Turn Left At The Trojan Horse: A Would-Be Hero's American Odyssey Review
I heard of this book quite by accident, reading the first chapter in a US Airways in-flight magazine and becoming intrigued by the book's premise and promise. I was also moved to know more about the author, whose first chapter offers a self-effacing summary of his time in the hot seat of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Certainly the travelogue has been done before, but Herzog's book teases out an entirely new angle, hopscotching from one "mythical" town to the next enroute to a reunion at Cornell, roughly approximating a Homeric journey to discover the hero within. Herzog's knowledge of Greek mythology surfaces comfortably within the book, perfectly complementing the present-day locales and characters he encounters in towns like Athena, Troy and Pandora. Never mind that Herzog calls Pacific Grove--Steinbeck country--his home. This is not "Travels with Charley," but rather a work of humor and history and self-reflection that never preaches. He sticks to the road he's on and finds heroes who glory in the smallest tasks "leaves a greater understanding of the heroic ideal." For all its accessibility, Herzog's narrative offers up genuine poetic depth and rhythm. For example, he describes the Ohio landscape in this way: "long shadows creeping down silos and cherry red barns, which looked almost regal amid the approaching sunset, as if drawing life from the dying light." Later, he documents the dichotomy of a tractor pull and posits it as a metaphor for his own life--craving energy but longing for traction.
In the end, Herzog arrives "home" in every sense, neatly summarizing his tale with the ideal and the proof that in this country, heroes exist both in an around us.
Turn Left At The Trojan Horse: A Would-Be Hero's American Odyssey Feature
- ISBN13: 9780806532028
- Condition: New
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Turn Left At The Trojan Horse: A Would-Be Hero's American Odyssey Overview
Turn Left at the Trojan Horse has been described as On the Road meets Eat, Pray, Love because it goes well beyond a road trip. More than just a funny and profound narrative of Brad Herzog's cross-country trek toward a college reunion in Ithaca (New York) and more than another reimagining of Odysseus's ancient journey (he visits places like Troy, OR... Iliad, MT... Apollo, PA...), it is a memoir exploring the parameters of a heroic existence - by chronicling the lives of people in America's oft-ignored spaces, by examining the universal truths embedded in ancient myths, and by undertaking a fair bit of self-evaluation. It is the memoir of an Everyman searching for the hero within. (added by author)
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Customer Reviews
An education in life, art, travel and history! What a ride. - John C. Coleman Jr. - Southington, CT USA
I read an excerpt of Brad's book after learning about it on an RV travel site. After two pages I turned on my trusty Nook and bought it. What a pleasure to read and at the same time causing me to expand my resource library. Within 50 pages I needed Homer's books to reference and with Brad's knowledge of words I needed my well worn dictionary. Don't get me wrong, this is avarice to my mind and learning. I have become a full time RV traveler and revel in the little stops along the highways of America, what a rich country we are gifted to live in.
Ultimately, I contacted Brad and thanked him for such a wonderful book. I have recommended it to all my friends and mentioned it on my personal web page on travel.
Now I have to buy Brad's other books and expand my horizons. Thanks Brad, one great ride next to a great wordsmith!
So, what's next? How about a southern trip?
John Coleman
Excellent! - D. Sherman - Santa Barbara, CA
For years, I have read the alumni magazine of Cornell, and every couple issues I would find a fantastic article, usually about some quixotic soul with a unique talent, history, or perspective. After a while, I realized they were always written by Brad Herzog, and I've been a fan of his writing ever since. I loved "States of Mind" and my affection for his writing only grew with "Turn Left at the Trojan Horse."
His eye for detail, his capacity for words, his ability to relate modern and classical contexts, and his refreshing self-examination combined for a unique, and meaningful read. If you are like me, reading "Turn Left," will lead to reminiscences of road trips, reflections on the question at the heart of the book "what is a hero?" and an appreciation for how looking back can help one look forward.
A Journey I Recommend - Former TV News Guy - Michigan
The best non-fiction writing takes you to places you otherwise wouldn't be able to go and introduces you to people you otherwise wouldn't be able to meet.
Brad Herzog does both in "Turn Left" and it's a ride that makes you think, wonder and laugh. As he explores his own life, while visiting the lives of others, Brad makes you think about your own, but not dwell for too long, as you eagerly await the next chapter and next phase of his journey.
While I'm not a fan of Greek mythology, Brad helped educate me along the way through his explanatory writing while his descriptive style and "real man" touch helped me feel like I was along for the ride.
I only have time to read a few books a year. I'm glad this was one of them.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 30, 2010 00:18:05
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