Monday 4 March 2013

My book about touring the USA on my motorcycle is launched!

Today sees the launch of my book about riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycle around the USA.

Called ‘France In America’ the book describes the journey I took, covering 21,475 miles, in 27 states, in four and a half months.

I was so impressed by America and the people I met, I wanted to record the journey in some way and a book seemed the obvious answer. Having now written that book, I can only hope I did justice to a wonderful country.

To coincide with today’s launch of my book, a short video has been made to explain some of the background to the trip. Please feel free to embed this video in whatever website or blog you wish....

33 comments:

Geoff James said...

Hi Gary,

Many thanks indeed for your incredible generosity in leaving me your book during your visit to NZ. Sadly, I'm going to have to wait to start reading it for another week as after Rog gave it to me in Auckland, I managed to leave it up there, grrrr.....

Can't wait to retrieve it and re-live the journey again!

All the very best,

Geoff

Gary France said...

You are most welcome Geoff. Sorry you left it behind. I know a really good road between Roger's place and your's that you could ride on to go get it....

Arkansas Patti said...

I just posted about your book on my blog and know my readers will enjoy it, especially the video. Very well done Gary and I wish you great success on your launch. Thank you once again.

Trobairitz said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. That book is amazing Gary, in shear scope and size alone but then when you add the content and photographs, it goes beyond that.

I feel privileged to have received a copy.

Thank you good sir!!

Gary France said...

Patti – Thank you so much for your kind and very clever words. I will leave a comment on your blog.

Gary France said...

Trobairitz – Thank you. I am very happy that I was able to give the two of you a copy.

redlegsrides said...

Hi Gary, I'll be posting soon as well about the book. Here's hoping it's a huge success! It already is, in my opinion, great book!

dom

Unknown said...

Gary:

Your book is awesome ! I've only scratched the surface, there is so much to digest. You are so detailed in your travels, covering virtually everything

thank you again

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

SonjaM said...

Thanks again, Gary. I am in the last leg of reading your book, 'digesting' a bit every night after work. When I am finished I am likely to start it all over again. What a great accomplishment: your life, your travels and your book!

VStar Lady said...

Gary your book is amazing and we are privileged to have a copy in our school library. (There's already a waiting list to check it out.) You are an inspiration and we wish you great success with the book. Thank You.

Roger said...

I am only going to say the same as every one else, really cool book Gary,It is really handy cause when I do a oil change on the bike, it helps to lift the container up in inch or so under the bike, So i dont spill as much..

Lol W said...

Good luck with the book Gary. I will post your video to my website for others to see.

mq01 said...

gary, you're a rockstar!!!! :) your book video and journey are all simply stellar! thank you for allowing us all the opportunity to ride along...

Natasha said...

Very nice Video Gary: I'll post about it so every one who want to visit USA can know the information.

Nikos said...

You look far too young to have retired!

RichardM said...

Thank you so much for shipping you new book. Everyone in my family has been paging through and reading sections that catch their eye. I'm very impressed with what I've read so far and will be posting a review once I get back home. I'm in the middle of a road trip (non-moto) right now.

Eve said...

This video is so great Gary, but what would we expect from you!!! I love the book and am so glad I was lucky enough to be part of your adventure! I can't thank you enough.

Oz said...

Gary you do a great job on your blog and you did an awesome job on the book. I hope reader everywhere enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you for sharing your book with so many of us. I hope and pray you have many more miles ahead of you.

Randy said...

Gary,
So enjoyed your blog that summer of travel and sorry we did not hook up when you came through Santa Barabara.

Gary France said...

Charlie6 – I am glad your book arrived safely and thanks for your kind words.

Gary France said...

Bob – You are very welcome. Being thorough can be both good and bad. In something like the book, my thoroughness pays off, but at other times it means I spend way too much time doing stuff than I should. It sometimes drives Jackie crazy!

Gary France said...

Sonja – Wow, you are good. I don’t know how many people will read so much of my book as you have. I assume that many will simply flick through and look at the pictures and some will read chapters about the states they are interested in. You get 10/10 for reading the whole thing. Thank you for your compliments, as they make me very happy!

Mr. Motorcycle said...

Gary,
This is so impressive!
I'm glad I got to share along while reading your blog!

cpa3485 said...

What a great video!

I remember sitting with you in Lincoln, NE (after beer o'clock) as you explained to me so well what this trip meant to you, just as you said it in this video. It was a pleasure to have gotten to meet you and be a small part of your adventure.

What you did was nothing short of extraordinary! Truly inspiring.

I'll write about you again soon on my humble little weblog and thanks again for my copy of your book.

You the Man!

Jimbo

Gary France said...

VStar Lady – I am so pleased the school has a copy. Inspiring children is very rewarding. When I was working, I sometimes visited schools to give careers talks about the industry I worked in and some of the construction projects I managed. Giving something back is easy and helping children think about things they wouldn’t otherwise experience is not at all time-consuming, but might just light a spark in their minds.

Gary France said...

Roger – I knew there was a good reason the book was so thick! LOL.

Gary France said...

Lol W – That is very kind of you to post my video on your website!

Gary France said...

mq01 – Thanks, but I am not sure I am a rockstar!

Natasha – Many thanks

Nikos – I was 53 when I “retired”. Actually I haven’t really retired, but simply changed what I fill my days up with.

Richard – I am glad that your family are looking at the book. I imagine a lot of people will do that, but flicking through and finding particular chapters about places they are interested in.

Gary France said...

Eve – I am glad that you like the video. It was fun to make, but took a long time, especially as I was ill at the time and wasn’t at my best!

Oz – I am very happy that you are liking the book. It gives me a lot of pleasure to know that people are enjoying reading it.

Randy – Writing the blog every night was challenging, but worthwhile in the end. Great that you enjoyed it and yes, sorry we didn’t meet.

MM – Sharing is always good!

Jimbo – I remember it well too. It was terrific to meet you and to share some of my story personally. It was even better to include you in my book!

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Gary:

Congratulations on the launch of your new book. I've heard nothing but good things about it. How do I go about getting a copy?

Fondest regards,
Jack/Reep
Twisted Roads

Lean Two said...

Wonderful, wonderful book Gary. I am still only part way through it because I read, check out the fine photo's, view the video links then reflect on what I have just read. A big plus is learning from you about my own country things I never knew.

Thanks a ton.

Tarsnakes Down Under said...

G'day Gary

I've embedded your video into my blog. I've toured the USA by car and, like many others, would love to do some MC touring there when I retire next year.

Cheers Jules.

Gary France said...

Jack – I am glad a copy made its way to your door!

Lean Two – Many thanks for your comments about my book. I am very pleased that you are enjoying it.

Tarsnakes / Jules – Many thanks for including my video into your blog. Start planning that motorcycle touring trip now! My book will help…..