“The Great American Attraction: Two Brits Discover the Rollicking World of American Festivals”($13.95, Crown Publishing) is funny, and not just because it’s the perspective of two Brits on stupid American festivals. Author Rick Smith, who also wrote “You Can Get Arrested for That,” which was also humorous, drags a buddy named “Antony” across this country to attend such events as the Oklahoma State Penitentiary’s annual rodeo and a re-enactment of Custer’s last stand in Montana, and along the way they do a lot of stupid things themselves. But they also have a few insightful points to make about the U.S. and people in general. Festival fans may find a few they never heard of, such as the annual Mooning of Amtrak in Laguna Niguel, Calif., every July and the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa.
Kyle Wagner
