Driving Around the USA: Automobiles in American Life (Transportation in American Life) [Hardcover]

Martin W. Sandler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Transportation in American Life | Publication Date: December 4, 2003

Capturing the excitement of a nation as it became a driving force -- in more ways than one -- Driving Around America is the story of how America's romantic, restless spirit found its counterpart in the automobile. With Henry Ford's assembly lines lowering the price of cars, ordinary people began to travel where and when they pleased with a freedom never before known -- and the nation would never be the same. People moved farther from their work, creating suburbs; the demand for gasoline increased, spurring the growth of the petroleum industry; and individual members of families moved far from each other, changing the social fabric of the nation. From the auto's early beginnings to the commonplace use of cars in all aspects of life today, Driving Around America is a fascinating portrait of how America transformed as its citizens were on the move more and more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A brief but entertaining look at the impact of the automobile on American society. Sandler begins with the early development of the vehicle and the people involved, covering the pros and cons of steam, electric, and internal-combustion power; Henry Ford and the assembly line; and the significance of the electric starter. He discusses such innovations as license plates, auto racing, and the growth of the highway system. The focus, though, is on the car's social impact: decreased isolation for rural dwellers; increased mobility for physicians; innovation in the delivery of city services; expansion of the suburbs; creation of the country's largest industry; and its economic impact on related businesses such as travel, lodging, and rental cars. Various types of cars, from compacts to SUVs, are described, as are popular modifications, such as hot rods and low riders. The book closes with modern concerns regarding pollution, fuel efficiency, highway safety, and technological innovations. Logically organized and readable, this book is generally, though not flawlessly, accurate as one caption includes an obvious error. The picture is supposed to be of a drive-in movie theater in 1945, but a 1958 Corvette is in the lower left corner and several other 1950s cars are visible. Informative color and black-and-white photos and other graphics enhance the text. Sylvia Whitman's Get Up and Go! The History of American Road Travel (Lerner, 1996) is somewhat more difficult and broader in scope.-Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A brief but entertaining look at the impact of the automobile on American life....Logically organized and readable." -- School Library Journal

"The various modes of transportation are an interesting lens through which students can view culture, economics, politicals, and life choices." --History Matters

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195132300
• ISBN-13: 978-0195132304
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,383,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Too Historical or Accurate, December 2, 2005

By 

Liam O'Shiel "Liam" (Luray, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Driving Around the USA: Automobiles in American Life (Transportation in American Life) (Hardcover)

As the Amazon review indicates, the 1945 "drive-in movie" picture is wrongly dated based on the cars visible. Even more humorous is the fact that the movie showing is the Ten Commandments, released in 1956. Beyond this and a few other inaccuracies, the book is bad history. According to Sandler, the automobile was "eagerly awaited" by the public, so dissatisfied with trolleys and the horse and buggy. There is no evidence whatever that the American public of 1895 or 1900 demanded a replacement for the horse and buggy. Early cars were thought to be nothing more than toys for the wealthy, wholly impractical, noisy, and generally useless. This attitude continued in rural areas until the Model T made cars affordable for farmers. It does no good to tell children what amounts to a fairy tale version of American history. The story of automobiles in America is interesting enough that it can be told to younger minds accurately and with some semblance of historicity.