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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Not Mr. Steinbeck’s VERY best – but very interesting. Laugh out loud funny at times especially regarding Charley; and it surprised me how very “down to earth” he (Steinbeck) was! One of my most favorite writers. Sad, contemporaneous account of the turmoil of the sixties.
Insightful-wonderful-heartfelt—Steinbeck’s open minded observation of everyday life will leave you smiling and nodding in agreement.
gave a great and correct into the US as it existed in the 1960s.
Wonderful, I have read it a long time ago and now again. It hasn’t lost its luster yet.
Like all of John Steinbeck, it is beautifully written, believable.
The grandfather of an entire genre of books such as Blue Highways. As much a revelation of Steinbeck as it was of America.
Despite having read many of Steinbeck’s books, I’d never read this one before. I loved it and it will be placed on my list of all-time favorites! Steinbeck uses the “vehicle” of a camper and a trip across the county to share with the reader some of his profound insights on the human condition.
A great fun read, a wonderful depiction of America in the earlier years. Wonderful writing, great characters and interesting. Would recommend for anyone who likes modern history or good writing.
A great read.
A true classic. Fun to see his impressions of 1960 America.
Read this about 40 years ago and picked it up again. All I really remembered was Charley’s Ffft!
I had never read this classic by Steinbeck before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Charley alone is a worth the reading!
Very entertaining. I hated for the story to end. A rare find.
A great light hearted read with a dark look at America’s underbelly. I highly recommend it.
Charley was Steinbeck’s dog on a long distance trip. Out oer 50 years ago, when I first read it, but still marvelous today.
An American classic.
I have greatly appreciated everything I have ever written by Steinbeck, but this does not fall into that category. Some interesting material, but nowhere near the quality of his earlier writings.
Steinbeck is a master storyteller and here he spins a story from real life. Around each bend in the road is a new experience as Steinbeck serves up his take on humanity, community and Americana along the back roads from New York to Washington and down through the Southern states.
I am from Salinas, so revere Steinbeck. I read it years ago but I purchased it now for a friend for her Kindle. This was Steinbeck as Steinbeck the man, less as a famous author. Charlie was clearly a great traveling companion.
This was probably the inspiration for Jack Kueriac (?) and his On the Road adventures.