Rating: 
Summary: A Classic, a best seller since 1979.
Review: I was buying Peter's new book, LOOKING FOR ALASKA, when I decided to read the reviews on amazon.com for some of his other books. After reading a couple by some people with limited vision I had to write one for his classic A WALK ACROSS AMERICA. This amazing book has been a best seller since 1979, it has sold a couple million copies. The reason is that it obviously communicates extremely effectively and to all ages, all backgrounds, just read the reviews. I know because I used to own one of the most successful bookstores in the midwest. I had autoworkers from GM buying it, professorts at MSU, students at MSU, high school students from town, Grandmothers in reading groups, grown-up hippies, stock traders in their suits. The most powerful and effective communication is done, whether by writing or painting or music or religion even, simply.
The Rolling Stones write and perform songs that reach out and grab all. Great artists, religious leaders, writers do the same. Peter Jenkins has done this with A WALK ACROSS AMERICA. Remember Peter is 21 years old when beginning this now famous, yet solitary journey. His book is written from a young persons perspective, yet the masses feel it, love it, and keep buying and buying it. What a rare book this is. The readers have spoken. And now I have had my turn. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Great Book!
Review: A Walk Across America was a wonderful book. The book was full of adventure. Peter Jenkins, the author, hikes from New York to Louisiana with his trusty dog, Cooper. This book allows the reader to take a wild journey. Peter discovers what it is like to be truly hungry, to travel in the mountains, to live in very different cultures, to make new friends, and to learn about religions. This book contains interesting photographs that bring the stories to life. One thing amazing about this book is that it is a true story. Peter Jenkins actually "walked across America." After reading this book I felt energized. Knowing I can go anywhere and do anything if I put my mind to it. I would recommend this book to others. You won't be able to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: A Schlock Across America
Review: I would say that a worse book could not be produced, but I know that there's some hot-blooded hippy out there who is ten seconds away from jumping up from his pottery wheel to shout, "Hey! I'm gonna walk across America and WRITE ABOUT IT!" (Or, rather, since he's a hippy, "Hey, MAN! I'm gonna walk across America and WRITE ABOUT IT!") Nothing against hippies; most of them know how to write well. It's the hippies that don't who really annoy me, such as Mr. Peter "My Life Partner is an Alaskan Malamute" Jenkins. He even admits it! ". . . I was not a writer. I could barely spell my name" (p. 57). So, please tell us, Peaterr Jinkyns, why'd you do it? Do you enjoy lacing together poorly-worded images and emotions into a story that's actually PAINFUL to read? The whole book seems as if it were written like a high school student writes an English essay on "The Scarlet Letter" at 4 A.M. the day it's due. (Yes, that's right, I used a similie--something Peter Jenkins should never ever do again.) He should let his dog do the writing, instead. (Which he does, in some points. He's one of those people who thinks his dog can talk.) This book got good reviews from other people because of it's optimistic outlook on our country, but I say don't listen to the optimists. They think that George W. Bush is a good president. It's the cynics who see the truth as it really is. Don't get me wrong, I love this country and I'm very proud of it. In fact, I even wrote my own book about it. It's called "My Feet Hurt, America". Here's an excerpt: "Today I started walking across this great country of ours, but half a mile out, I got tired and decided to go home and eat a Super-Sized BigMac combo meal with lots of ketchup. God bless the USA from sea to shining sea and the home of the brave. THE END" MY POINT: I think it's great that people love this country so much that they want to walk across it and write books about it. But I do think people should learn to write first. So don't read this book, unless you want a story about a hippy-turned-Republican.
Rating:
Summary: A Most Terrific Walk
Review: I can promise you that I haven't read more than one book in the past ten years, but from the moment I picked up "A Walk Across America" I couldn't set it down. I read it cover to cover in three days and ordered "The Walk West" and "Along the Edge of America" immediately. This book is for anyone who loves the outdoors, dogs, adventure or just a heartfelt excellent story. I now plan on reading anything and everything that Peter Jenkins writes. I sent a copy of this book as a gift for my son in Florida. Thank you Peter for sharing with us your wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: This book is one that brings adventure into the heart of all
Review: In his book, Peter Jenkins discusses his discontent with his life following college. He plans to leave the country, but in a last minute decision decides to take the advice of a friend and discover America. After some training for the adventure, he sets forth on his journey with his dog Cooper, who is his closest companion. Jenkins first heads first (on foot) to the National Geographic office in Washington DC, where he obtains a camera. His experiences and adventures will be recorded for an article in the popular magazine. From Washington, he starts south (destination unknown at this time). As he hikes through the mountains, he begins meeting all different types of people. His American journey takes him through a variety of places and introduces him to people of all backgrounds. Following a tradgedy on a Farm in Tennessee, Peter's adventure becomes even more insightful as he attempts to discern life in general. His walk takes him on many adventures, le! ! ads him to a religious experience, and introduces him to the woman that he eventually marries. The book is truly sensational, and impossible to put down once you have begun to read it! A must-read, for sure!
Rating:
Summary: Stumbled upon the book, could not put it down!
Review: Absolutely one of the best reads that I've ever encountered. Of course, throughout this book, I continued to hopelessly imagine myself taking this journey along with Peter. Its just a down to earth, true speaking, journey across the eastern US. I wish I could have been there to experience it too. Great read!
Rating:
Summary: I haven't read many books in my life,
Review: I once read an article in National Geographic, I believe 1978. I told my mother how inspiring it was. I was an outdoorsy type, and to hear of a young man in 1973 who gave up everything for a trip to try and understand the disillusion he had of his generation, his life and the bad taste so many expressed of his own country. My life had changed from this article, It was soon after this my mother found the book in the library and brought it home. I read it 3 times, each time it was just and good. It felt as though I was walking right there along side of him, I felt the pain, the joy and the intriguing moments of his life, the moments exploring and meeting new people. He had a special love for his best friend he called Cooper "Coops" a half Husky/Alaskan Malemute dog who had actually kept him alive during a spell of the flu on a cold mountaintop. Cooper died midway through the book, Peter expressed very well his loss and I cried as well, he explained his emptiness afterwards and I felt his pain. Peter Jenkins has written several other books since and I've read them all but this one will always hold a special place in my heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Good start, fantastic middle, vague ending
Review: If I were to rate only the first 3/4 of this book, "Walk" would recieve 5 stars. The story of Jenkin's efforts to explore the fabric of this country is truly inspiring. The various people he encounters along his journey are the marvelous centerpiece of this grand tale. Unfortunately, Jenkins loses focus toward the conclusion of this book. Although I fully appreciate the inner quest he embarked on, and agree with many of the conclusions he reached, I was really hoping to hear more about the people and places he was discovering, and less about his Christian rebirth. "Across China" and "Edge of America" are much better, in my opinion. Nevertheless, "Walk" is an interesting book and worth a read. Check it out and reach your own conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: A Schlock Across America
Review: I would say that a worse book could not be produced, but I know that there's some hot-blooded hippy out there who is ten seconds away from jumping up from his pottery wheel to shout, "Hey! I'm gonna walk across America and WRITE ABOUT IT!" (Or, rather, since he's a hippy, "Hey, MAN! I'm gonna walk across America and WRITE ABOUT IT!") Nothing against hippies; most of them know how to write well. It's the hippies that don't who really annoy me, such as Mr. Peter "My Life Partner is an Alaskan Malamute" Jenkins. He even admits it! ". . . I was not a writer. I could barely spell my name" (p. 57). So, please tell us, Peaterr Jinkyns, why'd you do it? Do you enjoy lacing together poorly-worded images and emotions into a story that's actually PAINFUL to read? The whole book seems as if it were written like a high school student writes an English essay on "The Scarlet Letter" at 4 A.M. the day it's due. (Yes, that's right, I used a similie--something Peter Jenkins should never ever do again.) He should let his dog do the writing, instead. (Which he does, in some points. He's one of those people who thinks his dog can talk.) This book got good reviews from other people because of it's optimistic outlook on our country, but I say don't listen to the optimists. They think that George W. Bush is a good president. It's the cynics who see the truth as it really is. Don't get me wrong, I love this country and I'm very proud of it. In fact, I even wrote my own book about it. It's called "My Feet Hurt, America". Here's an excerpt: "Today I started walking across this great country of ours, but half a mile out, I got tired and decided to go home and eat a Super-Sized BigMac combo meal with lots of ketchup. God bless the USA from sea to shining sea and the home of the brave. THE END" MY POINT: I think it's great that people love this country so much that they want to walk across it and write books about it. But I do think people should learn to write first. So don't read this book, unless you want a story about a hippy-turned-Republican.
Rating:
Summary: Termendous. Couldn't get enough.
Review: One of the best, personal, diarys that I have ever encountered.
Peter Jennings has a way of explaining his adventures that puts you right along beside him with every step. I purchased this book because of its preview within its cover, and it was the best book that I think I have ever read. I can't wait to get the next one.." The walk west". I couldn't lay this book down.
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