The Old Man and the Harley: A Last Ride Through Our Fathers' America

by John J. Newkirk

Ride with a father and his son on an amazing journey through America's past. In the summer of 1939, with the nation balanced between the Great Depression and the gathering winds of war, young Jack Newkirk set off on a rickety Harley to see both the New York and San Francisco World's Fairs. He had no way of knowing it was to e the autumn of his youth, and that his entire generation would soon be thrust into the most devastating conflict in history. Seven decades later, author John J. Newkirk retraces this epic ride with his father, Jack, in a silent hope the old soldier will still be proud of the America he fought for. Each mile brings discovery as the author learns of his namesake, the heroic Squadron Leader of the legendar Flying Tigers, and of his father's life on the road and in the jungles of the South Pacific during World War II. The result is quintessential Americana, a sweeping portrait of the grit, guts, ingenuity, and sacrifice that defined a nation, and a timely lesson from the Greatest Generation on how we can overcome our most pressing challenges and reclaim the American Dream.

Genres: Travel

380 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2008

Reviews

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On June 22, 1939 Jack Newkirk rode his Harley Davidson VL Big Twin named Raspberry across the US to see the 1939 New York World's Fair and the San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition. John J. Newkirk and his father retrace the route and along the way John learns of his fathers World War II experience and the history of other family members.
Great history book that at times read like a diary. Very touching and honest look at the life before and after the war through the eyes of an American family.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me the best part of the book was the first 40% which covered the old man's cross country journey. That alone was worth the price of the book.

[Ryan McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY liked the first two thirds of this book. Harleys, travel, WWII, lots of things I’m interested in.

The last third of the book, unfortunately, seems to turn into a chronicle of all the impressive things the author has gotten into, and I kind of just… don’t care. Here’s one gem:

“As I watched the [Amish] girls cook, work, clean, and play, I couldn't help but compare them to Paris Hilton and Ivanka Trump. While Sarah and Rebekah Lapp reminded me of the sleek, strong Morgan horses they raised, the hotel heiresses seemed more like French poodles - and there was no question as to whom I'd rather be with.”

I… don’t really care who you’d rather be with?

In another fun episode a few pages later, two bikers bond over how entitled illegal immigrants are. Sadly, they’re the only people around smart enough to make such an observation. :(

Later he meets a security guard at a concert and just KNOWS he’s a biker (presumably because he looks tough), which earns him backstage access. It’s just… weird. And tiring.

“What's the weather forecast, do you know?" he asked.
"No," I said, "but we could probably check it once we get to Cody. I'll walk down Main Street and see if I can piggyback off a Wi-Fi. My laptop's got 802.11g so I can download at 54 megabits —not that their WANs have anywhere near that bandwidth."

Assuming this one even happened, which I doubt, why would you say this to your 90 year old father?

I love motorcycles. I ride a Harley. The term biker makes me cringe but I suppose I am one. But this weird insistence on the biker code/ethos/lifestyle is just odd to me. A biker is someone who rides a motorcycle. I don’t know, this was tough to rate. As a travelogue and snapshot of America in the 30s and 40s, it was amazing. As a moralizing retrospective, it got old pretty fast.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would not have picked up this book if it was not given to me but thoroughly enjoyed it. Made me think a lot about the life I want to live and how I want to be remembered. It is also extremely relatable driving a shitbox RV across the country at 22.

[Tammy VanEtten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! A wonderful personal look at events in the 1930’s..

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic snapshot of America in 1939. The later parts of the book sometimes rubbed me the wrong way but in the end there's a lot of hope for the future.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Old Man and the Harley, John Newkirk provides us with a well-written book of genealogy, history, values-based philosophy, patriotism, and family love. It’s about forgiveness, courage, caring, and appreciation for the outward and inward journeys of a man. Though it was what attracted me to it in the first place, the motorcycling is really more of a vehicle for relating the rest of the story.

The story begins in the 1600s with the arrival of the Newkirk family to the New World, but quickly moves forward to the early twentieth century. The author writes parallel histories of Scarsdale Jack Newkirk, one of the original Flying Tigers of World War II, and of his cousin, John Newkirk, just a few years younger. At the same time that Scarsdale Jack is preparing for, and the fighting in the war, John takes off on a cross country journey, riding a 1930 Harley VL motorcycle. His goal? To see the country from coast to coast, beginning with the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and ending with the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. Through trials and tribulations, he makes his way successfully across the country.

The first two parts of the book deal with these parallel accounts, with occasional present-day inserts and commentaries from the author. The last part relates the author’s personal experiences as he struggles with the emotional baggage of an uncle he never knew, moderated by the values imparted by his family and experiences. He retraces the journey taken by his father in 1939 (backwards), with the 82-years-young “Old Man” on the back of his bike for a good part of the way. The entire tale is told with warmth and humor and appreciation, and with a keen eye for detail and plot and the adventure of lives well lived.

Ultimately, the book is about America…clearly beloved by the author. It is one of the best books I have read in awhile, and brought me to ponder and reflect on my own father’s experiences in that time of economic depression, social upheaval, and war. It is an America that feels qualitatively different from the country we know today, in some ways more backward and lacking, but in other ways a finer, friendlier, and more inviting place than it sometimes seems to be today. Yet the author’s message rings true, that despite the negative voices that would have us think less of our country, there is much more to recommend it, much to admire, respect, and love about this great country of ours. Those negative voices can be quieted by our own positive thought and action, and like that foregone generation it is our duty and our privilege to do so. I recommend Newkirk’s story to anyone with an appreciation for motorcycling, journeying, history, or America. It will be time well spent.

[Hal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a 19-year-old, who set off to discover America, and his son who retraced the trip more than 50 years later and in the end discovered himself. Young Jack Newkirk's goal was to ride his rickety motorcycle from the 1939 world's fair in New York to the other world exposition going on at the same time at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge -- and back again. He succeeded and had many adventures along the way, and they make for wondrous reading.

Young Jack's story is told by his son, who had heard his father's story throughout his life. The son recreated the trip more than 50 years later, and this time young Jack (now in his 80s) rode with him for a portion of the trip.

I love this book. It makes up for some of the lesser books I've read over the past few months. I recommend this to any one who admires good writing, and especially those who have ever ridden a motorcycle, whether it be a dirt bike or a big Harley.

[Carol Marsella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the type of read I'd have chosen for myself - but Nick and I are swapping - then discussing. He didn't like my last pick - Loving Frank - I have to agree it did get bogged down in many spots - and didn't like the characters all that much - Frank Lloyd Wright had a bit of an ego!
This was Nick's pick - and it also bogged down in many spots - but was interesting enough to make me stay with it . It had some great history intertwined with the ride across America on a broken down old harley - in the late 30s- by a very determined young man. Lots of info about the rider's cousin - who was a famous WWII pilot. This book is written by the rider's son - and comes full circle when they recreate the ride in the 70s. Very patriotic story.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was wonderful. A recommended read from my father who actually has yet to read it. At first, I appreciated this book for the history presented in conjunction with a travel tale, a genre I spend a lot of time with. But as the story progressed, I found a deeper parallel as I related with the author coping with the eventuality of losing his father to the world beyond. My father is two years into slung cancer and struggling more with each passing day. What irony that this book reaches my hand at this time.

[Tom Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains a prelude which seems to be derived from Okumiya and Horikoshi's Zero.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a better book than I expected. It chronicled the author's family back in WW2. The author's father rode his Harley cross country, and the father's cousin was a pilot with the Flying Tigers. Good book!

[Gwyne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I loved the way he weaves the autobiographical elements with the historical context of the time. He also used some allegory to create some suspense throughout the story. It is a little preachy at the end but I forgave that because the story is so wonderful otherwise.

[Kim]

The author is a neighbor of ours at some property in Evergreen. Anxious to read when Scott is done.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a VERY good story. Everyone wishes to have family history recorded and remembered in such detail and passed along for others to enjoy. HIGHLY recommended read!

[Wes Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book - a son retraces a father's youthful cross country adventure on an old Harley. A book of discovery.

[Warrior · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the 1st 2 sections, then he got preachy