College Bound Reading List
A Walk Across America spent three months on the New York Times bestseller list when it was first published in January of 1979. Still popular over 30 years later, this book remains one of the best selling backlist titles in the United States. Now considered a classic, A Walk Across America is required reading in hundreds of college and high school classes across America.
Just out of college and with his own feelings echoing the disillusionment of a whole generation, Peter Jenkins set out with his dog Cooper to uncover the truth of what his country was really about. Peter was wondering if America is worth staying in or if it is too corrupt. He walked from Alfred, New York to Washington, D.C. and then to New Orleans, Louisiana. Along the way, Peter learned timeless secrets of life from a hermit mountain man, caused a local stir by living with a black family in North Carolina, worked in southern mills, almost died on a mountaintop, and had more than a lifetime of experiences. After 5½ years, 5000 miles, and 35 pairs of shoes later, his faith and pride in his country were restored. Yours will be too as you read this story.
In the process of seeking to discover his country and find himself, Peter also found God and met his wife-to-be. In his sequel, The Walk West: A Walk Across America 2, Peter and his new bride travel from New Orleans to the Oregon coast. Filled with inspiring people and places from west of the Mississippi, this book describes the next segment of Peter’s five year journey exploring America. Religion was an important part of the second book, and portions of the book were also written by Barbara Jenkins. Unfortunately, this one is now out of print, but you might be able to find a used copy at Amazon.
A Walk Across America was one of the first books to popularize adventure travel and travel as a way of life. It’s fascinating to look back and consider what it was like without the benefit of a cell phone, laptop, or GPS to help plan the route.
P.S. Peter Jenkins is now traveling all over the USA in a ’57 Chevy, and he plans to write a book about his new journey. He says, “I am exploring once again the United States of America. There seems to be a great debate raging about what is wrong and what is right, once again, with our country. I will be going back to some of the places I visited on my walk across America and will be getting to know new places.” Follow him at http://www.facebook.com/peterjenkinswalks or visit his website.
Purchase a copy of A Walk Across America at Amazon.