Synopsis
"A GREAT AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY . . . AN ENDEARING AND WELL-WRITTEN BOOK."
--The New York Times Book Review
Colin
Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem
to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the
streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined
the Army. The rest is history--Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert
Storm--but a history that until now has been known only on the surface.
Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it
happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and
family, warm good humor, and a soldier's directness.
MY AMERICAN
JOURNEY is the powerful story of a life well lived and well told. It is
also a view from the mountaintop of the political landscape of America.
At a time when Americans feel disenchanted with their leaders, General
Powell's passionate views on family, personal responsibility, and, in
his own words, "the greatness of America and the opportunities it
offers" inspire hope and present a blueprint for the future. An utterly
absorbing account, it is history with a vision.
"The stirring,
only-in-America story of one determined man's journey from the South
Bronx to directing the mightiest of military forces . . .
Fascinating."
--The Washington Post Book World
"Eloquent."
--Los Angeles Times Book Review
"PROFOUND AND MOVING . . . . Must reading for anyone who wants to reaffirm his faith in the promise of America."
--Jack Kemp
The Wall Street Journal
"A
book that is much like its subject--articulate, confident, impressive,
but unpretentious and witty. . . . Whether you are a political junkie,
a military buff, or just interested in a good story, MY AMERICAN
JOURNEY is a book well worth reading."
--San Diego Union Tribune
"Colin
Powell's candid, introspective autobiography is a joy for all with an
appetite for well-written political and social commentary."
--The Detroit News
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This is the "story so far," as General
Powell tells it, from the Bronx to Vietnam to the White House, from the
common to the regal. His account is one of captivating extremes, tales
that span from peeling potatoes with the Soviet General Staff to
conversing with the Queen of England. When Powell is not working on
world crises-Panama, Iraq, Haiti-he's doing normal things like normal
people, courting, quitting smoking, fighting calories. As a White House
Fellow, National Security Advisor, and then the "youngest officer, the
first African American, and the first ROTC candidate" to become
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell dealt with "every issue
from arms control to Bermuda tax treaties." It's all very personable:
Powell's Rules for running a meeting, his political philosophy, working
for a chocoholic Defense Secretary, getting caught by Pentagon security
with an antique rifle. But will he run for president? No clear answer
is given here. For popular biography collections.
--John Yurechko, Georgetown Univ., Washington, D.C.; Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Authors
One of the most prominent figures in American public life, General
Colin L. Powell served as the twelfth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff under both President George Bush and President Bill Clinton. He
was a major architect of Desert Storm, the dramatic Allied success in
the forty-three-day Gulf War, which began in January 1991.
General
Powell was born in New York City in 1937 and raised in the South Bronx
by his parents, who had immigrated to America from Jamaica. He came up
through the New York City public school system and received a
commission as an army second lieutenant upon graduation from the City
College of New York in 1958.
Early in his career, General
Powell was stationed in Germany and in a number of posts in the United
States, and served two tours in Vietnam, 1962-1963 and 1968-1969. He
was also a battalion commander in Korea from 1973 to 1974 and later
commanded the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and V Corps in Germany.
General
Powell was appointed Deputy National Security Advisor by President
Ronald Reagan in January 1987 and in December 1987 became National
Security Advisor, a post he held until January 1989. He served as
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1989 until his
retirement on September 30, 1993.
General Powell has received
numerous U.S. military awards and decorations, as well as civilian
awards honoring his public service, including the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, which he was awarded twice. He has also been decorated by the
governments of Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany,
Greece, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the
United Kingdom, and Venezuela, and received an honorary knighthood
(Knight Commanders of Bath) from the Queen of England.
Product Details
Hardcover: 656 pages
Carton Size: 12 books
Publisher: Random House; 1st ed edition (September 9, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679432965
ISBN-13: 978-0679432968
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.38 x 2.08 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.37 pounds
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