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  • To Shake the Sleeping Self

  • A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret
  • Written by: Jedidiah Jenkins
  • Narrated by: Jedidiah Jenkins
  • Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (141 ratings)

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To Shake the Sleeping Self

Written by: Jedidiah Jenkins
Narrated by: Jedidiah Jenkins
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Publisher's Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

“With winning candor, Jedidiah Jenkins takes us with him as he bicycles across two continents and delves deeply into his own beautiful heart." (Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things)

On the eve of turning 30, terrified of being funneled into a life he didn’t choose, Jedidiah Jenkins quit his dream job and spent 16 months cycling from Oregon to Patagonia. He chronicled the trip on Instagram, where his photos and reflections drew hundreds of thousands of followers, all gathered around the question: What makes a life worth living?

In this unflinchingly honest memoir, Jed narrates his adventure - the people and places he encountered on his way to the bottom of the world - as well as the internal journey that started it all. As he traverses cities, mountains, and inner boundaries, Jenkins grapples with the question of what it means to be an adult, his struggle to reconcile his sexual identity with his conservative Christian upbringing, and his belief in travel as a way to wake us upto life back home.

A soul-stirring read for the wanderer in each of us, To Shake the Sleeping Self is an unforgettable reflection on adventure, identity, and a life lived without regret. 

Praise for To Shake the Sleeping Self

“[Jenkins is] a guy deeply connected to his personal truth and just so refreshingly present.” (Rich Roll, author of Finding Ultra)

“This is much more than a book about a bike ride. This is a deep soul deepening us. Jedidiah Jenkins is a mystic disguised as a millennial.” (Tom Shadyac, author of Life’s Operating Manual)

“Thought-provoking and inspirational... This uplifting memoir and travelogue will remind readers of the power of movement for the body and the soul.” (Publishers Weekly)

©2018 Jedidiah Jenkins (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Jenkins’ words are brutally honest and leave me thinking a little deeper about my own observations when I pass a stranger on a street or see a flower blooming on a rocky trail." (Outside Magazine)

“Jedidiah Jenkins is a storyteller. He’s also an adventurer, a connoisseur of good pourovers, an avid Instagram user, a startup co-founder, and one of those humans that makes everything about them seem inviting.” (USA Today)

“This is much more than a book about a bike ride. This is a deep soul deepening us. Jedidiah Jenkins is a mystic disguised as a millennial.” (Tom Shadyac, author of Life’s Operating Manual)

What listeners say about To Shake the Sleeping Self

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

not your ordinary bike ride

it awaken many of my ideas about religion and basic existence on earth. Very profound.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

lost me in the middle when the journey stops

was great to start until it stopped talking about the journey and became a reflection of the authors life. His background is important to him, which i get but the entire momentum of the book changed at that point not because of his background but because it lost the intent of the reader which was to hear about the trip.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Not your typical travel book, but much more!

I really enjoyed this book! I backpacked through South America when I was 20 and I found this book super nostalgic since we went to many of the same places.

I wasn’t expecting this book to have so many religious undertones - however as someone who is open-minded but not religious, I found it really interesting to see his perspectives.

Rather then just a travel book, it’s also a book about someone reckoning their beliefs and finding peace despite the contradictions.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unforgettable

Must read. Read by the author, which made it all the more special. Great story!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

More a story about the author than the adventure.

I didn't finish. i was looking forward to more of an adventure story than a tale about the author, his U.S. upbringing and patriotism.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

insightful, real and down to earth

From start to finish I found this audible book relatable, encouraging and true to its title. It may not be the book for everyone but if your adventurous, wanting to be adventurous or struggling with a sense of self this is a must read for you. Jadidiah allows his readers into those secret parts of his mind that most of us are not even willing to share with our closest friends and family. We see what central and south American look like from the seat of a bicycle and the rooms of hostels. Each character brings a new element to the story indicative of their own personal journey. I'm inspired, comforted and eager to get a hard copy to read.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What a story.

hearing the writer’s voice tell the story you can feel the energy, excitement all the emotions he put into it. I loved it.

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Makes you wonder....

I saw this book in Adele’s Instagram feed and thought if she’s reading it and fully enjoyed it then I definitely need to try it.
This book is a really great way of hearing your own thoughts and personal struggles be spoken out loud by someone else. There were times I needed to stop listening to really think about what was just said and how hard it was hitting me with my own life.

I definitely will be relistening to this again!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story with thought provoking moments!

I really enjoyed the story. This book was easy to listen to, filled with thought provoking themes and inspiring.

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  • Pb
  • 2019-01-23

the journey

Enthralled with this journey as Jedadiah biked south and felt his travels. I highly recommend!

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