Review
"Take a retro ride through the '30s and '50s with this picture book that focuses on teardrops and other vintage trailers, often shown with period vehicles." (
Arizona Republic )
"Gasp at their gumption; admire their ingenuity. It takes a special breed of travel aficionado for ''Teardrops and Tiny Trailers.'' Popular during the 1940s and '50s, these vintage tow-alongs are specialty items: kicky to restore and decorate, impractical to maintain. A new hardcover by Douglas Keister offers a colorful peek inside." (
Birmingham News )
"It's a fun book, and clear that tiny trailers are nothing less than portable personalities." (
Chico Enterprise-Record )
"Virtually every page is colorfully illustrated with historic teardrops and, notably, the interesting vehicles used to tow them. His text is not without its charms as well. Mr. Keister throws in interesting little facts with each section. He notes, for instance, that the shiny aluminum Airstream-style trailers had their origins in aircraft design. Like these little trailers, he packs a lot of content in a compact package. And like the teardrops, the book is a little gem." (
New York Times )
From the Inside Flap
Buckle up as Douglas Keister takes you for a decidedly retro ride in the world of diminutive travel trailers in Teardrops and Tiny Trailers. The demand for vintage trailers-the smaller the better-has risen dramatically in recent years, with the most in-demand trailers being "teardrops," first manufactured in the 1930s and containing just indoor sleeping space and an outdoor exterior kitchen. Also profiled in the book are "canned ham" trailers, whose shape resembles the profile of a can of ham; small-size examples of America's most beloved vintage trailer, the Airstream; miniscule gypsy caravans in Europe; and fiberglass trailers made in Canada. Two hundred color photographs showcase these trailers' sleek exteriors, retro-styled interiors, and, in many cases, the restored classic cars that tow them. Teardrops and Tiny Trailers includes a resource section chock-full of places to locate vintage trailers, clubs to join, and rallies to attend.
Photographer/writer Douglas Keister has authored thirty-six critically acclaimed books. His books on classic recreational vehicles include Ready to Roll, Silver Palaces, and Mobile Mansions. In addition, he has authored twenty-five books on architecture, including Inside the Bungalow, Storybook Style, Red Tile Style, Classic Cottages, and Cottages. Keister also writes and illustrates magazine articles and contributes photographs and essays to dozens of magazines, newspapers, books, calendars, posters, and greeting cards worldwide. He lives in Chico, California.
(20080813)
