A Walk Across America
Peter Jenkins
📚 Genre
Non-fiction, Travel Memoir, Biography
🏢 Publisher
William Morrow & Company, Inc.
📅 Publication Year
1979
🔢 ISBN
ISBN-10: 0688034276; ISBN-13: 978-0688034276
About This Book
A personal memoir chronicling the author's journey on foot from New York state to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Accompanied by his dog, Cooper, Jenkins seeks a deeper understanding of his country and his own faith during a time of national cynicism. The narrative focuses on the diverse people and landscapes of the Appalachian trail and the Deep South.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
288 pages
Edition
First Edition, First Printing (Hardcover)
Series
Book 1 of 2 (Followed by 'The Walk West')
Target Audience
Adult/General Audience
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The internal title page shown is clean with minimal foxing; however, there is noticeable 'ghosting' or ink transfer from the copyright page onto the title page, which is typical for paper from this era.
Estimated Value
$10-$40
Rarity
Common. As a massive bestseller with many printings, hardcover copies are widely available. A true first printing with a fine-condition dust jacket sits at the higher end of the value range.
Historical Significance
A major bestseller of the late 1970s that revitalized the American travel memoir genre. It is often cited as a foundational text for those seeking spiritual or personal renewal through cross-country travel.
Collector Notes
Collectors should look for the presence of the original dust jacket without price-clipping. Check the number line on the copyright page to confirm first printing status. The book is prone to spine leaning and tanning of the internal pages due to the paper quality.
Similar Books
The Walk West by Peter Jenkins; Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck; Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon; Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Notable Features
Includes black and white and color photographs taken by the author; maps by Paul M. Breeden. This title page identifies the first edition printing.