Bowling Across America

Bowling Across America is the story of the author's unique road trip across America with a single-minded purpose: to bowl a round in each of the 50 states.


Inspired by his father's unexpected passing, Mike Walsh, a 27 year-old Chicago advertising executive, quits his job to embark on a one-of-a-kind quest. The destination: bowling alleys in each of the 50 states. Though dubbed "career suicide" by colleagues, the endeavor soon touches a nerve among many people--from frustrated middle managers to radio talk show hosts to a woman who merely identifies herself as "Bowling Spice" in an innuendo-laden email.

Conversations and adventures with the people he finds in bowling alleys at all hours of the day and night--retired Maine lobstermen, saucy European nannies, recovering addicts, former bowling champions, college students, World War II vets and lingerie saleswomen, to name a few--combine to form a picture of what America looks like while standing in a pair of rented shoes.

Hilarious, insightful and at times moving, Bowling Across America is an epic journey that will enthrall readers everywhere.