jasonlong's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t remember where I came across this recommendation, but this was surprisingly fascinating and enjoyable.
rogerjpatterson's review against another edition
4.0
Taken as a set of short stories rather than a memoir, this is an occasionally inspiring, sometimes frustrating and always engaging look at people from the perspective of a misanthrope who can't quite fit into life the way many of us live it. In the end, I'm glad Murphy finds enough interesting and rewarding people to tell us about, though I think I see why he doesn't seem to have developed a lasting relationship with anyone in particular.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
After hearing about how most truckers listen to NPR, I was interested in this book. I have to admit that I fell for the myth of the Great American Trucker, so this book was a real eye-opener. Reading this makes me look at all these semi-truck drivers differently and I'll definitely stop loitering around the front wheels of a truck while we're both driving on the road.
My one gripe with this book is that some of the dialogue felt artificial or overly-edited to prove a point. It almost had a Gilmore Girls-type feel with how candid people were when speaking to each other, which I have a hard time believing.
My one gripe with this book is that some of the dialogue felt artificial or overly-edited to prove a point. It almost had a Gilmore Girls-type feel with how candid people were when speaking to each other, which I have a hard time believing.
jeannine_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was a VERY different book but it was quite interesting!! Some of the vernacular was dated and a few parts dragged a bit in minutiae, but for the most part I was pretty engaged in this story. I have never read a book about long haul truck driving nor is it something I know much about. Now I am much more informed! Mostly though, these were stories from the road.
I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator (Danny Campbell) had the perfect voice for this story.
I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator (Danny Campbell) had the perfect voice for this story.
shereadsshedrinks's review against another edition
4.0
Really was not expecting to like this as much as I did. What an interesting way to think about work, and how joy and meaning can be found in a lot of places we wouldn't expect. I wish I was as fulfilled by my work as Finn Murphy.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Long Haul: A Trucker's Tale of Life on the Road by Finn Murphy was a book I chose to read for a very personal reason. My grandpa drove a truck for 43 years. He died when I was a teenager, so I never really got the chance to know him as an adult and ask questions about that part of his identity. I loved getting a look at the world of trucking in this one. Y'all, I learned so much. There were so many passages where I had to read aloud to my husband because I just had no idea. It was so interesting to get this inside look at the industry. I really appreciated the reflections on just how much care and consideration truckers put into the transportation of goods. It really is a science, but also there's an emotional component. I also liked how it took the time to just explain sides of the business I have always wondered about - Y'all I finally know how a weigh station works! This was a story that gave me an amazing window into a world I knew little about, and I'm now more fascinated than ever.