An intimate journey across and in search of America, as told by one of its most beloved writers, in a deluxe centennial edition In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on … himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley; and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante.
His course took him through almost forty states: northward from Long Island to Maine; through the Midwest to Chicago; onward by way of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana (with which he fell in love), and Idaho to Seattle, south to San Francisco and his birthplace, Salinas; eastward through the Mojave, New Mexico, Arizona, to the vast hospitality of Texas, to New Orleans and a shocking drama of desegregation; finally, on the last leg, through Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to New York.
Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America’s most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South—which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand—Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Written by a master storyteller.
This book by Steinbeck is a personal favorite. I particularly like memoir travel books and you certainly can’t go wrong with Steinbeck. It is interesting to contrast the life of America that Steinbeck witnessed in the 60’s with life today in the 2000’s!!! Considering I was coming of age in the 60’s and was very familiar with the way things were then, I have the unique perspective to see how things are now. I wonder what he would have to say about the present day. I have a feeling he would want to take that journey again and talk to strangers and record his impressions of what he’d witnessed.
So etimes a little wordy, but a fun easy read.
Having read this over 20 years ago I never forgot any of the lessons it taught me. Just read it again recently I found it just as inspiring as I did then. The disappointment Steinbeck expresses concerning the lack of civility in society I find is 10 fold worse in today’s world. If he felt it then we would really disappoint him today. I still believe anyone with the means and the proper attitude should create the Travels with Charlie scenario for themselves.
This is the story of John Steinbeck (author of the book) and his travels across America for 3 months with his dog, Charley. He had decided he wanted to see America, so he bought a truck with a trailer on top that he could live in while on the road. He packed the essentials and headed off. He meets several people on the road – inviting them to dine with him or just sit and chat. He meets Americans from all walks of life while traveling the countryside. He deals with his dog getting sick, and constantly getting lost before he returns home to his wife with a renewed sense of America and its people.
I really enjoyed this book. At first, I have to admit, I was afraid I wasn’t going to like it. Steinbeck talked very little about the actual scenery around him and the beautiful places he visited. He focused mostly on the people and what it was like to travel across the country. I thought at first this was odd, but then the writing too over, and I was hooked. He spoke beautiful about the people he met. He made me laugh with stories about his dog and how it was to travel with an animal for all of those months. In truth, I don’t think Steinbeck was glad he went on this trip. I think, like most of us when we travel, have a delusion of what to expect when we go. And sometimes, the truth is not what we imagined, and it makes us wish we would have just stayed home. I think he met a lot of people across the country that upset him, and he missed his wife, and his dog got sick, and he was in a cramped space, and after awhile – it just wasn’t what he was hoping for.
Steinbeck was a master of word choice. Interesting insights and descriptions of early ‘60s USA
Steinbeck at his best.
A classic. For a book written in 1960 it is very timely
It would be somewhat dated by now, but still shows the work of a true master.
A wonderful travel memoir classic that never gets too old to read. Highly recommend for everyone!
John Steinbeck was the best
Steinbeck is amazing, and his non-fiction is wonderful. I love traveling with him and Charley.
A GREAT READ ABOUT LIFE IN US IN THE 1960.
Entertaining and fun to read. Dated, yet still has much which carries well to the present day.
First book that exposed me to great literature back in 1966
Steinbeck had a way with words which still work today. Gritty, down to earth and emotional. He knew the human spirit.
Read 50 years ago, still great
I had not read this classic since grade school, and what a classic it is. It deserves every positive adjective, just about. Steinbeck’s cross-country trip recreates for us the 60s; that “moment” in history some of us remember, but all of us need to know about. The America that has largely disappeared now but lives on in memory.
Steinbeck has the most beautiful way of describing almost anything. Period. There is no one better
I loved traveling across America with Steinbeck and his dog Charley. He meets such interesting people and charms them – and they charm him and us. I felt like I was a passenger in his camper. Memories of a time gone by.