I enjoyed reading this book. The original book is CK Shepard's trip across America on a Motorcycle in 1919. Mark Hunnibell has annotated the 1922 version of the book with lots of footnotes, updates and photographs. I found reading the footnotes while reading the original text was distracting so I read the book first and went back to read the footnotes. Most of the footnotes were interesting but some seemed superfluous. I really liked the photographs and maps that were added. The update information on CK Shepard was also interesting. Enjoy this historic arm chair travel book

What is apparent on every page of this fascinating study is the sheer love, dedication and enthusiasm that Mark Hunnibell has towards shown towards examining and assessing this epic east to west across America by motor cycle journey made in 1919. One can of course buy Captain Charles Kenilworth “C.K.” Shephard 's book first published in 1922 by itself but this book will take your understanding and appreciation to another level.

The full text of the original is reprinted here and it really is a wonderful piece of social history at a time when America was in the throes of rapid change. This was a much different America to the one of today with a population of around only 90 million and a road systems that consisted of mainly dirt roads which in bad weather were practically impassable. 1919 also coincided with the year that prohibition was introduced.

C.K.” Shephard explored much territory as he covered nearly 5,000 miles of road and we get a real insight into what would be classed as small town America. His narrative is that of an outsider which perhaps gives it an extra resonance. As someone who is British and is a lover of Victorian and Edwardian literature I could relate to much of the houmour and acerbic comments although these may not translate so well to an American audience. Many adventures were had including being rather unfairly fined for speeding and sleeping out in the wilderness at times. Throughout he faces the problems of bad weather, mechanical failure and of course the appalling roads. At the end of each chapter Mark Hunnibell has produced copious notes examining in the minutia of detail the content of Shepard's narrative. In the book.

There is remarkably over 200 photographs many from 1919 and also a large selection of maps and motor cycle paraphernalia that will interest the enthusiast of that means of transport. A remarkable piece of research that puts into perspective how difficult the original journey would have been. This is a wonderful book that works on many levels and can appeal to both the general and more specialised reader.