Another wacky trip for Dave Gorman (America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search of Non-Corporate USA - Dave Gorman)

Member Name: stuff10

Product:	America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search of Non-Corporate USA - Dave Gorman
Date:	25/06/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great story, brilliantly written, fantastic read

Disadvantages: None whatsoever

Comedian Dave Gorman spent 4 months touring America doing his stage show, going from city to city, staying in what looked like the same hotel rooms wherever he went. He became depressed and longed to see the real America. That's where he came up with his latest wacky idea: Drive coast-to-coast across America avoiding the big chains and only using local family-run businesses for food, "gas" and hotels.

After purchasing a 1970s Ford Torino, Dave and his camerawoman (Steph) are off on their 3,000 mile journey to New York. However, Dave is easily distracted and their planned route quickly goes out of the window as Dave looks to drive though small towns named Independence - an apt name for the trip. The trip doesn't go smoothly - running out of petrol is a constant danger, the car is in regular need of repair and Steph develops a dodgy back. But can they make it coast-to-coast without giving any money to the corporate chains..?

As with all of Dave's books, it's incredibly well-written and you almost feel as though you're sat in the car with him, making your way across the States (which is probably why I'm calling him Dave - I feel as though I know him!). The edition I read was 380 pages, with 8 pages of fascinating photographs from his trip - more photos are available on his website: www.davegorman.com.

Some of you may have seen the documentary of the trip that was produced for Channel 4 - it was good, but I'd definitely recommend the book to get the full story of exactly what happened.

If you like this, I'd highly recommend Dave's other books - Are You Dave Gorman? and Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure... you'll probably quite like Danny Wallace's stuff too.

Summary: If you like Dave Gorman, you'll love this