In May 2005, on a sudden impulse, Don Watson took a train called The Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles: like a woodworm, he thought, drilling a tiny groove into the bark of the republic. Long before it reached LA, Watson had decided to catch more trains to more places in America. Winner of 2008 Walkley Nonfiction Book Award.In May 2005, on a sudden impulse, Don Watson took a train called The Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles: like a woodworm, he thought, drilling a tiny groove into the bark of the republic. Long before it reached LA, Watson had decided to catch more trains to more places in America. Winner of 2008 Walkley Nonfiction Book Award. Winner of Australian Independent Booksellers Indie Awards: Non-Fiction 2008 and Walkley Non-Fiction Book Award 2008 and Age Book of the Year: Non-fiction 2008.