Route 66: The Mother Road [Paperback]

Michael Wallis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Like others before him, from John Steinbeck to Charles Kuralt, Michael Wallis went on the road in search of America. The result is...a colorful paean to a most romantic highway."--The New York Times

"Since the do-gooders abolished public hangings, the only show in town worth watching is the traffic on Highway 66 heading West and Route 66: The Mother Road is the best book we have to tell us what we are seeing."--Stanley Marsh III, Owner, Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

"This story of our nation's most famous highway keeps alive an important part of American history. It's a delight."--Ted Drewes, Owner, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, Missouri

"Route 66 changed the course of my whole life. I will treasure my trip forever, and this book recaptures very vividly every memory."--Bobby Troup, Songwriter, "Get Your Kicks on Route 66"

"The tone of Route 66: The Mother Road is as friendly as that of a big diner, where the conversations of people who have just met drift through the air like the steam from their coffee cups."--Phil Patton, author, Open Road

"Any of you who love nostalgia will love Route 66: The Mother Road as much as I do."--Tony Hillerman

"A love letter to the road...He wraps the history of the route around pictures of it and lets the people who have traveled and lived along the Mother Road tell their stories."--Kelli Pryor, Entertainment Weekly
-- Review

Product Description

The definitive book on the most famous road in American history-- now published in paperback to celebrate the highway's 66th anniversary.

It began in the early 1920s with a vision of a paved highway that would connect Chicago to Los Angeles and the West. By the time of its completion, the road would cover over 2,400 miles, three time zones, and eight states. It would link the windy shores of Lake Michigan with the waters of the Pacific Ocean-- a two-lane road rolling together through the great American Southwest, tying together the vestiges of America's pioneer passages into one meandering and magnificent highway.

Route 66. It was the road of dreamers and ramblers, drifters and writers: the road of John Steinbeck, Woody Guthrie, and Jack Kerouac. A ribbon of American highway that transported the Okies, driven from their land as storms of dust swept across their farms, to the promise of California. It was also the highway of commerce-- of automated ice-cream stands and old "no-tell" motels, salty truck stops, and a neon allure. Phillips 66, Coca-Cola, Burma Shave. It was Bobby Troup's "Get Your Kicks on Route 66." It was the lights and the breeze and the radio and the litany of towns: Joplin, Flagstaff, San Bernardino. A smilin', "Hi-how're-y'all-doin-t'night" big-boned waitress and a steamin' cup of coffee. Route 66, the passage west, the road of flight, the Mother Road.

After seventeen years of research, Michael Wallis has compiled the definitive book on the most legendary road in American history. Wallis weaves together a rich tapestry of eight decades that chronicles the road from its founding to its demise with the advent of the interstate system, and to its current unprecedented revival. Route 66 is also a pictorial journey of nearly three hundred images that detail the highway's history, roadside diners, motels, forgotten towns, and most impressively, its people.

Two years after its nostalgia-inspiring hardcover publication, Michael Wallis's bestselling Route 66 finally appears here in its first paperback edition. It is a book, unlike any in recent social history, that has spawned a national movement, brought new hope to those pockets of the American prairies where hope had long since vanished, and revived a dying American road.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (September 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312082851
• ISBN-13: 978-0312082857
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #360,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On the road again...., February 17, 2005

By	J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Route 66: The Mother Road (Paperback)

I've always enjoyed 'Road Books' and this has got to be one of the best.Of course we all are familiar with the song "Get your kicks on Route 66" as well as the TV Series;which was a long time ago and to me is lost in the fog of the past.I've always had it in the back of my mind to "do" Route 66,all the way from Chicago to the coast,so when I saw this book,I just had to pick it up and read it.It is an extremely good read,with a large number of great photos.I don't think it is possible to do a book like this without including all the pictures.The old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words certainly applied here.Until I read this book I had no idea of the lore and interest that so many people have about this road.I get the feeling there is nothing short of many thousands who make it a hobby in itself.Just for fun, I did a search on Amazon for Route 66,without specifying an author, and it turned up 193 items--wow!Every type of book imaginable,postcards,cook books,guides,maps;you name it,and its there to be had.
I guess this book must be one of the best since it was listed first.
My only experience with Route 66 was about 20 years ago when I visited Meramec Caverns in Stanton,Mo.While the book is excellent,I fear the trip,if taken now,would be somewhat disappointing,as it appears that so much has fallen victim to the ongoing march of "progress".However,I am sure there is still lots to explore and experience;particularly if one studies up on it and takes time to dig out the relics of the past.Then again,anytime one gets off the Interstates and takes time to observe while travelling the "back roads"there is lots to find and great people to talk to.Route 66 should still be no different.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent front to back historical coverage of Rt. 66., March 11, 2007

By	G. Mohr (Medford, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

This is a great book for just kicking back and taking a virtual ride on Rt. 66. I, myself, have never been down the road as I am an East Coaster and never yet made the western trek to California. However, I always dreamed of doing such in a RV and now I know for sure what road to take.

While I have heard of Rt. 66 before, I (never prior to reading this book) knew much about the road. What got me started on Rt. 66. was the fairly recent Disney movie "Cars" (of which I highly recommend seeing). The movie touched upon what Rt. 66 means to America and it's past and also the effects of the Interstate system and I-40 on Rt. 66.

The author of the book, Michael Wallis, has a cameo in "Cars" as the voice of the police car. So it was quite obvious to me that if Mr. Wallis' knowledge is good enough for Disney...Well, this made my decision very clear on what Rt. 66 book to purchase.

Wallis's knowledge of the road is fantastic and expansive. He takes you from the road's beginnings both literally and historically. You go through each state and further to each town along the route, explaining in detail how the roads beginnings were to how they are today. After reaching California, Wallis then has a dedicated chapter on how a recent movement is presently undergoing to restore Rt. 66. highlighting those business's that remain and new and old attractions to visit.

As other reviews pointed out, this book does create a very vivid image in one's mind that does allow you to virtually go down Rt. 66. It is a great 'primer' for those who want to brush up on thier Rt.66 history and also gives you a good idea of places to visit once you plan a trip on the historic road.

Created in sections by state, you can either choose to go through the book front to back as I have or choose to reach each state in more detail. Everything is here.

The only gripe I would have with the book is that while it is an excellent historical document on Rt. 66, I was hoping that key places would be easier to find and laid out more like a reference book. This way I could easily look up attractions in each state and see how they were and how they are now. I am assuming I would get this wish by buying Russ Olsen's "Route 66: Then and Now" book.

As for traveling, I know I would want a quick reference. If you are traveling Route 66, using this book as a reference will have you fumbling through pages. So this book is best read BEFORE one takes on the trip. For the road trip itself I was recommended "Route 66 Adventure Handbook" by Drew Knowles and also the "EZ66 guide for travlers" by Jerry McClanahan. (I have still yet to read these). From what I gathered by other reviewers these two books supplemented with Wallis's book would give anyone everything they would need to know about Rt. 66.

So bottom line, for overall history and just about everything you need to know about Rt 66. while taking a virtual tour of the road, well, this is it. This is where this book shines. A fantastic book best read from cover to cover.

However for a quick reference to take on an actual Rt. 66 road trip, that is where this book falls short. There are probably better sources for that task.

Overall a great buy for the price and it would make a great addition to anyone's American history library and it would also make a great coffee table book (especially if they made a hardcover edition).

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lyric journey with 66's poet laureate, May 9, 2002

By	Ron Franscell, Author of 'The Darkest Night' - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Route 66: The Mother Road (Paperback)

If you ever wanted to make a real journey to a place that's both real and imagined, a place in your heart as much as in your geography, and if that place happens to be Route 66, take this book.

Michael Wallis is the unofficial poet laureate of 66 and this book reflects exactly what the Mother Road meant to America and can mean to you. He's covered every inch of it, and he knows where it leads.