Potatoes on the Moon: I Spent a Week Probing the Alien Landscape of Idaho

by Jim Goad

What do most people think of Idaho? Well, see, that’s the problem—they don’t think of Idaho. Despite its breathtaking natural beauty and the fact that it's crammed to the gills with eccentrics and free-thinkers, Idaho may as well be the moon as far as the rest of America is concerned.

Jim Goad recently spent a week in Idaho mingling with State Troopers, political extremists, collegiate progressives, and heartbreakingly friendly locals. Spending most of the week in the wilderness allowed him to examine one of the most pervasive yet ignored forms of cultural bigotry—the endless disdain that "urban supremacists" have for rural people. In this case, the countryside wins by a landslide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

53 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2015

About the author

Goad started his writing career with the magazine "ANSWER Me!" Which got connected with a triple suicide by British gothics and of the white house shooting of Francisco Martin Duran.

In 1998 he was convicted of abusing his girlfriend and was released in 2000. In prison he wrote his autobiography "Shit Magnet."

Reviews

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting essay. A meditation of a sort on Idaho. I found it fresh and original. Learned a lot about the state I didn't know in a very entertaining fashion.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would enjoy reading a book about Idaho; now I am planning a trip there next summer.

[Margot Note]

Listened to the audio book 1/2 on the train and 1/2 cleaning. All I do in my life is ride the subway and clean!!!

[Keith Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the writing of Jim Goad. As a mostly international traveler I bought this audio book to get an interesting and intelligent overview of a state in America I’d probably never visit but nevertheless am curious about. Well, at 4 minutes and 21 seconds into the book Goad states “ In this reputed haven of white supremacy, I could find no public monuments that explicitly and unapologetically celebrate white history.”
Any Jim Goad reader knows what to expect from his books, but as a human being simply moving through life I can’t figure out why, if your intentions are honorable, you’d need, want or expect to find an explicit celebration of whiteness in one of the whitest states in the country. I mean, wouldn’t that be a bit redundant?

While Goads travelogue is as interesting a read as all of his books it’s a little sad that so much of the greatness of Idaho missed him. Although it’s known mostly for being the potato state, Idaho is one of the most important (yet unknown) technology hubs in America. The only major American chip maker, Micron, calls Idaho home. The first television set, made in Idaho.

Nevertheless Goad doesn’t disappoint when waxing poetic on the beautiful landscape of the state. “ Most of Idaho is so staggeringly beautiful and unspoiled ones eyes risk falling out of their sockets from shear disbelief.” His descriptions are compelling enough to attract a self professed city lover like me to think about a visit.

But looking for whiteness in a sea of white? Come on... I’m hoping that potential thought leaders like Mr. Goad will grow past the weird and diabolical social constructs of this great land to see and show what is truly brilliant about all of America, even Idaho.

I think it’s a good read.

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goad's work is usually more comprehensive. This one feels all too brief, and just too padded out so it could be rushed to publication. I don't know the story behind the release of this book, or if it's a reprint or what, but there's not much meat on these bones. It's just a book that tells normal people what they already knew: Idaho is a state that is about more than just corn pones.

[Cary B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to go to Idaho!

I loved this book! I listened to the Audible version and it's narrated by Jim himself, his voice is so soothing somehow and makes you feel you're sharing the journey. The whole book is a delight, well written and entertaining with some nice photos which capture the wonders of the Idaho landscape.

[John R Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but no meat

Typical Goad style, which I like, but I read it in 45 minutes. How could it possibly have 477 pages?!

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief summary of the appeal of Idaho.

[Bailey Douglass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting essay but not what I thought it would be—a few vignettes and one libertarian man’s views on the world. Wish I’d skipped but at least it was short.

[Caspar Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short masterpiece — can't railroad the Goad.