IT'S FOURTH-OF-JULY WEEK 1979. America is a psychological mess! Prices are sky-high because of the energy crisis. There’s been a nuclear mishap at Three Mile Island. President Jimmy Carter had mysteriously “vanished.” What a time for 19-year old Ted Granger to act out his dream of being a hobo! Seeking thrills, adventure, and freedom, he set out to hitchhike across the U.S. The Last Hobo captures the fun, hilarity, and anxiety of a fantasy-fueled road trip colliding with reality. Based on a true story, the book is a colorful portrait of America and its people during a weird time: the tumultuous transition from the 70s to the 80s. An older-and-wiser Ted narrates the tale with a unique perspective: He’s from Detroit, the very icon of America’s highest dreams and its worst nightmares.