3mph:The Adventures of One Woman's Walk Around the World

by Polly Letofsky

Pursuing the spirit of adventure and the goal of raising global awareness and funds for breast caner, Polly Letofsky broke down barriers and walked across four continents, 22 countries and covered over 14,000 miles in five years to be the first American woman to successfully walk around the world.

With personal honesty, candor, and heart-pounding prose, Polly takes us deep into her personal journey while being a woman that paid attention to her heart s desire and went in search of all that the world had to offer. Across four continents strangers welcomed her into their homes. The world had embraced her. But in the middle of Polly s journey, September 11 flung us all into a crossroads in world history, and she found her self in a vastly changing world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Book Club, Biography, Amazon, Womens

416 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2011

About the author

Polly Letofsky is best known for being the first woman to walk around the world. It took five years to complete her walk and another six years to write the book about her journey.

After a series of bad choices in her publishing endeavors, she launched into a deep dive to study the industry. The results were six national awards for her book, 3mph: The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around the World, and the eventual beginning of My Word! Publishing, a self-publishing project management and consulting business.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with rating this book...There were parts that were so very interesting and I was glad that she didn't change her voice or her responses to make her sound better. There were some parts where she came off as a little bit shallow or self-absorbed. There were some hilarious pieces to the book as well. But again, I was glad she didn't change her voice. However, there were sections of her walk that were completely missing. Did nothing happen between Italy and England? I also would have loved a map. Finally, I wonder about her naivete with her experiences walking across the world as a white woman. Even through the US. There are places in the US that I have driven through that I would never want to go again because I was treated so dismally- some of these same places where the people were so nice according to her experiences.

Overall I enjoyed it though and was impressed with her tenacity and patience and willpower to make that amazing journey.

updated: I had the opportunity to meet with Polly and it was really beneficial to hear how she chose to include which stories and countries in order to keep the book under 1000 pages :)
This helps to explain the void with Italy to England which was one of my big beefs with the book when I first read it.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Denver and our book group invited Polly Letofsky to come to our group and discuss her book with us. The entire group really enjoyed the book and we absolutely LOVED Polly! To think this tiny woman undertook such a HUGE goal is just mind boggling. The book is very well written, informational, interesting and humorous. Having Polly with us to discuss it was a wonderful experience. It was great fun to dig "deeper" into issues that were included in the book. I highly recommend the book and also if you have the chance to hear Polly speak - JUMP at it!

[Timothy Biegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is great. I don't usually read travel books.

One Woman's Walk Around the World; my copy was missing pages and then whole chapters. From what I saw she started in Vail, Colorado; walked to the west coast; walked lengthwise down New Zealand; Australia; Malaysia; India; then I lost the Chapter.. I wake up she's in Turkey; Greece; Italy; she went through Germany and Deutschland; I missed that part; She's in Great Britain; Ireland; then she's back on the east coast of the US; finally back in Vail; all with her trustee B.O.B. (beast of burden).

I don't want to say it: I want to do something like this someday. She met a girl in India who was following her and she told her that. Polly had some wise words for her, but, I forget them. Buy the book. Read. Wish you could do it yourselves. It's inspiring; that is. All on little human legs.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't help compare Polly's walk to Cheryl Strayed's book "Wild", which came out earlier this year, since both women journey on their own walks for personal reasons. Polly, however, is delightfully humorous and I enjoyed her story telling which kept me smiling most of the time. Yet her book loses momentum about half way through and it feels as though her excitement and enthusiasm grows listless with each passing day until she arrives back stateside.

[Mary Gaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiration! I actually listened to this book while driving across the Midwest and felt like was taking a trip around the world! Polly's determination to spread the word about Breast Cancer along with her healthy sense of humor keep you engaged to see what characters she will encounter next!

[Doris Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engaging, fun, humorous , inspiring book! Polly Letofsky takes the reader along, every step of the way, on her walk around the world in support of raising consciousness and support for breast cancer awareness. Polly confirms that dreams can come true one step at a time with commitment, patience, and the flexibility to meet challenges as they appear. This book is very well written adding 'writer' to Polly's extraordinary list of accomplishments!

[Laura Herrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, EXCELLENT read. I’m not a memoir girlie myself, but 423 pages absolutely flew by. The story of a woman who walked around the world (starting in Vail) and her trials and tribulations through Australia, India, Europe, the UK, and everywhere in between. It hit my nomad soul right in the feels and I loved reading about her experiences. Would recommend!!

[judy m · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about walking around the world to raise money for breast cancer. It is an adventure that sounds exciting, challenging and rewarding. Quite an accomplishment.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polly Letofsky had a comfortable life and a condo in Vail when several of her friends were diagnosed with breast cancer. Wanting to do something to help, Polly realized she could combine her childhood desire to walk around the world with an awareness and fundraising campaign for this difficult disease. 3MP is the journal of her travels across 4 continents and 5 years.

From the beginning of her book, Polly's vivacity and enthusiasm for her project is infectious. The writing gets off to a bit of a bumpy start, however, as her initial accounts of heading out of Vail towards California fall into a bit of this-happened-then-this-happened trap as she struggles with unreliable fundraising partners and unstable walking support teams. This is not surprising given that covering such an enormous span of physical space and time would be a challenge for even the most seasoned writer. But once Polly hits New Zealand, she begins to hit both her walking and her writing stride, and I found myself really enjoying her story.

I learned quite a bit about different parts of the world from reading this book. The road threw many surprises, challenges and delights at Polly along her path, and hers is a good reminder of how different travel can be than we expect.

She had prepared herself for hard hours of solitude on her journey, but was adopted by the Lions Club early on and handed off from town to town by their enormously helpful members. In parts of Asia she had as many as 150 people walking with her at a time, and had to fight to spend so much as 10 minutes on her own in that community oriented culture.

Knowing 4 people close to me who have openly fought breast cancer myself, I was also surprised to realize that there are parts of the world where this disease is still barely acknowledged. Polly's campaign was critically useful in several Asian countries where there was no public awareness of what a breast lump meant and many women were diagnosed well past the point where they could be helped.

Polly happened to be in a predominantly Muslim country when 9/11 struck, so her journal also thoughtfully records the reactions of the world around her during that awful time. Though she did make some itinerary changes due to the attacks, the greatest hostility she experienced happened in Europe, where her Lions Club allies were all on vacation and rude shopkeepers had no use for a shoestring American traveler no matter how important her mission.

Aside from her distinctly unfriendly welcome in Greece and her discovery that it is a really bad idea for a woman to walk alone in India, however, Polly's journey is one that is genuinely inspirational. The support she received both for her mission and herself was incredibly moving, and I found myself tearing up more than once as she described the strings of little gifts and miracles that carried her around the globe as she tried to do her own small part to help. I closed this book with a real sense of hope for humanity, and a lot more educated about the world we live in to boot.

[Susan Aranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly amazing story and will keep you turning pages! Imagine walking around the world-basically alone-and female. Polly shares so many fascinating and sometimes quite incredible experiences it is almost like walking next to her.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but I'm not sure that the effort had the lasting international impact the author thought. Even so, very interesting look at the cultures and countries she walked through.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the occasional travel book, and a book about a woman walking clear around the world seemed like the ultimate travelogue experience. And it's clear Polly is a determined woman who walked for a good cause. I did enjoy reading about her experiences... but her experience suffered from unfortunate timing, which leads to her book being a lot more America-centric than I hoped for.

Polly had always wanted to travel around the world... so one day she left her home in Colorado and set out to become the first woman to walk around the world. Accompanied only by a heavy-duty supply buggy she affectionately named Bob, she made her way to the California coast, and from there through New Zealand, Australia, then up through Southeast Asia and further. And when she found herself far from home in the wake of the September 11th attacks, she learned far more about the rest of the world's attitudes towards America than she thought possible... and encountered hilarity, exhaustion, tears, confusion, and heartwarming moments and unlikely friends along the way.

For the most part I enjoyed Polly's journey. Her mission to raise awareness about breast cancer via her worldwide walk was a noble cause, and the various cultures and people she encountered were fascinating. She isn't afraid to poke fun at herself and to show her appreciation for (and bafflement by) the quirks of other countries and their people.

However, I did feel that some of the humor in this book came at the expense of these other countries and cultures, and that she had very few kind things to say about some of them. (India in particular gets dumped on in this regard.) And while I understand that American patriotism reached a fever pitch in the wake of September 11th -- and that patriotism wasn't associated with far-right extremism back in the 2000s -- it still felt weird and rather arrogant that she heaped praise on America while mocking most of the other countries she passed through (except, of course, for the English-speaking countries she passed through, like Australia and Great Britain). It felt a little xenophobic to me.

While Polly's achievement is certainly worthy to be celebrated, her book got a little uncomfortable to read at points. Which is a shame, because her journey WAS fascinating... just uncomfortably related.

[Ruth Dresher-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free through our Facebook Group "We Love Memoirs". It took me awhile to read it all as we were on a cruise for most of the reading, but I happily picked it up whenever I could and started walking with her again. There was a review I'd read that had an update that helped clarify a couple of questions I'd had. As she began her purposeful walk to enlighten and raise funds for breast cancer groups I wasn't surprised her initial effort was undermined by a less than ethical person. She was so fortunate to have her parents' support and the backing of so many people to start again and re-plan her trip through another method that enriched the countries she visited, a much better option I felt as the willingness to contribute to benefit their own cannot be discounted. Her contacts with the Lyons organization, DHL and the maker of "Bob" proved invaluable for much of her five year trip around the world. Some places I thought she would get great support did not come through, and many impoverished countries held her up and lifted her spirits. The learning opportunities to learn about countries at 3mph must have been immense. What a trooper. Having been in some of the locations she traveled through I was tickled to hear her comments and takes on their cultures, thoughts, politics, etc. She certainly learned to get along (until George).
The time factor in itself is encouraging. We travel full time and by modern means of transportation and in a certain degree of comfort, although with just a backpack and to consider Polly and Bob walking alone through all types of weather, attacks by gnats and other discomforts and still put one foot in front of the other for the cause was truly refreshing and inspiring. The ending was perfect, coming home pretty much broke, having had to sell her condo to complete the journey and not knowing how she would re-adapt to the modern world, get a job, relish having a laundry basket and other small joys. I really enjoyed this book.

[Dina Sokal]

Reading 3 MPH is a treat. Polly writes about her desire to walk around the world at age 12 and her perseverance in figuring out how to do it. Her humor and tenacity get her through a five year trek across all the continents, step by step, and she becomes the first woman to walk the world--a feat most of us would not even consider trying. We learn about different foods, different traditions, how an American and Jewish woman is perceived around the world, and how eager some countries are to help Polly reach her goal of raising money for breast cancer awareness--some of the countries with the least awareness turning out to be the most helpful. We laugh with and are scared for Polly when she fights off insects, uses her pepper spray to ward off men and animals, and walks through desert and snow. We learn of her feelings about being an American and gain perspective on the current state of affairs as we relive the early 2000's, the time of 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hats off to Polly for an amazing walk and a great read.

[Amy C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travel memoir is one of my favorite genres. My two favorite being, A Walkin the woods and awol on the Appalachian trail. Both writers talked about the trials and tribulations of the actual walk. Polly Letofsky chose to walk around the world, not completely literally, she took planes across oceans and skipped the Middle East as she was walking shortly after 911. She walked for a cause, breast cancer, which arguably affects everyone on the planet, in that everyone has a friend, mother, sister, neighbor who has fought. While I marveled at the support that virtually the entire world had around her cause, I was disappointed that she didn’t share the stories of some of those women who walked with her for part of her journey. So it wasn’t a book which really delved too deep into survivor stores, nor did it give the reader much of a taste of what walking across convenient wqs like. Aside from an inordinate amount of complaining. I liked the book but it’s not one of my favorites.

[Carol Rode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I 've read

This book turned out to be very interesting. I don't know how she done it, all that walking without any complaints about aching days later. I know after a bit you body adjusts but still some days were worse than others.And not even being scared to walk alone, finding places to sleep before the lions club step in to help. I thought Europe was a better country but what she went through to get through, she sure was brave and ended doing this one all on her own. Doing this for 5 years is a long time. I was surprised to read how close she came to my place when she came through Wisconsin. She stopped in the town of Colby, I was living over in Withee which is about 15 miles away from my home. She is one brave lady to do this. And doing it for a very good cause. Thank you.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off: How can you walk around the world? Second: WHY would you want to walk around the world? Those points didn’t make sense to me. Why would you want to be taken in by foreign strangers and live off of food that truckers throw at you on the side of the road? Doesn’t sound very fun to me. Even charity wouldn’t make me do this. Of course, the premise of walking around the world sounded interesting, but, seriously, who’s crazy and stupid enough to do that? Evidently this Polly person.

Although some of the quips were witty at times, for the most part, the narrative was very dawdling, constantly yammering about this and that. Polly certainly strikes me as a cool, brave chick by accomplishing this epic journey, and this could’ve been an okay travel memoir, but it wasn’t interesting to read.

[Nicole M. Lilly Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polly is my husband's aunt on his dad's side. It is so interesting actually knowing the author while reading about their journey. I'm such a boring introvert that I can't even fathom doing what she did; it's exhausting just thinking about it! The stories of what she experienced are incredibly interesting, and the parts about coming home to the US and especially Minnesota (as that is where I've lived my whole life) were very poignant. The aspect of this all taking place during the era of 9/11 added a sheen of nostalgia, recalling what it was like as an American during that time.

I applaud the research, effort, tenacity, confidence, adaptability, and kindness Polly exhibited while achieving such an enormous goal. I very much look forward to the next time I get to see her in person and can discuss this with her!

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m just not sure what to say about this book. I rather doubt I’d have walked the world and come away with the same reflections the author presents in this work. There is so much missing from this memoir - yes due to page constraints, but also, I surmise, due to the perspective of the world walker. More than once, she emphasizes a focus on commitment as key to her endurance in meeting her goal. This focus on just getting the walk done, while quite admirable, may have had the unintended consequence of limiting the author’s vantage point. Her ultimate takeaways in the final chapter are heartwarming and facile. This book was gifted to us from a family member who read it in a book club, which seems like the intended audience for this work; as a social science researcher, I guess I’m looking for something else in a book about experiencing myriad cultures firsthand.

[Christine Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons of Perseverance

The last book I read, The Miracle Man, taught me to "let go of the rope" . This book taught me to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Perseverance in each step. We learn, we grow, we experience. We adapt and change. Walk in faith, no matter the religion or belief system that you have, is the core. You have to believe or you're beat before you even begin. If you've ever questioned what you are doing or if you should be doing something else, then read this book and then read The Miracle Man.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite read of 2022. Polly’s tale of her walk around the world is written in such a genuine way. I appreciate the way she finds something positive to say about almost every country she visits, though most were so incredibly different from what she’s used to as a Midwesterner. The story is very well-written and quite funny at times. I’m so happy this one was a Prime reading pick or I never would have stumbled across it.

[Susan Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polly walked around the world

This is memoir of a woman who walked through 22 country's on four continents to support breast cancer awareness. It is also about the ups and downs of a five year, 14127 mile adventure and how she changed along the way. It's also about how the world changed during her journey.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more like a 2.5 read for me. This woman took an admirable trek around the world to raise money for breast cancer. She was ill-prepared and naive and I found that irritating rather than charming. The writing was just average. Lots of grammar errors. I've seen videos of her...she speaks better than she writes.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk Around the World?

The almost unbelievable story of Polly Letofsky, who spent five years literally walking around the World, meeting people cultures, climates, terrains, and foods of the various countries she traversed. Her abilities to overcome ad outshine the obstacles she encountered are inspiring.

[Esther Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

Polly has done what other women couldn’t have done! She paved the way before us & walked the world! As a born Malaysian, I love her description of my birth country. As I enter into my 85th country this year, Polly’s stories & humor has encouraged me beyond words to explore, dream & discover!

[Leslie Kinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read! Polly’s story is inspiring and left me awe struck. How she preserved in traveling around the entire world, especially how she survived crossing Muslim countries right after 911, will inspire all audiences. She will have you laughing out loud and seeking something intentional to aspire to. You will never look at traveling and adventure the same way again.

[Heather Mariotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brother purchased this for me as I started my breast cancer journey. It was the first book I chose to read post B/L mastectomy. There were some good parts, some ok parts, and some eye opening parts. Definitely not a must read for everyone but it was a good book for the point I was in my life. How about I call it a strongly
recommended read for those on a health journey breast cancer or other…

[Ginger Wick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing that Polly undertook walking around the world to raise awareness for breast cancer - no small feat. Her storytelling was fun and her personality and humor shone through. It was a real treat that she attended our book club so we got to hear some of her anecdotes first hand. :-)

[Nancy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polly is a true inspiration!

This is an amazing recount of her incredible journey around the world! I applaud her tenacity, sense of humor and spirit as she has related the adventures and trials she endured. Loved it!

[Aleta Jeffress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phenomenal story

The passion she has for the goal is obvious, and she shares it in a way that makes you feel like you are having coffee with a good friend. A refreshing read that takes you so many places!