Oh, and it’s also a story about a British-born US resident who is at an inflection point. His children have left home, and he and his wife must figure out what they want to do next. They travel coast-to-coast across the USA and explore whether they truly want to be American.

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The book will answer many questions, including:

• Why are US house numbers so long?

• Which US president’s vegetarian diet was the death of him?

• How do sororities and fraternities work?

• Why are there so many mattress shops?

• Why do states have more powers than the federal government?

• Why do Americans spell differently?

• How did a High-Schooler design the current American flag?

• Why do Americans care so much about ice?

• Why is college football more popular than the NFL in many parts of the US?

• How do the US political and legislative systems work?

• Where was an atomic bomb dropped in Georgia?

• Why is public transport so poor?

• Why was the War of 1812 so important?

• How many US mountains are taller than Ben Nevis?

• How have the Native Americans had such a raw deal?

• What’s it like to be at an American school and an American university?

• Do Americans get enough sex?

• What is America’s history with booze? Why, in most states, do you have to buy liquor in package stores?

• Why do people like Subdivision life?

• Why do Americans love to work?

• How is the office environment different from that in the UK? Why do Americans take few vacations? Why do most Americans not take a lunch break?

• Why are Americans so obsessed with napkins?

• Why there are so many adverts on TV?

• How did the USA conquer a continent?

• Why is immigration a national growth strategy for America?

• How did Germans influence modern-day America?

• Why are some regions more religious than others?

• How did some new settlements become big cities while others became ghost towns?

• How did Architecture, Art, Fashion, music, dance, and literature develop in America?

• Why has the USA’s response to Covid been so disjointed?

• Why is healthcare so expensive?  NB The book does not seek to explain how healthcare in the US actually works. This would be the subject of a multi-volume book, for which this author and few readers have little appetite

• Why are the two parts of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in two separate time zones?

• Why are firework shops based on state borders?

• How did political parties originate?

• Why are there three Jacob’s and Laura’s Laws? What is an Amber alert?

• How did the British introduce tipping to America?

• How does US Agriculture work?

• What is the future of the USA?

• Why are there so many mobile homes?

• Why can’t you pump your own gas in Oregon (and New Jersey)?

• Why is homeschooling so popular?

• Why do Americans love guns?

• Why does a rodeo cowboy make a good husband for your daughter?

 

If you are interested in the answer to these types of questions, this is the book for you.

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“If you are an immigrant, you will say to yourself you had the exact same questions”

”This is an objective analysis of what it means to immigrate to America and embrace it unconditionally, for what it is, the land of opportunity”

“A must-read for anyone visiting or planning to relocate to the US from any European or Commonwealth nation!"

"It is great to read a book from an outsider's (meaning non-US born and raised) perspective. You don't need to be a history major to appreciate this book. I valued the personal and historical perspectives Julian provides. Strongly recommend this book."