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bristlecone's review against another edition
3.0
My enjoyment of this book varied highly chapter to chapter. I loved the initial premise of the book --- personal disaster leads man to take to the road, using only small highways, no interstates. The author's descriptions of his actual travel was generally engaging. But I found some of the author's account of conversations implausible --- hours of conversation in which the author offers only one question --- and the random shifts in his objective --- observation versus judgement --- offputting. In those chapters, it felt contrived rather than like an attempt at understanding
jjrocc3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
ryan_oneil's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable exploration of a what motivates a person to travel the country, what he sees, and what he learns.
The author goes out of his way to explore issues of race, both with African Americans and Native Americans and provides a lot of anecdotal insight into America in 1978. Unintentionally, there's a lot of commentary about the role of women in 1978, too, at least as he sees them.
The author also has a lot to say about the modernization of America that many would call progress. Instead, he sees that change as a loss of history, a loss of what was and what made the country what it is, and a loss of what makes places unique.
The author goes out of his way to explore issues of race, both with African Americans and Native Americans and provides a lot of anecdotal insight into America in 1978. Unintentionally, there's a lot of commentary about the role of women in 1978, too, at least as he sees them.
The author also has a lot to say about the modernization of America that many would call progress. Instead, he sees that change as a loss of history, a loss of what was and what made the country what it is, and a loss of what makes places unique.
osmith977's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book while browsing my local second hand store and it screamed out to me. Not because it was a beautiful cover, but because the pocket book looked both old, yellow and well loved. Something about those kinds of books intrigues mez if it looked so well loved it must be good. It was a decent read, kind of relaxing mindless read but wasn't as interesting of a travel book as I had hoped.I enjoyed the pictures in it but I couldn't really see why it's a travel classic.
ericparkeroliver's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of David James Duncan and Bill Bryson. He's got a knack for extracting the best out of the people he meets -- and while not quite reserving judgement, at least examining its sources: context, experience, etc., which is almost better. A high focus on individuals with equal looks at history and geography. Really enjoyed!
alex_renee_is_reading_away's review against another edition
1.0
I have about 100 pages left, but I don't see the last quarter of the book changing my review. It is just a travel diary. It is eh. While some of the short stories of people he meets on the way are very interesting overall, I did not see the point in this book. It would have been more engaging interesting if allowed himself to write about his personal growth on the journey around the country. The lack of the personal just really confused me on what the point of this book is. I read it for a book club and other members really liked it. Perhaps "travel logs" are just not my type of book genre.