California Dreaming : A Smooth-Running, Low Mileage, Best-Priced American Adventure

by Lawrence Donegan

Release Date: 06 August, 2002

Edition: Hardcover

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Fun, Addictive Story About California Through Scottish Eyes

It's a tale of the author's travels from Scotland to the Silicon Valley. Originally, Donegan came to the Bay Area was to work at a friend's business, but after finding that opportunity to be less than desirable, he supported himself and his girlfriend in one of the most American of occupations, a used car salesman. What really makes the story unique is that this story of chasing the American dream is retold through the perspective of a Scot, and a pretty clever and witty one at that.

I actually have more in common with the author than most, as I too came to the Silicon Valley to start a sales career about a month after Donegan came. I came from the Midwestern United States, which isn't a whole lot like California either, so I could relate.

While I had a special pleasure of knowing the euphoric Silicon Valley circa 2000 and the various places Donegan refers too, everyone is going to have blast reading this book. The author begins to wrestle with his conscience, as he slowly becomes the sleazy salesman he once despised. The fact that he becomes more successful as he gets sleazier becomes troubling. But this is likely to be the most fun you've ever had watching a man struggle with an ethical dilemma.

Sleaze and sunshine

A highly amusing look at California from the vantage point of a Scottish visitor: the criminally underfunded public institutions, the money-grubby dot com crowd, the veracity-challenged used car dealers, all against a backdrop of perfect sunshine.