Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

by Michael Wallis (Author) "Route 66. Just the name is magic..." (more)
Key Phrases: bumper signs, mother road, old highway, New Mexico, Los Angeles, Will Rogers (more...)

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 byway." --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 of the 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!" --Will Rogers, Jr.

"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 of "(Get Your Kicks on)
Route 66"

"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...{Wallis} 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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Revised edition (June 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312281617
• ISBN-13: 978-0312281618
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,145 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 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.

18 of 20 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

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, great storyteller, brings old road to life!, December 7, 1997

By	[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

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

Wallis is a skillful storyteller who brings this highway alive! He ignites in the reader the desire to travel the road & get to know the cast of characters who live & work on the shoulders of Rt 66. Lots of great memories for baby boomers who took family driving vacations. The book reminds us that so much of what we love about America; the "mom & pop" businesses, the quirky tourist attractions and the good people are still out there, waiting to be rediscovered on Route 66.