About the Author

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. General Powell 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 was also 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. General Colin L. Powell died in 2021.

Reviews

“A great American success story . . . an endearing and well-written book.”—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

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. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/95.]-John Yurechko, Georgetown Univ., Washington, D.C.

"A great American success story . . . an endearing and well-written book."-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