Second Breakfast In America

by Ben Buckton

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2026

Reviews

[Anna Markson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated to read this book in the current circumstances - America is in such a period of crisis and instability, and people are choosing to boycott the country as a holiday destination. The book was written in the uncertain time just before the last election when things were relatively ‘normal’, but Buckton conveys a feeling of being at the edge - literally, as he cycles down the whole of the eastern seaboard of the country, and metaphorically as he discusses the insecurity of life after the pandemic and the reality of ever more extreme weather.
You don’t need to be a serious cyclist to appreciate this account of a journey through America. The cycling and its physical challenges are a big part of it, but so are the brilliantly observed portraits of, and conversations with, the people he meets along the way, which are often hilariously funny. I laughed out loud a lot! And the eating is a huge element in the book, because he has to refuel constantly to replenish his lost calories. The colossal American servings in the diners he visits are exactly what he needs.
It’s great to discover with him both the beauties and the excesses of life in America and you feel as if you’re on the journey too. You live through the frequent unexpected incidents and crises along with him, willing him to find solutions and as angry for him as he is himself about the occasional beaurocracy and idiocy he gets embroiled in. His descriptive writing is excellent and it’s a really well-written, thoughtful and funny book. I loved it and thoroughly recommend it!

[Bob Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking good read, an account of an epic bike journey down the east coast of America post covid and pre Trump x 2. It’s really entertaining, full of stories about wacky and wonderful people Ben gets into conversations with & the meals he eats in the diners he passes and the difficulties he gets into on the bike with extreme hot weather and storms, dogs, punctures, etc. He manages to overcome them all somehow though its pretty shocking to read about how simple camping with a tent has become so hard to do with these huge corporations taking over struggling campsites post covid and turning them into RV holiday camps. It’s also really funny, laugh out loud stuff & a real page turner. I saw he’d written another book which I’ve just ordered - the guy cycled across the whole of Canada a few years ago. He’s a real adventurer & with the ability to write brilliantly about his experiences. Bought the physical book - satisfyingly chunky with some useful maps. If you’re at all into travel, bikes, food, humour, autobiography, don’t hesitate - it’s a great read.