Visiting Tom
A Man, a Highway, and the Road to Roughneck Grace
By Michael Perry | Publisher: HarperCollins
About the book
“Somewhere between Garrison Keillor’s idyllic-sweet Lake Wobegon and the narrow-mindedness of Sinclair Lewis’s Main Street lies the reality of small-town life. This is where Michael Perry lives.”
—St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Perry can take comfort in the power of his writing, his ability to pull readers from all corners onto his Wisconsin spread, and make them feel right at home.”
—Seattle Times
Tuesdays with Morrie meets Bill Bryson in Visiting Tom, a witty, poignant, and heartfelt memoir from Michael Perry. The author of Population: 485, Coop, and Truck: A Love Story, Perry takes us along on his uplifting visits with his octogenarian neighbor one valley over in rural Wisconsin—and celebrates the wisdom, heart, and sass of a vanishing generation that embodies the indomitable spirit of small-town America.
What happens when a superhighway runs through a man’s front yard—and his unshakable spirit?
- An Unforgettable Friendship: Join Michael Perry as he visits his octogenarian neighbor, Tom, a man of profound wisdom, surprising sass, and a workshop that has to be seen to be believed.
- Heart of the American Heartland: A vivid portrait of rural Wisconsin, where a quiet farm is split by a roaring interstate but the owner’s indomitable spirit remains untouched.
- Vanishing Skills and Self-Reliance: Discover a world of roughneck grace, from building a cannon that actually fires to pounding a sawmill blade true, celebrating the ingenuity of a vanishing generation.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Storytelling: With the signature wit that has earned him comparisons to Bill Bryson, Perry finds humor and humanity in everything from homemade welders to chicken-killing weasels.
Editions of Visiting Tom
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780061894466
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062097798
Read an Excerpt
“Somewhere between Garrison Keillor’s idyllic-sweet Lake Wobegon and the narrow-mindedness of Sinclair Lewis’s Main Street lies the reality of small-town life. This is where Michael Perry lives.”
—St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Perry can take comfort in the power of his writing, his ability to pull readers from all corners onto his Wisconsin spread, and make them feel right at home.”
—Seattle Times
Tuesdays with Morrie meets Bill Bryson in Visiting Tom, a witty, poignant, and heartfelt memoir from Michael Perry. The author of Population: 485, Coop, and Truck: A Love Story, Perry takes us along on his uplifting visits with his octogenarian neighbor one valley over in rural Wisconsin—and celebrates the wisdom, heart, and sass of a vanishing generation that embodies the indomitable spirit of small-town America.
What happens when a superhighway runs through a man’s front yard—and his unshakable spirit?
- An Unforgettable Friendship: Join Michael Perry as he visits his octogenarian neighbor, Tom, a man of profound wisdom, surprising sass, and a workshop that has to be seen to be believed.
- Heart of the American Heartland: A vivid portrait of rural Wisconsin, where a quiet farm is split by a roaring interstate but the owner’s indomitable spirit remains untouched.
- Vanishing Skills and Self-Reliance: Discover a world of roughneck grace, from building a cannon that actually fires to pounding a sawmill blade true, celebrating the ingenuity of a vanishing generation.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Storytelling: With the signature wit that has earned him comparisons to Bill Bryson, Perry finds humor and humanity in everything from homemade welders to chicken-killing weasels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Visiting Tom about?
“Somewhere between Garrison Keillor’s idyllic-sweet Lake Wobegon and the narrow-mindedness of Sinclair Lewis’s Main Street lies the reality of small-town life. This is where Michael Perry lives.”
—St. Paul Pioneer Press
“Perry can take comfort in the power of his writing, his ability to pull readers from all corners onto his Wisconsin spread, and make them feel right at home.”
—Seattle Times
Tuesdays with Morrie meets Bill Bryson in Visiting Tom, a witty, poignant, and heartfelt memoir from Michael Perry. The author of Population: 485, Coop, and Truck: A Love Story, Perry takes us along on his uplifting visits with his octogenarian neighbor one valley over in rural Wisconsin—and celebrates the wisdom, heart, and sass of a vanishing generation that embodies the indomitable spirit of small-town America.
What happens when a superhighway runs through a man’s front yard—and his unshakable spirit?
- An Unforgettable Friendship: Join Michael Perry as he visits his octogenarian neighbor, Tom, a man of profound wisdom, surprising sass, and a workshop that has to be seen to be believed.
- Heart of the American Heartland: A vivid portrait of rural Wisconsin, where a quiet farm is split by a roaring interstate but the owner’s indomitable spirit remains untouched.
- Vanishing Skills and Self-Reliance: Discover a world of roughneck grace, from building a cannon that actually fires to pounding a sawmill blade true, celebrating the ingenuity of a vanishing generation.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Storytelling: With the signature wit that has earned him comparisons to Bill Bryson, Perry finds humor and humanity in everything from homemade welders to chicken-killing weasels.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Visiting Tom?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Social and cultural history
Where can I read a sample of Visiting Tom?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780061894466
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Visiting Tom?
Michael Perry
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Visiting Tom is available as paperback(ISBN 9780061894466) and ebook(ISBN 9780062097798)
Where can I buy Visiting Tom online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Visiting Tom from below
Where can I buy Visiting Tom?