Bill Bryson, born in Des Moines, lowa moved to England in his early twenties, and settled there. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America documents a trip of him by car around America, starting and ending in Des Moines. He travels around 38 states in a beat up Chevette through small towns and not so popular places not usually visited by many. He is in search for the perfect small town, an idealization of 50's America and his youth. Bryson also talks about his parents, his own family whom he has temporarily abandoned back in England while he pursues his solo journey through America. With his unkind views upon people he sees and caustic comments about places he visits, read it for a satirical and wickedly funny travel book.
