Traveling Literary America: A Complete Guide to Literary Landmarks [Paperback]

B. J. Welborn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

Readers and travelers are guided to more than 200 homes and historic sites of America’s greatest writers—from the Jack London Ranch in northern California to William Faulkner’s home in Oxford, Mississippi. Clear driving directions and visitor instructions are combined with unique tidbits about each site and author, such as the story of Jack London’s custom-made furniture and the roll top desk and Dictaphone on display in his study. Literary enthusiasts are guided to the site of Thoreau’s bean field, where they can poke around an exact replica of his cabin. They can drop in on Margaret Mitchell’s recently restored Atlanta apartment or visit John Steinbeck’s haunts in the cozy California seaside town of Pacific Grove. This family-oriented, user-friendly guide teaches literary folk about writers' work, their philosophies, and the forces that compelled them to write. All 50 states are represented, and the literary sites are divided by geographic regions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although this is a reference book, it's also a good read...well designed and user-friendly." —The State Newspaper, Columbia, South Carolina

"All 50 states are represented...organized by geographic regions...a great read and resource for planning a road trip." —Gadling.com

"If you're looking for a thorough reference on author homes and other literary landmarks, this is the book for you." —BookstoreTourism.com

"Anyone who loves books...will love Traveling Literary America. There's a lot of fascinating stuff here." —Chicago Tribune

"An educational diversion to wedge between roller coasters and miniature golf." —St. Petersburg Times

"The book is a browser's delight."  — The Charlotte Observer

"Most extraordinary resource...for anyone who loves great books and great writers. You'll consult this book over and over again."  —TravelSmart newsletter

"Structured in an engaging, intelligent manner...This book does read like a labor of love."  —KLIATT

About the Author

B. J. Welborn is the copy editor for The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, and the author of America’s Best Historic Sites, which has sold more than 10,000 copies worldwide. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Jefferson Press (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971897425
• ISBN-13: 978-0971897427
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Literary Tourists, September 28, 2005

By 

Larry A. Portzline "The National Council on B... (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveling Literary America: A Complete Guide to Literary Landmarks (Paperback)

I'm sure I'll be using this book as a reference for many years to come. If you do any kind of book-related traveling, you'll be glad you picked up a copy.

Welborn crossed the U.S. several times while researching the book, and her diligence shows. The guide is loaded with excellent facts and useful tips, and it couldn't be easier to navigate.

The book lists over 200 homes, museums, exhibits, memorials, etc., and it's divided into sections by region of the country. It includes historical information about each author and his or her work, as well as little-known tidbits that will make your journeys infinitely more interesting.

If you're looking for a thorough reference on author homes and other literary landmarks, this is the book for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Guide To Literary Landmarks, October 30, 2005

By 

Global Traveler "www.travelganza.gttrends.net" (Traveling The Beaches and Mountains of the World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Literary America: A Complete Guide to Literary Landmarks (Paperback)

Anyone who loves books-which presumeably includes anyone reading this review website, will love Traveling Literary America. It is a hefty (more than 500 pages) and features more than 200 literary sites in nearly all 50 states, including author homes, memorials, poetry walks, exhibits and museums. What's more, author B.J. Welborn offers descriptions of towns associated with a particular writer (Jack Kerouac's Lowell, Mass; Willa Cathers "Catherland" in red Clouod, Neb); unusual literary treasures (Yiddish Center in Amherst, Mass); art colonies (MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire); hiking trails (Edna St. Vincent Millay Poetry Trail in New York), and sidebars on literary movements (Romanticism, the Beat Generation). There is a lot of fascinating stuff in here.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Literary Places to Visit, November 17, 2005

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Traveling Literary America: A Complete Guide to Literary Landmarks (Paperback)

Ever since I visited Cross Creek (Rawling's home), I've been on the look out for more author's homes or related sites to visit. It was such a great experience to see her place after reading her books.

Now with Traveling Literary America, readers can visit places associated with Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain, Jack London, Edgar Allan Poe and other admired authors. Besides such well known authors, he includes more offbeat literary figures such as poet Joyce Kilmer's home (New Brunswick, NJ) and songwriter Woody Guthrie's birthplace (Okemah, Okla).

I can't wait to see some of these places and having the book on hand allows me to fit them in wherever I travel in the US.