Jake Does America: 10,000 Mile Trek

by Jake Sansing

I became homeless after I got out of the Army and decided to use that time to walk across America. After a few months of living on the road, I realized that I needed some kind of motivation to keep me going. I then began raising money for different charities, as well as being an advocate for showing the positive effects that being outdoors can have on PTSD. As time went on, I became obsessed with making a positive difference through hiking. Three years later, I had inadvertently crossed the entire country three times. Although it may sound like an altruistic stroll through the park, each day presented itself with new and unforeseen challenges. Besides battling hunger, dangerous wildlife, harsh weather conditions, and loneliness, I also had to deal with the fact that most people were unaware of my good intentions. So, not only do you get to follow along on an epic adventure with all its daily struggles, but my journey also unveils what it was like to be homeless in America without any special treatment.
Jake Does 10,000 Mile Trek was originally published on July 3, 2017. The book has since been rewritten, and the manuscript was updated on December 9, 2019.
6x9 Paperback with cream pages
317 pages

317 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2019

Reviews

[Justin Weiskopf · Rating 1 out of 5]

The timeline of events that the author chooses to describe are rather strange. It was as if the book was written completely on memory as there are large gaps in time that go un touched. The stories he tells range from alcohol abuse to aliens to encounters with other travelers. He mentions PTSD often, which was one of the reason for his trek. However, it is not one continuous trek but several journeys that are ended when he feels the need to go back home for a a variety of reasons.
I appreciate the mans service to our country and the nerve it takes to spill your inner thoughts in a book for all to read. It was just an odd mix of stories

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to stop reading this book around a quarter of the way through, but someone I like wanted me to read it so I pushed may way to the end.

Here's the quote that I really feel sums up this author's personality:

"We went back to her apartment, and her roommate said that I have to leave. She told her friend that I made her feel uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure she was just jealous though. I hadn't done anything to make her feel that way. She was just fat and ugly, and no guys would ever want to come see her."

Yup, she was jealous. Because all women just want mentally ill men who won't take their meds reliably to visit them in their homes. I hate it when fat, ugly women state their needs and refuse to be uncomfortable in their own homes.

[Ben Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good story. Usually a book with grammar and syntax mistakes bothers me, but, in this case, it adds to the author's voice. It's hard to tell if some of the stories are embellished, but a worthwhile read in the end.

[Vic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jakes upbeat 10,000 mile attitude is worthy of notice - whether chasing bears, looking for water, finding safe campsites, keeping his miles up or dealing with bi-polar or PTSD health issues. There was nothing easy about what he had set out to accomplish. His rough prose adds to the story.

[Liz D · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent first person story. We need more personal narratives like it.

[Beverly Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book