Customer Reviews

States of Mind

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By sheer luck, I grabbed Brad Herzog's "States of Mind" off the shelves after it was released last summer, since it looked like an 'inspirational' sort of read, to tackle during my week-long vacation. WOW! I LOVED THIS BOOK ... And since then, hadn't found anyone else who had read it, although I've recommended it to many. Its great to see that the "Millionaire" show, by coincidence, has brought this free-spirited and smart travel piece to its deserving rank. Highly, highly recommended for anyone in our business-obsessed world who is looking to rediscover inspiration, hope, and the thirst for discovery and adventure.

The answers to Brad Herzog's cryptic questions asked in this travelogue are all a resounding yes! These ideals exist beyond the commercial hype. Brad and wife Amy felt everyday negativism trickle upon them. As a result they sold everything, bought an enormous vehicle and took to the road. He wrote the words and she snapped those gorgeous photos.

We all have that need to find out what is out there, away from the jaded city environment, and beyond all of the rushed lunches and hate-filled traffic jams.

The Herzogs found it. And once the thing was written, Brad found me, an old buddy from high school, on the beaches of carmel. We set out to find the right publisher, and we did. The rest is his-story.

For me, this book is about remembering to avoid saying no. It should be an inspiration to us all (especially in Inspiration, AZ), and a reminder that America is out there.

Now log off and go drive somewhere!

Brad Herzog has done a masterful job of providing insight into America by searching for lost virtues in several tiny American cities and towns. This book was not only interesting, it was a lesson in history. I highly recommend "States of Mind" to anyone who enjoys a good travelogue and who is craving a different angle than what most travel books offer.

I had a wonderful time reading this book. I love travel writing and it's hard to find anything that matches this quality. The only book I've read recently that came close was `America's Back Porch' by Daniel Jeffreys, who is British. I hope Brad Herzog writes a sequel, there are so many towns in the US with names like `Confusion, North Dakota' that would benefit from his fine eye and splendid prose.

Ever since Charles Kuralt died, I've been wondering who could replace his ability to evoke a sense of place and character. I think Brad Herzog's the guy. STATES OF MIND IS A GEM! In fact, it would make a wonderful documentary film. As a writer, Herzog reminds me a bit of John Steinbeck (Travels with Charley), William Least Heat Moon (Blue Highways) and even, as a chronicler of conversation, Studs Terkel. He has a wonderful way of turning each town into an allegory and each conversation into an insightful philosophical inquiry. I'm glad this book is receiving the publicity it deserves.

This is a wonderful book that seems to have been commercially overlooked. Herzog is a young writer with many mature observations that are worth sharing. The travelogue format makes for a double treat. I would rank this one especially high for gift-book potential. Two quibbles to keep in mind for future editions: Travelogue readers want maps and the photos, which seem excellent, deserve to be presented in a larger size.

This one was a mild surprise,(a pleasant one) for me. I had anticipated a typical travelogue, we went here, we went there, type of book. Brad included so much local history and sometimes little-known facts that I found myself wanting to repeat his tour just to experience the same adventure. It was definitely hard to put down once I had started. Really great, Don't miss this one!

Why is this book so important? It's part of the American Dream to travel the open road and see what's happening in the small towns and the big cities and put our lives in perspective. Nowhere else in the world are people so mobile and able to just travel from state to state seeing deserts and mountains and oceans and farmlands. That's what Brad Herzog uncovers -- that feeling of getting out of town, out of the box, and meeting people, making contacts and broadening horizons.

I too heard of this book during the "Millionaire" show --- (where I hope to one day plug my own "Encyclopedia of Hell" and hope it shoots up the Amazon rankings as this book has done!) But it really does deserve a larger audience than it had been getting, it's a nice collection that paints a poignant "American Scene". I was especially partial to the story on Love, Virginia, but all had depth and character that was honest and refreshing. And collectively they offer a great overview of America in all its quiet pain and glory. A highly recommended read!

I must admit, that I fell into the hype of this book after the whole, "Millionaire" mention, and wondered if this would be another "trek across America". I am so pleased to say I was completely wrong. This beautiful collection of stories from the true heart of America lift your heart, body and soul. I found myself not only envious of the Herzog's travels, but in a different "State of Mind" altogether. Americans know nothing more than what is on the other side of their own fence, and such a shame that is. This land has so many treasures to bestow on a curious mind, it is mindboggling. Returning from a driving honeymoon of my own recently to Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, & Illinois, the most enriching part of each day, was venturing off the highway to explore America's forgotten life, the rural town. I am completely enthralled with this book, and rejoice in some of the lessons it taught me in my own life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for reason in a hectic lifestyle.