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America the Beautiful?: One Woman in a Borrowed Prius on the Road Most Traveled Paperback – April 18, 2023

by Blythe Roberson (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 123 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Best Book of the Year —NPR, Vulture, Book Riot, B&N

"America the Beautiful? is so funny and special and illuminating that it makes even me, a person who cannot tolerate trees or weather, wish I could've tagged along in the back seat." — Samantha Irby, author of Wow, No Thank You. and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.

The author of How to Date Men When You Hate Men examines Americans’ obsession with freedom, travel, and the open road in this funny, entertaining travelogue that blends the humorous observations of Bill Bryson with the piercing cultural commentary of Jia Tolentino.

For writer and comedian Blythe Roberson, there are only so many Mary Oliver poems you can read about being free, and only so many times you can listen to Joni Mitchell’s travel album Hejira, before you too, are itching to take off. Canonical American travel writers have long celebrated the road trip as the epitome of freedom. But why does it seem like all those canonical travel narratives are written by white men who have no problems, who only decide to go the desert to see what having problems feels like?

To fill in the literary gaps and quench her own sense of adventure, Roberson quits her day job and sets off on a Great American Road Trip to visit America’s national parks.

America the Beautiful? is a hilarious trip into the mind of one of the Millennial generation’s funniest writers. Borrowing her Midwestern stepfather’s Prius, she heads west to the Loop of mega-popular parks, over to the ocean and down the Pacific Coast Highway, and, in a feat of spectacularly bad timing, through the southwestern desert in the middle of July. Along the way she meets new friends on their own personal quests, learns to cope with abstinence while missing the comforts of home, and comes to understand the limits—and possibilities—of going to nature to prove to yourself and your Instagram followers that you are, in fact, free.

The result is a laugh-out-loud-while-occasionally-raging-inside travelogue, filled with meditations and many, many jokes on ecotourism, conservation, freedom, traffic, climate change, and the structural and financial inequalities that limit so many Americans’ movement. Ultimately, Roberson ponders the question: Is quitting society and going on the road about enlightenment and liberty—or is it just selfish escapism?

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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper Perennial
  4. Publication date
    April 18, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.69 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0063115514
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0063115514
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"America the Beautiful? is so funny and special and illuminating that it makes even me, a person who cannot tolerate trees or weather, wish I could've tagged along in the back seat."  — Samantha Irby, author of Wow, No Thank You. and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.

"This hilarious, thoughtful, and big-hearted book will have you packing for a journey, whether it’s a road trip or just a deep-dive into your own psyche. Either way, bring toilet paper.”  — Emily Flake, author of That was Awkward and Mama Tried

“Blythe invites you into her world with ease, and you’re all too happy to stay awhile, so you can laugh, think, and feel. Also, my Black behind is way too scared to ever road trip it alone, so thank goodness for this book so I could live vicariously through her. Brave woman. Fantastic writer!” — Phoebe Robinson, author of You Can’t Touch My Hair

"Blythe is such a funny writer that I would read about her going to the toilet, never mind going on a great American road trip! She writes about these national parks with a joy and a wonder that makes you lust for adventure, but that doesn’t protect their often villainous history from her lucidly honest and deliciously salt-coated writing. This book is a revelation for anyone who has ever driven on a road in America.”  — Will McPhail, author of Love & Vermin

"Blythe perfectly captures the beauty of solo travel: the relentless horniness, the existential spiraling. Basically, she's the ideal travel companion!” — Catherine Cohen, author of God I Feel Modern Tonight

“So relentlessly funny, smart, and inspiring that it made me question my rule of only sleeping in places with a lobby. I wolfed down this book like a tub of car-temp hummus—one of Blythe’s trusty road staples and a food I’d happily live on if it meant sitting next to her a little longer for more irreverent, seriously fascinating hilarity.” — Jen Spyra, author of Big Time

"A thoughtful, reflective, and highly self-aware book that’s also entertaining to read." — Buzzfeed

“An American travel narrative with a humorous, feminist edge . .. Readers riding shotgun will relish this long, strange trip while enjoying Roberson’s rants, realizations, and discoveries of wonder.” — Booklist

"Hilariously entertaining." — Stylecaster

About the Author

Blythe Roberson is a comedian, a humor writer, and author of How to Date Men When You Hate Men. She has written for The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan, Kinfolk, Esquire, Vice Magazine, and for the NPR quiz show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Blythe was raised between Illinois and Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial (April 18, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063115514
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063115514
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.69 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 123 ratings

About the author

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Blythe Roberson

Blythe Roberson

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Blythe Roberson is a comedian, a humor writer, and author of How to Date Men When You Hate Men. She has written for The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan, Kinfolk, Esquire, Vice Magazine, and for the NPR quiz show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Blythe was raised between Illinois and Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
123 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

TjTea
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book. I loved reading about the parks, some I’ve been too and the rest I want to go to. I was fine with her thoughts. We may be of different generations but I too believe America has lost its way with Trump. As Americans we have the right to say what we think!
2 people found this helpful
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tk
4.0 out of 5 stars Reflections of a Wanderer
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
I started my business (long before travel influencers) to get others to finance my living the life of a vagabond for two decades, traversing the vast expanses of the United States and its national parks, from the desolate beauty of Alaska to the mystical landscapes of New Mexico. Here I found a book that echoes my sentiments and experiences. It's refreshing and empowering to encounter a narrative that not only encourages women to embark on solo adventures but does so through a lens that is intimately familiar to me.

This book, penned from a distinctly female perspective, resonates deeply with my own journey. The author's candid discussions about the fears and stereotypes surrounding women travelers strike a chord. The almost humorous yet grim caution of "you're going to get murdered" is one I've faced and dismissed throughout my travels. Like the author, I navigated these journeys without the so-called protection of a taser or any self-defense gadget, relying instead on my wits and the understanding that solitude in the wilderness isn't as perilous as society would have us believe.

The narrative boldly confronts the misplaced fears and societal misconceptions about women traveling alone. It reassures with humor and personal anecdotes, emphasizing that the real danger often lies not in the remote woods but within the familiar confines of our homes and in our relationships. This point, made with both levity and seriousness, underscores a powerful truth about independence and the illusory nature of safety for women.

Critics who dismiss this book as promoting a "leftist agenda" miss the point entirely. This is not about politics; it's about reality. It's about the empowerment that comes from facing the world alone, with all its beauty and its challenges. The suggestion that such a perspective is agenda-driven only reveals a lack of understanding of the book's core message: freedom, adventure, and the discovery of one's capabilities are universal desires, transcending ideological boundaries.

The essence of this book is not just in its travel tales or feminist rhetoric but in its celebration of the human spirit's resilience and joy. It's a testament to the transformative power of solo travel for women, offering both a mirror to my experiences and a window for others to understand what it means to truly be free. The narrative is a companion for every woman who has ever sought to explore the world on her terms, finding strength in solitude.

In conclusion, this book is more than just a travelogue or a guide for women wanderers; it's also a reflection of my life, my discoveries, and my journey. It validates the experiences of countless women who, like me, have chosen the path less traveled, finding in it not just adventure, but a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. For anyone who has ever dared to venture alone, this book is not just a read; it's a recognition and a celebration of our shared journey. I only gave it 4 stars because it seemed she was trying too hard to imitate Samantha Irby.
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Douglas Hanefeld
3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the bulk of the book on travel as I do a lot of road trips.
I was turned off by her need to insert political commentary in a travel book. While she and I disagree on free enterprise and communism I did not see the need to discuss it here.
One person found this helpful
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Nance A. Wabshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe Millennial will fix things!
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
If you have read Anne Lamott, you will know what I mean when I say that Blythe Roberson is the Anne Lamott of travelogues! Funny and wise, she takes on American cultural icons as aggressively as her pursuit of Junior Ranger badges. I wish I'd thought of that badge thing. Read this book. Then hit the road if you can to experience America the beautiful. Just don't read it while driving or you will miss the all the historical markers along the way.
6 people found this helpful
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Jess B
4.0 out of 5 stars A funny new travelogue (finally one by a woman)
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2023
This is a travelogue but also a commentary on colonialism, feminism, consumption, climate change. While tackling so many topics deftly, the book weaves together the author's hilarious modern (and humorous) take on a cross country road trip to gather as many junior ranger badges as she can (who doesn't love vacation homework?) that had me laughing on one page and then highlighting and researching a new topic on the next.

There are some sections that felt a bit repetitive (the whys and morality of the trip), but the whole book is told so candidly and authentically that I think this is more a reflection of the author's struggle to resolve answers to impossible questions.

There is a lot to talk about and unpack about this book and I think it is a great fit for any book clubs or discussion groups looking for a travel book that will make you laugh, give you a travel bug, and also make you think and question.
14 people found this helpful
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Lexi
5.0 out of 5 stars Love!
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read 'how to date men when you hate men' at the beginning of the year, and I was excited when I saw Blythe Roberson was writing this new book (: and it did not disappoint! I felt like I was hiking through America's national forests alongside a long time friend of mine (without experiencing the extreme heat and scarey cliffs of course). Im looking forward to the next book (:
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars I read for enjoyment not someone bitching about global warming
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
Talk about penis envy and man bashing she’s the queen. She needs to sit down and enjoy a good steak instead of humus. I know about global warming from newspapers and programs and am concerned but I don’t need it jammed down my throat third page
One person found this helpful
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D. Howard
3.0 out of 5 stars A few laughs
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2023
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This is not a book for people that have extensive experience in National Parks nor is it geared towards people under 30.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Gary Skarja
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun book
Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
A nice easy read
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