

PRAISE FOR SO LONG AS IT'S WILD
"I just read So Long as It's Wild. Barbara has certainly lived it all and done it all, and she has done it again by putting this book together. I hope it touches you as much as it has me."
– Dolly Parton



AUTHOR, ADVENTURER, & SPEAKER
About Barbara Jo Jenkins
Barbara Jo Jenkins co-authored The Walk West (William Morrow), which became an international bestseller and part of the permanent White House Library. A nonfiction blockbuster, it sold 15 million copies, became a Reader's Digest condensed book, and was chosen as one of the most influential bestsellers related to American culture in the last 100 years.
Jenkins' three-year, 3,000-mile walk across America with her former husband became one of the most popular stories in the National Geographic Magazine (Cover story, August, 1979). She co-authored The Road Unseen (Fawcett), a number-one mass paperback bestseller and winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award. Jenkins wrote I Once Knew A Woman (Wolgemuth and Hyatt) and Wit and Wisdom for Women (Thomas Nelson). She appeared in various magazines such as Reader's Digest, Today’s Christian Woman, Guideposts, Nashville Lifestyles, and on numerous national television programs like Good Morning America and radio programs like Focus on the Family.
Jenkins has been a keynote speaker for colleges, conferences, and national conventions. She has served as Commissioner for two Tennessee Governors, was Board Chair for Benton Hall Academy, and President of The Tennessee Women's Forum. She is Chair Emeritus of The Green Electric Company and served on the board for 'Coaching; Life Matters’ for people in crisis.
Barbara Jenkins is the subject of a new book, Mother Nature, by New York Times bestselling author Jedidiah Jenkins.
Ms. Jenkins lives in Tennessee and loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling, painting, writing, speaking, cooking, floral design, creative projects, and sitting on the porch swing telling stories to her granddaughters, Josephine and Lyla.





FEATURED BOOK
So Long As It's Wild
From the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Walk West comes Barbara Jenkins untold and long-awaited story, revealing how she grew up as a hillbilly in the Ozarks, how she experienced dramatic adventures on the famous walk across America in the 1970's, and how being on the cover of National Geographic Magazine and writing bestsellers created fame and fortune. Then comes the untold story of losing it all and reinventing her life in the aftermath. So Long As It’s Wild is her story that is breaking forty years of silence.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Additional Praise for So Long As It's Wild


"From the swamplands of the south and across America ...Her grit and outlook on life bring healing and perspective to any generation. She was born a gifted soul turned writer.”
BRIDGET CONNELLY

"After reading Barb’s story, I was carried away by adventure, grit and grace and felt like we became dear friends. I didn’t want the story to end.”
HILARY SWANK

"Barbara Jenkins’ unique and honest perspective will inspire women everywhere to know their story is worth telling."
CONNIE BRITTON

“A grand adventure... what it’s like to watch dreams crumble and new dreams emerge. To come out the other side stronger. I am in awe..."
JEDIDIAH JENKINS

"The writing is stunning. It's like Margaret Renkl meets John Steinbeck meets Mark Twain, and I truly could not get enough."
THE EDITORIAL REVIEW
UPCOMING EVENT
Author Talk with Barbara Jenkins
New York Times bestselling author of So Long as It’s Wild, Barbara Jenkins, will talk about her journey to becoming a published author and her perspective on the rapidly changing trends in the publishing industry.
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Spring Hill Public Library
Price: Free



IN THE CONVERSATION
Select Interviews & Features








