From Sea to Shining Sea:

Describes a dramatic 4,000 mile bicycle ride by wounded warriors across America in the summer of 2010.

The book describes the exciting and challenging bike ride made by sixteen wounded warriors as they crossed America. Starting at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the riders crossed three mountain ranges, several deserts and the endless prairies of the American Mid West. Many of the riders are unable to walk alone. Several have lost legs. Many suffer severe mental damage, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorders and yet they are able, somehow, to find the strength and endurance for a memorable ride into history. As the ride and the book progress, readers meet each rider and learn more about their background, why they joined the American armed forces, how they got hurt and what they are doing now. Several are still on active duty and waiting clearance to return to their units. All along the way the riders are greeted by thousands of Americans as heros who inspire men, women and children of all walks of life with their courage. The book also describes the historic sights and places the riders visited--crossing the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, passing battles fields from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and an emotional visit to the site of the crash of Flight #93 on September 11 2001.

During my 23 year career as a diplomat I served on four continents and as American Ambassador to the Netherlands and Ambassador at Large for Counter Terrorism. After a 12 year career in business, I became Presidential Envoy to Iraq in 2003. After returning to Washington, I wrote My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope (Simon and Schuster, 2006) a national best seller. I am an avid cyclist and after the Sea to Shining Sea ride was named President and CEO of World Team Sports, the nonprofit which organized the ride. My wife, Francie, is also an author and painter and has recently taken up book binding. We have two children, Paul and Leila, who together have given us five wonderful grandchildren. We split our time between Washington DC and Vermont.