America Unchained

This was a very good and profound project to write a book about and Dave Gorman is just the type of guy that would try and pull it off. The writing is witty, pithy and often self-deprecating but the futility of the project seems almost clear from the outset. Much of the book concerns the personal ups and downs of Dave as he tries gamely to stick to his rules and you can almost feel the desperation and the joy. Ultimately the book and the project lose their way, neither being the fault of the author. This is entertaining but depressing in its content which, of course, was the intent

I liked the premise of the road trip, although I did find it slightly ironic that Gorman was rejecting the idea of big chains and brands, while managing to milk the trip and his own personal brand for all it was worth, by making a documentary as part of it. The filming itself caused problems and threw the author into what can only be described as a full-on strop when he got to Moab in Utah. I lost a fair bit of respect for him there, and again at the point when the car's water pump failed and he acted like a spoilt child. At these moments, the celebrity shone through and my sympathy for him faltered.

It was a funny book, though, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments which reminded me in many ways of Bill Bryson's writing.

This is the type of book I am very drawn to. Adventure, travel, wit. And yet Dave Gorman got a bit whingey (whiney)...in fact he threw a positively cry-like-a-baby-girl-fit at one point. That was the only thing that tempered my like of the book. Duffy and I, I dare say, could have done a better job, and we even discussed how we'd have set about to do it.

Funny though, I have only sat and flipped through British tv channels two or three times. The other night I did so, perhaps the second time I ever recall doing it. And up pops this face of a person wearing a dorky cardigan. I just knew it was him. It was. He happens to host a show called 'Genius'. For those familiar with my brother Scott's Sidewalk-Not a Sidewalk, it is simliar to that! show more As David came to bed the show was winding down and we finished viewing it together and the end of that epiosde was pretty funny. By the way, the sound of his voice is rather dorky. (I'm not usually tough on people this way, but I think he takes a stab when he's able so I think it's fair that I just say what I think.) ;) show less

Bought 18 Aug 2008 - Amazon

This was one of a chunk of books bought on Amazon with one of my vouchers (I ask for Amazon vouchers for Christmas/Birthday as they are close together and I can then buy books throughout the year)

This is a slightly bittersweet story of Gorman's drive across America in an old-style station wagon. He is disillusioned from his last tour through corporate America, and decides to try to get from coast to coast without paying "the man" anything. A film crew get involved and a lot of the story is about his interactions with his camera-wielding companions; however there is a nice amount of proper travel narrative and some good pictures, with more available on the website. You do get the impression that Gorman is a bit show more fragile and there's a graphic bit where he feels compelled to eat meat for the first time in years (not for the squeamish although I did manage!) and worry about him a bit. But a good book and I can't wait for the next one. show less

Dave Gorman - the master of the the "Stupid boy project" airport novel disappoints in this one. He is a talented writer and can obviously engage his subjects. This novel unfortunately turns into a story of how to drive a 1970's rust-bucket from one gas station to the next. Very disappointing considering the potential of the idea - drive west to east USA without using a chain-store.

well written book about a road trip from coast to coast. he tried to stay away from chains, and did a great job. i would have loved there to be more photos.

A missed oportunity. A great idea for an interesting book but not carried through, becomes a filling station to filling station saga with rare bursts of average characterisation and in the last US states simply runs out of ideas.

PS all the people in Kansas are saints and all those in Missippippi completely thye opposite - I doubt it!