Earning the Rockies by Robert Kaplan is a narrative and account of America and its geographical and physical aspects which make it significant in the conduction of its foreign policy and domestic affairs. The book is a result of travels undertaken by the author inside his country and observations made throughout the journey which inspire a perspective from him on what defines America and the American dream. The author has found knowledge and inspiration from certain ideals of his father- Philip Alexander Kaplan who was an ordinary citizen of America but with values that hold the country in high regard. His father was a truck driver and travelled throughout the country exploring the vast terrain and Kaplan too undertook the cross-country journey imbibing the meaning and significance of America’s vast land expanse and natural resources and what that means of the people of the country.