Customer Reviews

Granny D: Walking Across America in My Ninetieth Year

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"It's never too late to get in shape, nor to get involved in issues of importance to you", so says Granny Doris Haddock. Fed up with a sense of no voice in political issues, and hearing so many other folks express the same sentiments of "big money" barriers existing between people and the officials elected to represent them, Granny Haddock decided to campaign for financial reform by taking her show on the road in her own way-- "walking across America". Her book is an engrossing collection of her experiences as she walked across deserts,- through Native American Villages- and when confronted with snow- took off her sneakers, put on skis and skied one hundred miles across West Virginia. This is determination, focused purpose and love of life at its best. What an example! Reminiscient of those Charles Coralt driving through the heartland of America stories, or Garrison Keillor's Lake Woe-be-gone essays, Granny Haddock's pilgrimage touches and informs you. After reading her book, it will be difficult to whine about anything ever again without getting involved and making an effort to do something about it. Inspirational!

Right off the bat, I must admit a certain partiality. Doris Haddock is my great-aunt. I've always considered her to be a truly special and gifted individual. Now, the rest of the nation can discover what I've known for a long time. This book is much more than a travel journal, or a discourse on the ills of our political system. It is a look at America and the people who make it such a special place. It is an examination of life,loss, and the reaffirmation of life. It is also a call to action. I re-learned that we are never too old, or too young to find a cause that we can believe in and support, and regardless of what we hear from the media and the politicians, we can make a difference.

This is a story well told. Not fiction, and very, very real. Doris Haddock achieved a virtually impossible goal of walking across the United States through her entire 90th year and more. In doing that, she grew more aware of just how great the people of this country are, and how important it is to return the power of the government back to those people - and away from the corrupting influences of the special interests.

It is more than just a textual journal of this trip. It lets you get to know the real GrannyD, from her early days through the tortures experienced in her cross country trek. She is truely a great American and makes you wish there were more like her - especially in the decision making positions in government. And, you will meet many other wonderful people along the way.

The story does not drag in any part, and keeps you wanting to see what is coming up next.

Easy reading, and a wonderful book to have and share with others.

Granny D is real. That's the highest praise I can bestow. You feel you've met the real person and that she's presented herself, warts and all. I actually read this book with pen in hand, marking points to write down to form a synopsis of her wit and wisdom for later reference. This is certainly not something I do more than once in a decade. I'd expected more of a description of the walk itself, and less of a memoir, but I was delighted with what I got. I loved her and the people she met along the way. Though she and I have differing viewpoints on several issues, I thoroughly respected her and was nearly overwhelmed with the magnitude of her undertaking and her optimism.

Even if you don't care about campaign finance reform, the cause that sent Doris Haddock walking across the country, you will probably enjoy the stories she tells. Doris kept a diary, so we know about her adventures and the people she met along the way. If nothing else you will find out that advanced age, even 90, is not an excuse to pack it in, but rather to pack up and get going for what you believe in. Be inspired, learn something, but mostly have a lot of fun reading this book. I sure did.

This book is about 90 year old Doris Haddock walking from Los Angeles to Wshington to call attention to the need for campaign finance reform. Regardless of your politial persuasion, I think you'll find Granny D's book a fun and inspiring read. She intersperses
stories from her life with her pitches to run the money changers out of the Capitol. Her charm is reflected near the end of the book where she says, " Well, I am finished with this book, but I am not finished with my life or with my passion for campaign finance reform. There is almost always time to find another victory, another happy ending. I hope that is your feeling about life, too. I thank you for the time spent with me between these covers. I apologize for preaching far more than I intended, but I 'm sure you skipped through the worst of it"

Oh that we should all be able to pursue such adventure in our life, let along in our 90th year.

GrannyD is an enjoyable book to read, especially because I appreciate the insight and wisdom of Doris Haddock. I believe younger people, such as myself, can learn a great deal from Doris and her experiences walking across America.

Originally, I purchased the book with the intent of learning more about how Doris made social change in regards to the Campaign Finance issue. However, while reading the book, I found myself more intrigued with her life experiences and reflections.

Though the book is a bit drawn out at times - with respect to her writings of the towns - it is well worth the money and time in reading.

A great book written by a sage.

This is an inspiring story on two levels: as a chronicle of an elder woman's courageous effort to mobilize attention and action to the cause of campaign finance reform, which she considers a step in the redemocratizing of America; and as her spiritual autobiography, the summation of her life experience and perspective.

Granny D speaks to me when she says that "people have a great, unmet need that expresses their passions and values . . . they think they are being cheated out of that life--that they will die and it will have passed them by. They see an old woman doing something she believes in, and she somehow carries this ineffable something for them. Our shallow culture makes us people of great longing, for we are not always provided with opportunities to live out our most meaningful beliefs."

What begins as a journal of her remarkable trek, walking along roadsides at the pace of ten miles a day from California to Washington DC, transforms into another kind of account, the inner journey that brought her to this enterprise, the singular incidents and loving relationships that shaped and fostered her through her long life. By the end of this book, she can examine both her triumphs and trials and ask, "Do we see who we are, finally? Do we see, behind the curtain, the scars and insecurities that have controlled us? And when we see them and look them squarely in the eye, do they lose their power over us, backing down from their bullying bluster? Indeed they do. We become free to take our life in whatever shape it has become, and find a good and enjoyable use for it, serving others and ourselves."

Granny D shows that old age doesn't have to be synonymous with dotage, with being passive and indifferent to our world, to what goes on around us--to what the future may hold. She shows that age and accompanying infirmities are, at worst, inconvenience, not an excuse to block or ignore the desires of the heart and the active mind. She demonstrates, no matter the immediate outcome, the power of one. And she reminds me of a remark attributed to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that if one does not have a cause to live for, then one has no reason to die.

Lots of interesting tales that take place in small cities across our beautiful land told by a little old lady who has learned much and experienced much in her ninety years. I loved the book, but I also read another book at the same time (i.e. the book is a good read, but reading about one town after another, after another, after another requires a break after a while).

Granny D's book is not about politics but it is about citizenship, patriotism, and real life. She sets the tone at the very beginning of the book and sticks with it.

"If you are not much interested in campaign finance reform -- the reason for my protest walk -- do not worry: I will not pester you too much about it as we journey together between these covers. You will not need imaginary earplugs I hope, just a good imaginary good hat."

Plainly, Granny D intends to become everyone's grandma during her walk. And, she does it. You'll just love her!