Publisher's Synopsis
George Meegan is an adventurer, lecturer, school reformer, and world traveler. He holds eight Guinness World Records, the most official world records for any European. This includes "The Longest Unbroken March of All Time" that which is described in this book. The epic journey he began linked Tierra del Fuego, South America to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The 19,019 miles, was completed in 2,425 days / 41 million steps. He was shot at and nearly killed by a Street Gang in Panana. He traversed the historically impassable Darien Gap, married his Japanese sweetheart, became a father, and waswelcomed by US President Jimmy Carter!
Across the United States the World Walker preceded town-to-town, George found he had discovered the 'American Dream'! From New York, where he was honoured by Meegan Day in Brooklyn. He proceeded through northern USA, into Canada's Yukon, and onto the final step into the Arctic Circle. On the afternoon of September 18, 1983, he crossed frozen tundra to the edge of the Arctic Ocean, dipped his hand into the cold, slivery water, and was done. He fell to his knees and wept. Until this day no human had ever traversed the entire Americas, be it by vehicle or even ship or aircraft; but of course, Meegan was on foot. Today, nearly three decades later, the feat remains unequaled. At age 31, George Meegan had walked 19,019 unbroken miles, and rose from the water's edge to face a new challenge of dealing with his journey for the entire remainder of his life.
The Longest Walk took place between 1977 and 1983. In 2000, he completed about 500km across the ice to reach Barrow, Alaska, the largest Eskimo settlement in the world. It was the final action of the 20th century at the historic millennium, Meegan uniquely got the USA government (by order of the White House) to 'fall down on knees' and apologize before to the First Nations for historical travesties.
The story of the Longest Walk found its way to Dodd, Mead of New York. Just before publication, the book editor died, and then, after 199-years, Dodd, Mead slipped beneath the waves into bankruptcy. So, notwithstanding powered coverage, it was too late. The sunk publisher took the book down with them, after being told that his book was bound to become a bestseller. The English Publishers told him 'They would publish nothing he wrote!!' In 1989, Paragon House pressed out a few thousand copies, but few saw it. Xlibris, ETC. of Philadelphia resurrected it; all in all, not a success. Still, from time to time, Meegan received letters asking about the abrupt vanish of The Longest Walk. Now, the answer is the 2021 Third Edition. This is the original story, with unpublished photos, an extended appendix, and Yoshiko, his wife makes an encore!
