Customer Reviews

My American Journey: An Autobiography

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"My American journey" is the story of Colin Powell. He is the living symbol of the American dream. Powell was born in Harlem, and grew up in South Bronx. His parents were hard-working immigrants from Jamaica. He went to school in New York, and later joined the ROTC.

"My American Journey" is a very well written biography. Together with lots of pictures from Powell's personal life, from his childhood in Bronx, and ending with his official career in the White House, the easygoing writing style makes this an interesting read. I truly enjoyed learning more about the Vietnam War and the bravery of the US soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. Additionally, after reading what Powell and Schwartzkopf experienced during the Vietnam War, I can better understand Powell's Gulf goals and actions. Previous to reading this book, I did not have a lot of knowledge about Panama and the invasion, therefore I found this part to be very interesting too.

The book provides us with a great study of leadership, while it also is a good study of military history and politics. "My American Journey" is an excellent story and example that shows us what possessing a strong motivation and integrity can lead to. You certainly do not need to be an American to appreciate the positive attitudes and the message that Powell sends through his book.

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read about an interesting life, leadership, military history, and politics.

An American success story if there ever was one. Colin Powell vividly depicts his extraordinary life and career that could only take place in the setting of America. This autobiography wheels you through life in the poor neighborhoods in the Bronx to Washington Power broker. Colin Powell takes you though his life through his eyes, and into history, in some ways while reading it, I felt as though it was Forrest Gump on steroids, but the story is true.
Anyone interested in the policymaking process should read this book, as Powell describes his role as well as the role of other American leaders in making some of the most crucial decisions, the reader is swept into the pressures and challenges faced with America's leaders on a daily basis. The book delivers an account into the lives of Dick Cheney, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, and others, allowing you to take a more personal look at American leadership. It is so easy to criticize from the outside looking in, but usually criticism as well as praise, is done by the uninformed.
One aspect I found particularly educational was how Powell provided a small glimpse to me (A young white male) of an educated man, a commissioned officer of the United States Army, refused service in restaurants, and discriminated in others ways. It is a credit to Powell, how he rose above narrow-minded bigotry and focused on the positive; resisting the temptation of "victimization" to become one of the most powerful and respected men in the country. I recommend this book to anyone, black, white, Latino, male, female, liberal, or conservative.

RE: AUDIO TAPE VERSION READ BY POWELL. I am a Colin Powell admirer but a definitive biography would better be told by a skilled independent writer, and after more "chapters" in his life are complete. Powell may indeed be a man of few faults but we can't be sure of that from his own words. I disagree however with reviewers who postulate that Powell has puffed-up his own accomplishments, on the contrary he's excessively modest. Rising to the highest position in the most powerful military in world history (and now to US Sec. of State) without benefit of a West Point education & connections describes a truly extraordinary individual. And far from savaging his detractors and the many incompetants he must have encountered along the way, Powell offers only a few token, and generally mild, criticisms. This book displays insight into Powell's background, development and beliefs but sidesteps tough questions of who screwed up and when. In that sense it is highly Politic - burns no bridges - and gives one hope that Powell may yet consider an Eisenhower-like leap to the highest civilian office.

Historians, military leaders, intelligence (or counterintelligence) officers, or students of foreign policy (or government for that matter) need to put GEN Powell's book on their must read list. I bought the book when it first came out in hardcover, and couldn't put it down. It sits on my nightstand, and I still pick it up and read pieces from time to time. It is an amazing success story and an inspiration--as well as great publicity--for those who have been or are in the military. As a career counterintelligence officer, I find his perspective from the position of National Security Advisor during the Ronald Reagan Presidency informative and useful when taking a look back at the times. GEN Powell, I believe, was (maybe still is) sensitive to being called a political general. Truth to tell, he will probably be known for years to come as much more than that: he is unquestionably one of the greatest statesmen of our times. The US military is full of savvy officers who are comfortable in uniform and in the field but miscast in civilian clothes. GEN Powell is an officer who was equally comfortable and effective in both. Regrettably, I never had a chance to work directly for him or have the benefit of his wisdom until now. One of the finest books I've ever read. Kelly V. Denton, Dieburg, Germany

Here's man who rose from the South Bronx to a rightful place in leading foreign policy.

This biography was written before his becoming Secretary of State. And it probably contributed well to his political career.
But as an army veteran, I was more drawn to the many challenges that Colin Powell had in Vietnam, and with conflict amongst the ranks.

I was also compelled to ask myself about the challenges that his wife must have had, and probably still has in being his better half.

There is such a role to play out, to be part of this journey.
And while Powell doesn't go into depth about this, he does address the commitment that he made to his wife, regarding a stable home life.

I also noticed, in between the lines, so to speak, that, like Norman Schwartkoff, Colin Powell grew up with some pretty "strict" parents.

And it was not what he experienced, but what he did with what he experienced that has made Colin Powell one of the most loved leaders of this world.

Read this biography to be part of his journey, and in turn to add value to your own dreams.

Great insight into the life of Colin Powell. I enjoyed reading this book while on the beach in Jamaica, only later to read that Colin Powell's parents were from Jamaica! I am an avid reader of books that have insight to the Gulf War, and found the chapters regarding the war with Iraq very interesting. A good book to follow this up with is "The General's War" by Bernard Trainor. It's amazing how many different perspectives there are about one event. Hopefully, Powell adds to this book once he is out of office as the Secretary of State in the Bush Administration.

"My American Journey," by Colin Powell, with Joseph E. Persico is the story of Colin Powell... so far. Born in Harlem to Jamaican immigrant parents, he started out as a totally average child, but through sheer hard work and dogged determination, he now walks with Kings and Presidents.

The book is well written, and, if a little dry at times, does exhibit flashes of self-depreciating humor on the part of Colin Powell, such as the story of his running out of gas on the Washington Beltway. This happened when he had become a publicly recognized figure, and, at the time, desperately tried to hide his identity from the traffic cop who gave him a pint of gas to help get him off the road! (He ran out of gas again before he could find a gas station!) Or the time he was "arrested" as a suspected terrorist in the Pentagon car park... he was showing a colleague an antique WWII Japanese rifle in the trunk of his car!

But Colin Powell, although now a seasoned and practiced political mover and shaker, is first and foremost a soldier who loves his country, but is not blind to it's faults. His military career started in the ROTC, and it was there that he discovered something in himself that told him a career in the service of his country was his calling.

Powell came from an ethnically diverse neighborhood, and was shocked at his first taste of racial discrimination in his late teens, but he was determined that he would not let the bigotry of some of his fellow Americans dictate the course of his life. The Military was an equal opportunities employer, a situation he took full advantage of, and he rose rapidly through the ranks. He served in Germany, helping to hold back the "Red Hoards," and in his early 20's was part of a detail sent to guard the Army's pride and joy... an Atomic Cannon!

Army life is presented honestly and forthrightly, from grunt work, to training, to accomplishments small and large, the forced separation from his wife and family, to his first shattering experience of having a fellow soldier die in his arms - the result of a "Friendly Fire" incident - to the political maneuvering that often accompanies high office. He has harsh words to say about the Vietnam War, mostly aimed at the political "leadership" of the time who blundered into the conflict without any clear goals or expectations.

He has been, and still is, at the heart of the decision making process that has shaped our World, for better or ill. I would describe Colin Powell as a genuine Patriot; he has put himself in the firing line to state his views and thoughts about the Armed Services and their place in American life. He has campaigned for recognition of the tens of thousands of black and ethnic soldiers who have served this country in its time of need, many of whom were disgracefully ignored, and he has campaigned to cut away at the wasteful practices that have bedeviled the services without improving its ability to function.

His political observations are also of great interest. He had served directly, at the time of writing, three Presidents, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton. One of the most interesting, and extensive, parts of the book, is his telling of the events that led up to, and the prosecution of, the Gulf War. I learnt a great deal that I had not known before about the war, even though it had received saturation coverage in the UK media. Something that was confirmed for me was - a very strong rumor at the time - that Margaret Thatcher played a pivotal role in bolstering President Bush's resolve to go to war, and not to rely on sanctions and diplomacy alone, to oust the Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

The logistics of modern warfare are explored in some detail, and you really get a sense of what it took to assemble the multinational force. The only thing that disappointed about this part of the book was that there was very little exploration of the politics involved, which must have been hellish. There's some about the relationship between Bush and Thatcher, and even John Major, Margaret Thatcher's successor as British Prime Minister during the War, and quite a bit about the almost full-time political arm-twisting that went on to stop the Israeli's from getting involved. No Arab country could possibly have stood by and watched the Israeli's beating [up one] another Arab nation... even the despot Saddam!

He also shares with us the agonies he went through, trying to ensure that US forces weren't bogged down in the twin hellholes of Bosnia and Mogadishu. He saw them both as Vietnam-like situations, where the US could be sucked into internecine struggles that date back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. He could see no military "solution" to the age-old grievances, just an exercise in keeping the combatants apart, that could, and to an extent was, paid for with American blood. And once the mighty Americans had left? Well, the combatants would then cheerfully return to slaughtering each other as they had done for centuries.

The story of Colin Powell is not yet finished; he is, after all, the present Bush administration's Secretary of State! It is a fascinating tale, and one I would recommend highly.

The best autobiography I have ever read. Collin Powell had something important to say on many topics. A well written book that had to be long. Those reviewers that contend that it is not well written are from another planet in my opinion. Assuming a long healthy life, Powell's contributions to America are far from over.

How bizarre. One reviewer complains that this is an autobiography and not a biography. The advantage of autobiography is that you get that persons unique perspective not messed up by a historian or the many reporters that now consider themselves historians since we buy their books. The true feelings and emotions of the person are precious in an autobiography.

One great strength is his ability to talk about prejudice to all races without preaching and yet provides a guide to conduct for all concerned. His insights or takes on the numerous national leaders is very stimulating and derived from close personal knowledge. Those that are put out by his Republican leanings and can't deal with the personal observations may be well served to cool off and think again. He was only one of several people that rejected the invitation to become Secretary of State under President Clinton because of the President's lack of understanding in foreign affairs. No Pun intended. Clinton receives praise on other points as to other Democratic leaders. If you don't like Powell calling it the way he sees it at this point in his life, where among the human race are we to find advise on modern day real issues.

Every human in telling their own story gilds the lily to some degree. I prefer to give those that have served with great honor and distinction the benefit of the doubt. How else are we to benefit from the first hand knowledge of a solid American. Powell came to the table to simply make his way in life with honor and dignity and instead greatly enriched our national heritage.

Assuming you care about the issues of the day, there are many insights to be gained from this book. I look forward to his return to private life and his future writing and speaking contributions. In the meantime, we are in goods hands each time Powell leads.

There must be something about Colin Powell. All through his career his superiors continually sought him out; and wherever he worked they always wanted him back.

At various points he served as military assistant in the Defense Department to powerful figures as Charles Duncan, Graham Claytor, Frank Carlucci and Casper Weinberger; but he always yearned to return to his first love and what he felt was his primary responsibility - commanding troops in the field. And a few times he did make it back to the barracks, but soon his old bosses would be back on the phone again, urging him to return to Washington. Once it took the personal request of the president of the United States himself, Ronald Reagan, for Powell to finally agree to return.

Why was Powell in such high demand? I believe it had something to do with his character, and the fact that he must have been very capable. Ultimately, he did rise to the pinnacle of his profession as a soldier, becoming Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces. Not bad for a black man who struggled with grades such that he had to switch courses midway to avoid getting kicked out of college. Powell went on to blaze many trails and attain success many would have thought unimaginable - marrying a very beautiful wife in the bargain. His story, told in this insightful book, illustrates how the most basic of values such as character and commitment, can carry a person into the loftiest realms of achievement.

"...Behold a man skilled in his craft; he shall stand before kings, and not before mean men."

This book isn't just about Powell. It's an inside look at discouraged Americans in the Vietnam jungles. One black man's indignation at not being able to order a hamburger. The hard way of life for army families. The tension of sending American soldiers off to war under your advice. Dynamics in the Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton administrations. Why the Gulf War occurred the way it did.

Colin Powell's life has not been perfect, and he's the first to admit it. Those who recklessly heap praise on him are being foolish. He is, however, a role model for americans of all races. His life illustrates that by busting your behind and ignoring those who put you down, you can rise to the top. His "Rules for Life," an addendum to the book, are memorable.

This book chronicles Powell's journey from his humble Harlem Banana Kelly roots to his seat as an advisor in the Oval Office. But it's more than that. It's an inside look at "the how and why" of US military interventions in the second half of the 20th century.