Adventure-Travel Writer, Peter Jenkins

I discovered the writings of Peter Jenkins when I found a used, 25-cent copy of A Walk Across America in a sidewalk book bin. Given my own penchant for wanderlust, the title alone drew me in. And that turned out to be a very well-spent quarter.

I'm glad the first book by Jenkins I stumbled upon was the first he'd written. From there, I eagerly gobbled up several more of his writings in the order they were published.

Over the years, I've enjoyed every moment spent vicariously traveling with the author.

While I know Mr. Jenkins only through his written words, I was thrilled to receive a personal reply to a letter I sent him. I'd share that letter here ... if only it hadn't been lost in a flash flood along with many of my other keepsakes. But the following Peter Jenkins books were spared, to be read again another day.

If you too enjoy a good travel-adventure story now and then but haven't heard of Peter Jenkins, take a look at the following list of books. I've included the Amazon links here, but many of these books can be found at your local library.

If you have, tell us which book and what you thought of it in the poll comments section at the bottom of this page.

See The World From Home With Peter Jenkins

While author and father of six, Peter Jenkins, loves to be home on his farm in middle Tennessee, his work and second love is exploring the world and the people in it, and sharing his adventures with fans of travel-writing like me. If I can't be out on the road or trail myself, I want to be reading about it.

Some biographical information from Peter Jenkins' website:

• He was born July 8th, 1951 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
• Peter is the eldest of the six children of Frederick and Mary Jenkins.
• He graduated from Greenwich High School and attended Woodstock in 1969.
• Peter graduated from Alfred University in 1973 with a BFA, majoring in Sculpture and Ceramics.

National Geographic took interest in Peter Jenkins' journey across the U.S. when he and his dog stopped at their offices in Washington D.C. as they walked through. The company even outfitted him with photography gear, and the adventure was featured twice in the magazine, once in April, 1977, and again in August, 1979.

Learn more about Peter Jenkins, read excerpts from his books, view photos of his farm, family and travels, and find out what else this wonderful travel-writer is up to on PeterJenkins.com.

From New York to New Orleans

In 1973, just after graduating from Alfred University with a Fine Arts degree, a disillusioned young man named Peter Jenkins set off from New York with his dog, Cooper, to walk across the United States. Along with seeing the country, Peter wanted to meet and experience people along the way, so he mostly kept to the roads instead of backcountry trails, stopping now and then for extended periods when the spirit moved him (or the weather or finances demanded a break). This is the first of two books about Jenkins' eventful, five-year journey.

From New Orleans to Oregon

This is the second half of Jenkins' cross-country walk, and now he's not alone, accompanied by his new wife, Barbara, who wrote portions of this book. The night I finished the first book, I went out and bought this one, which I read straight through. Loved it!

Across China is both the story of the first American ascent of Mt.Everest from the Tibetan side and an account of the author's travels, along with an interpreter, through some of China and Inner Mongolia's most remote and least understood places.

And Travel Along The Edge Of America

Imagine setting off on a 1600-mile, solo ocean journey along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Keys to the Rio Grande, having never before operated a boat. That's just what Peter Jenkins did at the ripe young age of 40. During this two-year journey, he meets a fascinating cast of characters and sees places few of us ever will.

Enjoy another action-packed, vicarious adventure as Peter Jenkins and his family spend 18 months in Alaska. The stories are filled with humor and sometimes suspense. Read excerpts here.

This book is definitely different than the others, but if you're an animal-lover, I know you'd love this book too. Among other of his cherished pets, you'll read about Peter's half-Alaskan Malamut, Cooper, his companion in "A Walk Across America," and the pet hawk he had as a child that flew freely around his room.