In 1969, a naively intrepid American teen hitchhikes his way across Europe. After being spurned by his German girlfriend, he searches out sunny beaches and cheap prices, landing in fascist dictator Francisco Franco’s Spain. Grifting the streets, struggling to survive, he runs into trouble with Franco’s judicial system. Facing up to six years in notorious Prision de Barranco Seco, he becomes a pawn in political intrigue as his future hangs in the balance. Gorman’s adventure is the dramatic and engrossing story of a young man searching for adventure and his place in the world. Along the lines of Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer, Midnight Express by Billy Hayes, and Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale, Gorman’s gripping true tale is …honest and authentic and, simply, an amazing story! – Barbara Noe Kennedy (former Senior Editor with National Geographic)
Edited by Barbara Noe Kennedy, editor of the best seller, Bad Karma: The True Story of a Mexico Trip From Hell. Barbara spent 23 years as a senior editor of travel books at National Geographic.
The author’s wistful, graceful memoir harkens back to the days when Europe wasn’t completely overrun with tourists and the cultural norms were more clear-cut. His vivid, penniless romp around Europe included adventures both big and small, some danger, and the occasional kindness from strangers. It’s an engaging story that has enough unlikely details to seem believable, especially as he entered the Spanish prison system. – Kirkus Reviews
An utterly engrossing travel account that doubles as a remarkable coming-of-age story… Fabulous…This is a stunner! – The Prairies Book Review
Loved it! Along the lines of On the Road and less depressing than Into the Wild . Gorman’s writing is clear and honest! – Victoria Irwin - Discovery
A well-written account about a young man’s mistake and the threat of dire consequence. – Kirkus Reviews
Thrilling, suspenseful, intimately revealing, and elegantly creative and descriptive, it is a triumph. I await the screenplay! – Nancy A Soule
Full of humor and self realization in the time of Franco and the Viet Nam war. I highly recommend this! – Jan Hillman
A page turner! Quite a good read! – Donald D.
I normally read at night and it generally puts me to sleep, so the chapters have to be short . The chapters are short, but I couldn’t put it down and read it in 3 nights. LOVE this book! – Nancy Henry
A very engaging and page-turning read! – Michael K
A compelling coming of age memoir…A personal journey set in a time of great upheaval, it’s worth the trip. – Reg Krake
