Alligators Eat Marshmallows (And Other Things I Learned On My 10,000 Mile Road Trip Around The USA!): A Comedy Memoir

by Tony James Slater

“Show me America!” he cried out to the people.
“Okay,” they replied, their voices a roar… “You asked for it!” When clueless travel writer Tony James Slater decides to visit the US, the gauntlet is thrown down to an army of his readers. Can they show him the ‘real’ America? Can they give him a taste of what life is like in the Land of the Free? Together with his rainbow-haired wife, Roo, Tony sets out on an epic road trip to visit fifty different families scattered throughout the United States. Relying on the kindness of strangers, they must make their way from southern California to the tip of New England and back again… In one piece, ideally. But disaster follows Tony around like a lovesick puppy, peeing on his shoes at the most inappropriate of moments. He has no sense of direction, no filter between his brain and his mouth, and is quite possibly the clumsiest person on the planet.
he’s British.
It’s not going to be easy… Join Tony and Roo for this heart-warming tale of generosity and adventure.
Together, this intrepid duo will drive ten-thousand miles around the most powerful country in the world.
Well, one of them will.
The other one is in charge of the radio… What readers are saying about Alligators Eat Marshmallows!
“…a very enjoyable romp across the states and even in these times people's generosity was heart warming…”
“…my husband knew I had started reading it because he saw me laughing at my phone every 5 minutes!”
“…awesome Fantastic and possibly the best yet!”
“…I loved this book, it's totally fascinating…”

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2023

About the author

Tony James Slater is a very, very strange man. He believes himself to be indestructible, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. He sometimes makes strange faces whilst pretending to be attacked by inanimate objects. But perhaps his single biggest problem is this; he has a mouth so big he is in danger of swallowing his own head. As a result he often ends up far from mainstream civilization, tackling ridiculous challenges and subjecting himself to constant danger. He gets hurt quite a lot.

Reviews

[Irene Pylypec · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific idea for budget travel. Tony James Slater and wife Roo visit as many states as possible while travelling throughout the USA and staying, for the most part, in the homes of Americans. While accommodation varies, there is one constant. The American hosts go out of their way to make the couple feel welcome, showing them the local attractions and in many cases, arranging for a book reading by Tony, who is on a quest for fame and fortune and pursuing the American dream.

Just as accommodation varies, so too do the local attractions. The author and his wife visit such diverse places as Central Park in the Big Apple to … wait for it … an alley in a marketplace dedicated to used gum.

Join the couple on their American adventures and misadventures by reading this entertaining travel memoir. Recommended.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute blast of a book! The whole plan sounded quite crazy - to tour the USA on a shoestring budget, staying with readers who had offered to put him up if he ever visited America. He and his wife Roo - who did all the driving - embarked on a marathon road trip. Poor Roo, her nerves must have been shot to pieces at times. My knuckles were white even thinking about some of her journeys. It's funny and informative, a bit of an eye opener at times. It was quite heartwarming to see how generous and kind the majority of those they stayed with were and he and Roo certainly had some incredible experiences. It's quite bonkers and quite hilarious and very Tony. I loved it.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, a laugh out loud travel memoir by a casually profound Tony Slater.
This time he travels “somewhat” across America spending very short stays with readers who’ve invited him and his wife, Roo, into their homes.
Politics and religion are injected here and there and it might lightly offend some readers. However, I agree with Tony’s political and religious views so found it refreshing - although his bashing of “streaky” bacon is strictly a British thing and uncalled for as far as I’m concerned.
I have family in England, Japan and New Zealand . Their views of Americans and the American psyche are similar to Tony’s. Some would say it’s just because of the news and internet but as Tony finds out in his travels, there is more truth than conjecture to America’s proclivities such as racism, religious zealots, oversized food portions, and an unabashed love affair with guns - among others.
In truth, when my cousins from New Zealand visited several years ago we set up for our Grandson in law to bring his gun collection to our 25 acres in rural SC so we could spend the day shooting an assortment of handguns, shotguns and, in our case, a fully automatic AR15. Yes, we all had fun. Tony and Roo were also treated to a day of shooting and found it both terrifying and exhilarating. It truly is the epitome of the American experience.
Tony - if you’re reading this, Elkhorn is in NC not SC but you are forgiven. Quite a few Americans don’t know the difference between North and South Carolina . . .
One of my favorite reads of 2023. If you want to see how America is viewed by foreigners, and based on my experience with them, this book is fairly spot on.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

not enough time for this trip

Loved reading about all the places and people they visited. Good thing so many people wanted to meet them and enjoy their company just sad that they didn’t have more time as there are so many more places to see. Now they have a little one no telling if they will ever get back but if they do I hope they stay with me for longer. Roo was lucky to see a manatee as they usually aren’t seen unless it is cold. Lucinda E. Clarke and her husband came for a visit from Spain and it was COLD and just 5 miles from here there is a manatee viewing area (can’t swim with them) and it was packed. I would love to take Roo and Tony to Cape Canaveral I know they would both love it—oh well it was fun reading about their trip and thoughts of America.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I stumbled on Tony Slater's travel memoir That Bear Ate My Pants, I've found myself fascinated and entertained by his adventures. He's hilarious, self-deprecating, and has a knack for finding something to enjoy everywhere he goes. And unlike some travel writers *cough Bill Bryson cough* he doesn't have an ego or his head up his backside. So when he finally wrote a book about his travels around my home country, I knew I had to read it... and I was not disappointed in the least.

After his (mis)adventures in South America, Asia, and Australia, Tony and his wife Roo decide it's time to go visit their readers in the USA. So they buy a car, load it up with copies of his books, and set off on a journey around the US to explore and discover as much as they can. Along the way Tony will fire guns for the first time, get lost, experience American cuisine (and portion sizes), meet one of his favorite authors, watch his wife get farted on by a manatee, and yes, discover that alligators enjoy the occasional marshmallow. And while he's in for a surprising amount of culture shock, he also finds friendship and new connections.

Tony somehow manages to find the comedy in almost any circumstances, even during times when I'm sure he and his wife were ready to throw in the towel and go home. He makes his escapades and blunders seem hilarious, and isn't afraid to poke fun at himself. And unlike Bill Bryson, whose humor can get downright vicious and arrogant at times, he doesn't usually find humor at the expense of the people he meets. I admire his tendency to tackle whatever comes his way... even if it's beyond his abilities.

And Tony does find plenty to enjoy about the US... though that doesn't mean he can't be critical either. He does have his opinions on religion, gun ownership, the US health care system, and the absolute crapshow that's our political system. And given that he and Roo were traveling through the US during the 2016 election -- and happened to be in New York City when Donald Trump was elected -- there is some commentary that seems oddly prescient given the events of the 2024 election...

I enjoyed seeing this hapless Brit's adventures through the US, and I do hope he continues to write, because I consider him one of the best travel writers I've read. Keep on trucking, Tony!

[Whistler's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why depend on the kindness of strangers when you can depend on the kindness of strange friends?

I read this author's first book ("That Bear Ate My Pants") back in 2014 and laughed all the way through it. At that time, he was a single Englishman who decided to try "adventure volunteering" and landed at an animal refuge in Ecuador. The combination of the owner's lack of expertise with Slater's propensity to fall into bizarre situations resulted in a very funny book. "The boys are out of the barracks" was a new one to me, but I'll never forget it.

Five books later, he's married to Roo and living in Australia. A successful writer in that many people love his books, but still not rich and not famous. Maybe the answer is to go to America, where rich and famous is the norm. So they buy tickets, but the only way to afford the trip is to stay with fans who've become on-line friends through FB. To a man (or woman) those fans are genuinely delighted to meet the author who's given them so many laughs. They try hard to provide him and Roo with a memorable experience, but "memorable" isn't always a compliment. Meet Sandra and her family.

It was a monumental, four-month trip, undertaken by a man who's unbelievably disorganized and almost as unbelievably naive (who trusts an on-line car dealer?) and a woman who's shy and nervous around people, especially strangers. What could go wrong?

Up the West Coast and down to the Southwest. Over to Louisiana and across the South to Florida. Up the Florida coast to the Carolinas and on to DC. Then further north to NYC and into New England. Time's almost up, so they take Amtrack back to the West Coast and a plane back to OZ. See what I mean about a monumental trip?

Roo drove the whole way since Tony is an inexperienced driver. Not really a nervous driver, although his driving makes other people nervous, especially his wife.

And it's 2016, so America is humming with political hysteria. The Englishman and his Aussie wife are surprised at many things in America - the paranoia and obsession with guns, the lack of affordable health care and the shaky safety-net in general, the huge portions of food and the obesity epidemic, and on and on. But what could be more astonishing than the idea of Donald Trump as President?

They're wowwed by the beauty and variety of the American wilderness. They love the friendliness they find everywhere and Tony is charmed by many of the weirder aspects of American culture, like the yearly Halloween insanity. Poor Roo is just trying to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road (on ten-lane roads!) and to making small talk with different strangers every few days. Tony is the ultimate extrovert and thrives on human contact, the odder the better. His wife is the polar opposite. How exactly does this marriage work?

At $4.99, this almost 500 page book is a bargain. Slater is a fine humor writer and you can't help but like the guy. Heck, if I'd known he was coming to the U.S., I MIGHT even invite him to stay at my house. More I cannot say.

I've read four of his books and loved all of them. All are travel-themed, although (for my money) the funniest thing he ever wrote was the story of renovating (with his sister) the ancient house his father bought on impulse. The apple didn't fall far from the tree and Tony comes by his weirdness honestly. If you like to laugh, you should try his books.

[Jacqueline Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was laughing by page 1.

Do you remember all those times you’ve made a throwaway comment like, “Look me up if you’re ever in the area!”?

Tony James Slater does.

Those who said it might have thought they were safe, addressing a Brit who lives in Australia from the other side of the world. But no one is safe from Tony. In this jaunt, he looked them all up – then joined the dots to embark on a genius book tour of the USA.

His Aim: To get famous in America.

His Plan: To get all those readers who invited him to host him, organise publicity events, and show him the ‘local’s view’ of their area. Oh, and to get his socially shy wife Roo to hobnob daily and do all the driving under the guise of a ‘holiday’, because Tony can’t be trusted behind the wheel… Or with anything much else, for that matter.

My mum once asked me, “When you go to New York, will you drop in and see your Uncle Tom?”

“Um, no” I replied. “Because Uncle Tom is in L.A., which is almost the same flight time from New York as London!”

I’m not sure Tony made the same mistake as my mum regarding the size of ‘The Big Country’, but he did rather pack it in! His itinerary was so ambitious, reading it exhausted me. Yet, the brilliance of getting shown around random places just because it’s where his readers happen to live makes for a grand adventure and highly entertaining reading.

If you want to exhaust yourself with armchair travel, laugh out loud at the inevitable mishaps, and discover some fabulous US destinations that are so far off the tourist track, even my mum wouldn’t think they were next door, I can’t recommend this (or Tony's other books) highly enough.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2016 Tony and his wife Roo went around the United States staying with some of his readers for a couple nights at a time. We were one of the families lucky enough to have them visit (even if CPS almost got called before they even arrived due to busybodies jumping to conclusions from misunderstanding an 8 year old). We had a great time getting to know them outside of the pages of his books (they are truly lovely people) and reading the chapters where he talked about his time here was fun since I didn’t remember some of the details he included. As I have with all of Tony’s books, I laughed out loud multiple times reading Alligators Eat Marshmallows. He has a way of describing situations that makes even mundane things hilarious. His musings on various parts of American culture sprinkled throughout the book were quite interesting, too (though I might have been annoyed by some if I didn’t wholeheartedly agree). I very highly recommend this book to adults who enjoy travel memoirs and love to laugh!

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you let strangers plan your long itinerary of a foreign country? I’m hooked on the very entertaining books written by Tony James Slater. I just finished Alligators Eat Marshmallows, and I’ve already bought the rest of his memoirs. If you love hilarious action-adventure memoirs, you will love Tony since he’s not afraid to laugh at himself, and with good reason. Things always ‘happen’ to him. I’d love to hang out with him, but I fear I may die of embarrassment. Although I may not agree with all of Slater’s views of the U.S. and religion, they are how he sees things, and he is entitled to his opinion, as outlandish as it may be. And if I were his wife, Roo, I would have made sure we visited Alcatraz so I could leave Slater there to stop him from putting his foot in his mouth again and again—just kidding. If you can let loose and like entertaining reads, check out the many books by this author which I highly recommend.

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about travelling to meet people who are fans of your books? I’m not sure anyone but Tony James Slater could pull this idea off, but pull it off he does with predictably hilarious results.
Tony and long-suffering wife, Roo, head to the America! Land of the free…assuming they let them in, of course. Slater has planned a gruelling four-month trip around the States, all the more so for poor Roo, who gets to do all the driving. The idea of staying with people you’ve only ever ‘met’ online is quite a novel one, and fraught with danger…especially when Trouble follows Slater around ‘like a love-sick puppy, peeing on my shoes at the most inappropriate moments’. Will their stays be in the comfort of a family home or with mass murderers? Will they make it around the country without being arrested? And will America ever want the Slaters back? Read on to find out the (hilarious) answers.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Brit who became an Aussie takes, as the title says, a road trip. He'd always wanted to visit the USA but couldn't afford it...until he got the bright idea of letting his readers sponsor the overnight housing and set up speaking engagements for him. And his wife, who does all the driving.

It's pretty funny, very chuckle-worthy at times. I don't know that I laughed out loud at all, but I did reread a couple of especially clever bits. Very much worth what I paid for it (free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, so that probably works out to about 2-3 dollars per book.

I'll sign up for one of his others and see if he can keep me interested. By the way, he has a lot of great tips for out of the ordinary places to go. And a lot of great tips about what motels NOT to stay in. They went from Super 8 to Motel 6 to Days Inn, and down from there, poor guys.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it: I am a huge fan of Tony's memoirs. I've read, loved and chuckled over all of them, so why would this one be any different? Well......
Just joking! Another fabulous and funny book. Tony and his (long suffering) wife Roo make a three month visit to the USA with Tony's ambition to attain fame and fortune. But he's pretty broke, so he's relying on the generosity of his readers to house and feed him along the way. What could possibly go wrong?
I loved this book. Tony writes so wittily that I laugh out loud frequently. He manages to get himself into so many scrapes, and is so self-deprecating, that you can't help but laugh with him. Interesting to see his views on American culture, too, as a Brit who lives in Australia. It resonated with me as a Brit who has lived in America for many years, and reminded me of many of my own reactions. Once again, a thoroughly entertaining book, which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Gary Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

a different kind of adventure book

As an American, I found Tony’s observations and assumptions about my country interesting. Some I agreed with, others I didn’t - but these are his observations and experiences. Told in a humorous light tone, but with occasional rants or comments about the availability of guns and lack of universal health care. Sometimes his comments are very dark, such as wondering why there were no stuffed school children beside the taxidermy deer & bear heads above the gun display in a sporting goods shop. This is a trip across the US where he stays with his loyal readers and in flea bag motels. His tourist activities range from the mundane to the outright weird. I recommend this and am going to find his previously written memoirs.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor memoirist Tony James Slater is back with a madcap four-month, 10,000-mile road trip across the USA in "Alligators Eat Marshmallows."

Tony's bumbling British adventurer persona countered by his wife Roo's voice of reason makes for a fascinating and hilarious perspective on the highs and lows of America and its culture. Having been to many of the places Tony writes about, I enjoyed comparing his wide-eyed wonder to my own experiences. His takes were always interesting, and often laugh-out-loud funny.

Whether you've always wanted to visit the USA, or you've lived here your whole life and want to see it through fresh eyes, "Alligators Eat Marshmallows" is a must-read adventure.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Tony’s since his first book.
I think this might be my favorite. I read this while I was at Wildtracks in Belize. My third trip there as a volunteer with Howler Monkeys and Manatees. Tony, your books might have had something to do with my decision to volunteer with animals abroad !
I was actually asked by a cabana mate what was I reading that was so funny. I was constantly giggling and laughing out loud while reading this book. Tony, you nailed America and Americans! Hilarious!!
Oh how I wish it had worked out for you to come stay with my family in The swamps of South Carolina. Maybe next time !

[D. Thrush · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this memoir, Tony, who is British and his Australian wife Roo drive across the US enjoying the hospitality of fans of his books. It was interesting to hear their perspective. They enjoyed the diverse countryside and wondered at our embrace of guns, our costly healthcare, and our choice of a president. It seems many of Tony’s fans may lean toward the conservative side. They ate lots of steaks and experienced shooting guns. However, Tony’s writing is entertaining, and he finds the humor in every situation. I may have to read some of his other travel memoirs. Fun book! Though I wish photos had been included instead of directing readers to his website to view them.

[Andy Hughson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Tony and Roo’s madcap trip around the USA staying with readers. It illustrates perfectly the wide mix of people that read memoirs, some of whom’s homes you would NOT wish to visit … but Tony does it for us, so we don’t have to!

Tony puts the world to rights on a range of topics from gun control and religion to alligators with a sweet tooth and farting manatees! All in a day’s work for Tony, and Roo deserves a medal for being the nominated driver on this 10,000 mile odyssey.

Will be devouring more of Tony’s earlier exploits now, I’m sure.

[Neil McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony reviews the US

I love reading Tony Slater’s memoirs. He’s funny, thoughtful and well researched. I always laugh, and always learn about the culture history and people of the country he’s visited. He’s ridiculously fearless and attempts things I never would, so I get vicarious adventures. This book about my home country was no less informative and funny. It’s interesting to see it through his perspective. Buy his books. My library has several on audio.

[Laura Ruthemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony James Slater always delivers a great adventure, and laugh out loud anecdotes.
Follow Tony and 'Roo's trip across America .. relying on readers to host them.
As one of their hosts early in their trip, it was great to relive our adventures, and to find out how they fared on the rest of the trip.
And yes, he did 'Slater' often.. 😂
See America through the eyes of our favorite International Man of Misfortune. You may never see it the same way again!

[val hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upbeat and informative

As always whenever I read Tony's books, I feel I've actually learned something. At the same time I've laughed a lot and quoted to friends different things about America, as one of my friends has a brother who has lived in America for over 40 years it's quite a fun thing to do. Like all Tony's books I didn't want it to end.

[Lora B Weems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Memoir

Tony Slater is a new author to me. Another author I admire, Shawn Inmon, recommended this book. And I am so very glad I followed the recommendation!
The adventures, comical situations, and thoughtful insights are really outstanding.
I fully plan to read all his other books!

[David T. Stoebe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read all of Tony's stuff now but up until now he never revealed himself as a disgusting religious bigot. He also reveals himself as a typical leftist coward after slobbering over Moslem men in earlier books about his visit to Jordan. I realized that he was a mooching European socialist who likes to scrog his sister and mother but the religious bigotry exposed in this book was too much.

[Sally Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stick to travel humour. You do that well. Staying in that lane would improve the book.

This was a fun book. Concentrate on the fun stuff,leave out the preachy gun control and political stuff, it detracted from the overall vibe. . Looking forward to reading another one of your books

[Sharon Hayhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who else but Tony, would travel around the U.S. for three months staying with fans. When I read the synopsis, I laughed out loud, and thought, `well this could go badly wrong!' Hats off to his wife Roo for her bravery driving all around the U.S. and well to both of them for their zest for life and quest to bring us a good story. It's totally bonkers, but it worked for me, another 5 star read.

[Glenn Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alligators will eat more than marshmallows if you let them

Another fun filled adventure with Tony and Roo. I enjoyed his off kilter perspective of life in the United States. I agree with his observations of the political culture and the mess it has become. Looking forward to my next vacation with the Slaters!!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book looking at the USA from the eyes of a foreigner. Funny, easy to read. I could have done without the political commentary: I agree with him completely, but I was trying to read for pleasure and didn't like being reminded what is happening to our country right before bed, but it was part of his American experience.

[Susan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved This Book

I loved Tony's perspective on the USA and many of his viewpoints are similar to mine. He is a very entertaining writer and I wish I had had the opportunity to host Tony and Roo when they were passing through Virginia!

[C.J. Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant travel memoir! I've read all of Tony's books and absolutely loved all of them and this one is no exception. His style of writing and the humour and interest he keeps up throughout the book, makes it one I highly recommend!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate it up! I’m a bit bias as Tony and Roo stayed with us when my mom came to visit. We LOVE them! And who doesn’t LOVE Grammy Schulte!? Tony wrote so beautifully about her.

Tony’s books have always made me laugh out loud. He is a delightful, informative, funny, story teller.

[NewandUsed · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fun adventure

What a fun writer - kept me truly engaged and laughing through the entire book. Love seeing our country through the eyes of a stranger and who could be stranger than Tony?!