By motor to the Golden Gate

A restless New Yorker sets out on an ambitious road‑trip across the United States, determined to prove that the continent can be traversed by motorcar. The narrator treats the journey as a living notebook, recording the stark contrast between the polished comforts of Eastern cities and the rugged, almost untamed landscapes of the West. Along the way, towns like Albany, Chicago, and the mysterious “City of Ambition” provide vivid snapshots of a nation in transition.

The voice is candid and witty, acknowledging the inevitable bias of a traveler who has never truly belonged to the places he visits. Readers are treated to detailed observations of everything from the precarious condition of early highways to the surprisingly luxurious hotels that dot the route. As the motor roars through deserts, mountains, and prairie towns, the memoir offers a colorful portrait of America’s evolving infrastructure and the people who keep it moving, all delivered with a mix of humor, humility, and unapologetic honesty.