Click on Amazon link to order!
Reviews
“Heartland Highways has all the ingredients of a classic road narrative: humor, grit, cultural soul.”
— Cynthia S., Reviewer
"Heartland Highways is not just a book, it’s a journey, and I believe it has the power to inspire thousands of readers to look at America, and themselves, with fresh eyes.” -- George P., Reviewer
"Join award-winning broadcaster John W. Butler on an unforgettable 33,321-mile journey across America in Heartland Highways. Experience the beauty of spontaneous detours, the warmth of everyday encounters, and the heart of a nation that is so much more than what you see on the news. This is not just a book; it’s an invitation to rediscover what it means to be American."
-- Van Zandt News
“A delightfully descriptive book that will hold your attention to the very end, laughing and visualizing the places traveled. I felt like I was along for the ride, taking in the beautiful scenery and meeting genuine people along the way.” — Sara L., Advanced Reader
"Whether by armchair or as a companion to a driver’s seat, John Butler’s Heartland Highways: in Search of America, delivers an adventure for body and soul. Seasoned journalistic writing, keen observation, careful listening, and wisdom acquired by living life’s ups and downs bring the reader into the passenger seat for a trip across America. By accompanying the author in often unexplored corners of real America, the reader experiences their own story of America, sometimes new, sometimes forgotten, to remind us of how goodness can be found in unexpected places. The journey invites us to take the detours, whether on the road or in our minds, to live fully and to grow our spirits and connections to what really matters." -- Charlotte K, Ph.D., Reviewer
"I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys tales of travel or who simply wants to connect with a man who has worked his way through a life that has delivered significant highs and lows. John, it seems, has dealt with this extremely well. I’m sure I’ll reflect on his story for quite some time. John is a man of faith, and it’s clearly helped him deal with the real challenges he‘s faced in his life. He’s open and honest about some dark and difficult moments in his life. I found this to be hugely touching and insightful. I really enjoyed my time with him, genuinely feeling that I was sharing this extended trip." -- Andrew S., London Reviewer
"Heartland Highways: In Search of America is such a refreshing and much-needed book. Your 33,321-mile journey feels like both a love letter to America and a gentle reminder that there’s still humor, beauty, and shared humanity across every town, city, and back road. I love how you weave cultural observation, personal memoir, and those delightful “detourist” moments that make readers laugh while also reflecting on what unites us as a nation. It’s soulful, entertaining, and filled with the kind of authenticity that readers long for."
-- Bernadette M., Reviewer
What drew me into Heartland Highways: In Search of America is how it captures both the grit and grace of the country through 33,321 miles of detours, diners, and unplanned conversations. Your storytelling has that rare blend of humor, reflection, and authenticity that makes readers feel like they’re in the passenger seat sharing greasy coffee, missing turns, and discovering truths worth keeping.
The themes resonate far beyond U.S. borders. In the U.K. and Canada, where readers often crave authentic Americana travel writing, your book carries the same spirit that made Travels with Charley timeless. In Europe, audiences are hungry for firsthand narratives that cut past the polarized headlines to reveal the people themselves. -- Tessa W., Reviewer
About the Author
John W. Butler is an award-winning writer, author, podcaster, and broadcaster—a storytelling road warrior with a country soul and a sharp wit, equal parts Texas radio charm and Maine forest mystery. John began working in a TV newsroom at age fifteen. Throughout high school, he tested his creative flair by producing two prime-time documentaries, spinning tracks as a radio DJ, and hosting a weekly radio interview show.
John worked his way through college on-air as a television news reporter and even did the weather. Studying between the newscasts, he graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and later earned a Master’s degree from SMU in Dallas. He's deeply embedded in the Texas media scene, serving on the Texas Association of Broadcasters board and having served as President of the Golden Mic Club. As President of Butler7media, he oversees Texas-based radio stations that have garnered awards for broadcast excellence from the TAB and the Texas Broadcast News Association. He is nominated for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
John is a tireless advocate for community service. He has lent his voice to recording books for the sight-impaired and disabled and has dedicated over 2,000 hours to supporting cancer patients in memory of his late wife. As a devoted single dad to his son and daughter, he is now affectionately known as “Papa John” to his five grandchildren. Based in Dallas, John thrives on travel, exploring by foot, car, train, plane, bike, and boat. He is still working on his golf skills in the never-ending quest for a hole-in-one, but he spends more time in the rough than on the green.