My American Journey

"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

"[A]n endearing and well-written book. It will make you like Colin Powell....A man of decent instincts unlikely to shake up anything, he comes to us as Eisenhower reborn....Genial and moderate, he remains, even after more than 600 pages, maddeningly elusive. As with Peer Gynt's onion, one can peel and peel and peel and never find the core." Ronald Steel, The New York Times Book Review

"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

"[A] charming story well told. No doubt many will find it inspirational. Yet few readers are likely to mistake it for great literature. Those searching for penetrating insight or introspection will likewise find it disappointing....Powell appears oblivious to the stolidly conventional nature of his own thinking." A.J. Bacevich, National Review

"Scattered throughout the book are personal rules of conduct and occasional incidents of particular kindnesses and of racism. Teens are given an opportunity to spend some time with a thoughtful, positive leader. They can share one participant's view of recent history and gain one perspective on our country's current needs." School Library Journal

The inspiring #1 New York Times bestseller by the military hero who captured America's imagination and rallied its spirit is now available in paperback. From the son of immigrant parents in Harlem to commander of Desert Storm, Colin Powell himself tells the story of his life that has come to embody the American dream.

In his enlightening and very human memoir, General Colin Powell, one of the most prominent figures in American public life, celebrates not only the rise of a great man from obscurity, but, in the General's own words, "the greatness of America and the opportunities it offers". 32 pages of photos. Barbara Walters interview scheduled for September.

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.

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.

From the Hardcover edition.