Customer Reviews

America and Americans

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book at a sale and was intrigued by it right away. It was written in 1966 and the photos are so interesting to look at. But, the best part - every single one of his essays in the book is still relevant today. Which is not a good thing. It really made me stop and think about how far we haven't come as a nation - even though we think we're leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. We are a selfish group of people, we contradict most of what we say and do, and we are blind (or look the other way) to many of our actions.

I really was appalled by the truth in which he spoke. I have a new found respect for Mr. John Steinbeck - not only as a writer, but as a politically aware individual.

this is an interesting and unusual compilation of Steinbeck's periodical writings, otherwise not readily available, which I found to be very insightful regarding the Salinas community's odd dislike of Steinbeck. While the Grapes of Wrath were hardly boosterism for California growers and law enforcement, some of these articles are almost rabid in their intensity and even more poignant in their journalism. This is a really useful resource for anyone interested in getting a wider sense of Steinbeck's thinking and development.