The Longest Walk: An Odyssey of the Human Spirit

by George Meegan

George Meegan's fascinating memoir of his 7-year walking journey from the southernmost tip of South America to the Arctic shores of Alaska, a total of 19,019 miles, and of his many encounters with different peoples and situations. Photographs.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

402 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

George Meegan is a British long-distance walker best known for his unbroken walk of the entire Western Hemisphere from the southern tip of South America to the northernmost part of Alaska at Prudhoe Bay.
He has appeared often in the press including the Today Show three times, CBS Morning News and on Larry King Live. Meegan lives Internationally and has a wife, Yoshiko, in Japan. They have two children.
He ran as an Independent candidate for the Gillingham and Rainham constituency for the 2010 General Election.

Reviews

[Mosco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Che libro simpatico! L'autore, inglese, non ha una sola rotella al posto suo (ma guarda! :-D): 7 anni a piedi attraverso le americhe con pochi soldi in tasca, dormendo qui e là (spesso là!), mangiando, letteralmente, pane e cipolla, litigando con la burocrazia... e nel frattempo trovando il modo di sposarsi con una giapponese e fare 2 figli che intravedono il babbo quando capita.
Fantastica la sua famiglia, quella di origine e quella acquisita: tutti a sostenerlo, dargli coraggio, forza, ogni tanto anche qualche soldino, tutti a incoraggiarlo a non rinunciare al suo sogno, a non rinfacciargli la poca presenza con moglie e figli. Nessun rompiballe a dirgli quanto poco sensato fosse tutto ciò.

Ho trovato forse troppo sintetico il racconto di molti tratti del cammino, soprattutto gli anni degli States, ma capisco che se non fosse sintetico ne verrebbe fuori l'enciclopedia britannica.
Un bel libro di viaggio, autoironico, attento e indulgente nei confronti delle persone. Di molte persone: anche in questo racconto i poveri condividono anche quello che non hanno, i ricchi sono spesso sospettosi, chiusi e micragnosi.

[Ettore1207 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una lunga camminata meritava un lungo libro (ebook di quasi 400 pagine) che scorre via coinvolgendo con uno stile giustamente semplice. Meegan è davvero una persona speciale nel fisico ma, soprattutto, nell'animo. Trentamila chilometri in sette anni, con la clausola morale di unire la punta estrema della Patagonia all'Alaska con una serie ininterrotta di passi. "Ininterrotta" in senso letterale: non si servì mai di imbarcazioni o altri mezzi di trasporto, nemmeno per brevi tratti. Alcune volte fu costretto da una emergenza a chiedere un passaggio per la città più vicina, ma poi si fece riportare indietro per riprendere il cammino esattamente dove lasciato. Persona speciale nell'animo è anche la moglie giapponese che lo ha assistito e incoraggiato per lettera, e lo ha incontrato occasionalmente, nei sette lunghi anni dandogli due figli. Un altro elemento sorprendente, che stride con analoghe imprese, è la mancanza di sponsorizzazioni e la povertà di mezzi. Ad esempio, nel freddo dell'Ontario l'abbigliamento "consisteva in un cappotto pesante (dono dell'Esercito della Salvezza), fodere di lana per i guanti e, ripiegate sotto il mio amato cappello di paglia, le mutande di mio suocero per tenermi calda la testa." Povertà di mezzi, ma anche povertà tout-court, dato che spesso riuscì a sopravvivere soltanto per l'aiuto e la benevolenza della gente.

Nel corso degli anni l'essenza del viaggio era cambiata dall'essere l'adempimento di un desiderio semplice forse infantile all'essere qualcosa che ho scelto di definire come la più grande opera di arte astratta mai vista, inscritta dalle orme di un uomo nel cortile della sua prigione autocreata, l'emisfèro occidentale. Arrivai a quest'opinione dopo essere stato minacciato e tormentato migliaia di volte da gente che poneva la solita domanda: «Perché?». Dopo tutto, chi guarda una pittura astratta - implicitamente non più utile o più pratica del mio viaggio - domanda perché? Oppure chi guarda le macchie spasmodiche di protoplasma in un microscopio domanda il loro «significato»? La mia camminata di parecchie migliaia di chilometri non aveva un valore più grande o meno grande di quelle macchie colorate sulle pareti o di quelle macchie spasmodiche su un vetrino di microscopio. Io ero soltanto un'altra versione della stessa cosa. E nella natura della macchia microscopica contrarsi, è nella mia natura viaggiare.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What George Meegan accomplished is truly remarkable. As of the writing of his book, he held several official world records; I don't know if any of them have since been broken. I enjoyed reading his descriptions of the land he walked and the people he encountered. As in Tania Aebi's Maiden Voyage, a recurring theme is that the people who had the least to share shared the most. I love to walk (although I don't think I've ever walked more than 15 miles in one day) and I almost felt like I was there with him, feeling the hard packed earth or asphalt under my feet and hearing the sounds of nature. If I keep reading books like this, I may just disappear over the horizon someday on a journey of my own.

[Nathan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I once had a dream in which I was contemplating something that in the dream I called a "Pacific Spine Through-hike," which started at Cape Horn, wound through the Andes, through the mountains of Central America, connected up with the Pacific Crest Trail, continued through the mountains of British Columbia and then through Alaska. Imagine my surprise when, just a few weeks later, I stumbled upon this book. In its pages, the author recounts a voyage he began in 1977, in which he embarked upon basically the very same thing! Of course, the realities and logistics of such a long-distance trek back then were quite different than they are now. Gear technology has changed, of course, as has mapping tech complete with satellite phones and GoogleMaps. So has international politics. And yet all the while, I kept wondering what's changed since Meegan did his trek and what hasn't, and how all that might be different as seen through the eyes of an Englishman (him) vs. an American (me). And, of course, his grim determination in the face of often whelming odds what I'm sure would drive the average REI patron screaming back to the relative comforts of the Appalachian Trail, impressed me. And while I understand that "the mountains are calling and I must go," I also kept thinking, "George, you're nuts!"

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of print, but get a copy if you can find it... Might be a bit dated (I read it back in the late 80's) but I remember it as a somewhat bizarre, but fascinating look at an incredibly anal/meticulous Englishman who decides to walk from the very tip of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina to one of the northernmost parts of Canada.
His determination and single-mindedness kept him going, along at times with his Japanese wife and (later) baby, through some pretty sticky situations. As a Spanish teacher (at that time) and lover of all L. American culture/s, I think at that time, I wanted more detail of the people and places he encountered (there was plenty, I just wanted MORE!!) Rereading it now (haven't found it yet, still looking!) I'd be equally fascinated by the details of this monumental walk (plenty also!!) AND the fascinating people and adventures he had along the way. I think the North American/US portion of his trip didn't get covered as thoroughly. I remember reading this book while camping out in the woods of upper New York State and wishing I had the time/gumption to do more than a couple of nights of camping out of the back of my car... I've had a few adventures since then, near, far, and in-between, but I think I've got some sort of 50+ year "itch," and now more than ever, I'm revisiting, admiring, and secretly planning my next getaway, and this book might just be the (repeat) kick in the pants I'm needing!!
GOOD read!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to give George Meegan 5 stars, his book was well-written, although I would have liked more
about north america, I think it was edited out since the book is quite long. Not as long
as that walk though! I can almost not believe how courageous and mentally tough he and his wife
had to be to complete the walk and give 7 years of their lives to his dream. It was also
interesting to meet the people he encountered along the way and to see what a man can
accomplish without much help or publicity from anyone except his family and the common
people. Great book, George!

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day the author decided he would walk from the southern tip of South America to the shore of the Arctic Ocean in Alaska. So he did, 19,000 miles in 7 years. Along the way, he married his girlfriend and fathered two children. This book describes the journey, all the places he passed through and the people he met. Sometimes the book drags due to the sameness of each day. Sometimes something exciting happens, but not often, usually at border crossings and the occasional wild man personality. I would have liked him mentioning more frequently his mileage and time traveled along the route and a little more detail in how he managed to find food and accommodations every day. But overall this was a well written and captivating record of an immensely impressive accomplishment.

[Gino.Postino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastica camminata di tutta l'America. Forse sarebbe stato bello un po' più descrittivo, ma probabilmente sarebbe venuto fuori un libro da 2000 pagine.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.7 book.

This was a time long before GPS, cell phones, long distance calls were actually a thing back then and there was geopolitical chess moves happening throughout Latin America that made traveling extremely dangerous.  Throughout it all though, with very little actual planning, virtually no money and living off raw onions for longer than anyone should, he made it.  He also married his girlfriend, had two children and managed to meet Jimmy Carter, at his house!

Of particular highlight, George walked through my hometown and complained about the same highway that anyone who has had the displeasure of driving also complains about.

The first third of the book is mostly just Argentina, the first half or maybe even a bit more is South America.  I strongly suggest pulling up Google Maps as cities and towns are mentioned just to get a visual of how much ground he covers.  I mention this because the one downfall of the book is the lack of consistent mileage markers or time stamps, often just mentioning in the last four months... I really wish there was more consistent dates throughout it, although I did read a first edition copy so perhaps in the revised 2013 or 2019 version they've updated it.

Wikipedia tells me his original manuscript (journal) was 600,000 words and it seems like either George or the editor kind of gave up around 2/3 of the way through. It seemed like the day-to-day that filled so much in the first half was lost on his trek through America, with the exception of a near obsession in meeting Jimmy Carter. The cross-continent hike from upstate New York into Canada then back into America and ultimately to Alaska was summed up in less than 2 short chapters, a distance spanning over 3,000 miles.

For sure worth a read, but again maybe not the first edition.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager in the mid-nineties and I still think about it regularly. For that it gets 5 stars. If I think about a book 30 years after I read it, then it must have been influential. I remember this taking awhile to read, and that some parts were more interesting (and appropriate for a teenager) than others, but I don’t really remember how I liked reading it. Maybe I should check it out again.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

- overall good adventure book
- felt both too long and too short
- Had a lot of off topic complaints mostly bureaucratic

[Mikel Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging journey. Exceeded my expectations.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

In "The Longest Walk", George Meegan presents an account of his walk from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska, the longest walk in history. Meegan's walk takes him through some incredible places, most notably the Darien Gap in Panama, considered one of the most impassable bits of jungle in the world. Through it all, Meegan just keeps walking.

While the feat itself is incredible, and imagining what it would be like to do it kept me excited to read this book, the book itself falls short. Meegan's writing style is accessible, but could use a great editor (as an unedited excerpt in the appendices proves several times over) and it seems he was only able to find a mediocre one.

Meegan also disappointed me as a narrator of his own experiences. I expected more information and reflection on the cultures and peoples he came into contact with during the course of his walk, when instead the narrative focused primarily on the logistics of actually completing the walk. Any writing about culture tended to have harsh overtones of cultural Imperialism, especially during the entire South America portion where, for example, he claimed all the food of all the various countries he visited was, essentially, inedible.

If you are good at skimming, or dipping in and out of books, you might give "The Longest Walk" a try, just as a way of learning about how one goes about walking over 18,000 miles in seven years. Otherwise, give this a pass and read Bryson's "Walk in the Woods" instead.

[Indy Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Meegan decided to take a walk. Not just any walk; he wanted to walk from the tip of South America to the arctic shores of Alaska. The book in which he chronicles his journey is as lengthy a read as was his walk, but I found it worthwhile to read his experiences throughout his journey and try to glean some understanding that I could apply in my own life.

One passage that stood out to me:

How dreadfully the fear of consequences can stifle so many valiant potential deeds, I thought, a fear threatening like a black hole to annihilate the star of one's soul, sucking the very matter out of an idea until it collapses and disappears, leaving nothing but a memory, a dream unfulfilled.

It is so important that we overcome the hesitation caused by fear, so that we might embrace possibility. The author described his life-changing walk in detail. And I think his final reflections are universally paramount:

I gave thanks for the opportunity to share my fellow human beings' laughter as well as their sadness, their love as well as their misery, and for learning to love this frail, endangered, yet still magnificent planet that had borne me safely and in harmony with my road. I had found the essential, if flawed, goodness that resides in everyone, everywhere.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: George Meegan is the world record holder for the longest continuous walk in history. He started at the southern tip of South America (Tierra Del Fuego, where Carmen Sandiego used to hideout), and walked north through South America, the Darien Gap, Central America and into the United States. Instead of just walking straight from Texas to Alaska, he took a detour through Washington D.C. and New York City and then cut across Canada and the Northern states before heading up into Alaska and onto Prudhoe Bay on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. His walk was more than 19,000 miles, and took 7 years, during which time he started a family and fathered two children (with his Japanese wife, that he married in Argentina).

My Review: I enjoyed this book, but it got a little long (even though he barely skims over his last 4-5,000 miles). He talks a lot about his experiences walking such long distances, but most of the book is full of stories of his interactions with people that he meets on the walk. The stories are interesting and inspiring and I found it amazing how friendly people were in every country except the United States. Although this walk happened in the late 70's and early 80's, I think there is a lot that we can learn from all of our southern neighbors. I loved reading this book with my World Atlas open next to me on the couch as I followed his progress.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book AGES ago, and I've been meaning to read it again for a while. This more than slightly "anal" gentleman decides to walk from the tip of South America (Tierra del Fuego) to one of the northern-most points in Canada and truly gave me (and I'm sure many other readers) a real case of wanderlust!! I've traveled my fair share, and like to consider myself a "free spirit" (whatever THAT means!!) but I love reading stories of people who "drop everything" and GO!!

Mr. Meegan meticulously planned and mapped out his trip just about every step of the way, mostly alone, but also at times with his wife. He gives plenty of detail of the walk itself, the (mis)adventures along the way, and the interesting people who cross his path. He was so "religious" about his walk that even when he was offered a ride or a place to stay for a few days, while he did accept, he'd ask to be taken back to the exact spot where they picked him up, so as to not "lose a step." I got frustrated with him at times, and wanted him to "take a break" and see/live/feel more of the culture/people around him, but he was definitely "a man on a mission," and I guess you have to have that kind of determination if you plan to make this type of journey your goal...

Good read, out of print, but should be available in libraries...

[Kathy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Meegan's account of his walk from Tierra del Fuego to the Arctic Sea is a fantastic read, full of life and color. His seven-year journey took place in the late 1970s/early 1980s (not exactly the best time for a stroll through South and especially Central America, and as he learned, not the best time to be a scruffy-looking kook in some of the U.S. states, either). There's a nice balance of descriptions of the physical demands of the walk itself; the geography and cultures around him; his thoughts as he travels solo; and the amazing, funny, and touching personal aspects of his story as he quite literally creates a family during his epic walk.

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to hear about his experience in crossing the Darién Gap. Initially, I was disappointed with his lack of details. However, it may have taught me something deeper. As he lost his guide in the most remote part of the world, I felt like he may lose himself - But he didn’t. He decided to find himself and push on and it felt to me like his journey was all downhill after that because he had found himself. As humans, I believe we all must cross our own Darién Gap and will either lose or find ourselves.

[Carrie Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The venture interested me, and I wanted to like this more. However, the author's surprise at the way certain cultures live (hey! They're good people!) and the sexist comments peppered throughout (can't blame her, as we know, all women care that much about perfume and makeup!) annoyed me to no end. I know it was written in the late 70's and 80's, but...

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is sad that this book is out of print.

The book is the incredible true story of a young man who walked from the tip of South America, at Ushuaia, and ends up at Pruhoe Bay, at the North Pole.

The people he met, the adventures he had and places he went kept me turning the pages.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW! An unbelieveable story of determination, good luck, and adventure. It gets a little repeditive after awhile, but continues to impress and amaze me. If one man has the will to accomplish this, what could and should I be doing with my life and determination?

[Trish Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Here is a man who had an incredible dream, and GREAT determination to fulfill it, at almost any cost. Pretty amazing.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate "roughing it" memoir, Meegan gives hope to disheveled, Into-the-Wild-types everywhere. I'm seriously considering selling all my wares and camping out across a continent now.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end was a bit rushed, but it was amazing to read about the overcome hardships.

[Shayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating adventure story! It's a long read, but that helps the reader empathize with the sheer length of the author's journey. All in all, lots of fun!

[Jule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long, exhausting walk but completely held my attention, though I cannot realate to a dream like this.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive endeavor, well described and entertaining to read.