Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream [Hardcover]

Lucinda Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

A photograpic survey of 20th century American cars and the icons of roadside America, including neon-drenched diners, drive-in movies, last-chance gas stations and the attractions of route 66.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One of pop culture's universal truths is that Americans have carried on an unabashed romance with the automobile since its invention around the turn of the twentieth century. This rich, oversize album by a renowned car photographer, who refers to herself as a "classic car junkie," will touch the heartstrings of those who feel the romance of the road. In more than 200 color photographs, Lewis "poses" splendid examples of cars from throughout the history of the American automobile industry at planned locations where cars traditionally "hang out," such as at drive-in restaurants, drive-in movie theaters, motels, and diners, or in desert settings, or with golden fields in the background. These beautiful shots reflect Lewis' conviction that "cars are most themselves in their natural habitat. They belong on the road. And they belong to the road." We see cars in elegant profile or provocative full face; we see luxury cars (Imperial), sports cars (Corvette), and utility cars (Grand Cherokee). The bright, spirited, and informative text provides excellent mortar holding the photographs together. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Lucinda Lewis is one of the world's premier automotive photographers. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and books, including Abrams' Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream. Lewis is also the photographer of Abrams' Sun-Drenched Gordens: The Mediterranean Style. She lives in Los Angeles. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 271 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810944340
• ISBN-13: 978-0810944343
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 10.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,134,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roadside A Winner, October 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream (Hardcover)

I was wowed by this book. I've seen vintage car books before, but this one is different. First, the photography is a notch above the best I've seen. Lucinda Lewis is a true artist with the camera. Second, this is no ordinary chronicle of automotive history. Instead, the author takes the reader on an imaginary journey across America, much of it on historic Route 66, where each car is photographed (beautifully) in a period setting appropriate for the vehicle. The author loves cars and loves photography, and her passion comes through in the book. Much of the text of the book is about the "roadside experience" and the development of auto travel in America rather than detailed technical descriptions of the vintage cars. Because of that, this is a book you can enjoy as a good read while being dazzled by some astounding photography.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile time-travel guide; review exerpt from lacar.com, November 17, 2000

By 

Harold Osmer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream (Hardcover)

...Arranged in chronological order, the seven chapters take us from 1895 through 1999. The pictorial focus is on American iron, largely from the '50s and '60s. Lewis' narration accompanies in a casual tone with dry humor and interesting historical anecdotes, allowing the reader to mentally complete the cross-country journey with ease. I found myself reliving the multiple coast to coast excursions I took in the 1970s and felt the seeds of yet another trip being planted.

...Roadside America is a long-term book. Lucinda Lewis has lovingly recorded historic cars in historic settings with such visual detail that it is impossible to take them all in at one viewing. You will come back time and again. This book evokes all the romance and sense of adventure that early automotive culture has come to mean. Whether you are a fan of beautiful old cars, traveling Americana, automotive culture, or dramatic professional photography of all of the above, Roadside America, The Automobile and the American Dream is for you.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Mix Of Automobile History & Premium Photography, December 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadside America: The Automobile and the American Dream (Hardcover)

When it comes to the love of automobiles, my hub is somewhat of a road warrior. So, when he purchased this book, I must admit I feigned polite interest. After thumbing through pages of classy, glossy dream vehicles--- I was hooked. This was no ordinary book on cars. This was eye candy with all pedals to the metal.

Photographer Lewis relates that ad agencies would urge her to shoot cars in studio setups. But she always preferred to go on location to wait until the dawn sky "radiated a glow that rolls like warm caramel across a car's sheet metal."

That glow rolls through the pages of this sumptuous photographic history of the American motor car. The book starts with the Model T (costing $850 in 1908) and Henry Ford's vow to "build a car for the great multitude." It picks up speed in the '20s with the birth of the U.S. highway and cruises to our current national love affair with SUVs, "two-ton behemoths that swill fuel like hogs at the trough."

The automobiles themselves will be treat enough for car nuts. For the rest of us there is Lewis's affection for Americana. She shoots a '35 Ford pickup, black with red-rimmed wheels, against the bleakness of Two Guns, Ariz.; a ruby red '59 Cadillac Eldorado convertible in the glitter gulch of Fremont Street in Vegas; and a muscle-car legend, the '64 Pontiac GTO, beneath a towering doughnut sign in L.A.

A great gift for car loving guys & gals on Valentine's Day or any day. Warning: The rumble of the road will be calling you!