Steve Boggan was chief reporter at The Independent and co-founder of its investigations unit before moving into feature writing for The Times, the Guardian, the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard. He lives in London and this is his first book.
'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. '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
London-based journalist Boggan gives readers a delightful account of his 30-day journey through middle America following a ten-dollar bill for 30 days as it passed from hand to hand across the country. He begins in Lebanon, KS, once known as the geographic center of the United States, and winds his way through Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan as the bill is exchanged. A few people he encounters are suspicious of his motives, but most are entertained by his quest and welcome him-often into their homes. Along the way he harvests soybeans, hangs out with a bar band, spends hours in a tree stand with a couple of deer hunters, and learns that you can't dry synthetic-fiber clothing in a microwave. By the end of his journey, Boggan realizes that his presence is affecting the bill's movements, and that he has learned much more about human nature than about economics. VERDICT An engaging, positive portrait of the American Midwest as seen through the eyes of an Englishman, this will particularly appeal to fans of Bill Bryson.-Rachel Owens, Daytona State Coll. Lib., FL (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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