American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal

This book is beautifully written and carefully observed. It taught me a lot about our history -- our shared national story -- and what it means to be an American. The thing I liked most about it was how at peace I felt reading it. Every page is a delight; every chapter is a reminder to be grateful and to retain your sense of wonder for the world.At a time when it's so easy to feel cynical about our world, our country and our neighbors this book reminds us of all the good around us. It's not preachy, never simple, just true. The rare book that made me feel better about the world and made me want to be a better person.

I admit I bought this book because, like the author, I am currently battling esophageal cancer and I thought Mr King might talk about aspects of his cancer journey I would find useful even if i was not particularly interested in what I suspected would be a lot of navel gazing.Boy, was I wrong! I was captivated from the first page by the local anecdotes, the little known as well as widely known historical facts, the people he met, and the descriptions of the landscapes that landed me right there with the author. This was the best book I've read in a while, and I've read many these past months.

I watched this book take form during Neil's walk, when he sent out an e-mail to friends every day. He was carried to a different and higher mental/emotional and even spiritual plane by this journey, and it shows in the writing. And yet it is grounded in the tools of his training as a journalist: observation, inquiry, historical context, and probing questions. There is much in this book about the importance of knowing our history, but also of talking about it, debating it, and listening to others perspectives. But Neil's approach is one of wonder, not fear. He is a student of the world, not a know-it-all. He is alive with the joy of discovery, and as a cancer survivor, he takes each day as a gift. This book will transport you as well. It is a jolt of optimism at a moment when we all need that quite a lot.

Neil King had sent me an advance copy of American Ramble after I was included in his daily journal along with his other friends-published as he walked from DC to Manhattan.The writing was so good and the feeling after reading a section— so positive that I literally couldn’t put it down.The geography covered is familiar to many of us but while enjoying this read, my wife and I learned so much about the places— whether Maryland where I met her, Or Pennsylvania her native stare or on to Neil’s epiphany in Jersey or his feeling of being overwhelmed getting to Central Park and embracing his own wife after 26 unforgettable days of a physical challenge and a mental and spiritual journey par excellence. Very proud of my hometown pal.He’s made a real gem for American literature.

A wonderful book that takes on the weirdness of walking in a world of driving -- and the history and people that are out there if you just slow down and seek them out. It helps that Neil is a terrific writer who put a ton of research into this book as well. Plus some action scenes -- including crossing under the New Jersey Turnpike by kayak!

What a rare delight to share this ramble with such a kind, wise writer. I looked forward each day to my walk with him, discovering with such freshness our nation’s fiber and history, past and present. A modern odyssey through our past.

For three sleepless nights I read every word, savored every word and found themes that spoke to me. Attention, simplicity, slowing down and finding the good in strangers to name a few. I felt like I was on that walk with him! King is a gifted writer who can reach deep within himself and bring to all of us a perspective on life that will resonate in a thought-provoking way. Highly recommend this remarkable book!

Neil King managed to reset the lenses through which he saw the world. We can too. His reset can become ours. It must hug we are to survive as a nation.