Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard: My Journey Across America, Then and Now

by Graham Broyd

Overview

In 1980, Graham Broyd did something outrageous—he sold his scholarship ticket to Washington, DC, bought a one-way flight to Los Angeles, and set off to hitchhike across America. Armed with a red backpack, a surfboard, and a knack for finding himself in both incredible and ridiculous situations, he bummed rides, crashed on beaches, and stumbled into experiences that would shape him forever. From rolling the dice in Vegas to interviewing senators in Congress, from the open roads of the West to the neon chaos of New York City, every mile brought a new story.

Forty years later, Graham returns to retrace his steps, revisiting the landscapes, people, and memories that defined his youth. What has changed? What remains? And how does time shift our understanding of the roads we once traveled?

Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard is a raw and humorous adventure memoir, a time capsule of 1980s America, and an unfiltered reflection on risk, nostalgia, and the unexpected turns that shape a life. It’s for anyone who has ever dreamed of throwing away the map, saying yes to the unknown, or looking back at a wild decision and thinking, “I’d do it all over again.”

For fans of Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, and anyone who knows that the best stories come from the roads we didn’t plan to take.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798891882317
Publisher:	Advantage Media Group, Inc.
Publication date:	08/12/2025
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

GRAHAM BROYD is a British-American businessman, writer, and athlete. Born in Dorking, England, he went to school in Bedford and then Liverpool, before taking two gap years working and hitchhiking around Europe. In 1978, he went to Birmingham Universityto study International Relations.

After graduation, Graham started a career in international banking, with his primary purposes being to travel and earn some money—in that order of priority. His first assignments were to New York and the Republic of Panama. Graham spent almost forty years in banking, his time mostly split between New York and London, before retiring in 2024. He was a CEO of the North American businesses of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Mr. Fix-It when the bank encountered existential problems after the global financial crisis in 2008. Graham published his first book, The Panama Canal Treaties: The diplomacy and economics behind the treaty that changed the international order, in 2024.

After his retirement, Graham found his writing voice. A lifetime storyteller, Graham wanted to write down the twenty hitchhiking stories he had told for more than forty years from his original trip to America in 1980. On hearing the stories, friends had always encouraged him to write his story. And so he did.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Grab a cup of coffee, settle into a comfortable spot, and let Graham’s words transport you to places familiar and fantastical. This is more than just a book: it’s an experience, a conversation with an old friend, and a journey through the very fabric of life itself.”
— Arthur Spector
Former chairman, The Rosenbach Museum and Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“A masterpiece of storytelling. Graham's unique voice shines through every chapter, making it impossible to put the book down. This is one of those rare finds that you want to share with everyone.”
— Kelly Calway
Lieutenant colonel, US Army, Military Intelligence, Langley, Virginia

“A rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. Graham’s stories are not just entertaining, but thought-provoking. A must read for anyone looking for a meaningful escape.”
— Jack Allen
National Masters running champion, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“Reading this book felt like a warm embrace from an old friend. Graham's ability to blend humor with poignant memories is a rare gift. I unreservedly recommend this to anyone looking for a heartfelt literary journey.”
— Harry Toukalas
Founder and CEO of Swarm Dynamics, Melbourne, Australia

“A brilliant collection of tales that resonate deeply with both the young and the old. Graham's ability to weave humor and wisdom into every story is unparalleled. Highly recommend!”
— Betsy Bush
Chairwoman of the New Choral Society of Westchester, Scarsdale, New York

“Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard is a truly remarkable series of adventures. Graham has a voice that needs to be heard and those that do hear it will be all the better for it."
— Blair Robertson
Managing director, MUFG Bank, Oxford, England

“Each tale is a gem, polished to perfection with Graham’s wit and insight. The stories linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. I found myself rereading passages just to savor the magic again.”
— Bart Hamlin
Architect and coffee connoisseur, Mount Tom, Connecticut

“An absolute page-turner! Graham’s vivid descriptions and relatable characters made me feel I was part of each story. I laughed, I cried, and I reflected deeply. This book is a treasure.”
— Annabelle Plotkin
Former global head of risk, Colombia Threadneedle, Brooklyn, New York

“I think it’s brilliant. I think Graham’s stories create vivid images in the mind of the reader. I love the detail, the additional history too; this makes it come alive. I felt as if I journeyed across America with Graham, shared his adventures, and it deepened my connection with places I had previously visited myself.”
— Nick Brown
Former chairman, Hampstead Cricket Club, St. Johns Wood, London