Is America as divided as it seems? Oxford University graduate student Ryan Bernsten takes a 23,000-mile journey through all 50 states of his home country to answer that question. 50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy is a work of travel nonfiction in the style of Alexis de Tocqueville that takes readers on a long and winding journey through all 50 states to explore the complexities of today’s America. Leading with the desire to listen and overcome preconceived notions, Bernsten ultimately offers a hopeful vision for the future of America as he embarks on a search for meaning and reflects on what it means to be American. The companion podcast “50 States of Mind,” featured in Condé Nast Traveler, showcases live interviews from the journey and is available on all podcast platforms. 50 States of Mind has been featured on Kansas City NPR, Two Broads Talking Politics, Sanity, Chicago Indivisible, Northwestern Intersections, Travel For a Loop, and in The Pitch and Condé Nast Traveler.
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LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:
For press inquiries, contact julian.costley@bite-sizedbooks.com.
50 States of Mind 2023 Tour
William Jewell College
Tuesday, April 17, 2023: 10am
Yates Room
500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068
American Public Square
Tuesday, April 17, 2023: 5:30pm
Pigrim Chapel
​3801 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Amery Public Library, Wisconsin
Saturday, June 17, 2023: 2pm
104 W Maple St, Amery, WI 54001
St. Croix Falls Library, Wisconsin
Saturday, June 17, 2023: 6pm
230 S Washington St, St Croix Falls, WI 54024
Rooted Store Book Launch, Rockford, Illinois
Saturday, June 24, 2023: 5pm
1408 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103
Edgerton Public Library, Wisconsin
Monday, June 26, 2023: 6pm
101 Albion St, Edgerton, WI 53534
Bremen Public Library, Maine
Thursday, July 20, 2023: 6:30 pm
204 Waldoboro Rd, Bremen, ME 04551
Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Maine
Friday, July 21, 2023: 6pm
4 Oak St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Bethlehem Public Library, New Hampshire
Saturday, July 22, 2023: 12pm
2245 Main St, Bethlehem, NH 03574
Walpole Town Library, New Hampshire
Monday, July 24, 2023: 5pm
48 Main St, Walpole, NH 03608
Greenfield Public Library, Massachusetts
Tuesday, July 25, 2023: 6:30pm
402 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301
Lawrence Public Library, Massachusetts
Wednesday, July 26, 2023: 6pm
51 Lawrence St, Lawrence, MA 01841
Food for Thought Dinner, Hancock Shaker Village
Thursday, July 27, 2023: 6:30pm
Keynote Speaker
1843 West Housatonic Street Pittsfield, MA 01201
Oak Bluffs Public Library, Massachusetts
Friday, July 28, 2023: 5pm
56r School St, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
Mashpee Public Library, Massachusetts
Saturday, July 29, 2023: 3pm
64 Steeple St, Mashpee, MA 02649
Hingham Public Library, Massachusetts
Monday, July 31, 2023: 7pm
66 Leavitt St, Hingham, MA 02043
Quincy Public Library, Massachusetts
Tuesday, August 1, 2023: 7pm
Thomas Crane Public Library
519 Sea Street, Quincy, MA
Rangeley Public Library, Maine
Wednesday, August 2, 2023: 6pm
7 Lake St, Rangeley, ME 04970
Medford Public Library, Massachusetts
Thursday, August 3, 2023: 10am
111 High St, Medford, MA 02155
Meg Jones Author Fest
Saturday, August 12, 2023: from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Oak Creek Public Library
8040 South 6th Street Oak Creek, WI 53154
Bliss Wine and Books
Wednesday, August 23, 2023: 4:30 pm
3502 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Bonner Springs Public Library, Kansas
Saturday, September 9: 10am
ZOOM Discussion
Barnes and Noble, Rockford Illinois
Sunday, September 10: 1-3pm
7200 Harrison Ave #5, Rockford, IL 61112
Lake Geneva Public Library, Wisconsin
Thursday, September 14, 2023: 2pm
918 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Burlington Public Library, Wisconsin
Thursday, September 14: 6pm
166 E Jefferson St, Burlington, WI 53105
Spectrum School, Rockford
Saturday, September 16: 6pm
4848 Turner St, Rockford, IL 61107
Wilbraham Public Library
Wednesday, December 6: 6pm
ZOOM
Beloit Public Library, Wisconsin
Thursday, January 11: 6pm
605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit, WI 53511