Review of America at Twelve Miles an Hour: A View from the Edge of the Road

America at Twelve Miles an Hour: A View from the Edge of the Road
Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 12
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A wealth of wonderful and interesting facts about America's unknown frontier

by: mwbookrevw On: 2006-05-08

America At Twelve Miles An Hour: A View From The Edge Of The Road by Phil Shrout is the entertaining story of a summer-long journey the author, at the wry age of fifty-four, made with his wife when they traveled by bicycle from the coast of Oregon through the far stretches of America, including the bucolic South. Colorfully describing the entire journey, America At Twelve Miles An Hour includes a wealth of wonderful and interesting facts about Americas unknown frontier and the peculiar intricacies which make up the extensive diversity of our unique states. America At Twelve Miles An Hour is very highly recommended to all non-specialist general readers considering their own coast-to-coast bicycle journey in a nation-wide exploration of Americas greatest oddities.

content and effort makes up for writing style

by: tmulpagano On: 2005-09-26

As an avid cyclist I have a great amount of respect for anyone who can not only complete a transcontinental ride of the US, but also write a book about the experience. Having said that, I can fully appreciate the opinions of readers at both ends of the spectrum with regards to this book. To Phils credit, he is admittedly not an accomplished author, but his attempts at humorous writing do often fall flat (did he really think that "in the interest of accuracy" the reader needs to be informed that he and Merj did not actually wear lead lined shorts while riding through an area noted for the pioneering of nuclear reactors?). His added explanation that the seats were already uncomfortable enough makes the reader have to consider whether they did only "joke" about it.
Phils writing style, appreciated by some, found annoying by others, does not over-shadow the overall effect and intent of the book. It does give an accurate, honest and detailed account of a married couples ride of a lifetime filled with historical background and interesting observations. I think Phils book could have been much better perhaps with more editorial input, but it is still worth reading(if you are somewhat forgiving). I do find myself wondering if Merj were given the opportunity to proof-read the manuscript though, as his love for her is sometimes overshadowed by the less than complementary ways in which she is occasionally portrayed. In fairness, Phil does attempt some self-deprecating humor, but it seems a bit forced.
This could easily have been a 4+ star book. If you really want a laugh-out-loud travelogue in the same vein, find a copy of Bill Brysons "A Walk in the Woods".

Great Traveloge!

by: maulfan On: 2005-06-11

In the spirit of the late Charles Kuralt, Phil and his wife Merj traveled the roads of america; on bikes no less. It makes me tired just thinking about it! But thankfully Phil has written this book for us couch potatos, and given us a wonderful glimpse of the best of America to boot. Anyone who enjoy traveling, and likes to hear whats right with our country, will enjoy this book. Its a great story told with humor and wit, makes me wish I could hit the road too!

Reads like an engineering report

by: nsurf On: 2005-06-06

Mr. Shrouts account of their cross-country bicycle trip reads like a technical report, full of third-person references to himself and witticisms delivered in a way only an engineer could appreciate. His wife Merj accompanies him, but despite his claims to the contrary, he portrays her as finicky, complaining, inept excess baggage. We know from the dedication and the prologue that he loves her, but all his references to her are more backhanded than complimentary. The descriptions are detailed but lack any real emotion, and for the most part are delivered in a passive-voice construction that gets old quick. There is some good information here, but youll have to slog through what amounts to a lengthy engineering report to find it.

There are good things about this book. Many of the descriptions of the history of the places they passed through or stayed are accurate, though perhaps delivered in less than compelling prose. The daily progress update helps you to understand the distances they covered and the small steps that are needed to make the whole trip possible. There are even passages that will, perhaps, restore some faith in your fellow man (or woman).

However, the vast majority of the book is more of a struggle to read than a joy. Most of this is due to Phils writing style, which bears the sharp imprint of an engineer. It might be some attempt at humor, or maybe it is just the way he talks, but many of the descriptions are rendered in the passive-voice form, resulting in sentences like "It was decided to have our evening meal at . . ." or "Their assistance was met with appreciation by the tired cycling duo". That gets tiresome pretty fast.

To make matters worse, he frequently refers to himself as "the male contingent of our cycling duo", or to his wife Merj as "the female member of . . ." - well, you get the picture. His occasional attempts at humor fall flat, and he even describes (in excruciating detail) how flat they fall. Some of the sentences are constructed in such a convoluted way that you have to read them more than once just to believe someone would write it that way. Phil, as punishment, should be forced to diagram some of those offenses to the language.

I read this book because I am anticipating a long tour myself, and I wanted to see how someone else described it. I found the day-by-day detailing a good idea, but the writing style left me rolling my eyes sometimes (actually, most of the time). I recognize that travel is all about discovery and the people you meet, and Phil did at least convey much of that sentiment; but the fact that they bypassed things because it would have added a few miles to their trip was discouraging. I hope I dont feel so rushed on my tour that I have to skip Rock City or the Worlds Largest Cedar Bucket. So what if I have to ride an extra six or ten or even twenty miles? In the scheme of the whole tour, thats nothing.

ONE LAST CAUTIONARY NOTE: This couple stayed in motels, hotels, and B&Bs the whole way, and did not camp at all. If you are looking for a book documenting a self-contained cross-country bicycle tour, then you can safely bypass this one.

Delightful!

by: Anonymous On: 2005-01-23

What a fun way to see our beautiful country! I enjoyed reading the Shrouts adventures as well as the conversations with all the local people. Its amazing to have the stamina and the desire to take on a project such as they did. Well written and a great read!

What a surprise!

by: Anonymous On: 2005-01-19

When I first sat down to read this book about a ride across the country, I did so with a bit of doubt as to how entertaining it could be. I was pleasantly surprised, as the pages and miles went by and I found I was actually having FUN! Ive never been a bicycle enthusiast, but this book makes me want to become one! The great interactions with the people along the way are interesting and amusing! I love the historical information that Phil gives along the route as well. When I got to the end of the book, I could imagine the bittersweet emotions that must have marked the end of the trip! A great read! I literally laughed out loud a time or two. Youll really feel like you are riding along with Phil and Merj - except maybe without the pre-sweat and sweat!

You won't want to put it down!

by: Anonymous On: 2005-01-04

It has always been a dream of mine to bike cross country and after reading "America at Twelve Miles an Hour" Im so inspired! This account goes well beyond a typical travel narrative - it recounts the trials and (humorous) tribulations of life on the road. Phil Shrout gives us a unique glimpse of the people and places in America that most of us will never get a chance to see...but this book will make you feel like youre along for the ride.

America at 12 miles per hour

by: Anonymous On: 2005-01-03

Reading Phil Shrouts book, "America at 12 miles per hour" was like traveling across the country on my bicycle but in the comfort of an easy chair. Feeling the anxieties, discomforts and exhilarations of a cross country bicycle trip, learning about the differences and similarities of people on the west coast, across the north and midwest, and through the south, catching a glimpse of the compromises that make a marriage work, were lessons in geography, culture, and psychology. Add to this a sense of humor and you have many hours of enjoyable reading.

You'll get weary reading this book

by: Anonymous On: 2004-12-30

While 12 mph is a reasonable pace for a long-distance bike ride, the pace through this book is sluggish. This diary is also way too complete. It has the names of all the places they ate and the names of perhaps 80% of the waitresses. I think one premise of the book was simply to talk to as many people as possible and recount their stories - no matter how uninteresting. Many more interesting accounts of biking across the country can be found on the web. I must say that Ive only read a little less than half of the book and dont plan on reading any more. There are no photographs, maps, diagrams, lists or tables of information.

A Most Entertaining, Interesting, and Inspring Book

by: Anonymous On: 2004-08-08

Having traveled by automobile much of the route taken by Phil and Merj Shrout on their bicycle trip across America, we were amazed at how much we had missed as to the `real people of the United States. The numerous stories and colorful characters painted in "America at Twelve Miles an Hour" by the author really bring their trip to life for all readers, whether well traveled or not. If not, we can only imagine that reading this book will spur many to giving serious consideration to embarking on such a trip themselves. We highly recommend this book to all, particularly those who enjoy living vicariously, which is easily attained given Phils highly entertaining writing style, or those who are serious or aspiring bicyclists. No, doubt, though, that this book can serve as a tremendous guide book for anyone interested in traveling their scenic and interesting route, whether by bicycle, motorcycle, automobile or RV.

A Most Entertaining, Interesting, and Inspring Book

On: 2004-08-07

Having traveled by automobile much of the route taken by Phil and Merj Shrout on their bicycle trip across America, we were amazed at how much we had missed as to the `real people of the United States. The numerous stories and colorful characters painted in "America at Twelve Miles an Hour" by the author really bring their trip to life for all readers, whether well traveled or not. If not, we can only imagine that reading this book will spur many to giving serious consideration to embarking on such a trip themselves. We highly recommend this book to all, particularly those who enjoy living vicariously, which is easily attained given Phils highly entertaining writing style, or those who are serious or aspiring bicyclists. No, doubt, though, that this book can serve as a tremendous guide book for anyone interested in traveling their scenic and interesting route, whether by bicycle, motorcycle, automobile or RV.

Great Read!

by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-02

This book was such an easy and fun read! I felt like I was right there with Phil and Merj on their journey. Between the characters, the mishaps, and the wonderful descriptions, this was better than fiction! I laughed the whole way through. I highly recommend this book to not only bike enthusiasts, but life enthusiasts. It sure inspired me to get off the couch :)

A Great Read!

by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-13

What a great book! I laughed out loud at times and loved to read about the history of the places visited by Phil and Merj.