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Life on Foot: A Walk Across America
On February 26, 2011, Nate Damm stood barefoot in the Atlantic Ocean on the Delaware coast, then put his shoes on and started walking west. Over 3,200 miles passed under his feet over the following seven-and-a-half months, and he found himself in San Francisco, having walked across America. This is the story of what drove Nate to hit the road and what he found once he got there. Featuring a cast of quirky, wild, and endearing characters, this is a story of heartbreak, redemption, random acts of kindness, blisters, idiotic drivers, no less than one bear attack, small towns, sanity lost somewhere in the desert, love, and what it takes to find peace and happiness at three miles per hour.
What readers are saying about Life On Foot on
"If you have ever wondered how someone could actually drop everything and change their life to better themselves in an extremely unconventional way, this book is for you."
"The book has given me a lot of inspiration to do what I want, and to never back down, no matter the odds."
"There are a lot of books about long-distance hikes these days, but there are only about three good ones – this is one of the good ones.”
"I'm not a reader and hardly ever pick up a book, but I had a hard time putting this one down."
"This is a wonderful read! Such adventure. It was like taking the walk with him. I wanted more then once to pack my backpack and make my own adventure."
What readers are saying about Life On Foot on
"If you have ever wondered how someone could actually drop everything and change their life to better themselves in an extremely unconventional way, this book is for you."
"The book has given me a lot of inspiration to do what I want, and to never back down, no matter the odds."
"There are a lot of books about long-distance hikes these days, but there are only about three good ones – this is one of the good ones.”
"I'm not a reader and hardly ever pick up a book, but I had a hard time putting this one down."
"This is a wonderful read! Such adventure. It was like taking the walk with him. I wanted more then once to pack my backpack and make my own adventure."
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2014
72 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 11, 2015
Despite some shortcomings, the book kept me engaged. I could fault the author for logistical information omissions and simplistic style, but the book is saved by his many vignettes of life and people encountered on the road. Some scenes are vividly drawn, such as his encounter with a charging bear, and descriptions of vanishing ways of life and the people clinging to their humanity despite hardscrabble circumstances. As is frequently the case, author Nate Damm discovered that those who have the least are usually far more generous than those with plenty.
May 13, 2015
I picked up this book as research for my upcoming walk across America.
I found it very interesting, exciting and even scary in a few places.
Nate is a wonderful storyteller!
I found it very interesting, exciting and even scary in a few places.
Nate is a wonderful storyteller!
December 26, 2016
Nearly a great read...
Whilst this was without doubt an epic journey, I felt that the author got himself into a bit of a rut with his writing i.e: walked x miles today, met someone who offered me a bed for the night, stayed with them a couple of of days -> repeat etc.
To be honest, I don't know how Nate could have written this book differently and remained true to his trip.
For me, something was missing and I still don't know what it was - so 3 stars...
Whilst this was without doubt an epic journey, I felt that the author got himself into a bit of a rut with his writing i.e: walked x miles today, met someone who offered me a bed for the night, stayed with them a couple of of days -> repeat etc.
To be honest, I don't know how Nate could have written this book differently and remained true to his trip.
For me, something was missing and I still don't know what it was - so 3 stars...
July 9, 2014
There's no doubt that Damm has at least some skill with words. I've read other "Life Changing Hike/Walk" books written by people who have no business writing more than a Facebook status. This book was very engaging, and I was impressed by how someone so dumb could write such an engaging book.
Dumb? Yeeessssss. Forgive me for saying so, but Nate Damm was an idiot. I can only hope he has shaped up in the years since the happenings of this book. What kind of dingbat decides to hike across America and does almost no research about how to go about it? He fully admits to not researching certain things, and at some points it almost sounds like he's bragging about going into everything unprepared. There should be some kind of disclaimer for impressionable young people who pick up this book, reminding them to prepare and research for a walk of this magnitude or it'll come back to bite them in the butt. Honestly, Damm is kind of lucky to have made it across the whole United States without being killed or maimed. Sheesh.
Also, I did not understand his relationship with Alissa at all. Thankfully, once you get past oh, say, Kentucky or so, Damm quits his pouting about her. I couldn't have handled it if he'd kept going on and on about her through the entire book.
So those complaints aside, I actually did really enjoy reading this book. I had no idea the ADT even existed, and am determined to hike a bit of it myself someday. I value my daily shower far too much to walk for 8 months, though. Shudder.
I loved the story of the bear in Colorado. It was pretty funny. I think Damm is a tough, intense sort of guy (to walk 40 miles in a day?! you have to have intensity and toughness to pull something like that off) and I hope that things turn out well for him. Because they could have easily turned out badly, due to his dumb dumb dumb lack of planning and/or foresight. The ending was kind of a bummer (possibly due to his lack of planning) - the way he just decided to be done so close to his goal was disappointing. But hey, I'd have quit 3 blocks through Delaware, so I've got no room to talk.
Dumb? Yeeessssss. Forgive me for saying so, but Nate Damm was an idiot. I can only hope he has shaped up in the years since the happenings of this book. What kind of dingbat decides to hike across America and does almost no research about how to go about it? He fully admits to not researching certain things, and at some points it almost sounds like he's bragging about going into everything unprepared. There should be some kind of disclaimer for impressionable young people who pick up this book, reminding them to prepare and research for a walk of this magnitude or it'll come back to bite them in the butt. Honestly, Damm is kind of lucky to have made it across the whole United States without being killed or maimed. Sheesh.
Also, I did not understand his relationship with Alissa at all. Thankfully, once you get past oh, say, Kentucky or so, Damm quits his pouting about her. I couldn't have handled it if he'd kept going on and on about her through the entire book.
So those complaints aside, I actually did really enjoy reading this book. I had no idea the ADT even existed, and am determined to hike a bit of it myself someday. I value my daily shower far too much to walk for 8 months, though. Shudder.
I loved the story of the bear in Colorado. It was pretty funny. I think Damm is a tough, intense sort of guy (to walk 40 miles in a day?! you have to have intensity and toughness to pull something like that off) and I hope that things turn out well for him. Because they could have easily turned out badly, due to his dumb dumb dumb lack of planning and/or foresight. The ending was kind of a bummer (possibly due to his lack of planning) - the way he just decided to be done so close to his goal was disappointing. But hey, I'd have quit 3 blocks through Delaware, so I've got no room to talk.
April 1, 2015
I don't really know what to say about this book, very mixed feelings here. I do admire the author for undertaking such a journey on foot, and usually I would like to thank him for sharing his experiences with the rest of the world.
But....maybe the kindest thing I can say is that I expected a different story? His style was very simple most of the times, a listing of a string of towns and areas passed on foot, reminding me of school essays younger students have to write "what I did on school holidays". People to him were either nice or not nice (if I were mean I'd say it depended on whether they bought him meals or alcohol), and the author tended to categorize the people he met. In his favour, I think he was trying to be funny and witty, but what it came over to me, was very condescending, prejudiced, and yes, I'm sorry to say, immature. And I think "immature" is what describes the whole thing best, from not planning such a tour and relying on people on the way to help out (the same ones he makes fun of), to a constant whining about everything from the weather to no mobile connection.
Occasionally the author surprised you with astonishingly deep insights into some of the people he met, and very elegant descriptions of landscape and towns, especially the historical parts. On the whole, however, it was a list of places and people, who bought him which meal or how much alcohol, and how drunk he was in which part of the country, and stating several times that he hadn't planned anything ahead and just went off, basically.
No, definitely, this only got 2 stars from me because of the occasional highlights; I wonder, though: if the author were older and had more life experience, would the narration still be as callous and superficial?
But....maybe the kindest thing I can say is that I expected a different story? His style was very simple most of the times, a listing of a string of towns and areas passed on foot, reminding me of school essays younger students have to write "what I did on school holidays". People to him were either nice or not nice (if I were mean I'd say it depended on whether they bought him meals or alcohol), and the author tended to categorize the people he met. In his favour, I think he was trying to be funny and witty, but what it came over to me, was very condescending, prejudiced, and yes, I'm sorry to say, immature. And I think "immature" is what describes the whole thing best, from not planning such a tour and relying on people on the way to help out (the same ones he makes fun of), to a constant whining about everything from the weather to no mobile connection.
Occasionally the author surprised you with astonishingly deep insights into some of the people he met, and very elegant descriptions of landscape and towns, especially the historical parts. On the whole, however, it was a list of places and people, who bought him which meal or how much alcohol, and how drunk he was in which part of the country, and stating several times that he hadn't planned anything ahead and just went off, basically.
No, definitely, this only got 2 stars from me because of the occasional highlights; I wonder, though: if the author were older and had more life experience, would the narration still be as callous and superficial?
January 25, 2015
I have always enjoyed walking and for years I've guided groups of tourists through the mountains/gorges of Crete. I also know the dangers and I must say that Nate was an extremely lucky man. He left unprepared, doing something he hardly knew anything about, so naive, quite impulsive and 'stupid'. It could have gone all very very wrong.
My experience is also that when you travel alone people approach you quite easily, they help you and you hear/see the craziest things. Loved his sometimes hilarious stories about the people he met and how generous and hospitable most of them were. It shows that there is still compassion and humanity left in this world. I do think that his main focus was on these stories and not so much on himself. When I read this quote: "Our conversation got deep quickly, as they tend to do between travelers", I was hoping for more insight, depth, inner thoughts and details about simple practical daily things, but no such luck which kind of made the story lacking essence for me.
In this time and age everything has to have a meaning and it's great that someone learns and lets other people know that it's okay to let go and accept that not everything has to be about something. You can just enjoy life and live in the moment and that is perfectly fine. I think this message is by far the best thing in the whole book.
Lol, I feel like walking right now...
My experience is also that when you travel alone people approach you quite easily, they help you and you hear/see the craziest things. Loved his sometimes hilarious stories about the people he met and how generous and hospitable most of them were. It shows that there is still compassion and humanity left in this world. I do think that his main focus was on these stories and not so much on himself. When I read this quote: "Our conversation got deep quickly, as they tend to do between travelers", I was hoping for more insight, depth, inner thoughts and details about simple practical daily things, but no such luck which kind of made the story lacking essence for me.
In this time and age everything has to have a meaning and it's great that someone learns and lets other people know that it's okay to let go and accept that not everything has to be about something. You can just enjoy life and live in the moment and that is perfectly fine. I think this message is by far the best thing in the whole book.
Lol, I feel like walking right now...
February 23, 2015
Good book about walking across America. I think he could have written more about the people he met. Some of the connections he went into more detail than on others.
He didn't explain what gear he had taken with him, how prepared he was, etc. His arranged 'mail drops' to me seemed like he wasn't really doing this 'on his own'. It was odd trying to piece together a person with a backpack, tent, umbrella, laptop, kindle, i-everything, plus a cell phone. I could only think, "he has a lot of electronics to keep charged! How is he going to manage?". With all that technology, he didn't use it to check on the weather (interesting time in Missouri) which I felt was a "idiot" move. In that, he proved he really was unprepared for this trip in that he didn't research anything about weather, nor did he understand how weather can be vastly different on the upper NE coast, to the interior, to the desert and on.
I loved reading about the freedom to cross the US on foot, though I always wonder why people's paths take them on the route they choose. Part of it is envy. With being gluten free and soy free, I will never be able to just accept a meal in a random person's home, nor will I be able to pop into a convenience store and get a can of ravioli.
He didn't explain what gear he had taken with him, how prepared he was, etc. His arranged 'mail drops' to me seemed like he wasn't really doing this 'on his own'. It was odd trying to piece together a person with a backpack, tent, umbrella, laptop, kindle, i-everything, plus a cell phone. I could only think, "he has a lot of electronics to keep charged! How is he going to manage?". With all that technology, he didn't use it to check on the weather (interesting time in Missouri) which I felt was a "idiot" move. In that, he proved he really was unprepared for this trip in that he didn't research anything about weather, nor did he understand how weather can be vastly different on the upper NE coast, to the interior, to the desert and on.
I loved reading about the freedom to cross the US on foot, though I always wonder why people's paths take them on the route they choose. Part of it is envy. With being gluten free and soy free, I will never be able to just accept a meal in a random person's home, nor will I be able to pop into a convenience store and get a can of ravioli.
August 24, 2014
Have you ever wanted to make a difficult journey just for the sake of doing it ... or want to live vicariously through another's real life (and sometimes harrowing) adventures?
Following in the footsteps of John Steinbeck, Peter Jenkins, Paul Theroux, and William Least Heat Moon (among others), Nathan Damm's telling of his walking trip across America is gripping, humorous and entertaining as we meet the people and see the places along his journey through his well-written words. You may question his motivations for making this trip (even he does, I think) or for that matter, his sanity, but one thing you can't question is his ability to tell a good tale.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy autobiographical travel books.
Following in the footsteps of John Steinbeck, Peter Jenkins, Paul Theroux, and William Least Heat Moon (among others), Nathan Damm's telling of his walking trip across America is gripping, humorous and entertaining as we meet the people and see the places along his journey through his well-written words. You may question his motivations for making this trip (even he does, I think) or for that matter, his sanity, but one thing you can't question is his ability to tell a good tale.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy autobiographical travel books.
September 7, 2015
I read Nate's hitchhiking book before I read this one and this book is definitely better. As others have mentioned it would have been nice to have more details about the gear and Logistics but this isn't a how-to book. It's a memoir. I enjoyed the details in this book and I found myself highlighting several places to look up later.
I will never walk across the country but I hope to drive it.
I will never walk across the country but I hope to drive it.
September 26, 2019
This is just not good.
I can't get past how self indulgent and privileged this guy sounds. Even if it were better written, I would have only given it two stars. Too many books to read and life is short, so don't bother with this one.
I can't get past how self indulgent and privileged this guy sounds. Even if it were better written, I would have only given it two stars. Too many books to read and life is short, so don't bother with this one.
July 19, 2015
Laugh out loud funny in many sections. Nate Damm is one of the leaders in the current America-by-foot movement and these stories about the people he found make you want to know America better.
July 19, 2019
It took me a while to make it through this book. The last chapter was great, but it was pretty tedious getting to the end (a lot, I realize, like the walk that it descibes, I suppose).
Damm mostly recounts a long list of places he walks through and people he meets. He is mostly fortunate. Most of the people he encounters are hospitable.
The vibe is mostly "This happened and then this other thing happened..." Very little reflection on what the walk meant or how it changed him ( until the very end, that is, when he sort of crams a bunch of reactions to his accomplishment in to bring the whole thing to a close).
I suspect it is a case of you-had-to-be-there, which is fine, but that is not why I originally picked up the book.
Perhaps if I had not first read Alastair Humphrey's excellent book about walking across India, There Are Other Rivers, I would allow this book a little more slack.
Not a total waste of time, just not what I was expecting or hoping for.
Damm mostly recounts a long list of places he walks through and people he meets. He is mostly fortunate. Most of the people he encounters are hospitable.
The vibe is mostly "This happened and then this other thing happened..." Very little reflection on what the walk meant or how it changed him ( until the very end, that is, when he sort of crams a bunch of reactions to his accomplishment in to bring the whole thing to a close).
I suspect it is a case of you-had-to-be-there, which is fine, but that is not why I originally picked up the book.
Perhaps if I had not first read Alastair Humphrey's excellent book about walking across India, There Are Other Rivers, I would allow this book a little more slack.
Not a total waste of time, just not what I was expecting or hoping for.
October 14, 2018
I just love these stories. Nate Damm, the author, did a wonderful job of sharing his journey with us, along with the fears, thoughts, and feelings anyone would have on such a trip. The courage and determination to take on such a challenge would overwhelm most of us. There is so much to be gained by taking a trip like this and journaling it, I’m kind of surprised that more people don’t do it.
This trip will be something Nate will never forget, and he’ll treasure it for the rest of his life. Well done young man, well done.
This trip will be something Nate will never forget, and he’ll treasure it for the rest of his life. Well done young man, well done.
June 19, 2017
Another Trip By Foot
This is a follow-up to any earlier book by the same author.
As in I Promise Not To Kill You the author chronicles his trip across America by foot. It's a funny and engaging book with many colourful characters the author meets along the way.
This is a follow-up to any earlier book by the same author.
As in I Promise Not To Kill You the author chronicles his trip across America by foot. It's a funny and engaging book with many colourful characters the author meets along the way.
July 9, 2021
Better than I expected
I really enjoyed this story. When reading the description, I thought the author might turned out to be some kind of a freak but he was really quite normal enjoying a grand adventure.
I really enjoyed this story. When reading the description, I thought the author might turned out to be some kind of a freak but he was really quite normal enjoying a grand adventure.
September 2, 2014
I give this guy credit, I couldn't walk 25-40 miles a day, I'd be crippled by day 2. My feet kill me after 3 miles in comfortable sneakers, and this guy wears boots!
I found it unbelievable at how nice most people were to Nate. I was like, really? People hand him twenty bucks left and right! They offer him a place to stay in their house, drive out of their way to pick him up for an Easter dinner. It's amazing. I wonder if I would be so lucky if I was doing the same thing.
The book is a little light on the details. Nate sits on his Kindle and breaks it so it's no longer useful, and a couple chapters later he says he's reading a book. I wondered where he got the book. Was he reading it on his phone or did he pick up a paperback somewhere? It's not explained. What book WAS it? It's not a big deal, but there are a lot of things like this in the book. I wanted to KNOW MORE! I wanted to know how he took care of business, and stuff like that. I wanted to know all the supplies he had in his pack, and how he picked up the new package. Unnecessary, I guess, but what can I say, I'm nosy. I wanted to know if his feet hurt and when--he bitched more about his shoulders and back, understandably, but still, the feet! I wanted to know how he prepared for the journey, did he do a lot of working out? You have to be in good shape to lug around 50 pounds on your back for dozens of miles a day.
I wish there was more interaction with all these characters he meets. For the most part, his time with the characters are glossed over. He tells us their history, etc. I guess I expected a novel, and this is non-fiction. This stuff isn't a big deal but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if this stuff was expanded upon. It's a good thing and a bad thing if I want to know more.
Still, it's a fascinating read. It made me think briefly about doing something similar--maybe walk across my home-state--ha! I'd have to be crazy.
I found it unbelievable at how nice most people were to Nate. I was like, really? People hand him twenty bucks left and right! They offer him a place to stay in their house, drive out of their way to pick him up for an Easter dinner. It's amazing. I wonder if I would be so lucky if I was doing the same thing.
The book is a little light on the details. Nate sits on his Kindle and breaks it so it's no longer useful, and a couple chapters later he says he's reading a book. I wondered where he got the book. Was he reading it on his phone or did he pick up a paperback somewhere? It's not explained. What book WAS it? It's not a big deal, but there are a lot of things like this in the book. I wanted to KNOW MORE! I wanted to know how he took care of business, and stuff like that. I wanted to know all the supplies he had in his pack, and how he picked up the new package. Unnecessary, I guess, but what can I say, I'm nosy. I wanted to know if his feet hurt and when--he bitched more about his shoulders and back, understandably, but still, the feet! I wanted to know how he prepared for the journey, did he do a lot of working out? You have to be in good shape to lug around 50 pounds on your back for dozens of miles a day.
I wish there was more interaction with all these characters he meets. For the most part, his time with the characters are glossed over. He tells us their history, etc. I guess I expected a novel, and this is non-fiction. This stuff isn't a big deal but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if this stuff was expanded upon. It's a good thing and a bad thing if I want to know more.
Still, it's a fascinating read. It made me think briefly about doing something similar--maybe walk across my home-state--ha! I'd have to be crazy.
December 20, 2015
It’s been a while since I read a walking book. I’m going to take a gander that the Saunter inspired it. I can safely say that the walk Nate Damm covered in his Life On Foot: A Walk Across America book is one I’ll never undertake. But I loved reading every word of it. I could also identify more with Nate than I could with Ffyona Campbell when I read about her walks. Nor did I want to smack him as I did Josie Dew while reading about her life on wheels.
Damm’s walk started in Delaware in late February 2011, and he was inspired by the walks of John Francis. The American Discovery Trail was the first of many named roads that he walked. Some like the Lincoln Highway I’ve driven, others such as The Loneliest Road had me heading to Google.
Like Mike McIntyre’s Kindness of Strangers, I love the people that Nate met — from Serinda on his first days of the trail to Maureen in southern Ohio where Nate learned of the “Hobo Spirits”
I’m a big historic site traveler and in addition to the books it put on my list, there are also a number of sites I want to see:
Mason-Dixon Line, sure I’ve crossed into and out of Maryland but never got a photo if it’s marked.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
French Lick, not because I’m a Bird or Celtics fan but legends of people and towns like the “Hick from French Lick” are just too fun to pass up.
It was William Least Heat-Moon’s River Horse that whet the road trip appetite last year. While I hope Amtrak quells it some, I feel the need of a “see America” road trip sometime soon. In the mean time, I enjoyed the America that Damm and Wilson saw.
Damm’s walk started in Delaware in late February 2011, and he was inspired by the walks of John Francis. The American Discovery Trail was the first of many named roads that he walked. Some like the Lincoln Highway I’ve driven, others such as The Loneliest Road had me heading to Google.
Like Mike McIntyre’s Kindness of Strangers, I love the people that Nate met — from Serinda on his first days of the trail to Maureen in southern Ohio where Nate learned of the “Hobo Spirits”
I’m a big historic site traveler and in addition to the books it put on my list, there are also a number of sites I want to see:
Mason-Dixon Line, sure I’ve crossed into and out of Maryland but never got a photo if it’s marked.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
French Lick, not because I’m a Bird or Celtics fan but legends of people and towns like the “Hick from French Lick” are just too fun to pass up.
It was William Least Heat-Moon’s River Horse that whet the road trip appetite last year. While I hope Amtrak quells it some, I feel the need of a “see America” road trip sometime soon. In the mean time, I enjoyed the America that Damm and Wilson saw.
September 18, 2014
Great Positive Outlook
Throughout my life I have read and enjoyed books about long distance walks and other physical challenges. Since I completed my own epic walk (and, naturally, wrote the book about it) I am drawn even more to books of this type.
Walking across America, from sea to shining sea, must be among the top challenges. I know, from the small amount of walking I have done in the States, that the country is just not geared to receive walkers, except on the many and excellent walking trails such as the Appalachian Way. Cross country means lots of time spent on roads and that is frightening.
I liked the way that Nate generally had a positive outlook, especially about the people he met. He barely touches on those in every town who treated him as an undesirable and wanted out of the place. But he waxes lyrical about all the many kindnesses he receives, usually from strangers, and the amazing number of people who give him money (more so than I experienced, and I was raising funds to fight a dreadful disease).
I gather this trek gave Nate a wanderlust which he has been following ever since, and that there are other books of his life as a nomad. I would certainly be interested in reading them.
To anybody contemplating anything in this line, I must repeat, at the risk of being boring, that, as well as preparation in the way of training, a gentle smearing of vaseline on the feet every day will do away with all or most of those blisters. Vaseline is the walker's best friend.
Throughout my life I have read and enjoyed books about long distance walks and other physical challenges. Since I completed my own epic walk (and, naturally, wrote the book about it) I am drawn even more to books of this type.
Walking across America, from sea to shining sea, must be among the top challenges. I know, from the small amount of walking I have done in the States, that the country is just not geared to receive walkers, except on the many and excellent walking trails such as the Appalachian Way. Cross country means lots of time spent on roads and that is frightening.
I liked the way that Nate generally had a positive outlook, especially about the people he met. He barely touches on those in every town who treated him as an undesirable and wanted out of the place. But he waxes lyrical about all the many kindnesses he receives, usually from strangers, and the amazing number of people who give him money (more so than I experienced, and I was raising funds to fight a dreadful disease).
I gather this trek gave Nate a wanderlust which he has been following ever since, and that there are other books of his life as a nomad. I would certainly be interested in reading them.
To anybody contemplating anything in this line, I must repeat, at the risk of being boring, that, as well as preparation in the way of training, a gentle smearing of vaseline on the feet every day will do away with all or most of those blisters. Vaseline is the walker's best friend.
August 18, 2015
I had mixed feelings about how best to review this non-fictional account of a young man's adventure while walking across the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning from the author's experiences, while at the same time wasn't impressed with his writing style. I've read other first person accounts of cross country walkers, of which I found John Francis's "Planet Walker" to be the most inspirational. To Nate Damm's credit, he acknowledged John Francis as his initial source of inspiration before setting out on his journey across North America, which took him over 7 months to accomplish.
Mr. Damm did an excellent job of providing readers with a chronological blow by blow of the places and people he encountered during his travels. He shared his personal challenges along with the stories of others he met along the way. I recommend this book to anyone interested or curious about what it is like to walk great distances over an extended period. Readers seeking deep philosophy or refined writing might be disappointed with this book, but I found there were enough interesting and surprising aspects to it to enjoy reading every page.
Mr. Damm did an excellent job of providing readers with a chronological blow by blow of the places and people he encountered during his travels. He shared his personal challenges along with the stories of others he met along the way. I recommend this book to anyone interested or curious about what it is like to walk great distances over an extended period. Readers seeking deep philosophy or refined writing might be disappointed with this book, but I found there were enough interesting and surprising aspects to it to enjoy reading every page.
October 19, 2014
This is a very short story about a 25 year old man hitchhiking from Virginia to Oregon. It reads more like a diary of thoughts rather than a story. Unfortunately, the author doesn't give the reader enough information to really picture what is going on. I don't know why he is doing this. I don't know what led him to a life of not working and being a typical adult. I do know it isn't the first time he is doing this. The book is really a sniper of events strung together into a short story. Some of the scenarios are charming, other are alarming.
What the book does do is pique my curiosity in his other writings. Are they better? Do they give the reader more insight? Does he tell us what has led him to lead an untraditional life and just explore and be? Can he write with detail and depth? Or is this an easy way to try to make money to sustain this lifestyle and rebel against mainstream America?
What the book does do is pique my curiosity in his other writings. Are they better? Do they give the reader more insight? Does he tell us what has led him to lead an untraditional life and just explore and be? Can he write with detail and depth? Or is this an easy way to try to make money to sustain this lifestyle and rebel against mainstream America?
May 17, 2016
Nate was 22 when he decided rather impulsively it seems, to walk across the United States. He breaks up with his girlfriend and sets off to run away or find himself or something in between. How interesting can walking be? This long walk was very interesting. He makes his way through many small towns where he gets to know the locals who amazingly open up their homes to him and help him along the way. Most of the time, people seem innately good and truly generous. He has difficult times with the weather and flooding and a few bad experiences, but overall, this is a good journey. He also has lots of solitary time to think and meets many interesting characters, panning for gold with one and traveling a bit of the way with others. I enjoyed Nate’s story and admire his adventurous spirit. Recommended!
August 4, 2017
Maturing one step at a time
Nate Damm began his walk across the country as a fairly immature young man. He did a fair amount of whining and second guessing himself early in his walk and the book. But seemingly with every step he took, he gained confidence in what he was doing and as a writer. Soon, I began to really like this young man who relished the unexpected social contacts along his journey. I have read a great deal of hiking narratives but this is one of the few road-walking narratives I have read. While Nate maintained his focus of the Golden Gate and the Pacific Ocean, he never rushed past an opportunity to interact with the people he met along the way.
Nate Damm began his walk across the country as a fairly immature young man. He did a fair amount of whining and second guessing himself early in his walk and the book. But seemingly with every step he took, he gained confidence in what he was doing and as a writer. Soon, I began to really like this young man who relished the unexpected social contacts along his journey. I have read a great deal of hiking narratives but this is one of the few road-walking narratives I have read. While Nate maintained his focus of the Golden Gate and the Pacific Ocean, he never rushed past an opportunity to interact with the people he met along the way.
October 15, 2014
This is the story of a walk Nate Damm took across the USA, starting on the Delaware coast and ending up on a beach in San Francisco,California. He walked the American Discovery trail, which took him seven and a half months and 3,200 miles.
Through this journey, we find out a lot about the places he visits, but mainly of the interesting and for the most part helpful people along the way. I like his sense of appreciation, for those that he encounters.
Another good hiking story, on a trail I had not read about before.
Through this journey, we find out a lot about the places he visits, but mainly of the interesting and for the most part helpful people along the way. I like his sense of appreciation, for those that he encounters.
Another good hiking story, on a trail I had not read about before.
March 19, 2015
If you're looking for a book that gives you the "how-to" of making a walk across the length of the United States, this is not the book for you. But - if you want a book that highlights the kindness and generosity and acceptance of strangers, as well as the hopes, doubts, highs and lows of a 3,200-mile journey through interesting, beautiful, and hellacious locations, then this is the book for you. When Nate stepped into the ocean at San Francisco, I teared up right along with him. Great job, Nate - may all your roads have wide shoulders.
February 7, 2017
A 3 because the people he met were interesting, but I was expecting more self-reflection.
September 6, 2020
Unlike the last walking across America book I read, I liked that this author didn't have the self-imposed restriction of not spending any money; he didn't have a lot of it to splash around, so there was still a large kindness of strangers component. The stretches when he'd walk with just a daypack and get picked up and dropped off for his daily segments seemed odd; I guess I didn't realize that was part of such a journey.
November 7, 2014
I loved this book, I felt like I Skyped with Nate on his journey, his writing is vivid, yet simple. It was an inspirational read. Very insightful, even on a level with yourself. I stopped to re-read several sentences over and over and let them roll through my mind. I plan to read his hitch hiking journey, "I promise I won't kill you" and "Budda on the bus." I was quite amazed at the kindness of strangers and the friends he made along the way.
February 22, 2015
An extended blog
The author purports this as some spiritual journey in the beginning but I found it lacking in spirit and soul. There are interesting anecdotes about people and places, but they are all just tossed in like a thousand trinkets at a flea market. The writing is functional though simple (for me, not simple like Hemingway but simple like a fifth grader's diary. And personally I found the author to be an unlikable character.
The author purports this as some spiritual journey in the beginning but I found it lacking in spirit and soul. There are interesting anecdotes about people and places, but they are all just tossed in like a thousand trinkets at a flea market. The writing is functional though simple (for me, not simple like Hemingway but simple like a fifth grader's diary. And personally I found the author to be an unlikable character.
February 26, 2016
Hiking the AT has always been a bucket list item, and I always enjoy reading books on the subject. This was the first book I've ever read about someone walking across America. Lots of adventures as Nate makes his way West, adventures most of us will never get to experience.
Several mountain ranges and a cast of characters later Nate was done. I was a bit sad to hear that Wilson got left in San Francisco, but it is what it is.
Several mountain ranges and a cast of characters later Nate was done. I was a bit sad to hear that Wilson got left in San Francisco, but it is what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2016
I would have given this book 4 stars if the language would not have been so bad. It seems a shame to speak of God's creation (my words, not his) in one breath and then cursing in the next breath. I supported my husband as he road his bike across our great country and we heard none of the language spoken throughout this book from the people we met.
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