Slow Road to San Francisco
Across the USA from Ocean to Ocean
by David Reynolds
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Pub Date 18 Nov 2021 | Archive Date 24 Dec 2021
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Description
A candid, humorous and perceptive eye on America. This paperback edition includes a new introduction covering the Presidential election.
Forty-six days, thirteen states, 3000 miles . Documenting the author's solo coast-to-coast road-trip across America, David Reynolds's Slow Road to San Francisco is an absolute joy. An entertaining blend of observation and commentary delivered with a luminous lightness of touch.
From Ocean City, Maryland to San Francisco, Reynolds traverses the back roads and small towns of the USA, taking the pulse of Trump’s America as he goes. With remarkable candour and insight, not to mention a humorous and sometimes sceptical eye, he observes the States today.
As he moseys from east to west, driving slowly, stopping frequently he meets Trump’s countrymen and women – white, black, Hispanic, Asian, native American; Christian, Muslim, atheist, Mormon, Mennonite; rich, middling, poor. They talk about everything from slavery and Indian reservations to Butch Cassidy, and Marilyn Monroe. Everyone has something to say about Donald Trump, whether they love him or hate him.
Reynolds follows the direction of history, the direction taken by explorers and pioneer settlers. As he travels he conjures a vivid picture of the US then and now; its landscape and its people in all their diversity.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
‘Reynolds is the perfect man for the route’ Observer
‘A writer of calm, quiet brilliance’ Daily Express
‘What a book! What a joy of a book, plunging you straight away into the very body, bosom and blood of America.. it makes me cry with pleasure, enfolding me, as it does, with the sheer magic of being able to be back on the road in America'. Lucinda Lambton The Oldie Magazine
'More than just a road-trip, this is a beautifully observed portrait of the most powerful nation on earth ... David Reynolds is an astute observer and a careful listener, who writes like a dream’ Mick Brown
'Seldom have I read a travel book that so perfectly captures the essence of somewhere I have never been-a 46 day jaunt passing through 13 States and covering some 3000 miles. Never a dull moment with lots of gentle humour. David Allan, Country Music People
Marketing Plan
Review coverage guaranteed
Observer feature
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BBC R4 Loose Ends
Review coverage guaranteed
Observer feature
Christmas gift roundups
Times 2 feature
BBC R4 Loose Ends
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781838340162 |
| PRICE | £9.99 (GBP) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Ellie G, Educator
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early. I loved it! We are teaching a travel writing scheme at school and there are so many extracts that I would love to use in class once I get hold of a final copy. I really interesting take and I would recommend that everyone gives it a go!
Cindi A, Reviewer
This book caught my attention when I saw San Francisco, almost lost me with the mention of Trump, but got me back when I saw Ocean City, Maryland. I love those two cities, with the latter being full of summer memories from my youth.
Being a people watcher myself, I like to observe and see people just living life. So the writing an observations made me feel like I met my travel doppelgänger. An interesting route and view of the people and roads that make America what it is.
Charles H, Reviewer
A Brit on Rt. 50 in the age of Trump. Slow Road to San Francisco follows Londoner David Reynolds from Ocean City, MD to the West Coast, mixing humor (his takes on baseball and roadside motels are hilarious), familiar locations & history that many Americans don't know.
Sarah S, Librarian
Ever since I've taken a few road trips in America I've been fascinated to learn more about the back roads and smaller communities and unlike many travelogues Reynolds' finds something new to say about each place he visits, like his trip it is a slow sprawling read that lets you get beyond some of the obvious views of America.
His hit and miss experiences of museums and the sampling of the beers as he travels really resonated with me and I can't wait until travel is easier again and we can get off the beaten track on an American road trip again.
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