CLAUDE CLAYTON SMITH
Lapping America is a unique, thoroughly engaging, and intelligent piece of writing that strikes deeply into American archetypal ground. It should rank on the same shelf as some of Americas finest inland travel literature and fit nicely next to John Steinbecks Travels With Charley.
Robert Hedin, poet, editor, and Director,
The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
A favorite. What an engaging piece, full of rich images, splendid voice and tone. I was lost in that Corvette, a passenger, riding shot-gun.
Daniel Blasi, editor, Full Circle
Lapping America is literate, timely, and humorous.
Mark Hatala, Hatala Publishing
Lapping America is for the dreamers and drivers among us who always want to get behind the wheel and drive cross-country, but never do. But if you are secretly planning such an adventure, first read Claude Smith's primer, then gas up and go.
Jim Sielicki, The (Toledo) Blade
Ive never been a fan of the Interstates, but it turns out I just didnt know the best way to travel them. C.C. Smith is a writer of rare versatility and perception, and with Smith at the wheel Lapping America is a pleasure all the way.
Mike Lackey, The Lima (Ohio) News
Smiths wide-eyed, round-robin tour of Ikes fabulous ribbon of cement and the people passing by, gave me an acute case of wanderlust. The red Corvette of everyones dreams sees it all: fog and floods, mountains and molehills; with a stop at Ti-Jeans grave. And who knew that you can wash the love bugs down with a Coke?
2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the Federal Interstate Highway System, proposed by President Eisenhower as a security measure in case the United States needed to move large quantities of military supplies through the country. The result has been the Interstates, which most motorists take for granted to get us many miles at high speeds.
Lapping America is Smiths tale of celebrating the Interstate system by driving the perimeter of the United States: from Ohio to Maine, down to Florida, across to California, north to Washington, then back eastward to his Ohio homeall in a fire-red 96 Corvette. Along the way he meets a cross-section of the American people and talks with them about the Interstates and what makes the system so much a part of the American fabric. This is a funny, perceptive, beautifully crafted account of a journey many of us may dream of making, but never do. Bud Smith is there to take us along for the ride.
