I’ve been describing this book as Bill Bryson without the humour, which is a huge disservice really. Whilst Don travels the U.S the poor way via Amtrak pre-Barrak, we get all sorts of glimpses of the American population with their contradictions, with particular emphasis on the religious, which seems to be an obsession of his.
The reviews I’d read of this book made note of his balanced, and even overly forgiving take on U.S policy and lifestyle, but I’d argue that he was more the smiling gentle assasin; some of his criticism being very sharp at times.
Even though I’ve tired myself out on American travelogues, this was particularly breezy and yet thought provoking, and I found myself always ready to read another chapter. No wonder he’s won a lot of awards for it. Read it! 4.5 stars.