Of Mule and Man

Mike Farrell’s gripping and often hilarious book tour memoir provides a framework for grassroots civic engagement.

“Not since Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in Search of America has there been a more beautifully written and compelling journey into the heartland of America. Mike Farrell celebrates his beloved country with great honesty and sincerity, with humility and grace. A beautiful and courageous book, an American classic.” ―Ron Kovic, author of Born on the Fourth of July

In May 2008―shortly after being named by the Los Angeles Times as a “Person of the Year”―Mike Farrell drove himself across the country on a book tour like no other. Networking with political groups (and friends like Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame), Farrell redefined the very concepts of book touring and “promotion” through a progressive lens.

Departing his hometown of Los Angeles with a trusty rental car―a Prius he quickly nicknamed “Mule”―as his only companion, Mike provides here a funny and fascinating account of his road trip across the country and back. In addition to his (and occasionally Mule’s) musings are statements from some of the political groups that cosponsored his tour, including Death Penalty Focus, the ACLU, Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, and many more.

Best known for his eight years on M*A*S*H and five seasons on Providence, MIKE FARRELL is also a writer, director, and producer. Farrell has served on human rights and peace delegations to many countries around the world. He is the author of Of Mule and Man and Just Call Me Mike, which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller.