The Land of Confusion: An Autopsy of the American Dream

The Land of Confusion: An Autopsy of the American Dream is the story of Blair Bourassa's surreal 2010 tour of the United States, where he traveled for half a year without spending a dollar on accommodation. The writer's style is humorous and irreverent, presenting an ambitious overview of the diversity that is the core of American culture. On the road, he encounters adult entertainers, fundamentalist Christians, political pundits, television personalities, Cuban exiles and Vedic yogis. He also visits homeless shelters, UFO conferences, and four different locations where nuclear weapons have been dropped on the United States national territory. The narrative is laced with informative digressions on topics like U.S. health care and mass media, while also being packed with interesting observations about American history and celebrities. The author contrasts what was with what is, and what is believed with what is true, bringing a fresh and unique perspective to modern Americana. This book is a must-read for all those who enjoy offbeat travel writing. It fits well into the U.S. road trip genre of Steinbeck and Kerouac, while its author's Canadian viewpoint should ensure an international appeal.