Abroad at Home: American Ramblings, Observations, and Adventures of Julian Street

The premise is so simple it's revolutionary: why travel thousands of miles to discover the world when you've never truly seen your own country? Julian Street set out to do just that in this wry, observant travelogue from an era when Americans rushed past their own cities in pursuit of European adventure. He and his companion wander without itinerary, finding wonder in overlooked Main Streets, regional quirks, and the particular genius of places that tourists famously skip. Street writes with a satirist's eye and a romantic's heart, skewering the pretensions of fellow travelers while remaining genuinely enchanted by what he discovers. The book captures a vanished America, yes, but more importantly, it asks a question that still pinches: what are we missing because we're looking elsewhere? For anyone who's ever felt the pull of the open road or wondered what's hiding in plain sight, this is a companionable, often funny invitation to see your homeland with fresh eyes.