Reviews (6)

The Big Picture with Fine Details
Roger White's book gives readers a fascinating view of the range of types, uses, and meanings of motor homes in America.He has done the historical pick and shovel work to uncover the details that make this story come alive in the experiences of real people.Perhaps the best testimony I can offer is to state that when preparing a university course on the automobile in American life, I turned to this book for its revealing vignettes of Americans who chose to take their "home on the road."It has found a place on my list of optional readings for that course and should be read by anyone interested in America's cultures of mobility, inventiveness, or leisure.

Great Motor Home Book
In this meticulously researached volume, Roger B. White introduces us to the many types of mobile travel vehicles which evolved during the 20th century. It is a masteful piece of scholarship. But this research is expressed in a highlyreadable text which makes the content easily accessible to the reader unfmailiar with this subject matter. Although I wished that there had been more illlustrations in the book, the ones the author has chosen to include, mostly unseen by the public, succicntly depict the various types of "homes on the road" he is discussing. Nobody interested in the ehtos of the roadside as it evolved in the 20th cnetury should miss reading and owning this terrific volume.

Half The Story, Anyway
I didn't have a chance to look it over before I purchased this book.Had I, I probably wouldn't have bought this book.

I can appreciate the difficulty in researching and writing a book on a fragmented industry.However, like the prior reviewer, I was very disappointed by the dearth of pictures.I was hoping more for a focus on the machines themselves along with historical narrative.The book is simply rather sketchy.This might be understandable for the early years in the industry, but plenty of material to work with should be available at least from the early Travco era on.

Reviews (9)

On the road again....
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.

A lyric journey with 66's poet laureate
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.

Reviews (17)

Endangered Species
Here you will find short descriptions of many non-chain restaurantsin out of the way places.Some complain that the food is predictably regionalized.Well, does one get hush puppies in Boston or Oysters in Nebraska?Of course it is sectional because that best describes our nation and its food character.The sad thing is that places like those described in the book are- or should be- placed on the Endangered Species List.On a road trip our west I said if I came to one more juncture with the same four or five places I was going to scream.

Needless to say the food in this book is not for those following the Atkins, Jennie Craig, or any kind of diet.It is filling, wholesome, fat food that tastes as good as it sounds.The real tragedy is that this book will entertain more by the reading than the actual eating.And, as another reviewer mentioned, this is not just a book on food - it is also a book about our great nation, its richness and diversity.

This is a great idea but don't tell your doctor!
My wife and I do a lot of cross country motorcycling and this is a great book for anyone that likes the tastes of roadside America. We have tried several places in the book, from greasy spoons to ice cream and the book was always dead on with its reviews. If you are a fast food chain lover this is not a book for you. If you want down home, local fun stops then this is it. The only reason why I didn't give the book 5 stars is that the book's web site is more up to date and has more content than the book itself. Thus we tend to use the web site more often. See you on the highways and byways!

Good, but incomplete
Good places to eat are hard to find.Finding an edible alternative to McDonalds or TGI Fridays is a must for long road trips.This book offers a list of good eats when you're a stranger in a strange land.The picks are generally pretty good although with I have encountered a few restaurants where I walked out wanting to write a stern letter to the Roadfood editors.But generally if it's in the book, it's a good meal.

The main problem is that the book is mainly city centric, and is a finite work.There are some cities, and large pieces of states that have no entries at all.And if you know an area well, you may disagree on which restaurants they should have.

Editorial Review

Reviews (4)

It's a start...
I just received this book as a gift and I'm a little disappointed.It does have some weird events to visit and I'll be putting most of them on my TO DO list, but I guess the book itself wasn't what I expected and seems somewhat limited.I really like Roadside America just because it has absolutely SO MUCH stuff to see and do.I like this book and I'll use it in my crazy travels, but I'm not as excited about it as I was when I read the other reviews and put it on my wishlist.

A Fun Trip into America the Wacky
This book is getting a little dated - however it is still a great resource for those wacky Americians who will put on a show for a nickle or a dime.I have read it twice and appreciate the author's attempt at covering an ever growing awareness of out wonderful Country - the U.S. OF A. - this book makes me proud to be and Americian.

Reviews (8)

The Best Book for Driving Around
This is really a top notch book for the guys that like to get in a car and drive down the state highways - avoiding the interstates."Eccentic" = don't be scared off buy that - this is not a book of weird stuff - just FUN stuff.This is one of those landmark travel books that comes out every now and then.The author really did the homework to get it all down in print.

Fun is contageous
Eccentric America leapt off the book shelf and into my hand. Many uncontrollable chuckles and a few tears of laughter later, I exited the book shop with two copies. Within five merry, laughter-filled minutes the eleven year old son of a friend said, "Thanks, Tom," took a copy, and commenced planning his family's upcoming road trip to LA. We're all going adventuring together, thank you.

Janet has created a classic guide that has loaded my life with kinky, wierd and fascinating now and in-the-future destinations of interest, erstwhile she has filled my soul with laughter, laughter and more laughter.

A bit of local adventuring initiated by Janet's cook book of wierd and wacky, and I was thinking, "I've got an idea or two for you, Lady." Then I visited her website. Oh my god, the adventure bug is contageous. Just can't wait for what Janet and her team comes up with next.

Reviews (4)

Beautiful Pictures for the American Time Traveler
As a reader I could tell that the author loves the subject.He includes pictures most of the great tourist attractions and many of the not so great ones.This is a fun book to read.Not a heavy piece of reading - but very informative - from several angles - historical, business, and travel.I have read other books by the author and am impressed with all of them. The layout and art direction of the book serves the subject well.I can see this book going into more editions.The size of the book is swell - big enuf for big pictures - small enuf to handle in "tight spots."

a fun read
John Margolies is a man with a passion for popular culture. Not only has he written this book but he's also written books on the American travel brochure, the roadmap, gas stations, motels, roadsigns and miniature golf. His books are a worthy addition to any library. Not only is he a photographer but he is also an excellent writer, with warmth and affection for his subject.

Reviews (2)

A compendium of nostalgic, yesteryear cuisine
Retro Diner: Comfort Food From The American Roadside by Linda Everett is a compendium of nostalgic, yesteryear cuisine that is a kind of birthright culinary legacy for every American. Profusely illustrated throughout, Retro Diner is a celebration of great eating as experienced by generations of men and women who ate "blue plate specials" and other palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, pocketbook friendly fare from a local diner. From Granny Glenn's Biscuits n' Gravey; Corn Chowder from the Sweetheart Diner; and Off the Grill Ham n' Cheese; to Countryside Chicken n' Dumplings; Big Daddy's Diner Meat Loaf; and Mushroom Burgers from Mooney's, Retro Diner is a pure and highly recommended celebration of a distinctive American cuisine and individualistic dining ambiance that was to pass into cultural history with the introduction and coming dominance of the fast-food franchise.

Step into the past with top recipes from top diners
Dive into the specialty dishes that made the old-time diners famous."Retro Diner: Comfort Food from the American Roadside" won't make it onto the top healthy foods list, but it sure makes some old-time favorites come to life.

With recipes from the 1930's to the 1960's you are sure to find your favorite diner meals here.Alabama Sweet Potatoes, Monte Cristo Sandwich, Butterscotch Pie, you'll find recipes here that you won't find anywhere else.But don't look for any shortcuts here; these are the original recipes, which means the recipes don't start with a plain cake mix but with flour, eggs, and salt.

The book can be confusing at times like where step seven of Dixie Diner's Blueberry Pancakes say to "bake in your waffle iron", which would make it a waffle and not a pancake, or the Chipped Beef recipe that does not include toast or biscuits in the ingredients list but does state to serve it over toast or biscuits, a bit of an annoyance if you are done preparing it and then find out that you have no bread.Things like this are the only reason this did not receive a full five star rating.

Isbn: 0760302111
Sales Rank: 799702
Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Cooking    3. Drive-in restaurants    4. General    5. History    6. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    7. Meal Management    8. Motor Vehicles    9. Reference    10. United States - 20th Century/50s    11. United States.   

Reviews (2)

Photography so personal, you'll want to leave a tip...
Williams' book plunges you head-first into an era when people truly did make money "the old-fashioned way" ( they earned it with their sweat and tears).We sit as interlopers as we watch the toil of dailylives unfurl across the beautifully photographed pages. We sit at thecounter while the waitress who has been at this particular diner way pasther prime, exchanges small talk with the patrons. We can almost feel thecold rain against our faces as we view the water-drenched images of TheCheyenne (NYC) and The Highland Park(NY). We sense the simultaneous joy andfrustration on the faces of diner owners who can't be sure what the futureholds for their life's work. William's has taken us into a doorway that werarely have a chance to enter; he has given us a license to the past.Through this book we have the opportunity to rekindle the memories of ourchildhood, teenage years and young adulthood...all at the same time. Weremember what it felt like to sit at the counter with our Dads. We rememberthe hard formica tables against our ribs as we shared a ketchup-drenchedkiss across the table. We remember introducing our "little ones"to the wall boxes of music that sit on the tables and watch in wondermentas they try to figure out "where the music comes from".

Reviews (7)

Good, just not as expected
While this book offers much for those interested in the people behind Airstream, it offers little about the trailers themselves. Still, a good and interesting read.

Not What I Expected, Either!
Though never having owned an Airstream, I've always been interested in its development and history as the 'Cadillac' of travel trailers.This book was, for the most part, a disappointment.I was primarily interested in the trailers themselves.There are very few illustrations of floor plans over the years, of the development of the interiors and exteriors--after all, today's trailers are quite different from 40 years ago!A great deal of space is dedicated to a few Wally Byam caravans with some large, page-filling photos.

In the end, this can make a nice coffee-table book for Airstream fans.I'd still like to see a more comprehensive research into the trailers themselves and their development.