Rating: 
Summary: Great American, Yes; Great Book, No
Review: RE: AUDIO TAPE VERSION READ BY POWELL. I am a Colin Powell admirer but a definitive biography would better be told by a skilled independent writer, and after more "chapters" in his life are complete. Powell may indeed be a man of few faults but we can't be sure of that from his own words. I disagree however with reviewers who postulate that Powell has puffed-up his own accomplishments, on the contrary he's excessively modest. Rising to the highest position in the most powerful military in world history (and now to US Sec. of State) without benefit of a West Point education & connections describes a truly extraordinary individual. And far from savaging his detractors and the many incompetants he must have encountered along the way, Powell offers only a few token, and generally mild, criticisms. This book displays insight into Powell's background, development and beliefs but sidesteps tough questions of who screwed up and when. In that sense it is highly Politic - burns no bridges - and gives one hope that Powell may yet consider an Eisenhower-like leap to the highest civilian office.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most Educational Books I have ever Read
Review: An American success story if there ever was one. Colin Powell vividly depicts his extraordinary life and career that could only take place in the setting of America. This autobiography wheels you through life in the poor neighborhoods in the Bronx to Washington Power broker. Colin Powell takes you though his life through his eyes, and into history, in some ways while reading it, I felt as though it was Forrest Gump on steroids, but the story is true.
Anyone interested in the policymaking process should read this book, as Powell describes his role as well as the role of other American leaders in making some of the most crucial decisions, the reader is swept into the pressures and challenges faced with America's leaders on a daily basis. The book delivers an account into the lives of Dick Cheney, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, and others, allowing you to take a more personal look at American leadership. It is so easy to criticize from the outside looking in, but usually criticism as well as praise, is done by the uninformed.
One aspect I found particularly educational was how Powell provided a small glimpse to me (A young white male) of an educated man, a commissioned officer of the United States Army, refused service in restaurants, and discriminated in others ways. It is a credit to Powell, how he rose above narrow-minded bigotry and focused on the positive; resisting the temptation of "victimization" to become one of the most powerful and respected men in the country. I recommend this book to anyone, black, white, Latino, male, female, liberal, or conservative.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Back in the early 90's, I didn't understand America's love affair with Colin Powell. It was only after he was named Secretary of State by George Bush that I read My American Journey, originally published in 1995. While the book obviously doesn't provide much insight into Powell's sudden about-face in early 2003 on whether to invade Iraq, it does provide a great deal of background and context to allow Americans to understand that Powell probably felt he exhausted his options and had no choice but to support Bush's policy or to resign. It also makes plain Powell's disdain for Dick Cheney. Clearly, Powell did not expect to be working again so closely with Cheney when he published My American Journey.Powell's lessons are inspirational. There is a reason that Colin Powell is one of the most admired leaders in America, and his autobiography makes clear that he cares about his troops and his employees. Strange, then, that he would have forced his Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs to "retire" in 2002 rather than stand up to the pressure he must have been under from the press and other government colleagues, including, perhaps, his boss, in the wake of numerous visa scandals. That she was one of the most respected and successful Foreign Service Officers shows that even such bigger-than-life heroes as Powell are only human after all. My American Journey includes some of Powell's setbacks as well as his achievements. His vignette about a poor efficiency report he received at a crucial stage in his career helped me deal with a similar run-in with my boss. I practically quoted Powell to my boss, but was a bit more active than Powell has himself come across. (Powell essentially resigned himself to finding a new job.) In the end, Powell's first rule prevailed: "It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning."
Rating:
Summary: Great American, Yes; Great Book, No
Review: RE: AUDIO TAPE VERSION READ BY POWELL. I am a Colin Powell admirer but a definitive biography would better be told by a skilled independent writer, and after more "chapters" in his life are complete. Powell may indeed be a man of few faults but we can't be sure of that from his own words. I disagree however with reviewers who postulate that Powell has puffed-up his own accomplishments, on the contrary he's excessively modest. Rising to the highest position in the most powerful military in world history (and now to US Sec. of State) without benefit of a West Point education & connections describes a truly extraordinary individual. And far from savaging his detractors and the many incompetants he must have encountered along the way, Powell offers only a few token, and generally mild, criticisms. This book displays insight into Powell's background, development and beliefs but sidesteps tough questions of who screwed up and when. In that sense it is highly Politic - burns no bridges - and gives one hope that Powell may yet consider an Eisenhower-like leap to the highest civilian office.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration for All People!!!
Review: Upon reading "My American Journey," I felt an enourmous sense of pride for the United States of America. Secretary Powell is an example of what people can be become through hard work and determination. In his autobiagraphy, Powell allows the reader to become aware of the challenges this country has endured and how he has over come obsticles that have been placed throughout his life.
Powell lets the reader become aware of where he stands on various important issues that have been part of both United States international and domestic policy. Even if one does not agree with him politically, we can all gain from his sense of respect and devotion to ones country. This is a must read for any one interested in the life of a great American hero.
Rating:
Summary: A Hero For All Seasons
Review: It seems everywhere you go these days, there is Secretary of State Colin Powell, "America's Promise." This book shows why. Secretary Powell's character shines through and will continue to do so despite his detractors, who are truly attacking President George W. Bush (who is distantly related) as well as anything the ultra-agenda-driven media, with their WMD (Words of Mind Destruction) 24-hour anti-Bush shark attack. Secretary Powell's lessons on life, his devotion to his wife Alma, his service to his country and his fond recollections of being "Luther and Arie's Son" create a portrait of a multifaceted man who planted the seed, via Jamie Sepulveda-Bailey, of "The Valley's Promise," a remarkable youth organization in Palm Springs, Secretary Powell's family, including his cousin Sir Rupert A.L. Perrin, author of his own inspiring story, ORDINARY MIRACLES: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, are undoubtedly as remarkable as he is.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I read this book not knowing what to expect but I found it not only to be informative about Powell's life from the beginning but it also gives inside information on the major political, war, and social events that have happened since the mid-50's. Powell tells the real story of what really happened in the Iran/Contra affair, the cold war end during the Reagan years and many other behind the scenes events in our nations recent history. Very impressive.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Autobiographical Read
Review: First off, I am superficialy everything Powell is not: I am white, young (21), a Democrat, and wholly uninterested in serving my country in the armed forces. However, I do have a keen interest in serving my country as a diplomat, citizen, or in some other capacity (which brought me to wanting to read this book on better understanding the workings of a person of influence and the organzation and workings of government). Now that my cards are on the table, I want to say this is a book well worth reading. It gave me a better appreciation of the armed forces and a better appreciation for our imperfect but effective system of promotion based on merit in America. An inspirational book, but can at times be dull if one is not an aficionado of the bureaucratic workings of government.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: An excellent read that gives good insights to the person and the soldier Colin Powell. We can only hope that there will be a sequal.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: This book does an excellent job of bringing to light the trials and troubles assoicated with war, and more importantly when we should go to war and why war is neccesary. People in today's social climate need to read this book for the part alone. However this book offers much more. Powell is truly an inspiration. His journey to Sec of State is remarkable,(although this book is only written up to his stint with George Bush Sr and his short relationship with Bill Clinton.) Powell is humble in his approach yet there are times where he sounds off against some of the people he has ran across during his carrer. He reveals a Ronald Regan who was not always there, who listened to Nancy maybe too much, and put to much faith into astrology. Powell stands up for what he thinks right, despite what others say. You get the idea that Powell is neither confident calling himself a Rep or Dem. He is what he is and perhaps, that, more than anything, is why he did not run for president. However, after reading this book I would certainly have no qualms about casting my vote for Powell for President if he ever decides to run. A lengthy book with perhaps too much detail in some parts. Some parts are hard to stay focused in on, however all in all a very good book. One of the best points of the book cover how you must have an objective going into a war. You have to quantify objectives so you know when results are achieved. Iraqi Freedom is an execellent display of this, and perhaps is why this war did what Desert Storm could not: topple Saddam.
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