Traveling Route 66 [Paperback]

Nick Freeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2001

1926. Gas is 17¢ a gallon. Haircuts are 25 cents. And U.S. Route 66--two thousand miles of road and concrete--connects Chicago with Los Angeles, making long-distance travel a reality for millions of Americans.

Often called America’s Main Street, this famous highway played a key role in the development of U.S. industry and commerce. It offered the prospect of a better life in the West for families trapped in rural poverty along its path. And, by the early 1940s, it was a lifeline in the U.S. war effort. Route 66 quickly became part of the American Dream, generating its own myths and romance and inspiring scores of novelists, poets, artists, moviemakers, and songwriters to weave its image into their work.

This compact book follows the path of the Mother Road, reveals its importance, and captures its special magic. More than 240 full-color illustrations reveal the unique culture along the road, from neon signs and historic landmarks to favorite cars and recipes popular along the highway.

"Don’t be fooled by this small package--within its pages is a colorful, illustrated history of the fabled road and its landmarks."--Paul Taylor, from the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nick Freeth, who holds a degree in English Literature from St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, is a writer and radio producer with a lifelong interest in American culture and music. His previous publications include The Acoustic Guitar and The Electric Guitar, both cowritten with Charles Alexander. Paul Taylor is the publisher of Route 66 Magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (August 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806133260
• ISBN-13: 978-0806133263
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The big little book of Route 66., October 20, 2002

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveling Route 66 (Paperback)

It's small but its got it all. Rather than turn out another normal size book on Route 66 the publishers had the great idea of making it pocket size, four by six inches, landscape and with FOUR-HUNDRED all-color pages. I predict that this will be the standard book for those who want to make the trip. Each of the eight states that 66 goes through has a chapter, they start with a simple map, comments about landscape and climate, then the text details what to look for along the way, with the help of historical and contemporary photos, a linear map with places and mileage goes across the top of all of these pages.

Between all the route pages are some lovely spreads of Route 66 Americana which repeat themselves throughout the book, Route Food (pages 174-175 has Red-Hot BBQ Beef Ribs) Transport (168-169 has a 1936 Harley-Davidson) Music of the Road (Woody Guthrie on 156-157) and Famous Sites (Wigwam Village, Holbrook, AZ, on 294-295). The books production is excellent, good choice of photos, well laid out pages (a tip of the hat to designer Phillip Clucas) with colourful graphics behind the text on most of them. The back has a book list, useful resources guide (including websites) and index.

I recently reviewed 'The Final Cut Route 66' by German photographer Gerd Kittel. Eighty-three wonderful photographs of what he saw along 66 and I think it is the perfect book to complement Nick Freeth's travelogue. Kittel has the knack of producing really good color in his photos. Both books do justice to a unique and fascinating bit of America.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the serious traveller, or any traveller, August 7, 2006

By 

Loungelistener "LL" (Great Lake State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Route 66 (Paperback)

Compared to other Route 66 books, this one rates far below them. I can appreciate the love for the mother road in it, but there's too much fluff. I don't care about what songs the author recommends, or the cars. There's also some glaring mistakes, which could throw you off. If you want to travel '66, this is NOT the book you want to use.

For a "look see" book, OK, but your money would be better spent on something like "Route 66: The Mother Road" by Michael Wallis.

If you want to travel the route, spend you money on "Route 66 Adventure Handbook: Updated and Expanded Third Edition" by Drew Knowles or "Route 66: EZ66 Guide for Travelers" (best choice) by Jerry McClanahan.

If I had it to do over again, I would not have purchased this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Book in a Small Package, May 9, 2002

By 

raisyn (TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Route 66 (Paperback)

Don't let the size of this book fool you. Approximately the height & width of a post card, it is packed with vibrant full color pictures and information. Archive photos, current conditions of Route 66 icons and roads, and text that is very well written. Even regional culinary receipes from the Mother Road! What more could you ask? An excellent book for both actual and arm chair Route 66 travelers.