Food historian and travel writer Cynthia Clampitt highlights the greatness of the Midwest in new book, ‘Destination Heartland’

CHICAGO — Cynthia Clampitt thinks well of the Midwest region. So much so that “Destination Heartland: A Guide to Discovering the Midwest’s Remarkable Past,” is the food and travel writer’s third book focused on the region.

The Pittsburgh native who grew up in the Chicagoland area has traveled to 37 countries on six continents while following her love for the “history of everything.”

“The Midwest is remarkable,” (”Midwest Maize”) and (”Pigs, Pork, and Heartland Hogs”), I drove around a lot and met people. My first driving trip for the corn book, I came home, called my mom and said, ‘America still exists.’ It’s so American in the Midwest — leave the keys in the car; people know who you are.”