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My American Journey Paperback – February 18, 2003

by Colin Powell (Author), Joseph E. (Author), Persico (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,016 ratings
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A great American success story . . . an endearing and well-written book.”—The New York Times Book Review

Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined the Army. The rest is history—Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert Storm—but a history that until now has been known only on the surface. Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good humor, and a soldier’s directness.

My American Journey is the powerful story of a life well lived and well told. It is also a view from the mountaintop of the political landscape of America. At a time when Americans feel disenchanted with their leaders, General Powell’s passionate views on family, personal responsibility, and, in his own words, “the greatness of America and the opportunities it offers” inspire hope and present a blueprint for the future. An utterly absorbing account, it is history with a vision.
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  1. Print length
    688 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ballantine Books
  4. Publication date
    February 18, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    6.15 x 1.39 x 9.22 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0345466411
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0345466419
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,016 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They find the life story inspiring and interesting. The writing provides valuable insights into military and political workings. Readers describe the author as a genuine leader who is respectful yet optimistic.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityStory qualityInsightLeadership style
62 customers mention "Readability"62 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate Colin Powell's detailed autobiography and find it an enlightening and inspirational read. The book provides deep insights into the man's character and humility, as well as his appreciation for everything and everyone in his life.

"...with a person of integrity and humility, who appreciates everything and everyone in his sphere...." Read more

"Worth every dollar" Read more

"...There are longer lessons, too. Along with thoughtful portraits of military and political leaders, on-the-ground accounts of historical events, and..." Read more

"Interesting life he had and enjoyed reading about it" Read more

25 customers mention "Writing quality"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They appreciate the eloquent speech by General Powell and the selection of anecdotes from his family. The book is described as a must-read for Americans.

"...The book is well-stocked with a readable selection of anecdotes from Powell's family, military and political lives...." Read more

"...SEC and GEN Powell delivered an eloquent speech that I could almost hear his voice read out loud directly from his book...." Read more

"What's not to like? Vividly written, this volume gives deep insights into the man, his character, formative experiences, life lessons, and leadership..." Read more

"...It reads like a novel. I can't believe some studio has not make it into a major motion picture...." Read more

24 customers mention "Story quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's stories interesting and inspiring. They mention it's a great story of a great man, with good Army stories like the "piss test". The book provides formative experiences, life lessons, and leadership. It is considered a decent American story to read, inspiring young readers to see what they can become.

"...His narrative flows, it is like having a conversation with a person of integrity and humility, who appreciates everything and everyone in his sphere..." Read more

"...becoming a Four Star General and serving in Washington D.C.. It’sa great story." Read more

"...A true statesman and Soldier! I highly recommend this book!" Read more

"...Colin Powell, the person he is on the inside is a very good and loving old soul." Read more

19 customers mention "Insight"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into military and political workings. They find the contextual details helpful for understanding the author's foreign policy positions. The on-the-ground accounts of historical events and candid assessments of U.S. are also appreciated. Overall, readers describe it as an excellent resource that provides a good idea of how the military works and the political process.

"...portraits of military and political leaders, on-the-ground accounts of historical events, and candid assessments of U.S. military capability from..." Read more

"This man represents the best of America, the potential America of reason and calm resolve, purpose and achievement for the greater good...." Read more

"...Lots of details about many of the major players of the late 20th Century..." Read more

"...military and his family are really relatable and give a good idea of how the military worked and it's political shuffling in the background...." Read more

14 customers mention "Leadership style"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate Colin Powell's leadership style. They find him genuine, an exceptional statesman and military man. He is critical while remaining respectful, cautious yet optimistic. The book explains what a true patriot should model, with integrity and humility. It also explains that success is achieved through hard work, determination, and integrity.

"...it is like having a conversation with a person of integrity and humility, who appreciates everything and everyone in his sphere...." Read more

"...Powell is critical while remaining respectful, and cautionary while remaining optimistic...." Read more

"I enjoyed the book, and learning about his life. He’s frank and honest...." Read more

"...potential America of reason and calm resolve, purpose and achievement for the greater good...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Maddie'sMom
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book, an easy read.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I actually haven’t even finished it yet, but I am really enjoying it ! His narrative flows, it is like having a conversation with a person of integrity and humility, who appreciates everything and everyone in his sphere. He takes you on a walk down memory lane and explains the development of his character and leadership style, molded by experiences. This is a book that I will definitely be circulating through my family.
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  • D. Phillip Fox
    5.0 out of 5 stars Colin Powell my American journey
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Worth every dollar
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  • Stella Carrier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extensive Compelling Data on Colin Powell’s Life
    Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I confess that I actually purchased My American Journey by Colin Powell by the July 16, 2019 timeframe via Amazon. However, it was several years ago when I was still in the military when I was at a required training school and one of the instructors persuasively explained why Colin Powell would make a good leader for a certain key high level government career. Until then, I had yet to hear of Colin Powell and this instructor referencing why he felt Powell would have made a good leader for a certain political/government position indirectly influenced me to eventually research more info on Powell. Some of the several/compelling details written in Colin Powell’s My American Journey memoir: he experienced a close brush with death once when visiting the home country of his parents, Powell’s parents had a famous wartime photograph of President D Roosevelt with the capital flag in the background hanging in his parents New York apartment foyer, however by 1952 Colin Powell’s father supported former President Eisenhower, the 1981 film/movie Fort Apache The Bronx starring Paul Newman takes place in the precinct where Powell lived growing up, Colin Powell’s family was a matriarchy women called the shots and raised and disciplined the children exception was Powell’s father Luther Powell who is listed to have been the ringmaster of his father’s circle, a sense of direction and purpose increased in Powell when he enrolled in the ROTC program during his earliest college years, Colin Powell’s employment stint after joining International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 812, the doorway into a new life for Powell’s parents after they won $10,000, the first place Colin Powell was stationed at in the military after he was commissioned as an officer and why a more senior officer was advising him to be aware that this particular place was going to be different from New York, his military career began in June 1958, the person Colin Powell voted for in the November 1960 election, a famous musician that Colin Powell met in person during his earlier military years, the circumstances leading to Colin Powell meeting his wife Alma Johnson, Powell’s wife had a father who was a principal one high school and an uncle who was a principal of another high school, why he was a Lyndon B Johnson supporter in the summer of 1964, some circumstances that indirectly influenced him to vote for Regan in November 1980, the experiences of helping one of his sons through their military service, Colin Powell’s assignment as deputy assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and much more.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • John M. Ford
    4.0 out of 5 stars "Leadership is Solving Problems"
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This autobiography covers Collin Powell's life from early childhood through retirement from the Army, with a few post-Army experiences. At the time of its writing he clearly did not anticipate serving as Secretary of State or in any other future high-visibility position. It was the intended capstone of his public career. The book is well-stocked with a readable selection of anecdotes from Powell's family, military and political lives.

    Perhaps of even greater value are the lessons Powell draws from these experiences. Some are succinct, like Powell's Rules written on scraps of paper kept on his desk. They include "Get mad, then get over it," "Officers always eat last," and "Share credit." Others are longer statements of personal philosophy or perspective. Here are nine of Collin Powell's hard-won lessons:

    - "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."
    - "Never be without a watch, a pencil, and a notepad."
    - "Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."
    - "With vision only, you get no follow-through. With enforcers only, the vision is realized, but leaves a lot of wreckage. Good chaplains pick up the pieces and put everything together again." [On three complementary leadership styles.]
    - "I had long since learned to cope with Army management fashions. You pay the king his shilling, get him off your back, and then go about doing what you consider important."
    - "The staff meeting served one useful purpose, however. It stroked the participants' egos and made them feel like part of the team."
    - "There was a lot of talk about Powell the `reluctant warrior.' Guilty. War is a deadly game and I do not believe in spending the lives of Americans lightly."
    - "The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise."
    - "Reject the easy path of victimhood. Dare to take the harder path of work and commitment, a path that leads somewhere."

    There are longer lessons, too. Along with thoughtful portraits of military and political leaders, on-the-ground accounts of historical events, and candid assessments of U.S. military capability from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Powell is critical while remaining respectful, and cautionary while remaining optimistic. His own account of his life and service to his country is worth reading and enjoying. It is highly recommended.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • dice6
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fifth Star
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading GEN Powell's biography. The hard copy of his book has been sitting on my shelf but I decided to read the Kindle version instead because of my traveling. His life truly epitomizes the American Dream born from Jamaican immigrant parents and rising to the highest ranks in the Army then Sec. Of State. Throughout his military career at the Pentagon, GEN Powell walked a fine line to balance his civilian-military relationships which, helped prepare him as a diplomat. What's so transparent about his book is that how his life experiences formulated his political views of being fiscally conservative yet socially conscience. I recently had a chance to listen to him give a speech at Ft. Leavenworth, KS during a ceremony unveiling his statue. SEC and GEN Powell delivered an eloquent speech that I could almost hear his voice read out loud directly from his book. A true statesman and Soldier! I highly recommend this book!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • David
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting life
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting life he had and enjoyed reading about it
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Sallu Pujeh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A true hero to me!
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  • Mr Brown
    3.0 out of 5 stars ????
    Reviewed in India on November 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    At times it was boring
    Report
  • BigBayBri
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating. I spent 12 years in the Canadian Army ...
    Reviewed in Canada on June 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating. I spent 12 years in the Canadian Army (Regular) duriing the same time as Gen Powell was active in the US Army. I never had a shot fired at me in anger but served in W. Germany (tanks) from 1962 to 1965, during the Cuban missile crisis.
    Therefore I cannot relate to his time in Viet Nam, but appreciate all that the US Forces did albeit losing the conflict.
    This book, for me, was a page turner.
    Capt. (ret'd) Brian Caldwell, CD
    P.S. This was the second war the US has lost - the first was the war of 1812 against my country.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Immer der Beste
    Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Colin Powell beschreibt sein militärisches und sein politisches Leben.

    Dies ist die Geschichte eines Einwandererkindes aus der Karibik, das es aus kleinsten Verhältnissen kommend nach ganz OBEN geschafft hat - weil er nach den Regeln gespielt hat und alle Chancen genutzt hat. Er war immer der Erste und der Beste, aber nie der Erstbeste. Das Militär war gut für ihn, er hat Vietnam durchlitten, er war am Golf, er war auch in Deutschland, er hat die Welt gesehen und er hat eigentlich alles erlebt, was man in seiner Zeit als aufstrebender junger Mann in der Army und in der Politik erfahren konnte.

    Powell war dem Rassismus seiner Zeit ausgesetzt. Er gehörte später zum politischen Personal und hat alle wichtigen Figuren seiner Zeit getroffen. Er schreibt in seinem Buch von den "Rules", die er aus seinen Erfahrungen gezogen hat. Ein Zitat habe ich mir herausgeschrieben in Bezug auf den Umgang mit der Presse: - " I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it " (George Bernard Shaw).

    Die Darstellung seines Familienlebens ist ein anderer interessanter Aspekt: wie lebt man als US-Soldat, wie ist das mit der Familie, wie lebt man als "african-american" Aufsteiger und was macht man in seiner Freizeit? Alte VOLVOS reparieren. Ein sympathisches Buch von einem bekannten Darsteller der jüngeren Zeitgeschichte, welches nichts beschönigt und den Leser teilhaben lässt an seinem politischen Leben in Amerika. Man lernt viel, man trifft die bekannten Persönlichkeiten der amerikanischen Politik, man versteht die Ziele der US-Administration, ihre Strategien, ihre Irrtümer. Man sollte das Buch lesen, bevor die Ereignisse um 9/11 vergessen sind. Schon mal von v. Clausewitz gehört? Er hat!

    FÜNF Sterne für MY AMERICAN JOURNEY.

    Schließlich: Englisch habe ich auch gelernt. Das Buch war für mich flüssig zu lesen und unbekannte Ausdrücke erschließen sich weitgehend aus dem Zusammenhang. Ich habe mir dann anschließend "It worked for me" genehmigt. So schlecht kann dann wohl "My American Journey" nicht gewesen sein. DANKE
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  • hayatama
    5.0 out of 5 stars ネオコンに牛耳られた子ブッシュ政権でなぜパウエルが国務長官を引き受けたのか、当時のメモワールもぜひ読んでみたい。
    Reviewed in Japan on August 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    ただ冷徹な将軍というだけでなく、感情豊かな1人のアメリカ人のサクセスストーリーとしても秀逸。政治姿勢的には父ブッシュに一番近かったようだが、エピローグで、それまで全く語られなかった政治姿勢が明らかにされる。パウエル将軍は、良質かつ穏健な保守、という言葉で総括できるのであろう。狂信的な愛国主義は手に負えない、民族主義闘争に対して大国は無力であるという観点はハルバースタムに通じるものがある。パウエルにしても、ハルバースタムにしても、このような健全な愛国主義が日本でもなぜ根付かないのかがあたしは不満。
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