Trucker!: A Look at America and its Most Vital Industry: A Tribute to the Ten Million Men and Women in Trucking Who, Through Their Dedication and ... Keep the Economic Engine of America Turning [Paperback]

Charles R. Farris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2005

The author has written books on subjects from humor to open-heart surgery and technical articles for various trade publications. With degrees in engineering and business, he is an active writer, inventor, and volunteers in educating people in areas about high blood pressure and heart disease and allergies. Trucker! takes the reader into the world of America’s number two and most vital industry: trucking. The author takes you on a cross-country road trip in various big rigs to portray this vital industry and its three million dedicated long-haul truckers who brave the elements in every kind of weather and traffic situation 24/7 to deliver the goods that we Americans take for granted. Along the way you will read some very special heart-wrenching stories about truckers, their families and some extraordinary achievements that make these “knights of the road” real heroes. If you know, live with, are related to, love or hate a trucker, this book will change your mind about truckers, forever.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413799191
• ISBN-13: 978-1413799194
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,949,006 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 This book is the REAL DEAL about the Trucking Industry, July 19, 2006

By 

Mike B "Mike B" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trucker!: A Look at America and its Most Vital Industry: A Tribute to the Ten Million Men and Women in Trucking Who, Through Their Dedication and ... Keep the Economic Engine of America Turning (Paperback)

In my opinion as a retired Long-Haul driver with 1 million(+) miles under his belt, I can tell any person that is interested
in becoming a Professional truck driver that this book is a MUST READ!

The author covers this business with chapters from A-Z when it relates to the OTR trucking business, from the drivers perspective. He also has included a superb, detailed synopsis (what I came to call a 'Journey Across America') of his real travels with professional drivers. At times it made me sad to (again) realize how tough it is to make it out there on the highways of America..but, if we all wanted to get 'rich', then driving Long-Haul would not be the first choice in careers, yet, there is a distinct 'yearning' to be on the road again after reading this book. It made me laugh, and in certain spots dang near had me in tears as I was reminded of just how dangerous and horrific situations can become without the proper training.

The book also includes travels down many 'side roads', that is the author includes true stories about the history and cultures of parts of the country being travelled through. I know, from my own experience, that long-haul drivers gain a huge education in the cultural history and geography of every region of the US, learning little factoids every day as they drive along the Interstate. Driving long-haul, in my opinion, is a skilled profession with 'minor degrees' in local history and culture...with thousands of other drivers and local experts being the 'professors'. Classes are taught daily over the CB radios..it's listen and learn!

Mr Farris didn't 'sugar coat' any of the information in the book. Sadly, almost all of the other books written for prospective truck drivers tend to glamorize the lifestyle far beyond what it is, and I find Mr. Farris's TRUCKER to be honest and straightforward in presenting the truth about running over-the-road in today's world.