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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Wise and funny
Always enjoy Steinbeck’s writing; filled with picture writing- or easy to “see” what he writes as he sees it. Loved the funny parts about Charlie.
Anything this author does is worth reading.
I read this years ago when I was in high school. That’s years ago and I still love it. Steinbeck is the best!
This is not a new book. Perhaps I missed it because a travelogue was not appealing. It’s a little difficult to catalogue. You will find it relaxing, mildly provoking at times, prophetic of our current condition and malaise as a country, charming and well ahead of its time.
good read, enjoyed most of the book and was disturbed by the Southern swing on his way home….good reflection of the times across the USA….in a different time
Excellent book written in true Steinbeck style. His analysis of the things he saw and the people he met are realistic and thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
One of the best books around for how life was at the t9ime and hown life has changed since then.You will have to do the compariong the life in Steinbeck’s time to now but you will see a big difference and wonder why.
Steinbach is one of the best writers. I read all of his books years ago and would recommend all of them. His characters are well developed and interesting. I loved this book as it was not dark like k e so many of his.
Steinbeck nonfiction Heaven!
I read this book many years ago. If you are thinking about reading the classics, you can’t go wrong with Steinbeck! All his books are good, but The Grapes of Wrath is the best, in my opinion. I read it when I was 12, my parents were either very liberal or they didn’t pay much attention to my reading material! All Steinbeck books are good, go ahead and have a good read!
One of America’s
More fiction than fact, but nothing wrong with fiction from Steinbeck.
Wonderfully written describes the world as it existed in 1960. Before hippies and the Bietn war. No mention of Elvis. Many pages written about the birth of the civil rights movement A good book for all ages to read
It was boring
I first read this book many years ago when I was a teen. My Mother suggested I read it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Many times over the years as we traveled, she would point something out and say “Remember when Steinbeck mentioned that in Travels with Charley?” and we would laugh remembering the book and the way some things never change. Rereading it brought back many memories.
The writing is outstanding and the story fun,especially if you like dogs.
Probably better than my rating. I probably was too young when I read it (a long time ago.)
Wonderful classic. America is pretty much the same today as when Steinbeck wandered coast to coast-Strange how things change, but stay the same. I had read other Steinbeck books in high school, but somehow missed “Travels With Charley.” Makes me want to revisit the others. Steinbeck writes with beautiful descriptive vocabulary that makes you think and feel like you are right beside him on his journey. Steinbeck is an American icon.
Steinbeck was too old when he tried to write this nonfiction memoir and tends to ramble on about his dog and the camper he was traveling in. This legendary story teller should have stuck to his skills and known when to lay down his pen.