkins enjoys neighborly love in this book and by the end falls in love two more times (I won't spoil the story by providing details). Let me just say that I feel this book has it all--a little of every type of connection a healthy man or woman needs for the good life. Dog lovers and even those who have never felt a deep connection with animals of any sort (the exception for me would be my brother's dog in recent years) will feel an emotional investment in this story of a man and his beloved dog and the many wonderful, amazing, and occasionally scary people they meet.

About the time he was doing this, I was considering doing something similar myself. He was able to figure out some logistics that escaped me. I bought this copy as a gift, having read it years ago. My mom became partially blind and unable to read herself, so after not being able to find an audio book version of it, I made one for her myself. Obviously I recommend this book.

It is a very heart-warming and inspirational account of a young man’s adventure as he seeks to rekindle faith in America and her people.

In the beginning was very interesting, then when the dog dies the book becomes a little dull, but I liked it a lot and it's a wonderful epitome of that epoch

I had very high hopes when I bought a copy of 'A Walk Across America' but those hopes were completely destroyed once I started reading the book. The first thing that hits the reader is the author's utter, complete obsession with his dog, Cooper. At least half the book is merely "I love my dog so much. My dog is so beautiful and wonderful and great. My dog loves me so much. We love each other so much and we have so much fun playing with each other. I can't live without my dog and my dog can't live without me." And a million variations thereof. One soon gets sick and tired of reading about Cooper, the wonder dog. Apart from the dog thing, the writing is disjointed - the prose stutters and balks, the stories are dull and not at all engaging. Everything is just dull, dull and DULL, and things just drag on and on. I know my view of this book is contrary to what most other people think of it but, hey, that's my honest view - it's a terrible book. If you enjoy reading adventure-travel books, there a thousand others that you can buy. Just give this one a miss.

Product exactly as shown

Copy arrived quickly and in time for Mothers day as her present. She's been after this for ages. I'm so in her good books...

Hab das Buch in den 80's gelesen und nach all den Jahrzehnten wollte ich es wieder lesen