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Summary: The most interesting personal account of the 20th century
Review: Mr. Josephy is 84 years old but this personal account of his "walk", which takes him from the sidewalks of NYC to the mountains of Oregon, from the nineteens to the nineties, is more contemporary and intriguing than any of the more high profile accounts of the 20th century recently published.I'm a big fan of the author's, having read his books about the American Indians (Josephy does not call them "Native Americans") and their struggles. An Indian friend of mine credits him -- by exposing their plight through the articles he wrote in the 1950's and 1960's in Life and Time magazines -- as being the individual most influential in changing the perception of the Indian in this country. But the book is about much more than that. Like an intellectual Forrest Gump, Josephy witnessed and participated in much of America's history this century. He begins as a kid on the west side of NYC, goes to Harvard briefly then leaves because of the depression. Gets a job in the 30's as a screenwriter at MGM and as he travels by bus to California, he witnesses the exodus of the dust bowl families and becomes committed to helping the less fortunate of this country. And he does. He works as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, radio, the Marine Corps; interviews Trotsky, tapes the invasion of Guam as a WW2 Marine sergeant war correspondent as the enemy is firing on him...and receives a bronze star, fights for Indian recognition and rights, helps change the U.S. environmental policies, works for JFK, marches with Martin Luther King... His is such a fascinating account that it makes history personal and alive. We should all read this not only for the facts of our past, but also for the example Mr. Josephy has set. The "lesson" that much can be accomplished by one person with courage who cares would be well learned by schoolchildren and adults of all ages. I recommend this book to each of them.
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Summary: Take A Virtual Walk And Order This Book
Review: There have been several 20th century retrospectives published recently by high profile authors, but none as fascinating as "A Walk Toward Oregon" by Alvin Josephy. Here's a book written by a man that has "walked the walk" from NYC to the west coast -- from the early part of the 20th century to present day -- with stops in Mexico and the WW 2 Pacific along the way. Mr. Josephy's personal account and participation in some of the most significant events of the 20th century reads like a novel, yet informs like no history book I've ever read. His account of the streets of NYC as a kid in the early 1900's; trying to find a job during the depression (he did...selling stamps in Macy's); interviewing Trotsky as a young reporter; taping the invasion of Guam as a Marine sergeant; writing for Time and Life about the American Indians and changing the public's perception of their plight; serving with Kennedy; marching with MLK; and on and on. Yet it's easy to read and fascinating. I think "A Walk Toward Oregon" should be at the top of reading lists for schools and book groups. I enthusiastically recommend it!
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