Customer Reviews

Verse by the Side of the Road: The Story of the Burma-Shave Signs and Jingles

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With the low-brow humor of "whazzzzzup" and high-speed editing of MTV-style ads dominating the landscape, it's almost hard to imagine how memorable the quaint multi-sign Burma-Shave ads were. The combination of clever verse and brilliant exposition -- stretching along the wide-open road until the punch line could be delivered -- is unlike any other ad delivery in history.

Author Frank Rowsome, Jr. tells the story of the campaign's creation and life, and provides a listing of all signs from the first in1927 ("Shave the modern way / No Brush / No Lather / No Rub-in / Big Tube 35-c Drug Stores / Burma Shave") through their last in 1963 ("Our Fortune / Is Your / Shaven Face / It's Our Best / Advertising Space / Burma-Shave"). In between is an amazingly clever collection of poems, including contest winners, shorter signs for smaller displays, spin-off tooth powder and lotion jingles, and regional ads.

Great reading for those remembering the signs as well as those who just want to get a smile from some great advertising - one of the USA's most underappreciated art forms.

I read this book twenty odd years ago, and I loved it. It brought back such fond childhood memories of my days on the farm in Belsano, PA, where a set of the signs stood soldier-like in the lower field of my grandad's farm. I heard from the grown-ups that someone paid him to put them there, and money was scarce in those days.

I was always intrigued by those signs, so when I saw the book advertised for the first time, it was a must-have for me. I cherished owning a complete set of the verses, most of which I'd never seen.

The book is well-written in that it has a lot of historical fact, loads of humor, and the story-telling holds your interest to the last page. One of those "can't put it down" types.

Somewhere in my travels, I've lost my copy and have mourned it's loss. Thanks to Internet, I will once again have my own cherished copy of "Verse by the Side of the Road."

If you currently own a car built before 1965, there's a pretty good chance you remember driving past those wonderful Burma Shave signs.

How delightful those signs were as we went on Sunday drives with Mom and Dad. Here is not only the complete history of the company but also ALL of the rhymes.

Being raised in the midwest, and traveling through Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin where they seemed to be on the roadside every 20 miles, our family used to read them and then one of us would have to try to come up withour own. We came up with some good ones of our own. I recommend this book to anyone who traveled and enjoyed these pieces of Americana.

This book tells the story behind those great and now gone Burma-Shave signs that so many of us remember seeing along the highways from the late 1920's to the early 1960's. When we were kids we read the signs but now it is fun to learn some of the events that took place "behind the scenes". Included in the back of the book are all the verses that were used and listed by years. A great gift!

You've made this much too complicated and much too time-consuming for an old geezer like me. As usual, the product and service were outstanding.
Have a nice day -- unless you've made other plans. Hope that's 20 words or more!

charming book, arrived super fast, great condition, great price. Lots of laughs & nostalgia--reminded me of the family vacations by car. recommend!

Since the signs disappeared in 1963, many of us have never seen the Burma-Shave signs in person. However, even nearly fifty years later, we still hear about these signs. If you watch classic movies or television, there is a big chance you have heard of the Burma-Shave signs.

This book is a quick, light read and very interesting. One can get a glimpse of America from the early days of the automobile up to the sixties by taking time to sit back and read this book.

Author Frank Rowsome Jr. gives us a listing of all, or almost all, of the series of signs used and chronicles them by year. He also tells us some interesting stories and history about the company and the signs themselves.

If you are into history or trivia, you will like this book.

Great review of all the verses and the history behind them. Many good memories. Arrived quickly, like new condition. Would deal with this seller again.

BEST EVER!!!!!!! BOOK ARRIVED IN PERFECT CONDITION (NEW) TWO DAYS FROM WHEN ORADER WAS PLACED! ******** 5 STAR PLUS!