A Walk Across America

The book is written in a way that makes it very easy to read and follow. Recommended!

Disillusioned youth raised in Greenwich, CT, graduates from college, divorces his college sweetheart wife, and decides to walk across America with his dog to find the "real" America, not the upscale society in which he was raised. This is the mid-1970s so a time when political, racial, social, and student unrest swept the country. As one who lived through the same era, the most fascinating aspect of the story is what is not shared: how did a recent college graduate, art major (sculpture), upon a recommendation of a college professor (no mention of what subject or how author garnered this support), manage to elicit an interview and commitment with National Geographic to print excerpts of his journey as well as provide a camera and how-to-use-it training. Our book group (all senior citizens) puzzled over this; thinking the answers could be a good story too.

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.

Loved his story of walking the Appalachian trail, the people he met along the way. People indigenous to the mts and small towns across america showed their generosity and compassion

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

Took away on a trip that I was on and really enjoyed the "company".

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.

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.

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...

have been trying to get a copy of this first book in the series for ages ...... hope it is as good as I remember ready nearly 25 years ago

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

Product exactly as shown

Love this story.. truly a classic and a must read... wish I would of read this years ago.. brought back a lot of 70s memories also.