Customer Reviews

The Walk West: A Walk Across America 2

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Years ago I read A Walk Across America and I enjoyed it throughly. I had looked for a sequel to this book and just recently I found it at a flea market. This book captures in minute detail the joys, the hardships and the every day happenings that took place during their long trek across America, beginning in Louisiana. I am a hiker and want to hike the Appalachian Trail soon. Reading about his trip I think the Appalachian Trail would be a "picnic" in comparison to his saga. The language used in this book conveys clearly the feelings and the details and great sights experienced by Peter and Barbara during their long trip. At one point in their trip, they stayed for over six months at the ranch of the Vickers, a great couple in their 60's who treated them as their children. The story of the Vickers is interesting enough to write a book, similar to The Thorn Birds, except that it would be all true. In sum, I would recommend this book to anyone who read the first one and to anyone who likes traveling, especially exploring on foot the wonderful sights that the U.S.A. has to offer.

THE WALK WEST continues the journey of Peter and Barbara Jenkins that began in the book A WALK ACROSS AMERICA. The book is a delight to read. Peter Jenkins is an excellent writer. His descriptions of people and places are so vivid that he is able to capture the essence of a person, place, or event in a few short, almost poetic words without any drivel. Barbara is quite a different writer, but the ancedotes she shares throughout the book enhance the story, filling in details that help one better understand a situation, person, or event.

Reading about their journey reminded me of how great America truly is. We live in a great nation, the most blessed on the Earth and we are surrounded by goodness. However, just as the Jenkins were faced with some life-harrowing events (the voodoo lady, the crazy maniacs in Colorado, the drunk driver in Utah), so are we all. The world is a wonderful place, but evil still exists and admist all the good there is always a token of evil that threatens and menaces until it either destroys or is destroyed itself. Also, when I reflected upon the hardships the Jenkins endured on their long walk it helped remind me of how blessed my life is. Blessings surround us, but most of the time we are blind to them.

My parents introduced me to the Jenkins' journey and I am so grateful they did. The walk across America captures an essence of what the United States is and in doing so, reflects upon each of our own lives. After all, we are all on a journey and because of that "the circle is never broken".

The Walk West is a worthy follow-up to A Walk Across America. Cooper is missed in this book, but Barbara, Peter's new wife makes up for it. Both of these books are a constant reminder of all the truely wonderful people here in our wonderful country. It seemed that every time either Peter or Barbara was down, someone always seemed to be there to rescue them. From food to shelter and water, the people of America came thru with flying colors.

Many stories in this book follow some of the couples longer stops on their trip. The people they meet all have a story to tell and some are better than others, but they all seem to have a big heart.

This book was written over 20 years ago, but I believe it still shows how great the USA truely is. For those who have lost faith, read this book! I bet you'll have a hard time putting it down and will cry a tear or two.

This is a simple story of an amazing journey, narrated by a man who writes in a refreshingly open manner. Whether you enjoy walking or not, or whether you have the slightest interest in the geography or social customs of the United States, this book is written for everyone who has a desire to read a beautiful story.

In part one of his journey, Peter Jenkins walks across America in this book, with his faithful, tireless companion, his dog Cooper. The dog is an integral part of this story and almost made me go out and buy one of Cooper's breed. He is the epitome of what a dog should be, and canine lovers will adore all the little vignettes about this amazing fellow. Then Cooper dies on the journey, which caused me a few tears. Part two picks up without Cooper, and there there are setbacks, heartaches and crises along the way, but there are also some old-fashioned heartwarming moments as well. The people in the South are especially helpful to a thirsty, hungry traveler. Jenkins' stories of their hospitality is touching.

Yes, there are a few sections of the book which border almost on the mawkish and the "aw, shucks" John Denver-ish approach of the main character might seem a little dated or folksy. But I challenge the naysayers to attempt (and succeed) at what Jenkins managed to do, it's an amazing book and one which many people will read in a single evening. One note: Jenkins brings along with wife on this journey, so she sort of "picks up the slack" where Cooper leaves off. Excellent book!

First off, I entered my hometown wrong in my review of "A Walk across America" as Killeen, TX. My hometown is Hendersonville, TN and I am stationed in Killeen, TX. Anyway, just like I said in my first review, Peter and now Barbara both write in a way that you, the reader, are walking right beside them through the West. Peter and Barbara share with you walking in the Texas summer heat (something which I know about), the mountains in the west, and stepping into the Pacific as their adventure ended in 1979. A good book which like the first, I simply could not put down, once I started reading the book. I always wanted to know what adventure lied ahead on the next page or the next chapter. I would have to force myself to take a break from reading, the book was so good. I recommend for those with a thirst for adventure to purchase a copy of this book and also the book "A Walk Across America", and hopefully those who read both books will agree with me.

The Walk West: A Walk Across America is an inspirational story. It is like you are walking right along side Barbara and Peter. You will laugh and cry with them as they endure hardship and miracles. You don't need your hiking boots or sunscreen but you will feel as if you are there. My words can't tell you enough. Take a walk with Barbara and Peter. Right from the beginning they will steel your heart. Fighting misquitos in the night, and not knowing what this journey ment to themselves they continued day after day following there hearts. They would walk from sunup to sundown; camp in a tent and start all over again. They met many good people along the way a just barely escaped the bad at times. Join them on the walk and you will have an experience you will not forget. I read The Walk Across America, The Walk West and The Road Unseen. Now I can't wait to Read The Walk Across China.

I read this book almost 30 years after the original walk. I read it because I had read the first book by Jenkins, A Walk Across America, and wanted to see how his walk across the rest of the country with a new wife turned out.

No doubt this was a good book, but it was good because Jenkins had a lot of help from his wife and friends writing this. He is a better photographer than he is a writer. Half of this book was about his painful miles across Louisiana and Texas and I couldn't wait for the rest of the country, especially Colorado, to begin. What he witnessed in Louisiana and Texas 30 years ago are things (minus any voodoo ladies) I have experienced in those two states 30 years later. Some things just don't change and this book is proof of that.

Had Jenkins done this walk 30 years later he would have had the internet, cable TV, cell phones and laptops to help him better plan his route. Some of the experiences along the route West are fine examples of what happens when you don't plan properly. Part of the enjoyment was experiencing this book vicariously back to the mid 1970s when such communicaton amenities like cell phone, internet and cable TV weren't available. I can only chuckle now.

I don't want to bash Jenkins, though. He broke through the stereotype rich Yankee hippie kid from Connecticutt and made something of himself: he wrote a book about 1970s Americans and their feelings in the post-Vietnam Era. And except for driving everywhere, something most writers prefer to do, he went there on foot, usually leaving his wife behind because she didn't walk as fast as she and he didn't care.

What did disturb me about this book is how little Peter wrote about his wife Barbara (unless something bad happened to her). This adventure across the country was, afterall, all about HIM and not THEM and when things didn't go his way, he'd lash at his wife. I will give him credit for at least admitting he has a temper and will push women around.

Sometimes Jenkin's egotism bothered me. He'd write about his winter in Lake City, CO and what he did with his friends there, but he rarely mentioned his wife. He did the same in Dallas when he stayed there for several months waiting tables at El Chico; he wrote about the people of Dallas but never mentioned what Barbara did in that time. Did she just stay home and keep his bed warm for him?

The book is easy to read because of Jenkin's simplistic writing style and sometimes overused cliches ("Rivers of sweat ran down my forehead!") Some of the better chapters are the ones written by Barbara, when she descibes peoples' souls rather than just describe peoples' physical features.

Still, despite its flaws, because this was the first book about a white man who walked across this country at a time when this country was trying to re-establish an identity post-Vietnam, it's a good read.

Quite inspiring, interesting story, well written. I enjoyed the author's first book and did enjoy this one as well. The author's observations were excellent, both of places and the people both meet. I did read this book some time ago and will quite likely read it again soon. This is a good one to add to your collection. I wonder if Peter and barbara are still married??? Anyway, good job and thank you both.

I read 'A Walk Across America' and 'The Walk West' a number of years ago. Both proved to be exciting. I liked 'The Walk West' best since it covered areas I have visited. I began staying at Vickers Ranch at Lake City Colorado due to this book. I took my book with me my first visit and had Perk Vickers and his wife autograph it for me. Perk is getting up in age but was still alive the last time I heard. Sad thing is the ranch is up for sale. Time changes things I guess.

I have read this book and the first " A walk across America" so many times and I just love it. Eventhough I am not an american I love this country and it`s people. It is wonderful to read how this man found himself, the Lord and a wife on the journey. I would like to go on a travel like this myself but in Sweden.