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Scot's Reviews > A Walk Across America
A Walk Across America
by
by
It was a dark time in the soul of America and just as a quick reminder to those living through this one, this is a cycle, this is not the first, nor shall it be the last. In the early 70's we were still in Vietnam, the counterculture had crashed and burned and torn itself apart, every great leader that we had hope would fix things was assassinated, and things were feeling bleak.
In that context, Peter Jenkins, an almost hippie (he may have looked the part, but I don't think he was deep down in his soul), who grew up in the rich, white suburbs of Stamford, CT and went to college at Alfred University in Western NY, got fed up with America. And in response, he and his Alaskan Malamute, Cooper, decided to walk across America to see if there was any reason to have faith and not run from America.
It's a pretty epic journey, I don't want to include too many spoilers, let's just say that lots of average Americans help Peter along his way and he gets big surprises from burly Mountain men, African American families living in trailers in rural Appalachia, rich redneck ranchers, and even an infamous racist of a Governor.
Along the way he discovers that not only is there beauty everywhere and people helping people, but that what he is really looking for is a connection to something higher, God or source.
Though I didn't realize when I picked this up at the recommendation of an awesome local librarian because I love books about walking that it was only part 1, and he only makes it to New Orleans in this edition, I am excited to eventually find out the rest of the story on his walk west.
Recommended for those that need a little hope in bleak times or those that aren't quite sure where they stand with this country but have an inkling that things are better than they seem or anyone that likes walking or travel memoirs. And any yankees that think the South is full of racist jerks, ought to give this a try, it's a good reminder that we are all decent people at heart, no matter where we live.
In that context, Peter Jenkins, an almost hippie (he may have looked the part, but I don't think he was deep down in his soul), who grew up in the rich, white suburbs of Stamford, CT and went to college at Alfred University in Western NY, got fed up with America. And in response, he and his Alaskan Malamute, Cooper, decided to walk across America to see if there was any reason to have faith and not run from America.
It's a pretty epic journey, I don't want to include too many spoilers, let's just say that lots of average Americans help Peter along his way and he gets big surprises from burly Mountain men, African American families living in trailers in rural Appalachia, rich redneck ranchers, and even an infamous racist of a Governor.
Along the way he discovers that not only is there beauty everywhere and people helping people, but that what he is really looking for is a connection to something higher, God or source.
Though I didn't realize when I picked this up at the recommendation of an awesome local librarian because I love books about walking that it was only part 1, and he only makes it to New Orleans in this edition, I am excited to eventually find out the rest of the story on his walk west.
Recommended for those that need a little hope in bleak times or those that aren't quite sure where they stand with this country but have an inkling that things are better than they seem or anyone that likes walking or travel memoirs. And any yankees that think the South is full of racist jerks, ought to give this a try, it's a good reminder that we are all decent people at heart, no matter where we live.
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