This is a history and travel guide for the Heartland of America. It covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. I have been to each of these states but have only visited a few of the sites mentioned. This will appeal to the traveler who loves small towns, history and historical sites and niche interests like reenactments. The chapters are: Defining the Midwest, Witnessing History (Living history venues), Perusing History (Vintage sites, historic homes, museums), Exploring History (Historic towns), Experiencing History (reenacting, volunteering), Eating and Sleeping History (Historic Inns and Dining venues). This is well researched with a lot of information provided.

For me there are a few drawbacks resulting in a lower rating. There are some photos but only in black and white. I would like more photos and color would enhance the book (and sadly increase the costs). There are no maps. You would to rely on the internet or other travel books for a travel plan. The information is given by topic so this isn’t a book that you can easily lay out a road trip through a particular area. There is no information given on admissions or hours of operation for locations. They do have suggest visiting local information centers to seek out deals in the area.

My feelings overall are mixed. It gave me new ideas for places to visit and things to do but it is not the most user friendly requiring other resources beyond the book alone. This is the kind of book I would like for own state and surrounding areas. I like visiting living history sites, historic homes and local festivals. Things that I can do on weekends. Thank you to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Destination Heartland by Cynthia Clampitt is a travel guide that goes through one thousand years of Midwestern history. The book includes a list of sites to see and historical information for each destination in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Overall, Destination Heartland is a delightful handbook that will appeal to any traveler going through the midwest. One highlight of this book are the copious amounts of research that must have gone to writing this book. It is truly an immense amount of information. I did take off 2 stars, because this book would have really benefited from full-color photos. The black-and-white photos here don't do the sites justice. If you're intrigued by the description, you can check out this book when it comes out in May.

I enjoyed this travel guide. It’s a good resource for trip planning. I’d definitely recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to review.

The Midwest is so rich in history and so intriguing. What’s even better is seeing history in real life and experiencing it for yourself. Destination Heartland is a wonderful book that is a map into Midwestern history that you, yourself can explore and live. It is very informative and tells you some of the Midwest’s story. I’ll personally be utilizing this book on our next Midwestern road trip.


Shoutout to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest, completely unbiased review.

My opinion likely colored by my expectation that this was going to be more travel writing than travel guide. That said as a denizen of the Midwest whose spent no small amount of time at a number of the sites covered in the book, Cynthia nevertheless managed to introduce me to a number of places I had no idea existed and that I rushed to add to my to-visit list.

While her eye for places of interest is keen, I was not always engaged with the descriptions of her visits. It definitely serves more as a travel guide/reference than a book to immerse yourself in. That said, I found the short history of the region that begins the book to an excellent, succinct overview that I enjoyed immensely.

(Review copy obtained through NetGalley)

The author is clearly very passionate about the Midwest, which shines though in the book. I would have personally preferred more of a travelogue feel and more about the personal journey of the author than the slightly dry, guide book-like content of the book, but it was certainly interesting, and there's a great depth of knowledge on the history of the area.

I'd recommend it if you live there or intending to visit, but not as a general travel read.