The Great American Wagon Road (Paperback)

~ Lawrence McGuire (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Great American Wagon Road is the story of three completely different individuals who by chance find themselves traveling together to California. First we meet Leatherwood, a drifting street musician with a mysterious, tragic past. He hitches a ride with Paul, a stiff academic on a spiritual quest. But everything changes when they cross paths with Lara, a Grateful Dead fan who is returning to the mainstream after two years on the road.

The book is first and foremost a compelling road narrative and a description of the dynamics of a sexual triangle. But the novel goes deeper, as it probes the classic themes of death, spirituality, love, and identity. Finally, it is an unforgettable rendering of the American Experience.

The Great American Wagon Road is Book One of the trilogy, A Pilgrimage to Ojai. Book Two, narrated by Lara, is titled The Gathering at Big Sur. And Book Three is Paul’s Ojai Journal. Each book is narrated by one of the three main characters and each is complete unto itself. However the three together form parts of a whole powerful story.

About the Author

Lawrence McGuire was born in the southern Appalachian Mountains. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a History of Science degree. McGuire has traveled widely in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. He has worked as a folksinger, freelance-writer, and teacher. He is currently living and teaching in southern France and, in his free time, enjoys music, hiking, camping and reading.

Product Details

• Paperback: 119 pages
• Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589391179
• ISBN-13: 978-1589391178
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,240,822 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tar Heel, January 15, 2003

By A Customer

Don't let the unassuming appearance of this book dissuade you from reading it. If you do, you'll be missing a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Lawrence McGuire has crafted a wonderfully sweet (and at times, bittersweet) story of three different souls who have been brought together by a search for "something else" in their lives. It starts off at a somewhat leisurely pace but before long, things really start happening.
Because "The Great American Wagon Road" is the first book of a planned trilogy, it does end leaving you wanting more, as a well-written series should.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for "The Gathering at Big Sur".

4.0 out of 5 stars On the Road with Leatherwood, January 7, 2003

By A Customer

A friend of mine gave me this book. I found it very readable. The author is able to express complicated ideas clearly, and the characters are vivid. I read the book very quickly, on a flight from New York to San Francisco. I recognized a couple a American 'types', who seem very accurately drawn.

The main weakness of the book is that, though it culminates with a long exciting chapter, it ends with an unfinished feeling. This is probably because it is part one of a trilogy. I'm definitely looking forward to reading book 2 if it ever comes out.

The stuff about Krisnamurti made me want to learn more about the man.

I recemmend this book to everybody. It's well written, that's the main thing. Smooth and easy to read.