Description
Book Synopsis'Fantastic debut' Time Out 5-Star Review 'Its randomness is its joy' The Independent 'A picaresque travelogue about chasing an idea through down-home modern America.' The Times What do you do if you want to get underneath the skin of a country, to understand its people and feel its heartbeat? You can follow the rest of the tourists, or you can take the advice of Watergate reporter Bob Woodward's source, 'Deep Throat', and 'follow the money.' Starting out in Lebanon, Kansas - the geographical centre of America - journalist Steve Boggan did just that by setting free a ten-dollar-bill and accompanying it on an epic journey for thirty days and thirty nights through six states across 3,000 miles armed only with a sense of humour and a small, and increasingly grubby, set of clothes. As he cuts crops with farmers in Kansas, pursues a repo-woman from Colorado, gets wasted with a blues band in Arkansas and hangs out at a quarterback's mansion in St Louis, Boggan enters the lives of ordinary people as they receive - and pass on - the bill. What emerges is a chaotic, affectionate and funny portrait of a modern-day America that tourists rarely see.
Trade Review'Boggan's random and democratic MO means that he gets to hang out with everyone from fire marshalls to rock bands in this enjoyable travelogue with a difference, which might appeal to readers of Bill Bryson or Tony Hawks.' The Herald 'Told with boyish good humour and enthusiasm for the pursuit of the note, the tale offers random changes of pace and scenery that keep the reader engaged and keeps curiosity levels high.' Good Book Guide 'I absolutely loved this book' Frank Cottrell Boyce 'A terrific read' Rosie Boycott 'A compelling, inspiring and oddly reassuring portrait of modern America. Fantastic debut.' Time Out 5 Star Review 'Its randomness is its joy' Independent 'A picaresque travelogue about chasing an idea through down-home modern America' The Times 'Steve Boggan's quest to plant a ten dollar bill into the heart of America...is an astute one.' We Love This Book 'The strength of Boggan's writing is the clear, clean and non-judgemental prose style that lets the remarkable and disparate lives of those he encounters speak for themselves. Heart-warming, fascinating stuff.' Big Issue 'Thoroughly enjoyable debut, in the vein of Louis Theroux and Jon Ronson, which gives us an intelligent and humorous portrait of an America tourists rarely see' The Bookseller 'An interesting book from an exciting new publisher' Conde Nast Traveller 'I can't remember reading a book where the author is continually making fun of himself yet becomes more and more admirable and likeable as the book goes on. He has created a cast of interesting and entertaining characters that are vivid, memorable, and a pleasure to hang out with. The book is an unexpected delight.' Luke Rhinehart/George Cockcroft, The Dice Man. 'Boggan has constructed a hugely endearing narrative personality...his raconteurship has you chuckling as the author ill-advisedly microwaves his underwear, delightedly discovers a "drive-thru bottle shop", and generally behaves, in refreshing contrast to the exhausting get-up-and-go of the travel genre, with a lovably shambolic lassitude' Guardian
