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On the Road: Adventures from Nixon to Trump
'Everything you would expect of a James Naughtie book - droll, absorbing and wonderfully perceptive.' Bill Bryson
'A revealing and at times spellbinding tapestry of a nation...It is thought-provoking, constantly surprising and hugely entertaining. Sublime stuff.’ Michael Simkins, Mail on Sunday
'An insightful account of living through momentous times...much to enjoy in Naughtie's astute memoir.' Martin Chilton, Independent
James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster , now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America , from Presidents Nixon through to Biden , he tells the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century, and who do Americans now think they are?
Drawing on his travels and encounters over forty years in the ‘Land of the Free’, On The Road is filled with anecdotes , memories , tears and laughter reflecting Naughtie’s characteristic warmth and enthusiasm in encountering the America of Washington, of Broadway, of the small town and the plains . As a student, Naughtie watched the fall of President Richard Nixon in 1974 , and subsequently as a journalist followed the story of the country – its politicians, artists, wheeler-dealers and the people who make it what it is, in the New York melting pot or the western deserts. This is a story filled with encounters, for example with the people he has watched on every presidential campaign from the late 1970s to the victory of Joe Biden in 2020.
This edition is fully updated to include Naughtie's fascinating insights on the controversial presidential election battle in 2020 between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
'A revealing and at times spellbinding tapestry of a nation...It is thought-provoking, constantly surprising and hugely entertaining. Sublime stuff.’ Michael Simkins, Mail on Sunday
'An insightful account of living through momentous times...much to enjoy in Naughtie's astute memoir.' Martin Chilton, Independent
James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster , now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America , from Presidents Nixon through to Biden , he tells the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century, and who do Americans now think they are?
Drawing on his travels and encounters over forty years in the ‘Land of the Free’, On The Road is filled with anecdotes , memories , tears and laughter reflecting Naughtie’s characteristic warmth and enthusiasm in encountering the America of Washington, of Broadway, of the small town and the plains . As a student, Naughtie watched the fall of President Richard Nixon in 1974 , and subsequently as a journalist followed the story of the country – its politicians, artists, wheeler-dealers and the people who make it what it is, in the New York melting pot or the western deserts. This is a story filled with encounters, for example with the people he has watched on every presidential campaign from the late 1970s to the victory of Joe Biden in 2020.
This edition is fully updated to include Naughtie's fascinating insights on the controversial presidential election battle in 2020 between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
- GenresNonfictionPoliticsMemoir
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 25, 2023
What an interesting read! I learned more about US Presidents in the stated period, and much more (I am British!). The author (who also narrates) is a seasoned Scottish journalist, who loves America, and faithfully recounts his experiences reporting from there for the BBC. He is serious about his work, but he has a wicked sense of humour 😉
August 30, 2021
A great presenter and you can hear his voice in his writing .Tales and observations of America and its presidents from Nixon on .Very readable but doesn’t leave you feeling optimistic about the nations future
June 13, 2020
Fantastic overview of America and its politics. I actually bought this book for my girlfriend so it holds sentimental value for me (NB: this has not biased my rating).
March 18, 2021
A very interesting look at American politics through the eyes of James Naughtie. I will admit to not being familiar with the author until I attended a virtual event held by my local bookshop with him promoting the On The Road , which was a good indicator of how the book would read. Anecdotal, insightful, and clearly well informed.
The book is essentially an outsider's account of US politics from the early '70s, when Naughtie first arrived, starting with Vietnam and Watergate, and going right up to the most recent election last year. I would say I have a relatively advanced understanding of US political history, but I do not think that is necessary to enjoy the book; there is something for everyone with an interest in the topic here. For me, the most interesting takeaways were the importance of religious fundamentalism to the Republican coalition, and how this is a relatively recent phenomenon, as well as the importance of the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in the late '80s, which removed the need for broadcasters to provide balanced reporting and has led to the vitriolic and partisan media landscape of the US today.
My only quibbles with the book were the focus solely on Presidential elections for much of the first half of the book. I am not sure if this was because that was the only thing Naughtie covered at the time, but I often think looking at the US through a prism of clearly defined 4 or 8 year periods is unhelpful, so felt that this hindered the depth a little. In the latter sections of the book, when looking at the current state of play, and a journey from Chicago to New Orleans, I felt the insights were more relevant.
That being said, it is a very readable book, with a clear style and great anecdotes. Naughtie has clearly been around the block and it shows both in terms of the people he interviewed as well as the commentary he provides. If you have even a passing interest in US politics I think you would enjoy this.
4.5/5
The book is essentially an outsider's account of US politics from the early '70s, when Naughtie first arrived, starting with Vietnam and Watergate, and going right up to the most recent election last year. I would say I have a relatively advanced understanding of US political history, but I do not think that is necessary to enjoy the book; there is something for everyone with an interest in the topic here. For me, the most interesting takeaways were the importance of religious fundamentalism to the Republican coalition, and how this is a relatively recent phenomenon, as well as the importance of the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in the late '80s, which removed the need for broadcasters to provide balanced reporting and has led to the vitriolic and partisan media landscape of the US today.
My only quibbles with the book were the focus solely on Presidential elections for much of the first half of the book. I am not sure if this was because that was the only thing Naughtie covered at the time, but I often think looking at the US through a prism of clearly defined 4 or 8 year periods is unhelpful, so felt that this hindered the depth a little. In the latter sections of the book, when looking at the current state of play, and a journey from Chicago to New Orleans, I felt the insights were more relevant.
That being said, it is a very readable book, with a clear style and great anecdotes. Naughtie has clearly been around the block and it shows both in terms of the people he interviewed as well as the commentary he provides. If you have even a passing interest in US politics I think you would enjoy this.
4.5/5
September 17, 2020
I've always enjoyed Naughtie's reportage, particularly his reports from America during elections, and this book captures much of the feel of those as he reflects on 50 years of visits - both personal and professional - to the US and considers the changing social and political landscape he has encountered.
July 1, 2021
It reads exactly like a Jim Naughtie piece on the radio which frankly I quite enjoy. Some interesting anecdotes carried with Jim's usual warm charm.
Not exactly the most insightful book I've ever read though and it's much stronger when he focuses on America the land than America the political system. The everyday people are where Jim's story telling shines.
Not exactly the most insightful book I've ever read though and it's much stronger when he focuses on America the land than America the political system. The everyday people are where Jim's story telling shines.
November 20, 2022
Some insights into US politics, very thoughtful around Trump's appeal in particular. I felt the book didn't really know what it was - after some time spent on the author's experience arriving to the USA as a young man, his life almost ceased to be mentioned. And sometimes the book seemed to aim to paint very broadly the changing face of politics and society, and at other times to be a set of snapshots looking at specific moments in detail. The two approaches ended up a little disjointed, for me.
May 24, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Written with the insider's knowledge of a political correspondent who has closely covered US politics over the past 50 years. But offering the outsider's perspective of a British citizen who isn't caught up in the emotional struggle of American identity.
June 2, 2021
This personalised view of American politics is entertaining and occasionally insightful. Given that Naughtie sporadically visited the US during the period, it feels somewhat bitty and I longed for more on the Bush years. It’s quite good on the reasons for Trump’s election.
September 27, 2020
Experience and insight combine to deliver an entertaining read of the evolving and,regretfully, increasingly polarised state of American politics.
June 30, 2021
Interesting meander round the last few US Presidential elections , particularly Trump .
May 11, 2022
decent
average American politics book - good overview from Nixon to Trump if a little dense at times
average American politics book - good overview from Nixon to Trump if a little dense at times
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews