Customer Reviews

Backroads, New Jersey: Driving at the Speed of Life

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I bought this book expecting it to be a description of intersting stores and shops, perhaps some places to eat alnog some of the secondary highways of NJ. What I got was the personal history of the author as well as a history of NJ. It was a fascinating read as DiLonno takes out along several of the "500" roads of NJ, which are secondary hgihways designed to supplement the larger, faster roads of the state. DiLonno tells us about the towns you pass thru and described the contrast from one end to the other end, and tells us tales from his own past when he traveled some of these roads with his father. These personal details as well as the interesting and obscure facts about the towns is both fascianting and illuminating. I expected a guide to where to shop and eat and instead I got a history of NJ.

I throughly enjoyed the book, but I must say that B&W pictures suffer from being (IMHO) not crisp or sharp enough, a tad on the dark side and not having enough depth of field. That's not to say they're bad, but I always believe B&W pictures, to be effective need to be the things I mentioned above, and these weren't. The color pictures are good, but there aren;t enough. (Disclaimer: I actually love B&W, and have nothing against it)

One negative: There are 17 roads profiled, in a book of 137 pages so that's roughly 8 pages per road. For some reason he devotes less then one page each to Route 501 & 514. I'm not sure why but since 501 is the only road in the book that goes thru Bergen County, I was disapointed that it was glossed over, especially since Bergen County is home to the earliest colonial settlements anywhere, and since a lot of important history took place here.

Otherwise, an excellent, thought provoking book.

This book is full with interesting facts, tidbits and general information regarding New Jersey's many highways and backroads that make up this great state. DiIonno did a great job putting this book together and I recommend anyone interested in the history and many tidbits about New Jersey to buy this book!

Star-Ledger columnist Mark Di Ionno's most recent book is also his most personal. It is an idiosyncratic look at the 500-series secondary, inter-county roads of New Jersey. Part travelogue, part geology and geography lesson, and always engaging, it will inspire you to fill the gas tank, find some cruising music, and wander the byways of this varied, fascinating state, to explore and seek out the daily adventures that are awaiting us all, if we just pay attention. Di Ionno, in a spring 2009 column about one of his boyhood idols, Star-Ledger sportswriter emeritus Jerry Izenberg, wrote these words: Like many of you, I grew up reading Jerry Izenberg, so I knew him long before I met him. This is the greatest compliment you can pay a writer. Jerry's writing voice is natural and honest. It tells you who he is. He writes like he talks, minus the swear words. When you are done reading this book, you will realize that these words also apply to Di Ionno himself - you too will know him, even if you never have the privilege of meeting him in the flesh.