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“Any travel writer worth his salt can
churn out a few lines extolling the virtues of New York, London or
Tokyo. It’s much harder, however, to produce interesting prose about
places where there is apparently nothing to see: Mark Twain, William
Least Heat-Moon, John Steinbeck, and, most recently, Brad Herzog have
pulled it off.” --The Weekly Standard
“Herzog is a good tour guide who writes
in an easy style, much like that of a front porch conversation.” --
American Profile magazine
“Brad Herzog has a mind of his own,
which is a good thing if you’re a travel writer. In this quirky and
entertaining treasure trove of American eccentricity, he has scoured
the byways and lost highways of the land in search of something
completely different. That is a notable feat all by itself; but what
is even more miraculous, given the franchise after franchise that dot
the country, is that he has succeeded.” -- Chicago Tribune
"Herzog is that rare person blessed
with an innovative spirit and creative mind, a persistence in
pinpointing the heart of an issue (or in this case, a small town)
and a skill in applying his reflections to paper. I dare you not to
laugh..." -- Houston Chronicle
“Blending politics, history, geography,
sociology and travelogue, ‘Small World’ is funny, yet so sad… the
perfect book for your vacation this year, whether it’s abroad or in
your own backyard.” -- Pahrump (NV) Valley Times
“Right from page one, I knew I was
going to love SMALL WORLD… This is a book that should be required
reading for everyone… Brad may well be the reincarnation of Charles
Kuralt. No household should be without a copy of SMALL WORLD gracing
its bookshelf.” -- Robert H. Goss, Roundtable Reviews
“Fascinating, surprising, entertaining
and engaging, Small World reads like a travelogue and teaches like a
history book! The author has captured the most unusual, yet homey and
heartwarming bits of Americana. Herzog’s informative and thoughtful
writing style adds substance to this thoroughly enjoyable travel
book.” -- Carolyn Frakes, Enchanted Forest Books, Forest
City, IA
"This man knows how to do road trips.
He's a Picasso of the Winnebago...Herzog gives us a portrait of the
nation slowly healing itself though grief and laughter. It's a trip
we all need to make." -- Orlando Sentinel
“Brad Herzog relates the tale of his
modern-day road trip in a style somewhere between John Steinbeck and
Charles Kurault. In “Small World” he strings together stories of
places called Moscow, Bagdad, and Mecca (to mention a few), in search
of the true heart of America…post 9/11. Herzog crafts his stories with
a combination of history, philosophy, humor and compassion, combined
with a well-developed journalistic eye for detail. At its heart,
“Small World” is a glimpse into some quirky locales with some equally
quirky characters, all revealed to the reader with honesty and
dignity. It’s a trip worth taking!” -- Bill Buckhout, BookWorks, Pacific Grove,
CA Brad Herzog combines a
keen eye for the everyday eccentricities of his fellow Americans
with a refreshing, openhearted generosity in his delightful new
book, Small World: A Microcosmic Journey. After the events of
September, 2001, Herzog’s response to the rising tide of patriotism
was to embark on a road-trip through the backwaters of the United
States, a “global expedition of sorts,” visiting only small towns
with grandiose names. And so he found himself visiting a guru in
Calcutta, West Virginia, awash in beer and Czech pride in Prague,
Nebraska, and discovering a succession of King Davids in Jerusalem,
Arkansas; all of which he captures in descriptions that are both
hilarious and endearing. – Alex Pitcher, Black Oak Books
(Berkeley, CA)
In a feat of American irony, Brad Herzog travels the great
cities of the world without leaving the country: the lights of
Paris, Kentucky; famed pubs of London, Wisconsin; record-breaking
Czech cuisine in Prague, Nebraska! While they don’t exactly resemble
their grandiose namesakes, Herzog finds that there is yet something
great about them and delves into small-town America with gusto.
Increasingly uncelebrated, these rural lifestyles seem to be
disappearing below the cultural radar despite their iconic ties to
classic Americana. The tales he gathers from locals across the
country tell of family and history and a lifestyle, though so often
of foreign origin, steeped in American tradition. The message is
deep and profound, but like the towns themselves, simple and
unassuming.--
Benjamin Gaunt, Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks, Truckee, CA
“Picture Kerouac and Kuralt touring together…” –
Harriet Klausner, Amazon.com top reviewer
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“Brad Herzog is a wonderful writer. He
reaches beyond the obvious and always finds great meaning and insight
in the spectacles of everyday life, and wraps it up in language both
poetic and unpretentious.” – Orlando Sentinel
“A terrifically capable writer, styled
with a dash of Paul Theroux and a dollop of Tom Wolfe… Herzog’s prose
is facile and satisfying, often times stunning.” – Ithaca Times
“Following loosely in the footsteps of John Steinbeck… he’s an
insightful observer, with a mature voice and compelling take on the
soul of the country today.” – Asbury Park Press |
