Follow the Money: A Month in the Life of a Ten-Dollar Bill

by Steve Boggan

â??Fantastic debutâ?? Time Out 5-Star Review

'Its randomness is its joy' The Independent

'A picaresque travelogue about chasing an idea through down-home modern America.' The Times   What do you do if you want to get underneath the skin of a country, to understand its people and feel its heartbeat? You can follow the rest of the tourists, or you can take the advice of Watergate reporter Bob Woodwardâ??s source, â??Deep Throatâ??, and â??follow the money.â?? Starting out in Lebanon, Kansas â?? the geographical centre of America â?? journalist Steve Boggan did just that by setting free a ten-dollar-bill and accompanying it on an epic journey for thirty days and thirty nights through six states across 3,000 miles armed only with a sense of humour and a small, and increasingly grubby, set of clothes. As he cuts crops with farmers in Kansas, pursues a repo-woman from Colorado, gets wasted with a blues band in Arkansas and hangs out at a quarterbackâ??s mansion in St Louis, Boggan enters the lives of ordinary people as they receive â?? and pass on â?? the bill. What emerges is a chaotic, affectionate and funny portrait of a modern-day America that tourists rarely see.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Steve Boggan was a news, features and investigative reporter for more than 30 years before concentrating on longer-form writing. He is a former Chief Reporter at The Independent and feature writer at The Times and The Guardian.

His first two books, Follow the Money and Gold Fever, were each chosen as BBC Radio Books of the Week.

He is also writer and co-producer of an award-winning documentary, Follow the Money, inspired by his first book of the same name.

He lives with his wife, Suzanne, in London.

Reviews

[Maya Panika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed a review copy of this because I heard an interview with the author on... was it Loose Ends? Start the Week? I can't remember - one of those or of its ilk. Anyway, it sounded as if it would be an interesting read and much of the time it is, if a little shallow, it doesn't go so deeply into the culture as I'd hoped it might. But I just hit the bit where he travels to Hot Springs Arkansas and I don't think I want to read any more.

I don't know what riled me most, his arrogantly superior remarks about the patrons of a New Age bookstore where his $10 changes hands, his snide aggression towards the 'muesli eaters', cat owners and vegetarians - or the fact that it came right after his self-satisfied delight over his demolition of some old-school southern racists. I'm no hippie but I am a vegetarian and my very best friend happens to be a sweet, kind, mildly-hippie cat owner, a lady fond of joss sticks and herbal medicine and a thoroughly lovely human being. I'd like to bet she's a far better human than the annoying Mr Boggan. I wonder, if Steve Boggan read those passages back to himself substituting 'black' for 'hippie', if he'd see why I'm so annoyed with his book and handing it back unread, to the kind friend who lent it to me? And why I'm giving his book such a crap rating. Having lived in East London and knowing the Boggan type well, I rather doubt it.

So two stars or one? One tempts me, but it would be Bogganish to give it one star on account of my current irritation because there are some good things in here and I doubt if many readers will take it as personally as I have, but I still can't bring myself to finish it.

[Cade · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...The idea was really interesting, but he was kind of an asshole in some places. Not a huge fan of his tone sometimes. And (to be fair, he says this in the epilogue) it's not a really accurate way to follow it. He definitely affected how it moved, and that took away from the whole purpose to me. Eh, it was sorta fun, but I wouldn't keep it on the shelf.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar to “Round Ireland with a Fridge”, this is “Round America with a Ten Dollar Bill”, and both books can be filed in the “Light Entertainment” travel section at the local library. As is often the case with books like this, I found myself wondering how staged a lot of the stories were, how much judicious editing had been done and how many of the tales and dialogue had been spiced up to keep the story moving. And also, what exactly is the point of this journey? The author wonders this himself. Why is he following the “journey” of a ten dollar bill as it passes through the hands of various people in the mid-West of America? He’s often at pains to point out that this trip was self-funded, nobody sponsored or helped with it and that no magazine or newspaper assigned him the task. He just felt he had to make this journey (and then write a book about it.) Why? In an attempt to answer this he comes up with some sort of story about the death of his father from cancer perhaps being the motivation for the journey, but this just comes across as a bit odd and somewhat inappropriate.
This book reminded me of a line Steve Martin makes during the journey from Hell he is forced to take in the movie “Planes Trains and Automobiles”. At one point he turns to the John Candy character and says cuttingly, “You know Dale, when you’re trying to tell a humourous story? Give it a point. It makes it SO much more interesting to other people”. It’s a bit of advice that might have had an effect in this book, where the first hundred and fifty pages were about bumping into nice friendly people and doing nice friendly things with them, where everything was just so nice, nice, nice. Occasionally a small black cloud appears in the narrative – a bit of uncalled for racism, or a catty comment, for example – but the bigger fluffy cloud of niceness soon appears to blot it out. Even Bill Bryson was more scathing about his fellow countrymen when he toured America, and that’s saying something. But I suppose the kind of people who would let a total stranger follow them around just so that he can track the course of a ten dollar bill you happen to have been given are going to be nice, innocent, friendly and without guile. I’d like to see him try it in Glasgow.
About halfway through I began to wonder if his next book would be “Round India with a Rupee” maybe, followed by “Round Europe with a Euro”? If so, the journey needs to have a bit more depth to it with a better cross-section of characters. He doesn't need to be Paul Theroux, despising everyone he meets with their pathetic lives, but a jaundiced eye might have brought more colour. I read to the end hoping he'd come across an utter bastard, but it never happened. Even the religious nuts, whom Theroux would have crucified (not to their faces, of course)get the kid glove treatment. I'd summarise this book as a pleasant diversion that won't tax or stimulate the brain, more's the pity.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Several years ago Boggan, a British freelancer, was commissioned to do a story following a single ten pound note around England for as long as possible. As long as possible turned out to be seven days, for on the seventh day the note was banked, but not before having made a circuit of London bars, Hampshire pubs, and markets, golf clubs, and even a dinner party where the bill in question was, according to Boggan, used to sniff cocaine. Anyhow, Boggan had so much fun the first time that he decided to replicate the experiment in the US with a ten dollar bill.

He determines to begin in Lebanon, Kansas, a tiny, dying farm town (population 218) whose claim to fame is having been declared the geographic center of the United States...in 1918. Follow the Money is the story of the people and places Boggan encounters as his bill makes its way from the plains of Kansas onward through Hot Springs, St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit.

I quit half-way through. First, it's boring. The reviews were great and the book's cover boasts The Sun review prominently "A laugh-out-loud triumph." I didn't laugh once. I found Boggan to be irritating and, frankly, a bit boring. I mean, he came to the U.S. for a month and only brought two pairs of underwear, which he then tries to wash in various hotels rather than simply buying more...and needs to tell his readers this. Seriously?

[Brigette · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I mostly found the author kind of whiny. He seemed very critical of Americans as a whole and was evidently shocked every time he actually liked the people he was 'stuck' with. And I'm sorry, but spending hours in a bar waiting for the money to move while you complain that your clothes are filthy doesn't seem like a productive use of time. Even going to a Duds & Suds type laundromat would have been a better use of time.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this unusual tour through the states in pursuit of a ten dollar bill. It was a story that appealed to me as a regular reader of Danny Wallace & Dave Gorman. It was touching, witty and sharp. He painted a vivid picture of the America he saw and the people he met within it. I would recommend this to anyone interested in a quirky slice of non-fiction.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One day freelance journalist Steve Boggan had the idea of following a 10 dollar bill across America as it changed hands, in order to get a glimpse of the country and it's people. Clearly not a journey most of us would think of undertaking. But starting in Lebanon Kansas (for reasons the author will explain) he travels across numerous states, along the way meeting a host of interesting characters. Whether he found himself at a truck stop, a bar, deer hunting or chatting with Amish farmers, he was always ready to drop everything and follow the money, wherever it led.

This memorable road trip across the United States was both endearing and entertaining and maybe just a little crazy.

More reviews at: www.susannesbooklist.blogspot.com

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sat around for a few months before being read because I thought it was just about following a ten dollar bill around. But it is so much more than that. The author tells stories of the people he spends time with while following the money and actually seems to develop friendships with some. He also learns about the midwestern towns which he is visiting then writes about the history of the areas thereby teaching the reader. I did get tired of him washing his clothes in the sink...maybe he needs to learn how to use a laundromat.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give half star ratings - this would be 3.5. Some of the things he said made me feel a bit uncomfy but his chapters about Chicago really made me miss it. I want to go back to Illinois! Overall, it was insightful for a British person who hasn't (yet) had the chance to go to states like Kansas or Missouri - his encounters felt really personal which is something you wouldn't get from just being a tourist.

[Liam Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book on a £1 whim and really enjoyed it, solid easy-going holiday read. Reminded me of Bill Bryson at points, the way he writes about different people he meets and journeys he takes. A good window into the life of small-town Midwest America. The $10 bill definitely goes on a much more interesting journey than the average but that’s to be expected once people hear about his experiment. I wonder how this book would be read in the future when we’re close to being completely cashless.

[Melissa Pawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming story of an Englishman coming to America and driving thousands of miles to chase around a ten dollar bill. His journey is touching and comical all in one. It makes you realize that there are good people out there willing to take a complete stranger under their wing and willing to help when needed... the real American way...

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not agree with the quotes on the cover of the book that it was "laugh out loud" or "hugely entertaining", but it wasn't that bad either. I appreciate that he made it to MI and gave accurate descriptions of my state, and it was kind of neat that I knew several of the areas he wrote about from MI as well. I do wonder what the people he wrote about thought of his portrayal of them.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review title: Money talks, Boggan walks

Teetering between funny, abrasive, and poignant, Follow the Money ends up somewhere in the middle. The idea is so simple that the execution depends on the writer, and Boggan is a cynical Brit with the dry humor that is easy to love and hate at the same time.

Repeating a prank he documented for a UK magazine with a 10-pound note, Boggan journeys to the geographic center (roughly speaking, the subject of an amusing diversion by Boggan) of the US with a $10 bill which he had marked with a sharpie for visibility, vowing to follow it from recipient to recipient for 30 days. While I thought at first that this book might be more about currency, credit, and microeconomics in 21st century economies, it is really about the people who receive and spend the bill than not about the cash economy, although Boggan does spend a few pages on the topic (in the US transactions with debit and credit cards surpassed cash transactions several years ago; in a very few years Boggan's journey will be hard to duplicate).

So while this book is identified on the back cover as belonging in the Travel category, it is more about the people Boggan meets on his journey. He starts in a small Kansas farming community, and winds his way east to St. Louis. south to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and north to Chicago and beyond. He bonds with farmers, missionaries, musicians, investment advisers, and lots of waitresses, hotel clerks, and cashiers who think he might just be daft or dangerous when he explains why he is hanging around watching people spend the bill and waiting to see who receives it.

In the end, while Americans and our unBritish ways are easy targets for his cynicism and barbed humor, Boggan has grown to a respect and even admiration for the generosity, sincerity, spirituality, and hospitality he has experienced at almost every stop and relationship on his journey. This is an inconsequential but ultimately friendly little book that is worth a few hours light reading.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable and fun book. Boggan is a English journalist who decides to follow a specific $10 bill around for 30 days. He starts in Lebanon, Kansas, once the center of the United States. Along the way he meets lots of wonderful if somewhat mystified people. The couple of bands he meets make real, good music available on iTunes. He falls in love with Chicago and drives the same route we drive when we go from Chicago to Leland but Boggan stops in Big Rapids. Boggan has a great sense of humor with him being the butt of most jokes but his humor is not strained. In all, a fun and likable look at America.

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has sat around for quite a while waiting to be read solely based on the fact that I thought it was about money and money alone. I didn't really expect anything when I started reading, but within two chapters I was hooked. Steve Boggan is a great writer, I think he could take just about any topic and bring life and interest to it. And being an American that has never visited any of these places, and who likewise always felt bad for those small, abandoned looking towns, this book was an awesome view into lives I never knew about. Hopefully he tries this little social experiment again and comes to the west coast!

[CV Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a terribly original idea - telling the stories of everyday people one meets through chance encounters. The catalyst for this adventure was a ten dollar bill, serial number 1A74407937A. As this bill changed hands it came with a British journalist as a bonus rider. From Lebanon, Kansas to Missouri to Arkansas to Chicago to Michigan. Along the way people were hospitable and even heartwarmingly friendly. He learned about Americans and their stories.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, really.

I think Boggan is the perfect person for this book. Maybe it's because of his journalistic background, but he doesn't inject too much of himself into the writing, he usually observes and lets the people and landscape speak for themselves. Where Boggan does interject his own opinion or humour, it falls rather flat, but that doesn't happen often and doesn't ruin the charm of the story. Overall I found it v.enjoyable.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Due to the interesting premise of this book, I tried very hard to stick it out to the end, but I decided the line "she seemed too intelligent to be a waitress" was my sign to give it up. The second star is for the very entertaining story about the visiting preacher which was most definitely the high point of this book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, feel good book about a British journalist who re-visits a previous assignment of following a ten pound note around Britain, this time travelling to the US to follow a ten dollar bill. A fascinating idea, not so much a reflection of what happens to ten dollar bills from month to month, more a study of people using it, and the lives they lead.

[Du · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was light hearted, informative, and interesting. It has an interesting idea and fleshes it out in a cheeky way. The overall concept of following the path money takes, and the interconnection of people and economies are shown to be stronger and more relevant than ever. In some ways this book is a testament to shopping local.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in the Good Reads giveaway for free.

I really enjoyed reading about Steve's adventures in America, and following the $10 bill through the mid-West. It was well-written and entertaining, and I would recommend it.

[Laura Marchetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough, although the people Steve Boggan follows as he tracks the life of his ten dollar bill are not always worthy of the attention he pays them. Also, his habit of relating the minutiae (e.g. never ending historical details) of the places he visits can be rather tiresome.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like 2.5 stars. The book had its funny moments, but I believe it may have more appeal for Brits who have no experience in the US Midwest. For those of us who are American and are familiar with the Midwest, none of the author's revelations or history lessons come as a surprise.

[MyOnly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting idea fleshed out by great writing. I think the fact that the writer is British makes it all the better since he brings not only a different perspective but also preconceived notions about Americans and how they live. Well done.

[Mirek Jasinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting concept, though the book could do with better editing

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would've been better as a documentary.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and informative. I liked learning about the Mid West and about the different people the author met.

[Carolien]

4 stars

[Beth Shultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing look at the US from the perspective of a British writer. My favorite was the preacher in Lebanon, Kansas. I pray his congregation forgave him.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at what happens when an English journalist tries to follow a $10 bill around America for 30 days.