Another Fine Mess: Across Trumpland in a Ford Model T

by Tim Moore

Tim Moore - indefatigable travelling everyman – switches two wheels for four as he journeys across Trumpland in an original Ford Model T.

Lacking even the most basic mechanical knowhow, Tim Moore sets out to cross Trumpland USA in an original 1924 Ford Model T. Armed only with a fan belt made of cotton, wooden wheels and a trunkload of ‘wise-ass Limey liberal gumption’, his route takes him exclusively through Donald-voting counties, meeting the everyday small-town Middle American folks who voted red along the way.

He meets a people defined by extraordinary generosity, willing to shift heaven and earth to keep him and his ever-ailing Tin Lizzie on the road. But if Henry Ford's "Universal Car" embodied the sincere, can-do values that underpinned the American dream, why had his kind-hearted compatriots now put their trust in such a transparently horrid imbecile? And yet, this is clearly a nation in conflict with itself: state-hating armed to the teeth "for when it all comes down; citizens ‘tooling up’ in reaction to ever-increasing security fears; a creaking healthcare system creaking to support sugar-loaded soda lovers and the two million opioid addicts it created; a disintegrating rust belt all but forgotten by the warring media and political classes.

With his trademark blend of slapstick humour, affable insight and butt-clenching peril, Tim Moore invites us on an unforgettable road trip through America. Buckle up!

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Humor, Politics, American, Cars

361 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Tim Moore is a British travel writer and humorist. He was educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith. In addition to his seven published travelogues to date, his writings have appeared in various publications including Esquire, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Observer and the Evening Standard. He was also briefly a journalist for the Teletext computer games magazine Digitiser, under the pseudonym Mr Hairs, alongside Mr Biffo (aka comedy and sitcom writer Paul Rose.)

His book Frost On My Moustache is an account of a journey in which the author attempts to emulate Lord Dufferin's fearless spirit and enthusiastic adventuring, but comes to identify far more with Dufferin's permanently miserable butler, Wilson, as portrayed Dufferin's travel book Letters From High Latitudes.
In 2004, Moore presented an ITV programme based on his book Do Not Pass Go, a travelogue of his journey around the locations that appear on a British Monopoly board.

Moore lives in Chiswick, West London with his Icelandic wife Birna Helgadóttir and their three children, Kristján, Lilja and Valdis. He is also a brother-in-law of Agnar Helgason and Asgeir Helgason, and son-in-law of Helgi Valdimarsson.

Reviews

[Joe O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Moore could write a travelogue about spending an afternoon in an empty IKEA in Milton Keynes and make it riotously entertaining. Over the last two decades, he has established himself as one of the quirkiest, funniest – and perhaps masochistic - travel writers around. For his latest wheeze, Moore drives 6,000 miles from one coast of the U.S.A. to the other to work out why so many seemingly sane Americans voted for Donald Trump as their President. And by only travelling through counties that voted for Trump. And by driving a 1924 Model-T Ford.

Moore chose his mode of transport because the Model-T Ford was once seen as the personification of the ‘American Dream’ – the same dream of economic freedom and social mobility now possibly in its death throes in the Age of Trump. It also gives Moore a hook with which to delve into America’s industrial history, contrasting the life of the legendary industrialist Henry Ford with that other self-proclaimed self-made man, Donald Trump.

The Model-T Ford could, in the hands of a lesser writer, look like a wacky affectation. But it provides Tim Moore with a great conversation starter across Middle America and really allows him to build a connection and get under the skin of the ordinary Joe-Six-Packs he meets (particularly during the car’s frequent roadside breakdown mishaps).

“Another Fine Mess” doesn’t just deliver cracking jokes and whimsy; as he enters his third decade as a travel writer, Tim Moore is becoming an increasingly astute political observer. He gets to the heart of Middle America through the simple act of talking to its inhabitants (who would have thought it, eh?). By doing this Moore ensures “Another Fine Mess” carries more weight than a hundred handwringing New York Times thinkpieces, and comes as close as any writer to pinpointing how such a cheery, welcoming folk could support a malevolent prick like Donald Trump (whose “curiously campish and cartoonish tones” are perfectly described by Moore as being “half-Top Cat, half-Dr. Evil”.

Thoroughly recommended - one of Tim Moore’s best adventures yet.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Moore has a knack for selecting travel adventures that don’t really fit the norm. He has followed the route of the Tour de France on his own bike, walked with a donkey across Spain, worked his way around the streets of the Monopoly board and suffered the delights of the Eurovision Song Contest. This challenge though was slightly more sensible compared to some. He wanted to take a Model T Ford from the Atlantic and drive all the way across America to reach the pacific ocean.

There was a twist though, he was doing it to see if he could get a greater understanding of why this country had voted for the orange glowing businessman. His route would take him from the gentle landscape of Virginia to the place where his car, was made, Detroit, before heading south to Texas.

After experiencing the deep south, he turns north to head up through the towns of the flyover states in the state that voted for Trump, staying in slightly seedy motels and occasionally people’s homes. The beautiful car he is driving is very different to anything he has experienced before, and he knows that he has to learn the starting ritual otherwise he isn’t going to be getting anywhere on his first sol day. Oh, and being utterly mechanically inept isn’t going to help his cause either…

But first, he has to get the 160 miles from where he bought the car, that he christens Mike, to the coast. Driving these old Models T’s is utterly unlike driving a modern car, there are no creature comforts, air-con or soundproofing. The pedal configuration is different to modern cars, there are three pedals, still, the right-hand pedal is the brake, the left hand is the clutch and gear selector with a choice of high and low gears and the centre pedal selects reverse. Somehow he makes it and collects a bottle full of Atlantic seawater with the hope of being able to tip it into the Pacific.

The other issue with these cars is they need constant tinkering and maintenance to keep going. Fine for those that have some technical competence, but for Moore, this is quite challenging. But slowly he gets used to doing the things that he needs to do each day to keep it going. It does break down. Quite a lot. And almost everywhere he stopped, there would be someone who knew someone who had one of these and was willing to help him get back running again. In fact, Mike would need an awful lot of TLC all the way up to open-heart surgery to get him to the other side of America.

I am a big fan of Tim Moore’s books and I liked this a lot. His travels are always slightly outlandish, and mostly mad and he has a knack for extracting humour from a lot of the situations he encounters. He learnt a lot about America under Trump, how it had become more polarised with people’s political opinions. However, even in the flyover states, there was still a willingness to help a mechanically inept Englishman who had a wildly different opinion to most of those helping him. It is not as funny as some of his other books though, however, there are moments of hilarity, such as when some guys had helped him put it all back together and could not get it to start at all, then Moore remembered that he hadn’t turned the fuel back on…

[Shauna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too many facts about Henry Ford and the model T and not enough humour.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed this book the author travels in a model T ford coast to coast in the aftermath of Trump 2016 election victory , in parts funny.

[Rachel Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Moore is one of my very favourite travel authors. His books are outlandish and enchanting, as he voyages near and far in the quirkiest of manners, whether riding the route of the Tour de France on a vintage bicycle or walking the Camino with a donkey or... just wandering around his hometown of London, trying to figure out why the UK version Monopoly streets were chosen. He has a wry wit, a genial manner and a keen observation, all essential in his chosen literary field. I have my favourites among his titles, of course, but there is not a single one I have not enjoyed immensely.

Another Fine Mess continues this fine tradition.

It kicks off his latest oddball journey very abruptly, with contemplation of Donald Trump’s election victory and a map of the US that showed the deep red of Republican votership edged in Democrat blue. Moore wondered who these people were, and what the fabled American Dream had to do with their peculiar choice of Conman in Chief. In typical Moore fashion, he goes from “I’m going to cross the red bits of America to find out” to “I’m going to cross the red bits of America in a 1920s Model T Ford to find out”, and that is just so par for his left-of-field course that the decision barely warrants a paragraph in the planning stages.

It is a decision that will take up chapters upon chapters of the rest of the book, however, as his Model T – dubbed Mike – breaks down at regular intervals and is constantly in need of attention from a vast network of Trump-voting red state old car guys who are so incredibly kind to Tim throughout his journey that he finds it difficult to reconcile their hospitality and can-do spirit with the lying leader they still support. He does note that perhaps his journey would not be quite so full of downhome generosity were his skin colour different, and he does tell tales of the casual racism he encounters that hurt the heart and soul. But for the most part, he finds the people of Trumpland to be everything that is good and decent, which makes their willingness to follow a man who is manifestly not those things even more confusing to him.

Along the way, Moore goes in-depth into the legacy of Henry Ford, examining the car magnate’s history of pacifism and industrial largesse and belief in socialized medicine and then turning any potential hero-worship on its head by exposing Ford’s rampant anti-Semitism (Hitler gave him a medal) and pernicious social engineering agenda. He looks at America’s car culture, at the suburban sprawl and the ghettoization of inner-cities like Detroit and Atlanta, and the generalized decay of the “fly-over states,” where vast tracts of land lie fallow and the sumptuous beauty of the landscape is overhung by the shadow of opioid addiction and steady economic decline.

It is a startlingly real image of America today, giving some insights into how it got to its present position – bearing in mind, Trump’s presidency was barely a year old when this was written – and how it lost its place as an innovator and leader on the world stage. But it is also a detailed catalogue of all the many things that can go wrong when driving a 93-year-old car across an entire continent, and the kindness of strangers that gets you from sea to shining sea. (As long as you’re a middle-aged white male, of course.)

Through it all, Moore is at his amusing, thought-provoking, self-deprecatory best, and if the book doesn’t necessarily answer its over-riding question – how can good people follow such a bad man? – it does offer up some theories, and more than anything, puts a human face on those “deplorables” who were just doing the best they knew in a world they no longer understand.

And many of whom know how to fix stuff when it breaks, giving us hope that America can indeed, someday, be made great again.

[Basti Wulff · Rating 2 out of 5]

So... That was a disappointment. Another Fine Mess, if you will.

After reading "Sag dem Abenteuer, ich komme" by Lea Rieck, I fell into a hole of buying all traveling books I could get my hands on.
And this one might be a mistake.

Maybe I made a mistake by expecting something similar to the aforementioned novel. It was heavily focused on traveling the world on a motorbike, while the motorbike was important but not the focus of the book.
The focus was the journey itself, how thr author changed, how her views changed, and how the people she met on the way were a part of it.

I expected this book to be the same, however with the political focus on Trump.

What we got, however, was essentially a history lesson on Henry Ford and the production of his cars, a few chapters of telling us how the car works like shit and needs to be repaired frequently, some jokes (some of them funny, some of them not), and only past the halfway point did we get the first chapter that really showed a conversation about Trump and his voters.
After that, more of a history lesson that at least I did not sign up for and a whole lot of not that much until we had a few scenes in the last 70 pages that actually felt like the book that I wanted to read. (Thirty of them were more history lessons and focuses on the inner workings of the car, though.)

So... I wasn't impressed. Granted, if you want to read a novel about Henry Ford with a side of a bit of traveling in his car and some comparisons to Trump, sure. This book might be for you.

If you expect a book predominantly about political discussions about Trump with Trump supporters and a UK citizen, with a nice topping of traveling and maybe a little bit of backstory, but not too much... Well, I'd recommend to skip this one.

[Colleen Haslam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book I would have picked for myself but I received it as a gift. Turned out to be a great read with portions that were laugh out loud funny. Very well written with loads of interesting history about Henry Ford's life and his rise to fame and fortune. Throughout the book, the author, who is visiting from England, is on a quest to understand the election of Donald Trump to the office of president of the United States. He interviews many folks he encounters in the primarily red, "fly over" states to try to gain some insight. In the end, this book is a testament to the welcoming, resourceful strength of these folks which helps to restore ones faith in human nature regardless of political convictions. After all, it is not a black and white or a red and blue world.

[Maura Heaphy Dutton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Unengaging, unenlightening and unendearing ...

This is one of those ultra-high concept travel books -- author tapdances across Antarctica, to make a point about global warming. Author goes around the world, making landfall only on islands with a "Q" in their name, to make a point about ........ er, I dunno.

This can work. I remember reading a book in which the author hitchhikes across Ireland, dragging a small refrigerator behind him. It was engaging, enlightening about Irish people, and Irish history, and it was very funny. Another example, an author who travelled the US South, visiting and participating in Civil War re-enactments. Again -- fascinating, using a great linking device to make an interesting point about America today.

So possibly, in the hands of a different author, the idea-- driving across America in a Model-T Ford, following a route that visits counties that voted overwhelming for Donald Trump-- might have had potential. But this doesn't work, on any level.

Tim Moore, as our tour guide and intrepid traveller, is just annoying. A lot of the "hilarity" depends on his technical uselessness, and complete ignorance of the operation and maintenance of the Model T. When things go wrong, as they immediately do -- the car stalls, floods, proves difficult to manage, drinks oil and petrol like water, (and he can't figure out how to top up the water ...), this is all supposed to be hilarious. What larks. He has prepared for his journey by watching a couple of YouTube videos, having a couple of 20-minute test drives, and keeping the guy who sold him the car on speed dial ...

This approach is not only insulting to the good-hearted people who repeatedly come to his aid, but it's an insult to the demographic that Moore is supposed to represent, the "wise-ass Limey liberal"-- who, as embodied by Moore, can't be bothered to do his homework, to dirty his hands, to show some self-reliance. As a wise-ass honorary limey liberal, I am insulted.

Trying to give this book a fair chance, after the first three, underwhelming chapters, I skipped ahead to Chapter 6, which was supposed to cover the portion of his route dedicated to Ohio, and specifically Granville, Ohio. I lived for 13 years in Ohio, just down the road from Granville, so I was interested to hear what he would have to say, who he would speak to, and what he would make of it.

The answer was: nothing. Nada. Diddley-squat. Rien. He is surprised to discover that Ohio is mostly farmland. He has a pointless conversation with a young Amish man at a farmers' market. And that's it for Ohio. He devotes one whole paragraph to the "Rust Belt," and Toledo, and then he skedaddles off to Detroit -- which doesn't even fit the "Trump counties" criteria he has set himself -- he just wants to go there, because the Model T was built there.

It was at that point that I gave up.

[Andrew Collier]

Like "The Cyclist Who Went Out in the Cold" this is another very entertaining read. I found the first chapter a little heavy going, but once I got past that it was pleasure all the way.

[Bob Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous account from a Brit traveling through rural America in a 1924 Model T. He provides interesting commentary on our country and gives a lot of history regarding Henry Ford and the era when the Model T was such a revolutionary invention. The aging population of men familiar with the vehicle came to his rescue a number of times. Very enjoyable.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forced my way through the opening pages of this book, where Tim Moore brandishes his Remainer and anti-Trump credentials as if - like all his type - we should doff our hats to his superior intelligence, taste and wit. (I’m at Page 60 now and willing to make a prediction - by the end of this book he’ll despise and pity Trumpland as much as he ever did, but he’ll love Trump voting people.)
I’ve enjoyed Moore’s books before so I was willing not to put this tome back on the bookshelf - as Moore believes I undoubtedly will given that I voted for Brexit. People like me are thick, small minded, intolerant and unwilling to consider an opposing (and intellectually superior) view, so he doesn’t expect, or want, our readership. Sorry Tim, but I’m going to read your book just to annoy you, like a typical Brexit voter would.

Well, my prediction was pretty accurate. Guess what, Trump voters in the mid West are darn nice folks, the salt of the earth, the heroes of a million country and western songs, happy with a wrench in one hand, a Bud in the other and a can-do attitude on anything mechanical. Needless to say, in his Model T, Tim needs that attitude more than anything.
And he doesn’t want to rock the boat by brining Trump into the conversation with the people he meets, which kind of makes the title of the book a bit misleading. Yes, he drives through Trump voting states but, when he talks to people, he doesn’t seem to want to sully the experience by mentioning the Orange One. If you’re hoping to understand why over 70 million Americans voted for Trump you won’t find many answers in this book. It’s content to give a surface opinion based on bumper stickers and the odd anti-Hilary or Obama comment. There’s more of a general anti-government sentiment which Trump tapped into, because these are the self-sufficient people who make things, grow things, get things done. These are the people who actually would have built a wall, and it would have been a good one.
The book is still an entertaining read, chock full of information and interesting observations - I’d quite like to visit Detroit after reading about it and the history of the city. Plus Moore trundles through a lot of the America ignored by other writers and manages to make these regions sound appealing. Maybe in his next book he should drive an old Austin Allegro through the North of England where he’ll find similar blokes, the Brexit voters who seemingly appall him, but who are happy to help, are proud of their communities and heritage and want a more tolerant Britain of the kind that they once helped build. Deplorables of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but the sneering intolerance of the urban elites, although they’ll be first to come to you when their car needs fixing, as this book so ably demonstrates.

[Popup-ch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Moore goes on another of his madcap trips. This time he had swapped his vintage bikes for an old car, as he travels across the US in an original Ford Model T, going from the East to West coast only through counties that voted for Donald Trump.

His writing style is very reminiscent of the early Bill Bryson, irreverent and erudite at the same time, offering up a mixture of his own mishaps and personal anecdotes together with a well-researched background story of the Model T and how the fertile central parts of the continental US turned from a prosperous industrial and agricultural breadbasket into the desolate flyover country that voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016.

He also visits Detroit where he charts the meteoric rise and subsequent fall of Motown. Ford's Model T was designed and built there in 15 million copies, making it the first mass market consumable, making Henry Ford very rich, and also creating the middle class by raising the pay for the workers until they were able to actually buy their own cars. Over the second half of the 20th century the population of the city shrunk by ⅔, and the downtown area turned into a crime-ridden gang warzone. Over the past 20 years the situation has improved slightly, but it's still a long, long way from its peak in the early post-war era.

Some of his earlier books had a rather juvenile tone, and while it's still here, it's less pronounced, and he has really done his research. He manages to fill the most unexpected nooks and crannies of the story with tidbits from Henry Fords life, Trumps presidency and a lot in between.

[Lee Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Tim Moore's writing. I hugely enjoyed his tale of cycling along the route of the Iron Curtain on an East German shopping bicycle, so I looked forward to getting stuck into his tale of driving across America in a 1924 Ford Model T. It's a typically insane thing for him to do, and as the book reveals, he had some decidedly hairy moments.

As a tale of travels across small-town America, and of the trials and tribulations of taking a trip in an extraordinarily primitive car that sounds ridiculously complex to drive, the book worked very well, and was frequently very funny. He weaved in plenty of interesting facts, especially about Henry Ford's life and work, and the American Dream.

The bit about trying to get to the bottom of how Trump got elected didn't work quite so well, and got into slightly confused territory in places, but was still interesting, as long as you're alright with it being written from a Guardian reader liberal perspective - it's not particularly objective, and also doesn't reveal anything earth-shatteringly new. It's interesting, though, to contrast the generosity, enthusiasm and friendliness of Trump's supporters with the pig-headed, ignorant meanness of the man himself.

All I'll say is, if you think Trump is great, and ardently supported Brexit, you won't think much of this book, but if like me, you simply don't get why people voted for something/someone so destructive, it'll be of value, although won't necessarily challenge your views.

A very enjoyable read - I've always admired people who do absolutely crazy shit like this. :)

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catching my attention due to its cover (I'd pay for a print of the cover art free of testimonials) I took a punt on this and was pleasantly surprised. Moore nailed the balance of recounting his journey and the historical and political context as he tried to drive a Model T coast to coast, but crucially, he's just very funny.

The idea seemed ambitious, if far too time-consuming to be enviable, as Moore drove from the Atlantic to the Pacific through Trump-voting counties of America. This makes it sound more political than it really was, most of the book taken up by mechanical failures and the hospitality from motels and kind strangers. Moore stopped it becoming repetitive by giving a history of Henry Ford and his most famous product, as well as many of the towns he passed through.

But Moore's writing was the main draw, and a synopsis of the book doesn't really do it justice. Even when mocking people he still demonstrated warmth and he was funny without resorting to gags, simply 'having a way with words'. For a trip that sounded quite repetitive, going through endless declining towns with blown gaskets and valves, reading about it was very entertaining.

Initially I gave this 4 stars but I can't really find a flaw in it, so 5 it is, and I will look out for his other travelogues hoping they are just as good.

[Karl · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the right hands, the bumbling ineptitude displayed throughout could have been charming.

As it is, the clumsy turns of phrase only amplify the baffling absence of mechanical sympathy and basic technical common sense that any reasonable person would ensure they possessed before embarking on such a journey. The care and attentiveness of the last couple of chapters definitely smacks of far too little too late.

There are nuggets of insight sparsely spread through the book, outweighed by a generally odious attitude to the people and places encountered.

There's a rare moment of self-awareness about 2/3 through when the author acknowledges his snobbery, but it's swiftly cancelled out a few pages later when he balks at a repair bill after relying on the generosity and goodwill of strangers to even reach that point.

Doing the journey in a Model T isn't really anything more than a gimmick, and I'm far from convinced that we'd have gained a better understanding of "Trumpland" if the means of transport had been more conventional.

[Madalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of what I like about Moore's writing has to do with riding bikes: he nails that combo of the feel of the biking itself, the foods eaten, the history of the area, the meeting of local people, and the learning about oneself that is critical for a good bike travelogue.

This one is different: Moore set out to ride across the red states of the US in 2017 *in a Model T Ford*. Perhaps the surprise here is that driving a Model T Ford becomes an instantaneous way to pull out the older men in rural areas, who somehow, in the nick of time, seem to save Moore's behind with their skills, problem solving and spare parts. That is the majority of the book - and it causes it to have more heart than you might imagine from the original premise. Moore still flogs himself with challenges and encounters more than a few concerning moments (that do help explain the 2016 election results, which was his goal). But there's still a fun travelogue in here, just one done at a slightly faster pace - about 40 mph.

[Maria White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky and entertaining read about one (British) man's travels across the heart of Trump-voting America in a 1924 Ford Model T. The author uses this outlandish and highly unreliable mode of transport as a springboard for observations on Henry Ford and the rise of modern America, and on the MAGA-cap wearing 'old car guys' who repeatedly show incredible generosity in helping him fix the car when it breaks down, which it does pretty much every chapter. Moore drives from east to west coasts, 6000 miles. America just seems too big to make sense as one nation. Texas alone is 3 times the size of the UK. There's such a chasm between the way of life of the old white guys Moore meets and modern, diverse city life. It's a humorous take on it all but there are interesting insights here too.

[Mark Zodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed several of Tim Moore's other books and found this one to be engaging and sometimes humorous. An interesting look by a Brit at what he calls, "Trump's America," by which he means those regions that are not economically prosperous. No new revelations and as one who lives in "fly-over" country, nothing in particular stands out other than my instinctive horror that a Brit would feel sorry for us and our supposed step down in the world. While Moore grows to respect our friendliness, self-reliance and how people will help out a down-on-his-luck traveler in their midst, it seems to surprise him that it is so commonplace and makes one wonder why he finds it such a revelation. Still a diverting and enjoyable read.

[Frances Attwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books was disappointing . Really 2.5 stars. A lot of the books was spent describing the history of the Model T and Henry Ford’s life. While interesting in parts, it became a bit tedious for me. I expected that the author would meet a cross section of Americans during his journey. While the car drew admirers rapt each stop, the main people that came across were model
As a rule, everyone who helped him went out of their way to do so. The friendliness and helpfulness was the same everywhere,
The downturn in prosperity that many of the « flyover states » have and are experiencing is sad.
I was left with the expression that many people who voted for Trump the first time, did so as a vote against the government, the bureaucrats who had forgotten them.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read by a great writer. Once you get past the regular mentions that he dislikes Donald Trump, you can enjoy his coast to coast trip. If you want to meet the locals in every little town across the USA, then buy a 1926 unreliable vintage car that is loved by every older man. That's what Tim Moore did.
Rural American towns are dying, or so it seems, but the spirit of America lives on in these towns. Yes, the store might have closed and operating 'gas' stations might be a long way apart but people are very friendly and go out of their way to help.
The history lesson on how Ford's techniques and high wages changed America was very interesting, to me anyway.
So apart from his anti-Trump obsession, anyone should enjoy this.

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of tim for many years, and usually give his books 4 stars, this is not a 4 star book. The book itself is well written but not funny as normal, also some of his facts are just plain wrong, ie "Americans can buy assault rifles very easily" they can buy semi automatic rifles but not assault rifles as there automatic so not available to civilians. Also he seems to look down on all the people who vote for Trump but not those who voted for Hillary, he seems stuck in a middle class left wing mindset and as no understanding of the blue collar working man and his fears and aspirations. I hope his future books stick to travel and humor as I do not read a book to be preached too.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comparison with Bryson is inevitable, but well deserved. This is a travelogue, a history and social commentary neatly brought together around a clunking pile of rusty old metal. It's engaging, informative and amusing. Well worth the read.

For those of us not familiar with the American environment beyond the output of Hollywood and authors who assume we have a shared lifetime of common experience, the view of a Brit abroad, especially one travelling into corners we've never heard of is fascinating. The history of Ford uncovers similar layers below the familiar story, but being woven into a travelogue makes it accessible and adds modern context.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the history about Henry ford as a leader, business man so surprised about how progressive and innovative he was… the anti sentient stance can as a big shock.

I had been expecting more insight into the thoughts of the trump supporters but it seemed very long the e so felt more of an angle of slap trump on the cover of the book and it will sell more. I really like insight into what people think so this was too surface level for me

I did like the list of 30 words I created whilst reading this book… that I didn’t know before I started this book.

Bravo Tim on completing the journey sorry to not rate higher.

[Andy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the same mantra of his earlier work. Crazy travel adventures written in an easy going manner that is often very funny.
On this occasion, he buys a Model T Ford vintage car and attempts to drive it coast to coast across America - using a route that dissects the states that voted in Donald Trump. Main challenge being that he had no prior experience of driving or maintaining any car, never mind a one hundred year old one !
As ever this is well written and funny from start to finish. He has a real knack of making you feel you are sharing his adventure with him. What will he attempt next ……

[Mike Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a number of Tim Moore's books and enjoyed them immensely. This one didn't seem to have the distinct sense of purpose that the others had. OK, parallels and differences between Trump and Ford, but a little vague. Having said that, the trademark snappy turn of phrase is still there, as is the seat-of-the-pants adventure (in this,case, with a hole). There's a lot of this went wrong... it was fixed... that went wrong... it was fixed too.
But, even a not-great Tim Moore book merits four stars, in my book.

[Yves Bocquet]

A book I started with skepticism, on the recommendation of a sure source, gave me a lot of pleasure. The travel reporting aspect is witty and interesting, the characters encountered are real and likable. They are reasonable and surprisingly intelligent, but above all, friendly and helpful.
In this book, Tim Moore offers an education on the automobile history in America, a view of the deep country usually ignored by travel guides, and despite the subtitle, unexpectedly apolitical.
A master job!

[KBiagioli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Tim Moore's books about riding bikes along routes of pro-cycling grand tours, so I bought this book. I like Moore's intelligence and sense of humor. I learned a great deal about Henry Ford and the beginnings of the car industry. I read about how car culture changed society. The Trump aspect was minor compared to the other aspects of the book, but it was interesting to read Moore's perspective and his assessment of the opinions of some of the people he met along his Model-T journey.

[m.michaelis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fine mess...

I've read several books by Tim Moore and mostly enjoyed them, but this one seemed pointless and dull. It turned into a textbook of car maintenance, rather than a trip through Trump's America. Driving a Ford Model T through regions that supported Trump didn't really seem all that relevant. It was almost as though the author was desperately trying to come up with an idea for a book that involved travel in something anachronistic.

[Beachcomber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure why, but this one just didn’t grab me as much. There were bits that were interesting, and self deprecating humour is always good, but - there’d be times where it was in depth Ford history, then a load of waffle about the scenery, then maybe a dalliance with some other historical thing, all interspersed with lots of talk of motels and fixing things that wouldn’t make sense to most people. It felt like it dragged on a very long time.

[AshishB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Moore is absolutely the quirkiest writers I have seen in last few years...especially Travelogues. Whether its via Cycle or old 1924 T-Ford Car. I loved the story and the challenge write took upon himself to drive such old vehicle thru out America. It's a must read book for every type of reader.
This is my 2nd Tim Moore book and 3rd one is French Revolution : Cycling the Tour De France.
Can't wait to read it.