American Road Runner

Man. Motorcycle. Road

By: Bob Marshall

Narrated by: Bob Marshall, Emma Dawn

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

One man and his home-built, two-wheeled machine competing in an illegal, outlaw chopper motorcycle road race across America known as The Stampede.

His motorcycle is a true ugly, unpopular style of chopper with no frills, chrome, or shocks running hard from west to east as fast as possible - without stopping. Middle age is approaching. His life has taken a dramatic turn lately with his wife divorcing him, children scattering, a new younger girlfriend in the picture, and a mistress that fills his mind. Time in the saddle running on his own road is just what he needs to figure it all out, or leave it in the wind.

Winner takes all in this adventure as he and his competitors fight to the finish while this true story unfolds on the open roads, highways, and interstates of America. Finding his own new road in life will prove to be one of the hardest tasks a man could ever conquer if he and his old chopped motorcycle can make it all 3000 miles to the finish line in one piece.

©2019 Bob Marshall (P)2019 Bob Marshall

Man, Machine, Love, and Adventure.

Loved every minute of the book and Bob's smooth voice makes this a great listen. I can envision every detail he describes as if I were there in the moment. If you love motorcycles, competition, and thinking about women while you are out on the road, this is the audio book for you.

What a race!

Author Bob Marshall takes us on a journey through life, death, divorce, family, mid-life crisis, masculinity, mechanics and self reflection on the highways of a country that gives him the freedom to be true to himself. This book made me want to learn to ride a motorcycle and buy my first scoot. hearing Bob read his own words and experiencing the raw emotion, exhaustion and elation in his voice brought the story low to my ear as if told by an old friend late night by the fire. This was a great read but an even better listen, especially on two wheels dodging cagers and watching the night for roadrunners, coyotes and deer.

If you ride, you’ll love this!

Bob is a hell of a guy and a great writer. If you love two wheels and the open road, you will love this book!

Review by a Comitted Cager

I often try to expand my knowledge by reading (and/or listening) to books outside of my comfort zone. It's one of my favorite ways to learn. I credit this title with 4/5 stars, because learn I did! As an honest reviewer - the following are my dislikes and likes for this audible books.
Dislikes:
Inconsistency.
When the word "arse" was first used, it grated my ears. I thought maybe this biker book was attempting to be PG, but further chapters including some hot details about his mistress, the expected use of the word "Fuck", and occasioanl "cock". So nope...SO then maybe this is how the author speaks? No - Ass is used throughout the book. Bad-assery, hauling ass - but everyonce in awhile that damn "Arse" would pop in - and screeeeech across my ears. Just a distracting side note - but it's my review.

Next is a technical issue - Bob has an outstanding voice. I could listen to him read a phone book. He has a great rumbly timber that suits a man on a motorcycle, and just enough of an unplaceable accent to keep me interested. Yeah - I like his voice. SO that is why when at the 1 hour 10 minute mark, then at 1 hour 45 minutes and the beginning of Chapter 7 - I went from listening in a comfortable rhythm to "WHAT THE HELL?" as the audio became hollow, echo infused not the Bob I had been enjoying! After the first auditory crash and then having his smooth voice with no distortions pick back up, the next couple were not as harsh - for much like labor, I now knew it would eventually end. SO if you experience this while listening - just know it goes away... or maybe it won't bother you at all?

Now for the story itself -
I actually enjoyed it. I have zero desire to get a "scoot" - and at 46, I don't even want to ride on one. As a younger woman - I had a few thrills with a few guys in my time....there's a Honda 750 I still have scars and smiles from and remember it's rider (and his leathers) with a smile - but that doesn't mean a book about an illegal motorcycle race across the country can't be enjoyable - and it was.

Bob - although I do not know him personally - is a story teller. He winds the present with his memories, describes the meandering road woven with his thoughts, and it is good. The balance of the race at hand and his life back home made for a great journey. I learned many things about motorcycle riding and safety and what to pack as well as maneuvering among big rigs and the dangers of DEER! I see the use of three types of tape and the intentional planning for something as simple as a stop for petrol. As a Cager - I am more aware of scoots around me. His passion is tangible, and as he describes the scenery and climate around him as it changes with the miles- you will feel it too. From cool night desert air to the muggy humidity that weighs you down in the south.
Humor is interspersed throughout as well as life lessons from his Pop - the laziest, smartest man Bob knows.
Fellow racers are well described and visual - I can see Mrs. Myagi waving by as she passes you up!
As a female reader, my perspective may be a little different than a male - but I MAY of had a few eye rolls at certain parts, and sighed an/ or blushed at others - You read and decide...
I appreciate Bob's love of our country and infrastructure, his ability to fix what's broke - and realizing that sometimes he is what needs fixing.
Last - I love music. Titles of songs are uniquely placed thrugh out the story - and I knew most of them, but I did have to google a few...it's an interesting addition to a book, and was appreciated -
Overall - I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good story -
Scoot rider or cager.

Good voice

This guy has the perfect voice for this type of work he sounds great for his first time.. I always buy books written by fellow riders but have to tell you that your book would be a lot better without the personal garbage attached to your life. We only care about riding and the road not about your sex life, sex dreams and occasional boners. Was still worth the price of purchase.

Authentically Read by the Author

Adventure. Philosophy. Action. Sex. Humor. Grief. This book has everything. I started with the paperback, but couldn’t resist switching to the audiobook, read by the author himself. The reading adds significantly to the story.

Though the story revolves around a cross-country motorcycle race, you don’t have to be a biker to enjoy it. It’s about much more than motorcycles. It’s about family, pushing beyond limits, freedom, camaraderie, and a competitive spirit.

This read is highly recommended!

Open Road

The moment you realize that life is an open road and we’re in charge of our own destiny. The book highlights life in every way possible and to see life through someone else’s eyes really enhances who we think we are.

A true storyteller's story of road.

Sometimes you have to listen to something that takes you to another place. When you realize that place is your own american road, you remember why you call this place home. This book took me so many places and taught me a few things along the way. Life is a road, I hope this writer publishes more soon.

Honest, Righteous and Well read.

A great story of true life on the road. It is a brutally honest tale with more integrity than most authors can bring themselves to bare. Perhaps not for the timid reader this is a fantastic tale of a righteous biker, his scoot and his journey chasing his American dream. I can't wait to find out if there will be more to follow from this author and narrator.

A GREAT read! Even if you don’t ride!

Let me preface this by saying- I am not a motorcycle rider or racer. I have no knowledge pertaining to wrenching and racing like our narrator Bob Marshall. However, my lack of knowledge pertaining to riding did not stop me from enjoying this read. This read was an excellent way to step out of my comfort zone & learn a thing or two about this stampede race.

This book is filled with good old-fashioned honesty, something that we don’t see a lot in today’s day and age. Bob Marshall provides readers with intense imagery & takes us alongside him during his race across country. We are the passengers riding alongside him, throughout every story he shares, every stop he makes, and every cigarette he lights up.

Even if you’re like me and you’ve never thought about riding a motorcycle, give this book a listen! It was a smooth ride, despite the hiccups along the open road.

Side note: his voice was made for narrating.