Across China

by Peter Jenkins

In the mid-1970s Peter Jenkins set out across the country's heartland to rediscover America. His stirring account of that extraordinary quest unfolded in the two bestselling books, A Walk Across America and The Walk West, which brought joy and inspiration to millions of readers.

Now The Magnificent Journey Of Discovery Continues On The Far Side Of The World...

Across China

A phone call from a friend marked the beginning of a rare opportunity for Peter Jenkins to trek deep into Tibet, over Mount Everest, and across China to gaze on an ancient mysterious land that few Westerners have ever seen. You will share in his wonder and excitement as he joins some of the world's most daring adventures to conquer the Himalayas...as he defies the Chinese authorities to explore an off-limits fishing village...as he wanders across the steppes of the proud Mongol herdsmen to wrestle with the descendents of Genghis Khan's legendary Golden Horde.

Across China is the journal of a don't-fence-me-in American. It is the story of an astonishing voyage that opened his eyes to new worlds and his heart to new friends, a voyage that strengthened his pride in America.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, China, Memoir, Asia, Adventure, Biography

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Born July 8th, 1951 in Greenwich, Connecticut,

Peter is the eldest of the six children of Frederick and Mary Jenkins.

Graduated from Greenwich High School in 1969.

Attended Woodstock in summer of 1969.

Graduated from Alfred University in 1973 with a BFA, majoring in Sculptor/ Ceramics.
Began his Walk Across America on October 15, 1973 in Alfred, New York. It ended in mid-January of 1979 in Florence, Oregon.

When not traveling and exploring he lives on a farm in middle Tennessee . He is the proud father of six children, Aaron, Brooke, Rebekah, Jedidiah, Luke and Julianne and is married to the former Rita Jorgensen of Michigan .

Reviews

[Airi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's truly a rare thing for an American during that time period to have been able to traverse the width and breadth of China--and especially handy to have had an interpreter with him the whole time. I appreciate the insight into far-flung regions of China, and am frankly in awe and envious of the author's journey. The thing that soured the enjoyment for me was the slight arrogance of behalf of the author as an American. Among the various demonstrations of his cultural ineptitude, he actually wonders if Tibetans are cannibals. I know this was written in an era before the internet--but really? I wouldn't go so far as to call Mr. Jenkins racist, just inexcusably ignorant. Especially when you consider he knew months in advance that he'd be travelling to Tibet. He couldn't have bothered to read a book on Tibet in preparation for his interaction with the people?
The consistent tone of "Well golly gee, China's such a Communist shithole--it's cool and all, but I'm so glad to be a 'MURICAN" was too much for me to forgive. It's an interesting period piece, but I think I'll stick to reading more educated travelogues.

[Kathryn Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great travelogue that first get my interested in cultures across the globe; specifically the peoples of the Himalayan mountains. A great book for Everest climbing lovers. Jenkin's goes on part of his journey with climbers in order to gain access to certain areas. Exhilarating !

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I had read the authors A Walk Across America books> I had enjoyed them both quite a bit. I thought he gave a rather unique perspective on America because of the way he traversed the country. Based on that I hoped that this would be an interesting trip across China. Well, unfortunately it wasn't.

The book starts out with the author being invited to accompany an American expedition that was going to attempt Everest from the Tibetan side. This portion was quite interesting, chronicling, the expedition as they made their way up to the first base camp, I think it was. After that, the author parts with the expedition on his way "Across China". He heads first, by plane to Chengdu, where he meets up with his guide/interpreter, a Chinese immigrant married to an American man back in the authors home state. She had wanted to travel back home and this provided both an opportunity for her to do so, and travel with the author, helping him wind his way through China, and Chinese bureaucracy.

The author and his guide then travel up to Inner Mongolia, because he wants to stay with Mongolians and experience their life. While in was interesting, I doubt it was as exciting as he had envisioned, due to the strictness of the regime at that time. The Mongolian people were really not able to enjoy their culture as they do now. He did get to experience some of the Mongol culture, but not much.

Next was a train ride to Beijing to visit the parents of the guide, then on the Fujian. There is an interesting side quest to a fishing village (unauthorized by the government, and therefore cut short), and a bit about the art scene in Fujian before he heads back home.

The book ends with the finishing of the climbing expeditions tale, where Phil Ershler manages a solo summit of Everest. This was interesting to me, because I had gone with my uncle to hear Phil speak on his summit at San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, CA shortly after his return.

This is what I thought of the book. It was written in the 80s, shortly after China had reopened to the world, so much of the information is dated, though, I would bet you could go to China today and still find many of the living conditions he experienced still today. Some of the attitudes and expressions used are obviously dated, and cringe worthy, but that was a different time, and people in the west knew little about China.

I am presuming he ran into issues, other than those noted in the book, with being able to go where he wanted, and I would assume that people would have been relatively tight lipped since the Cultural Revolution was not that far in the past. I was disappointed in the lack of scope to the book and travel, most of the book is about the climbing expedition. There is little to nothing about China itself.

While the book has some interesting points, and was probably good for its time, it falls short oif his earlier writings, and I would suspect there are a myriad of other options to read about modern day China.

[Kim Orendor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fascinating to me to read about a place I've lived decades before I got there and see how much has changed and how much things have stayed the same.

Peter Jenkins' "Across China" brought back countless memories and made my stomach growl with the recounting of Chinese dishes and my back hurt with the retelling of a hard-seat train ride.

Published in 1986 about a 1984 adventure to Tibet, Inner Mongolia and various stops in China, this book was a great read. The way Jenkins wove in the changing times that Chinese were living under with the vast landscapes he was traveling revealed the complexity of the Middle Kingdom.

I totally connected with how he connected with the people and the culture and the disconnect with how the government worked.

The China I encountered didn't have all the same travel restrictions, but the living conditions of some area are still very much the same. I didn't have the same paranoia level of being constantly watched by authorities-he has people physically tail him-but I was very aware that the authorities were watching.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Dated, but reminded me so much of my first trip to China in 1984. It was before they started allowing much tourism, and I do remember having to file an itinerary of where we wanted to go. We were also followed, as he was, and told we couldn’t go down certain streets. It was culture shock both in the way people lived, and in the restricted freedoms, and the author captures that, although it makes him seem culturally insensitive.

[Leslie Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and then put it down for months. I was bored with it. Don't do that! The first few chapters are slow, but after that ... it runs wide open! If you're at all interested in China and her culture, this book is for you. I found a hardback copy on one of my thrifting trips and I'm glad I did. This one will be kept on a bookshelf in our home. Definitely recommend.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intimate look into visiting China and Mongolia in the 1980s. Jenkins went where few people could go and had experiences few people could have. These stories make for interesting reading, particularly his travels with a group of Everest climbers

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating about the journey to Tibet and across China during the 1980s when the country was slowly opening up to visitors/tourists.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has to be one of my most favorite books, revisited from my childhood.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another travel book from an author I have loved since "A Walk Across America" and "A Walk Out West". (last weekend I read his Alaska book).

Peter had the opportunity to accompany a group attempting to scale Mt. Everest (Chomolungma-it's real name) in 1984. They visit Tibet and after a hair raising drive to the north face, he leaves the climbing group and travels to Inner Mongolia, Beijing, and a remote (and forbidden) fishing village on China's southern coast. He exits China via Hong Kong and goes back to his home in Tennessee.

This sketch of his itinerary does not due justice to his keen insights and descriptions of what he sees and those he meets.

In Tibet, he follows a group of locals to the local cinema where propaganda films are shown. There are only 3 movies the Red Chinese government allows to be shown. He drives home the impact on the subjugation of Tibet by likening it to churches in Tennessee either being bombed (if not architecturally significant) or being turned into museums if architecturally striking. Either way, what would YOU do if YOUR religion was suddenly outlawed by this type of "liberation".

As for the "Cultural Revolution" (1967-1971), he illuminates this time of horror by describing how city children were relocated away from their parents to live the rural life of a peasant. He also relates the story of a poor unfortunate older woman who was bullied by the youth group endorsed by Mao who set about "re- educating" her by breaking family heirlooms (vases from the Ming Dynasty) and ridiculing her and debasing her. She finally takes her life.

A wonderful read, highly recommended. Thank you, Peter, for another inspiring book!

[Diocletian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's writing style is very easy to read and informal. This is not necessarily a negative by any means, but I almost feel like this book went too far- that the writing could use a little more complexity and formality. Then again, maybe it is just me being picky and wanting a formal cultural history and not what this book actually is- a travel novel of Peter Jenkins' personal experiences and observations. Although his observations can seem overly enthusiastic about America and quite negative about China, it is only about the Chinese government that he does this. He has a great respect and care for the many different people of China, regardless of the acts of the government of the time. I feel that there are two main parts to this book, the first- also the one with the most coverage- is his memoir of traveling across China, from Tibet to Inner Mongolia, while the other is a limited description of Lou Whittaker's team's ascent of Mount Everest. Although I was expecting to find the first topic more interesting, I was kind of surprised to find that I found the story of the Everest expedition the more interesting part. At first this was good, as a nice sized portion of the beginning is devoted to the early parts of the ascent. However, as the novel progresses, only a couple short chapters in the end are devoted to the most perilous later parts of the journey, which Jenkins records based off of his talking with Whittaker after the fact. Overall though, it was a decent enough read, although not as in-depth or interesting as I had hoped.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need an armchair adventure trip, this is a good one to read. Jenkin's portrays a good view of what it's like traveling through China in the 80s. The bonus I found with this book was the beginning of 1984 Everest ascent with Lou Whittaker and Phil Erschler. I've read several books from the climber's point of view; it was refreshing to see it through a different set of eyes. Especially one more focused on the journey and culture, rather than the climb. He gives a very realistic view of what it's like travelling through China; although if I hadn't been there myself, I would probably walk away from this book not wanting to visit. But that's part of the beauty of it and he does a fairly good job accounting that.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was written in the 80s, it was interesting to hear about the author's experiences in China. He starts his adventure in Tibet with a team trying to climb Everest, but he manages to visit several other parts of China, including Mongolia and a fishing village before returning home. I enjoyed reading about life in the rural parts of China, though I realize that they probably are not quite so remote now as they were then. It was also interesting to read about how someone the author ran into predicted that China would become an economic power, which, of course, they have. I cannot imagine myself in his role however, because I would never presume that people I didn't know would take me into their home like a long-lost member of the family.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armchair traveling at its best: I could imagine riding in a truck driven by Parnelli Yak on a mountainous Tibetan road; I could imagine listening to the stories told to introductions of the members of the climbing team; I could imagine the relief of finding my interpreter-guide Ran Ying; I could imagine the frustration of being directed to what was allowed to be seen; and, I can imagine pleasure of the unique experiences Jenkins had when he met the people of Mongolia and China. And I did not have to eat the strange food, feel awkward while using the facilities, or rest in a hard sleeper on a train journey.

[Eva Seyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the "Walk Across America" so much that I was sure I'd enjoy this book as well. It dragged a bit in the early chapters - I think there could have been less "how-do-I-tell-Barbara" and more jumping right into it. Once the travelogue started I was hooked. I know so little about China/Tibet and it was really, really fascinating to me.

Of course, I cringed in annoyance when he asked some of the Tibetan folks how they had their babies with no hospitals close by. Um. Yeah. Seriously, dude? But aside from that, it was grand.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1984. China is emerging from years of oppressive Mao decrees. Hardly anyone owns an automobile. Landscape colorless and drab. Populace mostly circumspect because, who knows, Maoists may return. Foreigners still "guided." It's a story about Tibetans and yaks. Mt. Chomolungma (Everest) climbers. Mongols and a kang. Delicious foods (don't ask about ingredients). Windswept plains. Author is well-known for his "walking" trip books and I expected this to be one. Though it's not it's still a fascinating journal.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Across China by Peter Jenkins (William Morrow 1986) (915.1). Peter Jenkins came to fame when he wrote Walk Across America. He was 22 years old and a new college graduate with no firm plans, so he started walking. Along the way he found religion, a wife, and fame. Then he got divorced and found that fame was fleeting. So what did he do? He started walking. Across China. And wrote another book. My rating: 6/10, finished 1988.

[Michael Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying the earlier "walking" books, I picked this up and found it also well written and very enjoyable. Starting with a Mount Everest expedition from the Tibet side. He tells wonderful stories of the local people and then with an interpreter he leaves the expedition at base camp and journeys through many "uncharted" places in China. This adds another dimension to my reading books about China.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Call me spoiled, but I just really couldn't get into this one as much as Walk Across America 1 and 2 and the Alaska. It wasn't really him though, the Tibet half was good. It was when he was in China that there were so many restrictions and sketchiness with the people trying to not get caught by the government that he really couldn't meet their true personalities.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting book. A majority of it follows a team as they climb Mt Everest. Then Peter goes off and around other parts of China. Thankfully the book concludes with a summary of the Mt Everest climber experience.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought it was going to be more about the climb of Everest but instead it was a wonderful view of China in the late 70s early 80s. A lot of things I never really knew about both Tibet and China and their relationship.

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting information about how regular Chinese people live (i.e. not the often viewed communist soldier types). On a personal note about the author, he leaves on this journey just before his wife is going to give birth. Small wonder they later divorced.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about China, felt it was worth the read for that, but I found his writing style to be a bit... irritating.

So I read it, learned from it, but wasn't all that impressed. Certainly not seeking out another.

[Rickard · Rating 2 out of 5]

So-so engaging book about a half attempt at Everest (he didn't stay till the end) and then a half attempt in discovering China.

[Rick · Rating 1 out of 5]

A let down after his 'America' books. I felt he should've concentrated on the walk without getting into the climb and felt disappointed that the walk only covered part of China.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a third book by Peter Jenkins. I did not find this book quite as interesting as his first two books. This time he tells of going to China and his experiences there.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people are adventurous and make opportunities.

[Jeffrey Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I think I read it in about 3 days. It is longer, but I couldn't quit reading it.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story by an adventurous sole.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to read this book again. I think the first time I read it, I was comparing it to his first two books.