Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard: My Journey Across America, Then and Now

by Graham Broyd

In 1980, Graham Broyd did something outrageous—he sold his scholarship ticket to Washington, DC, bought a one-way flight to Los Angeles, and set off to hitchhike across America. Armed with a red backpack, a surfboard, and a knack for finding himself in both incredible and ridiculous situations, he bummed rides, crashed on beaches, and stumbled into experiences that would shape him forever. From rolling the dice in Vegas to interviewing senators in Congress, from the open roads of the West to the neon chaos of New York City, every mile brought a new story.

Forty years later, Graham returns to retrace his steps, revisiting the landscapes, people, and memories that defined his youth. What has changed? What remains? And how does time shift our understanding of the roads we once traveled?

Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard is a raw and humorous adventure memoir, a time capsule of 1980s America, and an unfiltered reflection on risk, nostalgia, and the unexpected turns that shape a life. It’s for anyone who has ever dreamed of throwing away the map, saying yes to the unknown, or looking back at a wild decision and thinking, “I’d do it all over again.”

For fans of Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, and anyone who knows that the best stories come from the roads we didn’t plan to take.

Genres: Travel

304 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graham Broyd has written a marvelous memoir in which he relates his first cross country trip in the US as well as his return trip 40 years later. Filled with humor and insights about the people and places in America, he made me examine my own life story that had many parallels and yet nothing can compare with the stories he tell and those marvelous experiences he lived. A wonderful look at America as it was and as it has become!!
Top Notch, Graham!!!

[Sherrie Howey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that must be read, for both the details of his amazing hitchhiking experience across the US and the history and wisdom imparted by the author. It was so engaging that I could have read it in one sitting but I wanted to savor the stories so I read it in 2 days.
I loved each quote at the start of each chapter. The quote at the beginning of Chapter 2 is “Oh the places you”ll go” by Dr. Seuss. This quote really resonated as one of the main themes in that book is resilience and perseverance. Graham epitomized both resilience and perseverance in his hitchhiking journey across America.
What also struck me deeply was the kindness of total strangers toward Graham throughout his travels. ( the invitation to a family breakfast, the men he met on the subway who offered him an apartment to stay in and Jake, the journalist who relentlessly encouraged him to call Senator Howard Baker.) These goodwill gestures shown to Graham were so meaningful and I appreciated them so much as I know Graham must have at the time. We should all try to be more kind, either in random acts or in our daily interactions.
I want to extend my most sincere thank you to the author for writing this book, it’s a book that will amaze and inspire readers.

[Gianfranco F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How daring and exciting!

I think what I liked most about this book was that it takes you back to the past, to some spectacular times. As a reader, it stirred memories of my twenties and reminded me of many adventures.

The book has a very compelling story, as it starts with a decision that very few would dare to make: to let go of the reins and let yourself be carried away by the road and life.

I loved how that journey shaped Graham in many ways into who he is today, and that's why returning to those places gives new meaning to his identity. It's not just the changes that each place has undergone, but the way he has changed since he was in each of those places.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to this book in a big way!! I was invited in 1981 to cook on a sailboat from Florida to Spain. The night before I left, my father took me to JC Penny’s and bought me a 29.00 jacket. Other than the owner, I was the only crew member of 7 to be able to get into yacht clubs with the owner of the boat because I had a dinner jacket. Mr. Brody’s memories of traveling across the US are reflective of someone who had a great experience!! The icing on this cake was his meeting Senator Baker who allowed him to finish his studies…this is a terrific read and a wonderful travel document!

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that will inspire you to travel. ‘’Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard’’ is Graham Broyd's autobiography and the adventures he never imagined he would have. I really enjoyed reading about your experiences traveling around the United States, especially your beginnings in California. This book will give you an emotional connection and a different perspective on life.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book

This book really caught my attention. Reading it feels like living an adventure thanks to the descriptive language used by the author, which allows the reader to easily dive into the story and experience each event in a unique way. It is a perfect book to relax the mind, let your imagination flow, and enjoy an entertaining and pleasant moment.

[Daniel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book.

This is a beautiful book. It captures the excitement of having adventures and discovering new things. This book is about a person who, without much in his backpack, decides to explore the United States in the 1980s. Throughout this journey, there are moments of fun, danger, and, above all, a wealth of discovery.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard by Graham Boyd is an interesting and reflective travel memoir that follows the author's hitchhiking journey across the United States in 1980 as a young British traveler. What stood out most to me was the picture it painted of America at that time—a nation that seemed kinder, gentler, and more trusting than the one we know today.

The book alternates between Boyd's original journey and a later trip in which he retraces his route, reflecting on both the changes in the country and the changes in himself. I enjoyed the comparisons between the two experiences and the perspective that comes with looking back decades later.

Readers looking for a dramatic climax or major adventure may not find it here. This is less a story with a central conflict and resolution and more a collection of observations, encounters, and memories from the road. The appeal lies in the journey itself and the people met along the way.

Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable and thoughtful travel memoir that offers an interesting snapshot of America through the eyes of an outsider, both then and now. # GoodreadsGiveaway

[AMR CAMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intresting book.

Backpack, Jacked, Surfboard is a fun, adventure-filled read that is pumping with energy, rhythm, and imagery. Based upon three symbols - a backpack, a jacked body, and a surfboard - the book explores independence, self-expression, and the pursuit of freedom. Broyd's whip-smart and punchy writing style makes it easy for readers to get lost in surfing, travel, and the transitory lifestyles of the culture of surf life.
Underneath its playful surface, the book also grapples with identity, inclusion, and feelings of time and urgency by straddling the lines between "being" and "seeking" moments of meaning. While the author is audibly aware of the writing style often associated with youthfulness, there is mindful thoughtfulness articulated and story.
This is an unconventional and captivating book that will resonate with readers interested in surf culture, adventure, and poetic narrative forms. I think this book will leave you feeling you just had a dose of salt air, freedom of movement, and open horizons.

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good!

This book feels like a long chat with friends you haven't seen in a long time and who have the best stories to tell! The author in this case has impeccable storytelling skills, a fine sense of humor, and an impressive ability to captivate you. The author tells his story of hitchhiking a few (many) years ago and all the adventures that came his way.

I love books based on real stories, especially when told by the person who lived them! It's magnificent, and not everyone dares to tell their story in such an entertaining way. I also feel that, without realizing it and in the midst of the jokes, the author invites you to venture out and travel, as it is an experience you will NEVER regret. But in the end, it also ends up being a book that makes you reflect on the experiences you invest your life and time in and how you find happiness by exploring the world and exploring yourself through travel! Great book!

[Kristin]

Full disclaimer: Graham Broyd is my godfather. He and my dad became close while they were both working in Panama - Broyd with Bank of Scotland and my Dad with Coca-Cola.

I truly enjoyed this book, and that is saying a lot because my day job is editing other people's memoirs. I have read a lot of uninteresting, navel gazing manuscripts. This is not one of them. It was an unexpected love letter to the United States from a Brit recounting the 7 whirlwind weeks in which he became smitten with the country.

Graham Broyd seems to be one of the luckiest men alive. The situations he describes are simultaneously hilarious and miraculous. I found myself recounting certain vignettes to my children, because the coincidences and opportunities Broyd encounters are so incredible.

Broyd writes the way he talks. He's charming, funny and able to draw the listener into the story through cadence, contrast and a little twinkle in his eye.

I look forward to his forthcoming books.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating memoir
“Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard” is a captivating memoir that tells Graham Broyd’s experiences. If you are into books of stories related to rediscovery, travel, and resilience, then this one is a good option.
Graham has a bunch of anecdotes about his journey across America from his early years to the present. Some places where he has been changed, but he still remembers the way they were. In a way, this piece of writing shows how his perceptions changed over the years and how he feels about that at present.
I liked Graham's writing style because he allows readers to visualise the different places and empathise with his nostalgic feelings about some situations. It’s a read that shares a bit of everything in a person’s life. I found it very engaging and entertaining.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard by Graham Broyd is an entertaining and engrossing travel memoir, full of unexpected characters, funny incidents, and nostalgia. Graham Broyd traded conventional success for the adventure of a lifetime, hitchhiking across the USA with his backpack and surfboard. After forty years, he recreated his trip, comparing the similarities and differences between the 80s and the present. Anyone who enjoys biographies and travel memoirs will find plenty to smile about in this book. It is also an interesting reflection on changing times and shifts in society and politics. I recommend this to fans of travel fiction and I am giving this book a well-deserved five out of five stars.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing book! I recommend it to anyone because for me it is one of the greatest, it has an incredible story, many adventures and what's more important, it has so many meaningful messages that made me value my life and my present. In this read you will find the author's adventure of when he was young, traveling around the United States finding himself in different scenarios that defines what he would become in the future. Is amazing to read this adventure and all he experienced at that time, but what really made it spectacular was to also read his perspective in the book when he's an older man who can see pretty differently all his life. Is so amazing that you have to read it, a great story and a great author.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaningful journey that, 40 years later, brings memories but also new experiences. There is no experience greater than another; as a traveler, a friend suggested this book to me. I often say that I don’t want to go back to the places I have already visited, but this book changed my whole perspective. I admire Graham Broyd’s journey, it is an amazing story of how traveling can shape your life and how much we discover through it. Going back is about understanding yourself; it is a time to reflect and perhaps realize things that were not so obvious in the moment. He inspires me and leaves a profound reflection for the reader. If you enjoy traveling and would like to read an amazing story, this book will captivate you as it did me.

[Marina L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found “Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard” to be a fascinating story, one that captivates you not only because of what it tells but also because of the way it's told. The book is quite enjoyable, and I found myself smiling a lot. I'm a huge admirer of people like Graham who have the courage to go against convention and take risks.

Personally, I don't know if I would dare to do something like that, which is why I found his journey so inspiring and it made me think about the value of taking the risk of living life intensely.

I highly recommend it to those looking for a read full of fun anecdotes, as well as to those who like to think back on life, choices, and time.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thoughtful memoir that is about chasing fun and adventure. The author shares his trip all over the US in a very raw and honest way. It also has humor and he uses it to show the exciting parts and also the risks and every surprise that he faces along the way. It is a very captivating read, through the author makes readers travel too and also take on all the reflecting and learning. Personally, I really enjoyed the way it is written, it is like hearing a friend talk about their journey and all the knowledge that came with it.

It is a good book for those readers who are into travel insights and into new experiences and taking a chance.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard' has a good premise and with that it had promise. In places this memoir was funny and at time it was interesting, I loved the section set in Tijuana, for example. However, I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I wanted to as there are rambling digressions that are not relevant to the main story and then really relevant and interesting aspects which are quite underdeveloped. Overall, the book is an easy read, but it was quite disappointing for me.

I received an advance copy of the book from NetGalley free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard: My Journey Across America, Then and Now - Graham Broyd because it made me think about my own life, not just the author’s trip. The story felt like a reminder to follow your heart and take risks, even when you don’t know what will happen. It made me think of moments in my life when I also made small “jump into the unknown” decisions, and how those experiences helped me grow.

The part that touched me the most was the feeling of nostalgia. When the author goes back to the same places 40 years later, I could really connect with that.

[May G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended

This book comes highly recommended for anyone who enjoys travel memoirs, stories inspired by real-life experiences, and tales that remind us that, often, the best adventures begin when we dare to take a completely unexpected turn. The narrative is relatable, engaging, and laced with a touch of humor that makes it very easy to connect with the anecdotes. More than just a travel book, it’s a reflection on freedom, the impulsive decisions that end up changing your life, and the value of stepping outside your comfort zone.

[Jane H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had expected more of an entertaining book along the lines of Bill Bryson's travel books, so I was disappointed, but I still enjoyed this easy read. The book does give a foreigner's insight into how the US was viewed in 1980, and it highlights some of the best places to see in the US, so that is helpful to anyone who has never been to our country.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This is about losing yourself and finding yourself along the way. I like how he decides to recreate his American trip 40 yrs later.

[Nancy Retallick, Ph.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lived vicariously
I lived vicariously through the author’s life story. What stands out most is the sense of freedom woven throughout each chapter. This book reads like a conversation with a seasoned traveler who has learned to appreciate every detour, challenge, and moment of awe.

[Tara Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories, enough to write a book!

I so enjoyed this book. It would be awesome if their were more sane, well-meaning people in the world, this might be a possibility today. So many adventures to be had as well as lessons learned.

[Laura B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

This book really surprised me. It’s about a young man traveling across America with just a backpack and a surfboard, and his stories feel so real and full of energy. I liked how he shares the fun moments and the tough ones, showing how the trip changed him. It made me think about freedom, adventure, and how traveling can teach you a lot about yourself.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Graham Broyd, who in 1980 set out on an audacious adventure across the country. He was intent on hitchhiking across America and ended up having many incredible experiences. Now, many years later, he looks back on the lessons he learned. This tale reads much like a modern-day On the Road. The Beat generation would be proud of Broyd for following in their footsteps.